Equine metabolic syndrome: part 1
Authors: Philip J Johnson
Journal: UK-Vet Equine
Summary
# Equine Metabolic Syndrome: Clinical Recognition and Diagnostic Approach Equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) and obesity are increasingly prevalent in practice, but the distinction between them—and the underlying insulin dysregulation that characterises EMS—carries substantial clinical significance. Johnson's review synthesises current evidence on how insulin resistance and hyperinsulinaemia drive endocrinopathic laminitis risk, a complication with potentially catastrophic outcomes if left unmanaged. The practical focus centres on early clinical identification through phenotypic assessment combined with appropriate diagnostic testing protocols that can reliably detect insulin dysregulation before laminitis develops. Prompt recognition enables timely intervention through dietary modification, exercise management, and pharmacological support, substantially reducing the incidence of laminitis in at-risk populations. For farriers, veterinarians, physiotherapists, and nutritionists, understanding the diagnostic markers and clinical presentation of EMS is essential for collaborating effectively in prevention strategies that protect metabolically compromised horses from life-threatening complications.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Screen horses for signs of metabolic syndrome and obesity as part of routine preventive care, as early intervention can prevent severe laminitis
- •Understand the relationship between insulin dysregulation and laminitis risk to better counsel clients on management and dietary modifications
- •Familiarise yourself with current diagnostic tests and clinical recognition criteria for metabolic syndrome to enable prompt identification and treatment initiation
Key Findings
- •Equine metabolic syndrome and obesity are increasingly recognised conditions with insulin dysregulation as the underlying endocrine abnormality
- •Insulin dysregulation represents a high risk factor for endocrinopathic laminitis development
- •Early recognition and prompt treatment of metabolic syndrome is crucial for preventing laminitis and its potentially fatal outcomes