What Horse Owners Know About EMS

Equine metabolic syndrome (EMS), characterized by insulin dysregulation and often associated with obesity, occurs commonly, reportedly affecting 18-27% of the population. Yet, according to a recently published survey, many owners feel they know very little about EMS or how to manage it.^*

Four hundred ninety-one horse owners completed an online survey, answering questions about eight common equine medical conditions: arthritis, pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID, Cushing’s disease), EMS, gastric ulcers, parasitism, scratches, quidding/head tossing, and asthma. In the survey, owners reported variable levels of knowledge regarding these conditions. For example, 84.1% of owners rated their knowledge of scratches as “very well.”

“In contrast, the highest proportion of survey respondents reported their knowledge as very poor for EMS. In fact, almost 20% of horse owners said they had never heard of this condition,” said Catherine Whitehouse, M.S., a nutrition advisor for Kentucky Equine Research.

Only 4% of survey respondents indicated they had previous experience with EMS, suggesting that this condition is not as well recognized as once thought. Indeed, another study cited in the survey found that when owners were asked to describe clinical signs of EMS, they instead described the signs of PPID.

“EMS is a relatively newly defined disease compared to the other seven examined in the survey, which may partially explain why owners are less comfortable in their knowledge of this disease,” Whitehouse said.

She added, “In this survey, 38% of respondents indicated they had not searched for information on EMS, while 43% indicated they felt there was inadequate information available on the disease.”

Interestingly, respondents were aware of breed differences in the likelihood of EMS, as well as the severity of the disease when diagnosed.

Owners are encouraged to use the available resources to familiarize themselves with the clinical signs of EMS, including the technical bulletin titled Nutritional Considerations for Horses with Endocrine Disorders, created by Kentucky Equine Research.

If you suspect your horse may have EMS, appropriate testing can be performed by a veterinarian. Once a diagnosis is confirmed, key management strategies include the following:

• Managing body weight and condition;
• Feeding a low-starch, low-sugar diet and restricting pasture grazing; and
• Instituting a regular exercise program.

“Kentucky Equine Research works with a global network of feed manufacturers that provide up-to-date nutrition information and products to support health and performance. Find a KER feed-manufacturing partner in your area to discuss your horse’s feed program,” Whitehouse advised.

^*Golding, E., A.N. Neita, N. Walshe, A. Hanlon, G. Mulcahy, and V. Duggan. 2022. Survey of the knowledge and perceptions of horse owners in Ireland of common clinical conditions and their impact. Equine Veterinary Journal:13589.