Insulin dysregulated horses metabolic responses to forage pellets.
Authors: Macon Erica Lyn, Harris Patricia, McClendon Margaret, Perron Brittany, Adams Amanda
Journal: Journal of equine veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary Hyperinsulaemia-associated laminitis remains a significant welfare concern for insulin dysregulated horses, with exaggerated insulin responses to nonstructural carbohydrates (NSC) serving as a key risk indicator. Researchers from the University of Kentucky conducted a randomised crossover trial comparing insulinemic responses in eight insulin dysregulated and seven control horses following consumption of three forage pellets (timothy hay, alfalfa hay, and timothy-alfalfa mix at 1 g/kg bodyweight), alongside positive and negative dietary controls. Insulin dysregulated horses demonstrated markedly elevated insulin dynamics across all metrics—with incremental area under the curve values approximately four times higher than controls (890 vs 225 µIU/mL·minute), peak insulin concentrations nearly four-fold greater (101.5 vs 25.7 µIU/mL), and considerably steeper delta responses—yet critically, their response to the low-NSC forage pellets (9.8–10% NSC) was equivalent to a low-NSC negative control and substantially lower than dehulled oats. These findings suggest that forage pellets formulated to contain less than 10% NSC can be safely incorporated into the diet of insulin dysregulated horses when fed in modest quantities, offering practical feeding alternatives for owners managing horses at risk of laminitis without relying solely on hay-based diets.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Timothy hay, alfalfa hay, and timothy-alfalfa hay pellets at 1 g/kg bodyweight can be safely fed to insulin dysregulated horses without causing excessive insulin spikes, making them viable alternatives to high-NSC feeds
- •The key to safety with these forage pellets appears to be portion control—feeding small amounts (1 g/kg BW) prevents the exaggerated insulin response seen in ID horses
- •These forage pellets provide a middle ground between restrictive very low-NSC diets and high-risk grain-based feeds, improving management flexibility for owners of ID horses at risk of laminitis
Key Findings
- •Insulin dysregulated horses showed significantly higher insulin response to all forage pellets compared to non-dysregulated horses (IAUCi 890±925 vs 225±228 µIU/mL*minute; p<0.01)
- •Forage pellets (timothy hay, alfalfa hay, timothy-alfalfa hay) with 9.8-10% NSC induced similar insulin responses in ID horses as low-NSC control feed (218±327 µIU/mL*minute)
- •Forage pellets elicited dramatically lower insulin responses in ID horses compared to dehulled oats positive control (218±327 vs 10,522±4,565 µIU/mL*minute)
- •Low-NSC forage pellets fed in small amounts (1 g/kg BW) appear to be a safe feedstuff for insulin dysregulated horses without triggering augmented insulinemic responses