Testing for insulin dysregulation

Horses with Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) are susceptible to laminitis associated with insulin dysregulation (ID). Advanced cases have markedly elevated resting insulin levels (Basal Insulin Concentration: BIC), and the diagnosis is straightforward. It is quick and easy to carry out a basal insulin test, only requiring a single blood sample. 

Unfortunately, it may not detect many early cases of ID which can have resting insulin levels within the normal reference range.

This may lead owners to conclude that changes to diet and management are not required.

There is a need for a simple test that can be used by ambulatory veterinarians at the owners’ premises to identify more of those suspect cases of EMS that are missed by the BIC test.

Researchers in the Netherlands investigated to see if using an Oral Sugar Test (OST) would be more useful than BIC for detecting ID.

Linda Van Den Wollenberg and colleagues, studied 90 adult horses, of various breeds, used for recreational purposes, and maintained at the owners’ premises in the Netherlands and Belgium. Their work is published in the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science.

The researchers collected blood samples before and 75 minutes after administering sugar solution (0.45g/kg of commercially available corn syrup.)

They compared the number of horses classified as "ID-positive", "ID-suspect", and "ID–not diagnosed" according to the basal insulin concentration (BIC) (>50mU/L; 20-50mu/L and

There was a significant difference in outcome of the results of the two tests. 

The oral sugar test proved to be more useful than the basal insulin concentration. BIC classified 3 horses as ID-positive and 6 horses as ID-suspect (a total of 9/90, 10%). In contrast, the OST classified 25 of the 90 horses (28%) as ID-positive. 

The researchers conclude that, under field conditions, the OST is preferred over the BIC for use as a screening test for ID.

They add that “In addition, our results support the assumption that obese horses and “easy keeper” breeds have a higher tendency of having ID.” They suggest: “further studies are required to assess the repeatability of the OST as we performed it, under different circumstances and within an individual.”

For more details, see:

Comparison of Two Diagnostic Methods to Detect Insulin Dysregulation in Horses Under Field Conditions.

Linda Van Den Wollenberg, Veerle Vandendriessche, Kees van Maanen, Guillaume H.M.Counotte

Journal of Equine Veterinary Science (2020) Vol 88, 102954

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2020.102954

A good memory for a face

Horses recognise other horses using a combination of senses such as sight, sound, and smell. They can also recognise their human carers. But how do they do it? Can they recognise a photograph of someone they know? And if so, can they remember someone they last saw months ago?

Research at the French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRA) investigated whether horses could differentiate between photographs of familiar and unfamiliar faces.

The study, led by Lea Lanslade, found that mares could recognise a photograph of their keeper that they had last seen six months previously. A full report of the work is published in Science Reports.

Eleven three-year-old female Welsh breed horses, born and raised on INRA premises, were enrolled in the study. They were kept in a group at pasture. During bad weather conditions they lived in a large stall with straw bedding. They had free access to hay and water. 

Horses were trained to choose between a familiar face and a unknown face shown on a computer screen (by receiving a reward when they touched the familiar face with their nose).

Once they had been trained, the mares were asked to choose between photographs of the keepers (past or present) and random unknown faces. The study was conducted only on female horses and the photographs presented were also only of women.

What the researchers found was that horses touched the faces of keepers significantly more than would be expected by chance, whether it was their current keeper or one they had not seen for six months.

The team conclude that the horses in the study were able to identify faces and did not appear to have any difficulty recognising a photograph of a person they knew. 

Indeed, they point out that horses appear to have a good memory for faces, as they could recognise a photograph of someone they had not seen for six months.

For more details, see:

Female horses spontaneously identify a photograph of their keeper, last seen six months previously.

Lansade L1, Colson V, Parias C, Trösch M, Reigner F, Calandreau L.

Sci Rep. (2020) 10:6302.

doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-62940-w

NZ equine rehab services studied

People in New Zealand who are involved with horses for business or pleasure are invited to participate in an online survey into equine rehabilitation services in the country and their contribution to equine health and welfare.

The study is being conducted through the University of Liverpool (UK), in conjunction with Massey University (NZ). Principal investigator Ms Julia Whitehead is carrying out the research as part of her studies for a Veterinary Physiotherapy Master’s degree.  

“We are gathering information about people’s views and experiences with equine rehabilitation services in NZ” she explains.  “We are also interested in how these services are valued and how they contribute to equine health and welfare.”

The short one-time online survey should take about ten minutes to complete. All responses will be completely anonymous and will remain confidential.

“Our goal is to get a representative cross section of the population involved with horses and ponies in New Zealand during the last three years” she adds. 

You do not have to have used rehabilitation services for your horse to take part. The researchers would also like to hear from those who have chosen not to use the services.

“Your responses will be of great value to us, regardless of your level of previous experience with equine rehabilitation services.”

Professor Chris Riley and Ms Whitehead will analyse the responses and use them to provide information to people in the equine industry, and to help them with decision-making regarding the performance and general health and well-being of horses and ponies.

To take part in the survey, or for more details see:

https://massey.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_83ctB1n794y45U1