If you were to ask me what I worry most about with my mare Trillium, I would tell you I worry about EMS, or Equine Metabolic Syndrome. Trillium is what is known as an 'easy keeper'.
Image: 2011 K. BlocksdorfThe problem is, she's too easy to keep. Just like a person who feels like they put on weight just reading a tempting recipe, Trillium puts on weight just thinking about hay or grass. You would never know now, that she was almost starving to death and looked like a horse hide draped over a rail fence when we first met. Obviously, in the eating department, she's made up for lost time (and who can blame her). EMS is a real concern though as when she does get a bit overweight, there is a hard pad of fat over the top of her neck. The key is to restrict her diet --and believe me, no one, including horses likes being on a diet, and to keep her well exercised. For me, that's just one more good reason to ride. If you're like me and have an 'easy keeper' you might want to learn more about Equine Metabolic Syndrome, the symptoms, causes, treatments and most importantly, the prevention.
Image: 2011 K. BlocksdorfRead More About Horse Diseases:
Equine Metabolic Syndrome originally appeared on About.com Horses on Monday, September 12th, 2011 at 19:57:23.
