Observable body traits such as obesity are not reliable predictors of serum insulin concentrations in ponies, according to recent research. Serum insulin concentration at 60 minutes (InsulinT60) after an oral sugar test is important because it indicates future laminitis risk and insulin dysregulation (ID). Obese ponies are more likely to have ID, but ID cannot be ruled out in ponies that are thin or in normal body condition.

Insulin Research

Researchers took 1,763 oral sugar tests from 367 non-laminitic ponies over about a four-year period. The oral sugar tests were taken each spring and fall.

Researchers looked at insulin levels versus age, body condition score, cresty neck score, bulging supraorbital fatpads (excess fat in the area above the horse’s eye) and a range of other features.

Results

Researchers determined that owner-reported and physically-apparent data were limited InsulinT60 predictors. Associations were age, body condition score, and bulging supraorbital fatpads.

In spring, the relationships were as follows: age, Welsh/Welsh X breed, sex (gelding), BCS, plasma adiponectin, and basal insulin.

In fall, the relationships were as follows: age, body condition score, and bulging supraorbital fatpads.

InsulinT60 is a complex trait, independently associated with numerous variables, some with seasonal interactions.

This research was published as “Factors Associated with Insulin Responses to Oral Sugars in a Mixed-Breed Cohort of Ponies.” It was authored by Edward J. Knowles, Patricia A. Harris, Jonathan Elliott, Yu-Mei Chang, and Nicola J. Menzies-Gow. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37606314/

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  • Kimberly S. Brown and Jewell

    Kimberly S. Brown is an award-winning writer and publisher. She is the Editorial Director for My Senior Horse. Brown spent 10 years at Equine Network, parent company of My Senior Horse. Prior to that she worked for three years in equine nutrition after she retired from nearly 30 years working at The Blood-Horse. Brown spent the last 15 years of her time at that organization creating and developing The Horse and TheHorse.com.

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