Chromium and Horses with Equine Metabolic Syndrome
Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) is a collection of risk factors associated with insulin-induced laminitis. There are three typical features of EMS in horses: obesity and regional fat accumulations on the neck and tail head, insulin resistance or dysfunction and laminitis. Lean horses can also develop EMS, especially older horses with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID or Cushing’s disease). A crucial challenge with EMS is elevated insulin levels (hyperinsulinemia) that are toxic to the hoof lamina and can lead to laminitis. Therefore, controlling insulin must always be the primary priority in managing horses with EMS. Nutritional and exercise management are also paramount in the prevention of laminitis. The cause of hyperinsulinemia in horses is not well understood but it is believed to be associated with obesity and systemic inflammation. When a horse consumes carbohydrates in grains or forages, glucose is absorbed which stimulates the release of insulin. Cells in horses with EMS do not respond normally to insulin’s signal. Blood glucose levels stay elevated, and the body responds by producing higher levels of insulin. Maintaining a lean body condition with consistent exercise is critical with EMS horses. Feeding low carbohydrate rations will also reduce blood glucose spikes, which is needed to minimize hyperinsulinemia.