2024 review

Effect of Exercise Conditioning on Countering the Effects of Obesity and Insulin Resistance in Horses-A Review

[Review of ]. ANIMALS, 14(5).

By: S. Pratt-Phillips  n

author keywords: equine; obesity; exercise; insulin dysregulation
TL;DR: The metabolic pathways affected by adiposity are explored, as well as the impact of exercise on insulin metabolism in horses, which can facilitate weight loss and reduce the risk of metabolic disease and laminitis in horses. (via Semantic Scholar)
UN Sustainable Development Goal Categories
3. Good Health and Well-being (Web of Science; OpenAlex)
Source: Web Of Science
Added: March 25, 2024

Obesity is an important health concern in horses, along with humans and companion animals. Adipose tissue is an inflammatory organ that alters the insulin-signaling cascade, ultimately causing insulin dysregulation and impaired glucose metabolism. These disruptions can increase the risk of metabolic disease and laminitis in horses and may also impact energy metabolism during exercise. A single bout of exercise, along with chronic exercise conditioning, increases insulin sensitivity and glucose disposal via both contraction- and insulin-mediated glucose uptake pathways. Regular exercise also increases calorie expenditure, which can facilitate weight (as body fat) loss. This paper explores the metabolic pathways affected by adiposity, as well as discusses the impact of exercise on insulin metabolism in horses.