In the horse world, overweight has become a major problem. 50% of all horses are overweight. 20% are considered obese (adipose). According to studies, this puts a massive strain on the horse’s health.
Horses with obesity have an increased risk of diseases such as laminitis, reproductive disorders, orthopedic problems and reduced performance. Now studies have shown that obesity in horses also affects the heart.
Nineteen horses were studied. They were all cold-blooded horses of similar age that were to be slaughtered. 12 were extremely obese and seven with a normal body condition. The aim was to determine whether microscopic changes could be detected in the heart and blood vessel samples. Because in humans it is already known. Obesity increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. This also increases the mortality rate.
Results of the study
The results are clear. Significant changes were detected in the cardiac muscle and vessels. In the overweight horses there was a lot of fat on the pericardium. In some horses, it could be seen that the fat had already invaded the heart muscle. These findings can also be observed in humans. In the further course, this can lead to severe diseases in both humans and animals.
For these reasons, horse owners should pay attention to their horse’s diet. Because it was additionally found that horses get significantly more feed than horses with normal weight.
Source: MDPI
