Equine Metabolism Support with Supplements
A horse’s metabolism converts calories to energy. Sometimes, even with a good diet and exercise plan, a horse might have a hard time maintaining a healthy weight due to a metabolic condition. Work together with your vet to establish a diet and exercise plan, and ask if a horse metabolic supplement is right for your horse.
Horse metabolic supplements work to promote your horse’s insulin and glucose levels to stay in the normal range. Ingredients such as magnesium and chromium are common. When insulin and glucose levels are kept within normal range, your horse’s weight can be better managed. Horses with elevated insulin levels can result in laminar injury and foot pain. If your horse has chronic sore feet, cannot be on pasture, or has a history of founder, a metabolism supplement may be able to help.
There are supplements that help support horses suffering from a variety of metabolic conditions. Some metabolic supplements focus on the pituitary and thyroid gland, by allowing them to work normally, which can improve a variety of conditions related to the endocrine system. Natural thyroid supplements can help correct imbalances that can cause coat and weight issues, so your horse's overall body condition can improve.
Other horse metabolic supplements focus on the management of anhidrosis (the inability for the horse to sweat) Some of these supplements work with nutritional ingredients to engage neurotransmitters to start the sweating process and others with ingredients like soybean oil, marine fish oil, and all-natural vitamin E, to name a few.
Magnesium is also involved in energy metabolism and protein synthesis so your horse will use energy more efficiently. Some brands of metabolic supplements utilize magnesium in their formulas.
Cushings disease is another issue related to the horse’s metabolic system. Many horse owners have found success with a supplement that helps support equine metabolism in a horse with Cushings.
Your veterinarian is your partner in horse health. Consult closely with your vet to determine the best diet, exercise and supplement plan for your horse with a metabolic issue.