Evaluation of the effect of the nutraceutical supplement Gluco balance® on body condition and fat accumulation in overweight Shetland ponies

Abstract

Background: Obesity is a major problem in modern horse keeping. It has long been known that obese ponies are at higher risk of developing laminitis. Together with several other risk factors such as insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia, it contributes to the ‘equine metabolic syndrome’. The effect of management of obesity lies in limiting the food intake and stimulating exercise. Gluco balance® is a nutraceutical supplement based on herbs sold as a supporting remedy to lower the excessive body condition and improve the peripheral insulin sensitivity. Hypothesis: The aim of this study was to investigate if Gluco balance® has effect on body condition and fat accumulation in a group of overweight Shetland ponies (BCS ≥ 6.5). Material and Methods: Fourteen overweight Shetland ponies, randomly divided into a control and a test group, were kept on dry pasture with ad libitum water for 6 weeks. Gluco balance® (6 gram) mixed with 14 ml of plain water was administered orally to the test group twice daily. The control group received a placebo containing 15 ml of water orally twice daily. Body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS), cresty neck score (CNS), neck- heart- and umbilical girth were monitored. Subcutaneous fat thickness was measured by ultrasonography at six locations (retroperitoneal near the falciform ligament, axillary, withers, rib-eye, rump and tailhead) on a weekly basis. Statistical analysis was performed by a general linear mixed model with group, week and group/time interaction as fixed factors. P-value < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: No significant findings in group/time interaction were present in any parameter. A significant time effect was found in BW, neck- heart- and umbilical girth (direct and after standardization with withers height), retroperitoneal and rib-eye fat thickness. A significant group effect was seen in rump and tailhead fat thickness, and in the neck girth after standardization with withers height. Conclusion: Gluco balance® did not seem to have any significant effect on body condition and fat accumulation in this experiment. A decrease in body weight and adiposity was seen in the test and control group, probably as a result of a shortage in pasture.