{"id":775,"date":"2025-10-05T15:15:41","date_gmt":"2025-10-05T13:15:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pferdepraxis-roedig.de\/?page_id=775"},"modified":"2025-10-05T15:18:24","modified_gmt":"2025-10-05T13:18:24","slug":"ems-in-horses-what-horse-owners-should-know","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/pferdepraxis-roedig.de\/en\/ems-beim-pferd-was-pferdebesitzer-wissen-sollten","title":{"rendered":"EMS in horses: What horse owners should know"},"content":{"rendered":"

Many horse owners worry when their horse becomes overweight or struggles with weight control. However, a horse's excess weight can have more than just aesthetic reasons \u2013 it's a serious health risk. Especially Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) in horses<\/strong> Being overweight, obese, or having racial predispositions can significantly impair your horse's well-being and quality of life. An increased Body Condition Score (BCS) of > 6 raises the risk of your four-legged friend developing EMS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Was ist EMS?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

EMS in horses, that Equine Metabolic Syndrome<\/strong>, is a metabolic disorder that primarily affects overweight or obese horses. Insulin resistance is typical, which increases the risk of Laminitis<\/strong> massively increased. Even horses that appear to be lean can be affected, therefore the diagnosis should never be made on weight alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

EMS leads to a disruption in sugar metabolism and can have a significant long-term impact on a horse's health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Body Condition Score (BCS<\/strong>)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Body Condition Score<\/strong> is an important tool for assessing your horse's weight and fat distribution. It ranges from 1 (very thin) to 9 (extremely obese).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Note: Being slim doesn't mean an ideal of beauty, but health.<\/strong> An optimal BCS reduces the risk of EMS and laminitis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key risk factors<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n