Lecture 16: Equine Clinical Nutrition Case

a horse is 1150 lbs and has a BCS of 9/9. what would be the ideal BCS?

5/9 → lose 50 lbs per BCS score → 200 lbs

the horse’s owner reports that the horse has free-choice pasture, small grain feedings twice daily, and seasonal hay supplementation. what concerns do you have about this feeding program?

type of feed/hay/pasture, time of year, treats

why is this horse at risk?

obesity → insulin dysregulation → hyperinsulinemia → laminitis risk

medical management for laminitis risk

• phenylbutazone → pain/inflammation

• Thyro-L → metabolic support; increased metabolic weight → stimulate weight loss → increased insulin sensitivity

• pentoxifylline → vascular effects

what does pentoxifylline inhibit?

matrix metalloproteinases → enzymes that become overactive in laminitis

how do you safely induce weight loss?

controlled caloric intake, maintain gut health, reduce NSC intake

feeding plan on dry matter basis

• phase 1 (weeks 1-2) → 2% current BW

• phase 2 (weeks 3-4) → 1.5% current BW

• phase 3 (goal weight) → 1.5% ideal BW

conditions to allow pasture

• only after stabilization

• limited time (1-2 hours)

• grazing muzzle

• avoid high-risk times (frost, drought, evenings)

if needed, additional nutrition includes

• balancer pellet (proteins, vitamins/minerals)

• low NSC feeds → high fiber, low starch specialty pellet

• fat supplementation

hoof management

• coordinate radiographs and trim

• shorten toe, ease breakover

• consider therapeutic shoeing

• soft rider boots