Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
How pasture and obesity affect insulin and adiponectin in UK ponies
By Barnabé, Marine A et al.·Published in Equine veterinary journal·2026·Department of Clinical Sciences and Services, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Effects of pasture consumption and obesity on insulin dysregulation and adiponectin concentrations in UK native-breed ponies.
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A group of seven native-breed ponies in the UK were studied to see how eating grass and being overweight affected their insulin levels and a protein called adiponectin, which is important for preventing laminitis (a painful hoof condition). Over 22 weeks, the ponies gained weight and showed signs of insulin dysregulation, with insulin levels rising significantly after eating sugar. The ponies also had lower levels of adiponectin as the study progressed. Both short and long grass types were linked to decreased insulin sensitivity, indicating that managing their diet is crucial to prevent health issues.
People also search for: pony insulin resistance · laminitis prevention diet · overweight pony treatment
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Insulin dysregulation (ID) and hypoadiponectinaemia (total [adiponectin] <7.9 μg/mL) are risk factors for laminitis. They are sometimes, but not always, associated with obesity. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of pasture consumption and obesity on ID and circulating total [adiponectin] in ponies. STUDY DESIGN: Longitudinal. METHODS: Seven native-breed ponies with normal basal and post-oral sugar test (OST) [insulin] and body condition score (BCS) 4.3-5.5/9 were allowed to graze until they reached BCS 7/9. Ponies were then maintained at BCS 7/9 until completion of the study (week 22). Morphometric measures, OST, insulin tolerance test (ITT), plasma [adiponectin], whole-blood expression of receptors for adiponectin, insulin, and insulin-like growth factor 1, and pasture conditions (height and vigour) were determined fortnightly. RESULTS: Median (range) BCS increased significantly (p < 0.001) from 5.0 (4.3-5.5; week 0) to 7.2 (5.7-7.5; week 22). Basal [insulin] did not change significantly over the study, but median post-OST [insulin] was significantly higher (p < 0.05) at week 14 (95.2 [17.9-114.0] μIU/mL), week 16 (103.0 [16.4-166.0] μIU/mL), and week 20 (93.6 [10.0-153.0] μIU/mL) than week 0 (25.0 [10.0-64.0] μIU/mL). Compared with week 0, ITT results were significantly lower at weeks 2-6 and 12-20, and [adiponectin] was significantly lower at weeks 10-22 (p < 0.05). [Adiponectin] decreased in all ponies during the study. Both low (3/10) and high (8-9/10) pasture scores were significantly associated with low ITT results. Low pasture scores were associated with low [adiponectin]. BCS was significantly associated with basal [insulin], post-OST [insulin], ITT results, but not [adiponectin]. MAIN LIMITATIONS: No control group with maintenance of ideal BCS; small sample size comprising native UK ponies. CONCLUSIONS: Six ponies developed hypoadiponectinaemia, and all showed transient or consistent ID during the study. Both short, stressed grass and long, lush grass were associated with decreased tissue insulin sensitivity.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40257424/