Metabolic responses of horses and ponies to high and low glycaemic feeds: Implications for laminitis

Abstract

Equine laminitis is the painful condition resulting from disruption of the laminar bonds within the foot. Understanding the dietary triggers may facilitate strategies to prevent laminitis in susceptible animals. The purpose of this review is to examine how dietary factors may lead to insulin resistance and/or excessive insulin production from the pancreas, and why certain breeds or types of horses are more predisposed to this form of laminitis than others. Understanding these relationships will be very important when considering appropriate feeds and the dietary countermeasures necessary for preventing this condition. It is important to note the breed type when considering the likely metabol..