THE EFFECT OF EXERCISE ON CIRCULATING CONCENTRATIONS OF INFLAMMATORY MARKERS IN
NORMAL & LAMINITIS PRONE PONIES
2021
Written by Performance Horse Nutrition
Laminitis is a major disease of equines because of the associated pain and debilitating nature that make it a life-threatening condition. A complete understanding of laminitis and its complex physiology remains poorly understood despite substantial efforts and recent advances by many scientists. We understand that nutrition plays a key role in the prevention and management of laminitis and have developed successful nutritional management programs. However exercise also plays a significant role in the prevention of laminitis but is less understood in terms of how long and how much.
Recent research at the University of Liverpool looked at the effects of exercise on inflammatory markers in laminitis prone and normal ponies. Increases in inflammatory markers have been shown in laminitic ponies and are thought to play a role in the development and progression of laminitis.
The researchers evaluated low intensity (10 min walking and 5 min trot) exercise over short (1 day) and longer (14 days) terms. They evaluated
several inflammatory markers pre and post exercise in laminitis prone and normal ponies. Short term exercise had no effect on inflammatory marker in either group. After 14 days (long term) of exercise however inflammatory markers significantly decreased in the laminitis prone ponies to levels similar to the normal ponies.
The researchers concluded that regular low intensity exercise was sufficient to have an anti-inflammatory effect, which was greater in the pre-exercise laminitic prone ponies, and so may be beneficial in preventing this supposed risk factor in pasture-associated laminitis.
Take Home Message – Prevention is always the best option. Spring grasses will be here before we know it and once again we will be walking
the fine line of allowing our horses’ access to the forage they need along with fresh air and sunlight and not allowing them to develop laminitis from this influx of carbohydrate rich abundant pasture. Make sure your horses and ponies are on a regular exercise program whether it involves riding or lunging or working in a round pen. If they are doing no exercise at present, gradually build them up to 3 to 4 days a week of low intensity exercise such as 10 min walk and 5 min trotting.
Wray, H., Elliott, J., Bailey, S.R., Harris, P.A. and Menzies-Gow, N.J. (2012). The effect of exercise on circulating concentrations of inflammatory markers in normal and laminitis prone ponies. British Equine Veterinary Association Congress Proceedings.