Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) is a complex metabolic disorder in horses and ponies. Understanding insulin dysregulation, body condition, forage and diet is central to managing the associated risk of laminitis. For owners of horses prone to weight gain or laminitis, managing nutrition can be challenging. Advice about sugar, starch, grazing, forage and supplements can sometimes be contradictory. The science is clearer when these factors are considered together. This guide exp

What are the early signs of EMS in horses? Learn which physical and metabolic clues may indicate increased risk, why a cresty neck is not a diagnosis, and how insulin dysregulation can occur even in horses that are not overweight.

Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) is a condition increasingly recognised in horses and ponies, particularly in native and easy-keeping breeds. It is closely linked to how the body regulates insulin and processes dietary energy. Effective long-term management relies on understanding nutrition, pasture intake, and consistent day-to-day care. Horses grazing What is Equine Metabolic Syndrome? EMS is a metabolic condition characterised by an abnormal response to insulin. Horses with