Podgy ponies and corpulent cobs; insights into the growing problem of equine obesity

John Keen and Ruth Morgan, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies

The statement ‘obesity is a growing problem’ may seem trite, but the World Health Organisation estimates that the prevalence of obesity has trebled in the last 40 years. Obesity now contributes to 2.8 million human deaths per year, from diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Obesity also affects domestic animals and, in the UK, almost 59% of dogs, 50% of cats and 40% of horses and ponies (0.5 million) are classified as overweight or obese. The main disease associated with obesity in horses is laminitis, a destructive condition of the horse’s hoof that causes severe pain and debilitation, often resulting in long-term disease and/or euthanasia. 

Join us to hear about what horses can teach us about the hormonal problems linked to obesity in humans. Hear how we investigate horses and ponies with obesity, from the stable to the laboratory, as we try to unpick the processes that cause obesity and contribute to laminitis. 

This lecture is free and open to all.