What is IR or Insulin Resistance in horses?
Insulin resistance in horses is a condition that is on the rise. Normally, blood sugar levels naturally increase in horses when when sugar or carbohydrates are eaten. This causes insulin to be secreted by the pancreas allowing glucose to be carried into the cells and triggering blood sugar levels to go back to normal.
In IR/Insulin Resistance in horses, the cells are unable to properly utilize the insulin. So the glucose turns into stored fat instead of providing energy for the cells.
Many horses suffering with Laminitis have elevated insulin levels in their blood because it can’t penetrate the cell walls.
“We know that insulin resistance is associated with the risk of laminitis in ponies and certain breeds of horses, and so is obesity. Together, this syndrome is known as equine metabolic syndrome (EMS),” explains Simon Bailey, BVMS, PhD, of the University of Melbourne.
Symptoms of Insulin Resistance in your horse:
- Chronic Sore Feet
- Over weight/ Easy Keeper
- Always hungry
- Excessive water consumption and urination
- Chronic laminitis
- Founder
- Elevated Insulin on Blood Tests
- Colic
What causes a horse to be insulin resistant?
There are many factors which can lead to a horse becoming IR. Genetics play an important role as some breeds are pre-disposed to developing problems metabolizing sugar.
A relatively new condition is being recognized in human medicine, currently called syndrome X. This is a group of symptoms related to insulin resistance or hyperinsulinemia and an inability for the cells to transport glucose into them. The disease commonly called “Cushing’s syndrome” in horses has many of the same characteristics as syndrome X has in people. Dr. Joyce Harman
The problem is modern domesticated horses haven’t evolved to be able able to metabolize large amounts of carbohydrates and sugar. Insulin resistance is not a problem in Wild Horses because they are moving sometimes up to 20 miles a day foraging for their food. They don’t stand idle for hours on end at an all-you-can-eat salad bar consuming excessive calories and sugar in the grasses, leading to obesity and conditions like laminitis and founder.
Modern horse keeping is exactly the opposite of how the Wild Horse lives. Stall keeping, highly refined horse feed, stress, and a sedentary lifestyle all contribute to our horses becoming overweight, leading to insulin resistance problems. Horses that are kept in a stall can’t move and burn off calories like a wild horse. They are generally fed large high carb meals once or twice a day instead of a diet of small meals while moving and foraging.
Sugar Balance Naturally is a Natural Supplement for the Insulin Resistance Metabolic Horse
Remember horses aren’t “grazers”, they are “foragers”.
The chance of a horse developing IR increases as they age. The older a horse gets the slower the metabolism thus leading to weight gain and their ability to cope with stress decreases as hormones are no longer plentiful.
How to manage insulin resistance in horses naturally?
Sugar Balance Naturally is a powerful natural herbal horse supplement that addresses Insulin Resistance in horses by supporting normal glucose and insulin levels.
Clinical studies in humans and rats have shown the herbs we use in Sugar Balance Naturally may be beneficial to aid normal glucose absorption and insulin sensitivity.
Sugar Balance Naturally is useful in Equine Metabolic Syndrome, Laminitis, and Founder.
Our customers have reported rapid improvement of symptoms like sore feet, weight gain, and laminitis/founder when combined with overall recommended lifestyle changes.
In horses who are Insulin Resistant those organs can get overloaded trying to help the body deal with the extra Insulin. Both cleanses should be done along with starting on Sugar Balance Naturally.
I highly recommend THE HAY PILLOW for a slow-feeder hay bag designed for ground feeding. The Hay Pillow allows your horse to eat in a natural grazing position.
Feeding Sugar Balance Naturally daily along with limiting access to grass, increased movement and exercise, using slow feeders and proper hoof care can help alleviate symptoms and get your horse sound, comfortable and back riding.
While we cannot guarantee that Sugar Balance Naturally will provide the results you’re looking for, it does have a great track record. Just take a look at the reviews on our website to learn what our other customers say about it.
Before you start any herbal supplements we do recommend checking with your Vet first.
What herbs are helpful to support the Insulin Resistant horse?
- Fenugreek may slow glucose absorption and improve insulin response, reduce inflammation, soothe the stomach and intestines and support fat digestion
- Kelp contains iodine for healthy thyroid function, is rich in organic trace minerals, biotin and methionine for healthy hoof growth, and magnesium (low levels have been linked to IR)
- Ginseng supports normal blood sugar and cortisol levels
Read: Exploring Natural Alternatives for Insulin Resistance in Horses
How can horse insulin resistance be reversed?
The longer your horse goes without diagnosis and treatment, the harder it is to undo the damage caused. Good new is with proper care and feeding your horse can live a sound, healthy and long life. Conditions such as laminitis and founder may respond very well and often quickly, to a regular program including diet restriction, regular hoofcare and herbal treatment.
- Restrict sugar in your horses diet. No late afternoon grazing when sugar is high in the grass
- Make sure your horse gets plenty of exercise
- Regular hoof trims by a qualified Natural Hoofcare Practitioner
- Small frequent meals. Use slow feeder hay bags
- Use a grazing muzzle for early morning turnout only
- Offer FREE CHOICE loose Sea Salt year round
- Offer FREE CHOICE Kelp year round
- Regular deworming program with a Natural Horse Wormer
Our natural horse supplements are proudly made in the USA and contain no fillers, artificial, GMO, or other unnecessary ingredients.
- Hand Blended
- Made Fresh
- Pelletized for Horses
- No Fillers
Available 60, 120 and 240 Servings (approx)
1-Scoop = 1-Serving (Scoop included is 1 tablespoon)
1000 lb horse: 1-2 scoops/daily (scoop included)
Ingredients (Pellets): A proprietary blend including: Fenugreek Seed, Dandelion Leaf, Nettle Leaf, Burdock Root, Opuntia, Cinnamon, Ashwagandha, Flaxseed Oil . (7370 mg per tbsp. Scoop included)
May 2023 we started a 22 yr old draft X mare on this supplement. We also took her off our rich pastures. Even with a muzzle, and regular exercise, she developed fat deposits, and a mild laminitis. She had 3 months off when I had to be away. This metobolic issue got us to change our management, no pasture ( we rotate and have grass all year in CO) and took her off the little amount of senior grain. We mix the pellets in water and add to a small amount of timothy pellets, mix in and she eats it everyday.
No signs of laminitis since. We also muzzle her Jan-March – pretty strict- but at least she can go out on pasture some in winter. The rest of the time, she eats only hay. We arranged an area with another gelding and have 2 hay nets, haypillow.com. They seem content. She lost the fat along neck and moves better as well. We hack out and do some arena work to keep her subtle. Nice to have her to ride a few more years with management and keep her active with this combo. We believe these supplements will be part of her diet the rest of her life.
my mare has been still galloping and feeling good after 3 years on this product and good management. She knows her routine and loves getting saddled up to ride. She is 25 now draft tb x
I had amazing results with the Cushing’s formula for a different pony, so I wanted to try sugar balance for our mini. She is only 8 and has never foundered, so I really want to keep it that way! When we brought her home she developed a crest on her neck. She was already on grass hay on a dry lot. I ordered this quickly and it gave me peace of mind. She eats it right up. We just finished the first bag and her crest is soft and almost gone with no other changes. Very thankful for this formula!
My pony was able to handle more grass time because of this!
First year on pasture for my mustang mare and of course she has put on weight and her neck was starting to get hard. Starting sugar balance softened her neck and helped with fat pads. Has given me time to work on her best feed and fitness program. She had increase in energy once started and she makes sure to eat every morsel!