Effects of fat supplementation on plasma glucose, insulin and fatty acid analysis in ponies maintained on a forage-based diet.
Authors: Williams T, Rude B, Liao S, Mochal-King C, Nicodemus M
Journal: Journal of animal physiology and animal nutrition
Summary
# Effects of Fat Supplementation on Metabolic Parameters in Ponies Fat supplementation at levels up to 15% of a forage-based diet altered circulating fatty acid profiles in ponies without adversely affecting glucose or insulin regulation, according to research by Williams and colleagues published in 2018. The study employed a crossover design in which five Shetland/Hackney cross mares received alfalfa pellet diets top-dressed with a vegetable oil blend at 0%, 5%, 10% and 15% inclusion rates, with blood sampling conducted intensively over 10 hours post-feeding during each five-day trial period. Whilst plasma glucose and insulin concentrations remained unaffected across all fat levels (p > 0.1), the fatty acid composition of blood plasma shifted significantly: ponies fed no supplemental fat showed elevated myristic acid (C14:0) and reduced linoleic acid (C18:2), whilst added fat diets increased stearic acid (C18:0), oleic acid (C18:1), linoleic acid (C18:2) and eicosenoic acid (C20:1) concentrations (p < 0.1). For practitioners managing ponies with metabolic concerns or those requiring improved energy density, these findings suggest that moderate fat supplementation can safely augment the fatty acid profile without triggering glycaemic or insulinaemic dysregulation—though the small sample size and pony-specific population warrant careful consideration before extrapolating to other equine types.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Adding vegetable oil to forage-based diets (up to 15%) is safe for ponies and does not cause problematic changes in blood glucose or insulin regulation
- •Fat supplementation effectively modifies plasma fatty acid profiles, which may benefit coat condition and metabolic health without metabolic risk
- •Forages with added fat appear suitable for ponies requiring caloric supplementation without concern for insulin dysregulation
Key Findings
- •Fat supplementation at 0%, 5%, 10%, or 15% of diet did not significantly alter plasma glucose or insulin concentrations in ponies (p > 0.1)
- •C14:0 increased and C18:2 decreased in the 0% fat diet group, while C18:0, C18:1, C18:2, and C20:1 were higher in added fat diets (p < 0.1)
- •Fat supplementation influenced fatty acid composition without negatively impacting blood glucose and insulin metabolism