Equine Insulin Resistance

Insulin resistance in horses has plagued us veterinarians for decades. Those "easy keepers" as we like to call them. The ones that just look at a scoop of grain or a lush pasture and they gain weight or even founder. You know the type. Well, as a veterinarian, I am not immune to this condition and actually have two insulin resistant (IR) horses myself. For years, we have battled with their weight and thankfully have not encountered any incidence of laminitis.

In many cases, just knowing that a horse is overweight with laminitis is usually all one needs to suspect IR, but we have various blood tests that we can perform to verify. One such blood test is called an insulin panel and is generally performed after an overnight fast. This test will tell us what the horse's insulin level is at rest, when there is no food source in the system. In most cases of IR, the insulin value is elevated, sometimes with an elevated glucose or sugar level as well. To explain further, insulin is the chemical that is produced by our pancreas in response to climbing blood sugar levels. Insulin is responsible for pushing the glucose into the cells in order to produce energy...in simple terms. In the case of an IR animal or human for that matter, for some reason, the cells become non-responsive to the insulin and don't allow it to introduce the glucose. This leads in many cases to an elevated insulin level as well as glucose value. The inability of the cells to respond to the insulin then can lead to not only weight gain but also impairs cellular function at various levels, including that within the hoof resulting in laminitis. If the cells can't get their energy source, they don't function very well.

Traditional treatments for IR include turnout of the horse onto a dry lot with minimal grass as well as reduced grain intake or "low carb" feeds. If the horse has laminitis, then appropriate measures are taken there to stabilize that condition. The problem, in my eyes, with this traditional treatment regimen is that it is not addressing the underlying problem, all it is doing is depriving the system of carbohydrates.

In human research on diabetics, the conclusion has been drawn that chronic inflammation is at the root of the problem. This is a long discussion and meant for another time and post. The bottom line is that the inflammation is responsible on a certain level for the cell's inability to respond to insulin. Therefore, in theory, if we are able to control the inflammatory response, we may be able to reverse the problem and improve cellular response.

Our Cur-OST products are targeted at chronic inflammation, period. We have had reports both in our veterinary practice as well as in our customers across the U.S. that their IR horses are improving on our products, specifically the EQ GREEN product. I have used the EQ Green product in my own horses as well as a few others and followed their insulin values. There is definitely a response going on with reduced insulin values after administration of the product. Recently, I have been utilizing a new formula that we are working on that has a combination of berry extracts shown in human literature to decrease insulin values in IR humans. The results with our new formula have been impressive. Just recently we had a mule on the test formula from Texas. His initial insulin value was 222 pmol/L and after 30 days, his level had decreased to 102 pmol/L. Normal insulin values are 32-187 pmol/L. He is doing well per his owner and feels great.

The big question in my mind is if we can control the inflammation and reduce insulin values, can these horses resume a normal life being on pasture with little to no limitations? In the case of my horses, they are both on the test formula, maintaining normal insulin values, on full pasture and even fed a small amount of grain with orchard grass in the evening when stalled. Clinically they are doing great with some weight loss noted but still much to go. We are headed in the right direction.

Want more information or have questions? Email me through our website.

All my best,

Tom Schell, D.V.M.