Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-r5fsc Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-24T07:32:02.477Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The effects of dietary manipulation and exercise on weight loss and related indices of health in horses

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 June 2009

M E Gordon ,
M L Jerina ,
R H Raub ,
K A Davison ,
J K Young  and
K K Williamson
M E Gordon*
Affiliation:
Land O, Lakes Purina Feed, Longview Animal Nutrition Center, 100 Danforth Drive, Gray Summit, MO 63039, USA
M L Jerina
Affiliation:
Land O, Lakes Purina Feed, Longview Animal Nutrition Center, 100 Danforth Drive, Gray Summit, MO 63039, USA
R H Raub
Affiliation:
Land O, Lakes Purina Feed, Longview Animal Nutrition Center, 100 Danforth Drive, Gray Summit, MO 63039, USA
K A Davison
Affiliation:
Land O, Lakes Purina Feed, Longview Animal Nutrition Center, 100 Danforth Drive, Gray Summit, MO 63039, USA
J K Young
Affiliation:
Land O, Lakes Purina Feed, Longview Animal Nutrition Center, 100 Danforth Drive, Gray Summit, MO 63039, USA
K K Williamson
Affiliation:
Land O, Lakes Purina Feed, Longview Animal Nutrition Center, 100 Danforth Drive, Gray Summit, MO 63039, USA
*
*Corresponding author: [email protected]
Get access

Abstract

Obesity is considered a risk factor for laminitis, insulin resistance and other medical problems in horses. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that a feeding and exercise programme would induce weight loss and affect indices of health in overweight horses. Twenty-three overweight (BCS 6.5–9.0) QH and TB horses were assigned to three groups: calorie restriction (DIET), calorie restriction plus exercise (DIETX) and a control group at weight maintenance (CON). Measurements included body weight, body condition score, rump fat thickness, glucose, insulin, leptin, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and triglycerides. Frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance tests measured insulin sensitivity (SI), glucose effectiveness and acute insulin response to glucose (AIRg). Disposition index (DI) was calculated. DIETX underwent a fitness test (graded exercise test) on a treadmill before and after the experimental period, and performed a standardized submaximal exercise regimen in an Equi-ciser™. Horses in the DIETX group lost more weight (P < 0.01) than DIET or CON. DIET also lost more weight versus CON (P < 0.05). All groups had decreases (P < 0.05) in BCS, with DIETX and DIET exhibiting the largest decreases. DIET and DIETX decreased (P < 0.05) in rump fat thickness. Cortisol decreased (P < 0.05) in DIET, and NEFA decreased in DIETX pre- versus post-weight loss. There were decreases (P < 0.05) in leptin and AIRg in DIET and DIETX pre- versus post-weight loss. DI was decreased (P < 0.05) in DIET and CON. SI was decreased (P < 0.05) only in CON. Calorie restriction and calorie restriction plus exercise programmes were successful in achieving weight loss in overweight horses. Indices of obesity, physiological stress and fat metabolism can be significantly altered with calorie control and exercise.

Keywords

equinenutritionweight lossexercise
Type
Research Paper
Information
Comparative Exercise Physiology , Volume 6 , Issue 1 , February 2009 , pp. 33 - 42
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2009

