Equine metabolic syndrome

Abstract

The equine metabolic sydrome (EMS) is defined as a collection of risk factors for the development of endocrinopathic laminitis. In the pathogenesis of this syndrome, the presence of insulin dysregulation is the key determining factor. Important risk factors for the development of insulin dysregulation in horses are the type of feed, the body condition score and genetic factors. Several diagnostic methods have been described, each of them with their own advantages and disadvantages. Treatment and management of horses and ponies with EMS rely heavily on the reduction of the risk factors and are mainly based on dietary interventions.