“Easy keepers” are horses that tend to naturally maintain a high body condition without extra feed.

“We really need to keep a special eye on these horses because of the risk of insulin dysregulation (ID),” explained Maggie McClendon, MS, Scientist III and Instructor at the University of Kentucky Gluck Equine Research Center. “Even if the horse doesn’t necessarily have adiposity or fat pockets throughout their body, they still can be insulin dysregulated.”

Horses with insulin dysregulation are at increased risk of hyperinsulinemia-associated laminitis (HAL), an extremely painful hoof disease.

Management Strategies for Easy Keepers

McClendon listed key feeding and management strategies for ID or easy-keeping horses:

  • Be aware of not only the percentage of nonstructural carbohydrates (NSCs) that you’re feeding (which you can find on the feed bag), but also the grams of NSC being fed per meal. This is important, she explained, “because some of what you would consider to be safe or low-NSC diets, if fed at a higher amount can cause a hyperinsulinemic response in these horses.”
  • Also understand the amount of NSC that’s in the forage the horse is consuming. If possible, find a low-NSC hay (ideally, one that’s around 10-12% NSC).
  • Do seasonal endocrine screening (e.g., oral sugar test) to establish baseline insulin, diagnose ID, and monitor how your horse’s insulin levels change throughout the seasons.
  • In sound horses, start a moderate exercise routine at 130-170 beats per minute, 30 minutes at a time, five times a week. “If you have a horse that has had laminitis in the past, it’s best to do a lower exercise protocol, keeping their heart rate around 110 for 30 minutes five times a week,” McClendon advised.

Watch the video for more research-based advice on managing easy keepers.

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  • Alexandra Beckstett is a lifelong horse owner and an award-winning writer and editor. She is the editorial director of EquiManagement and MyNewHorse.com, prior to which she spent 13 years with The Horse/TheHorse.com.

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