Caring for Easy Keepers

Watch for these signs in an easy keeper—and here’s how to help them live at their healthiest.

Your beloved equine partner has always loved his feed trough, and these days he’s looking a bit rotund. How can you know if your “easy keeper” horse is headed toward a potentially serious disease like laminitis or Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS)? Here are a few signs to watch out for, and ways you can reduce or prevent occurrences of these diseases.

Dr. Francisco Alvarez, DVM of Lone Star Equine Sports Medicine says it can be tricky to identify a horse in the risk category just by looking at them, but there are certain physical traits that might indicate the horse could potentially fall into this category.

“These horses tend to be those that easily gain weight and hold onto fat, often with a cresty neck, fat pads over the ribs or shoulders, or behind the girth,” Dr. Alvarez said. “They may also have a round or ‘fluffy’ appearance, even on a low-calorie diet.”

Horses prone to laminitis or with EMS are often easy keepers, Dr. Alvarez says.

Laminitis

Laminitis is a painful, potentially debilitating condition where the laminae—structures that connect the hoof wall to the coffin bone inside—become inflamed, Dr. Alvarez says.

“This can cause the coffin bone to rotate or sink within the hoof, leading to lameness,” Dr. Alvarez said. “It is often triggered by excessive intake of sugar-rich grass, grains or a sudden change in diet.”

Equine Metabolic Syndrome

Dr. Alvarez explains that EMS is a condition characterized by insulin resistance, which leads to abnormal fat accumulation and an increased risk of laminitis.

“Horses with EMS may also have abnormal fat distribution, like a cresty neck or fat pockets along the topline,” Dr. Alvarez said. “EMS is closely linked to diet, especially overconsumption of carbohydrates—sugar and starches.”

Signs to watch for

Dr. Alvarez says these signs may indicate potential issues:

· Fat deposits, such as a cresty neck—fatty bulge at the top of the neck, fat along the girth, or excessive fat over the ribs and shoulders.

· Laminitis signs, such as acute lameness, especially after grazing on lush grass or eating rich food. The horse may have difficulty walking, or appear to be rocking back on its heels to relieve pressure from the front hooves.

· Increased body condition to a score of 7 or higher (on a 9-point scale) despite being on a controlled diet or regular exercise may be at risk for metabolic issues like EMS.

· Behavior changes—horses with EMS or at risk for laminitis may show sluggishness, lethargy or difficulty in movement due to discomfort or pain caused by metabolic or hoof issues.

Prevention tips

What can you do to reduce your horse’s risk for these conditions? Here are some suggestions.

Diet control. Dr. Alvarez says monitoring your horse’s diet is the most important step.

“Horses at risk of laminitis or EMS should have limited access to lush pasture, especially in spring and fall when sugar content is high,” Dr. Alvarez said. “High quality hay—low in sugars—and a controlled low-starch feed should be prioritized. Hay should be soaked for 30 minutes to reduce sugar content before feeding.”

Regular exercise. Maintaining a healthy weight through consistent exercise is key, says Dr. Alvarez.

“Regular, moderate work helps reduce the likelihood of fat accumulation, and keeps insulin sensitivity in check,” Dr. Alvarez said.”

Scheduled hoof care. Dr. Alvarez advises working closely with a farrier who understands the risks of laminitis and EMS.

“Regular hoof trimming and proper shoeing can help prevent any deformities or discomfort caused by metabolic issues,” Dr. Alvarez said.

Monitor body condition. It’s a good idea to regularly assess your horse’s body condition and make adjustments if the horse starts to show signs of excessive weight gain.

“Using tools like a body condition score (BCS) chart can be helpful for this,” Dr. Alvarez said.

Veterinary monitoring. Dr. Alvarez recommends scheduling regular veterinary check-ups, which include blood tests to measure insulin and other markers of metabolic health. This can help catch early signs of EMS or pre-laminitic changes.

“If your horse shows signs of metabolic issues, your vet may suggest a more detailed nutritional plan or medication,” Dr. Alvarez said.

If your horse is an easy keeper, or pre-disposed to a condition such as laminitis or EMS, he’ll require careful management of his diet, exercise and overall health. But early intervention and preventative measures can go a long way in keeping your horse comfortable and healthy.

“Regular veterinary and farrier checkups, along with careful monitoring of their weight and diet, are key components of preventing issues before they become severe,” Dr. Alvarez said.

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