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1 Thatcher, C, Pleasant, R, Geor, R, Elvinger, F, Negrin, K, Franklin, J, Gay, L and Were, S (2008). Prevalence of obesity in mature horses: an equine body condition study. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition 92: 222.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
2 NAHMS USDA Equine 98: National Animal Health Monitoring System Equine Mortality and Morbidity Info Sheet. www.aphis.usda.gov.Google Scholar
3 Field, J and Jeffcott, L (1989). Equine laminitis – another hypothesis for pathogenesis. Medical Hypotheses 30: 203–210.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
4 Jeffcott, L, Field, J, McLean, J and O'Dea, K (1986). Glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in ponies and Standardbred horses. Equine Veterinary Journal 18: 97–101.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
5 Lewis, L (1995). Water, energy, protein, carbohydrates, and fats for horses. Equine Clinical Nutrition. Baltimore, MD: Lea and Febiger, pp. 15.Google Scholar
6 National Research Council, (2007). Nutrient Requirements of Horses. Washington, DC: National Academy Press.Google Scholar
7 McKeever, KH and Malinowski, K (1999). Endocrine response to exercise in young and old horses. Equine Veterinary Journal Supplement 30: 561–566.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
8 Westervelt, R, Stouffer, J, Hintz, H and Schryver, H (1976). Estimating fatness in horses and ponies. Journal of Animal Science 43: 781–785.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
9 Henneke, D, Potter, G, Kreider, J and Yeates, B (1983). Relationship between condition score, physical measurements and body fat percentage in mares. Equine Veterinary Journal 15: 371–372.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
10 Hoffman, R, Boston, M, Stefanovski, D, Kronfeld, D and Harris, P (2003). Obesity and diet affect glucose dynamics and insulin sensitivity in Thoroughbred geldings. Journal of Animal Science 81: 2333–2342.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
11 NOAA Satellite and Information Service, National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service, Weather. http://lwf.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/research/us-weekly.php?year=2006&month=12&sat=30&submit_form=Submit&_submit_check=1.Google Scholar
12 Kubiak, J, Crawford, B, Squires, E, Wrigley, R and Ward, G (1987). The influence of energy intake and percentage of body fat on the reproductive performance of nonpregnant mares. Theriogenology 28: 587–598.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
13 Powell, D, Reedy, S, Sessions, D and Fitzgerald, B (2002). Effect of short-term exercise training on insulin sensitivity in obese and lean mares. Equine Veterinary Journal Supplement 34: 81–84.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
14 Freestone, J, Beadle, R, Shoemaker, K, Bessin, R, Wolfsheimer, K and Church, (1992). Improved insulin sensitivity in hyperinsulinaemic ponies through physical conditioning and controlled feed intake. Equine Veterinary Journal 24: 187–190.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
15 Pratt, S, Geor, R and McCutcheon, L (2006). Effects of dietary energy source and physical conditioning on insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance in horses. Equine Veterinary Journal Supplement 36: 579–584.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
16 Stewart-Hunt, L, Geor, R and McCutcheon, L (2006). Short term training increases insulin sensitivity, Glut-4. Equine Veterinary Journal Supplement 36: 226–232.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
17 Weyenberg, S, Hesta, M, Buyse, J and Janssens, G (2007). The effect of weight loss by energy restriction on metabolic profile and glucose tolerance in ponies. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition 92: 538–545.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
18 Buff, P, Dodds, A, Morrison, C, Whitley, N, McFadin, E, Daniel, J, Djiane, J and Keisler, D (2002). Leptin in horses: tissue localization and relationship between peripheral concentrations of leptin and body condition. Journal of Animal Science 80: 2942–2948.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
19 Gordon, M, McKeever, K, Betros, C and Manso Filho, H (2005). Plasma leptin, ghrelin and adiponectin concentrations fit versus unfit Standardbred mares. The Veterinary Journal 173: 93–102.Google Scholar
20 Margetic, S, Gazzola, C, Pegg, G and Hill, R (2002). Leptin: a review of its peripheral actions and interactions. International Journal of Obesity 26: 1407–1433.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
21 Cartmill, J, Thompson, D, Storer, W, Gentry, L and Huff, N (2003). Endocrine responses in mares and gelding with high body condition scores grouped by high vs. low resting leptin concentrations. Journal of Animal Science 81: 2311–2321.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
22 Stich, V and Berlan, M (2004). Physiological regulation of NEFA availablility: lipolysis pathway. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society 63: 369–374.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
23 Treiber, K, Kronfeld, D, Hess, T, Byrd, B, Splan, R and Staniar, W (2006). Evaluation of genetic and metabolic predispositions and nutritional risk factors for pasture-associated laminitis in ponies. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 228: 1538–1545.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
24 Love, S (1993). Equine Cushing's disease. British Veterinary Journal 149: 139–153.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
25 McKeever, K and Gordon, M (2004). Endocrine alterations in the equine athlete. In: Hinchcliff, K, Kaneps, A and Geor, R (eds) Equine Sports Medicine and Surgery: Basic and Clinical Sciences of the Equine Athlete. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders, pp. 793–814.CrossRefGoogle Scholar