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How can we practically manage obese horses and ponies?

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Applied equine nutrition and training

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Abstract

Key practical management strategies of obese/overweight animals include: (1) promotion of weight loss and improved insulin sensitivity via dietary restriction and, where possible, an increase in physical activity; (2) avoidance of certain feeds that may exacerbate insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia (feeds rich in non-structural carbohydrates such as grains, high starch containing feeds and ‘lush’ or stressed pasture forages) and, in some cases (3) treatment with levothyroxine sodium (and potentially other medications - although the efficacy of all of these needs to be proven).

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  1. WALTHAM Centre for Pet Nutrition, Freeby lane, Waltham on the Wolds, LEI2 4RT, Melton Mowbray, United Kingdom

    Pat Harris

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Harris, P. (2011). How can we practically manage obese horses and ponies?. In: Applied equine nutrition and training. Wageningen Academic Publishers, Wageningen. https://doi.org/10.3920/978-90-8686-740-0_6

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