Leptin blood tests

stigofthedump

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Feb 5, 2009
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I have been reading about leptin. Leptin is a hormone that helps control appetite/hunger. Equines (and humans) can be Leptin resistant which means that the their leptin levels tend to be low so that they never feel satisfied & feel the need to eat continuously. I am sure my 12.1 pony is leptin resistant. Does anyone have experience of blood tests for leptin levels? Is the test more expensive that other blood tests & does the result help understand why an equine is "greedy"? Just wanted some opinions before I talk to the vet.
 
http://gettyequinenutrition.biz/Library/Theoverweighthorsewhowontstopeating.htm

You haven't said if yours is a mare or gelding. My mare will be more hungry when in season and a little rude snacking on hacks as well.
I have only heard of what the above article mentions, that restricting food causes the metabolism to slow and go into survival mode. Also reducing food causes a stress hormone to be released which causes weight gain.
Have you ticked the boxes for any metabolic problems? We ticked four out of five and she went on to lose the weight. I did it whilst on box rest I admit but the vet needed to see she could actually lose before we went down the testing route. She was also fed adlib to begin with and gradually reduced.

There was a documentary on in regards to sugar. I am shocked by how much sugar goes into horse feeds let alone ours. They couldn't decide if it was addictive. But as I can polish off a large bar if chocolate long after my dopamine is satisfied I would say it is!
Your horse might be greedy because they are addicted to sugar. Cut out all hard feed and shop bought treats.
 
Leptin resistance is often associated with insulin resistance or EMS in horses, they never know they are full so just keep eating. You can have bloods done but they are unlikely to medicate for IR/EMS in the first instance, generally a controlled diet and exercise program will increase insulin sensitivity (effectively curing IR) which has a knock on effect on LR, some LR horses will always need their diets controlled for them though, I don't think there is any drug that can be prescribed for it.
 
http://gettyequinenutrition.biz/Library/Theoverweighthorsewhowontstopeating.htm

You haven't said if yours is a mare or gelding. My mare will be more hungry when in season and a little rude snacking on hacks as well.
I have only heard of what the above article mentions, that restricting food causes the metabolism to slow and go into survival mode. Also reducing food causes a stress hormone to be released which causes weight gain.
Have you ticked the boxes for any metabolic problems? We ticked four out of five and she went on to lose the weight. I did it whilst on box rest I admit but the vet needed to see she could actually lose before we went down the testing route. She was also fed adlib to begin with and gradually reduced.

There was a documentary on in regards to sugar. I am shocked by how much sugar goes into horse feeds let alone ours. They couldn't decide if it was addictive. But as I can polish off a large bar if chocolate long after my dopamine is satisfied I would say it is!
Your horse might be greedy because they are addicted to sugar. Cut out

I also crave sugary tastes & definitely believe i have a sugar addiction so can empathise with my insatiable pony;) He is 14 year old gelding who has always had a cresty neck so guess he has EMS. Had him weighed on a Spillers weigh bridge last October. Was a few kgs overweight but he is starting to lose a few kilos ready for spring. He is ridden twice a week (by a professional adult rider who i have to pay). I can't find a competent reliable young rider to ride him more often so he doesn't have as much exercise as I think he needs. He has a small breakfast during the winter: Alfalfa pellets & soaked sugar beet (both meticulously weighed every morning!) plus couple of slices of carrot. Currently fed hay (also weighed) although he does have access to grass which appears lifeless & could be tasteless! My other pony, a Shetland, has PPID & EMS & has Prascend everyday. Also hay & small breakfast (both weighed) with a piece of carrot to hide the tablet. The bagged feed is primarily given so that I can feed a powdered Vit & Min supplement. This pony with PPID has been/is in perfect health this winter with no sign of lami. So I am confident it is the spring/summer grass that sets off his lami. I know it is advisable to soak hay for "good doers" & those prone to lami but I have told vet my ponies will not eat wet hay. They would rather starve. Vet suggests drying the soaked hay. How do I do that in the cold winter weather - keep it in a warm room at home LOL. Vet & I have agreed to disagree LOL. A low sugar treat is given to each pony occasionally. I think the best strategy is to assume he has EMS & continue to feed a carefully controlled diet. This will be better for him & save on expensive blood tests!
 
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Leptin resistance is often associated with insulin resistance or EMS in horses, they never know they are full so just keep eating. You can have bloods done but they are unlikely to medicate for IR/EMS in the first instance, generally a controlled diet and exercise program will increase insulin sensitivity (effectively curing IR) which has a knock on effect on LR, some LR horses will always need their diets controlled for them though, I don't think there is any drug that can be prescribed for it.
Hi. Have a read of my reply to a previous comment. I fully agree that my pony will always need his diet carefully controlled. I often wish him & his mate weren't such "good doers" although I am aware that equines that won't eat can be a bigger problem.
 
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In order to reduce the hay consumption I mixed with straw. I also had up a completely straw net.
I feed a supplement with a banana. What volume is your powder? I shopped around to find 5g, easier to feed than some companies 20g.

Can you lunge/ longrein/ lead out. You don't need to be riding to keep fit. You can do all three paces that way.
 
These good doers could do with a tablet inventing to control their hunger pangs!!:oops:
If one became available I'm sure madam would benefit. She gets very crabby over food, always has done. Too much and obviously she gains and too little (in her opinion) and she is just a nightmare all round!
 
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In order to reduce the hay consumption I mixed with straw. I also had up a completely straw net.
I feed a supplement with a banana. What volume is your powder? I shopped around to find 5g, easier to feed than some companies 20g.

Can you lunge/ longrein/ lead out. You don't need to be riding to keep fit. You can do all three paces that way.

Hi. Yes I do feed 20g supplement so will have a look for the reduced volume powder. I have tried mixing straw & hay in a net. Several times. The little devils are experts at picking out the hay & leaving the straw then looking at me with a "feed me" face! I don't have access to a menage . I do normally lunge on the flat & over jumps when the ground is dry but it's been sodden during the last couple of months so can't lunge. Can't long rein on the road as the single lane roads are too narrow & can be busy. I could long rein on the TPT near where I keep my ponies but I have to choose a time when it's not busy with joggers, cyclists and dog owners who let their dogs run free (dangerous & not advisable). Tho other problem is that I can't run for long enough, with a trotting pony when long reining or leading out, to make the exercise meaningful. So I am constantly on the look out for a competent reliable & enthusiatic rider who is keen to ride my pony several times a week. O the joys of being the owner of equines ;)
 
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