American horses are obese, too
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By
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Joshua Moen
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June 8, 2026
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Clinical Scorecard: Obesity Rates Among American Horses Are Alarmingly High
At a Glance
| Category | Detail |
|---|
| Condition | |
| Key Mechanisms | Insulin dysregulation, hyperinsulinemia, chronic feeding of nonstructural carbohydrates (source needed) |
| Target Population | |
| Care Setting | |
Key Highlights
- 51% of mature light-breed horses in the U.S. are obese.
- Equine metabolic syndrome presents with obesity, elevated triglycerides, and laminitis.
- Insulin dysregulation is central to equine metabolic syndrome.
- Dietary factors, particularly nonstructural carbohydrates, drive obesity in horses.
Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
- Measure insulin directly to identify dysregulation.
- Monitor for signs of laminitis and metabolic disease.
Management
- Adjust diet to lower calorie, less insulinogenic formulations (source needed).
- Educate owners on the link between diet and metabolic health (source needed).
Monitoring & Follow-up
- Regularly assess serum insulin levels.
- Observe for clinical signs of obesity and metabolic syndrome.
Risks
- Increased risk of laminitis and other metabolic diseases.
- Potential for structural failure in hooves.
Patient & Prescribing Data
Dietary changes are crucial; education alone is insufficient (source needed).
Clinical Best Practices
- Focus on early detection of insulin dysregulation (source needed).
- Implement dietary management strategies to prevent obesity (source needed).
- Engage owners in understanding the health impacts of feeding practices (source needed).
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