HEIRO FAQs

Click here to download In Depth Heiro Protocol

• We are the only Horse Insulin Resistance problem supplement using top rated/highest quality/purity Natural Herbs. There is no higher standard. Your horse deserves the best of the best.
• We inform you of the labs used and freely show you the results. Other products give you no results or say its tested but don’t show you the lab or any test results.
• Highest concentration of Vitamin E of any supplement used in horses to help Insulin – All in only one tablespoon a day.
• The only site in the world with step-by-step instructions on how to test Horse Insulin Resistance to avoid false results. Consulted The Mayo Clinic, Harvard Medical, and John Hopkins Medical – These hospitals were just ranked #1, #2, and #3 in US News and World Report (July, 2008) as America’s best hospitals for Endocrinology. Insulin is an Endocrine hormone.
• The only Horse Insulin Resistance supplement to help Insulin that shows you sugar and starch at safe levels. Other products don’t or can’t show you this information or are actually high in sugar which makes no sense.
• HEIRO is certified High in Omega 3’s at over 9% – helps decrease inflammation.
• Economics- Only $47.95 dollars a month for HEIRO and the web site shows you how to save over $500 dollars a year using proper feeds. The 90-day HEIRO saves $22.00 every three (3) months, has free shipping and makes it about a dollar a day to treat.
• A site that will work with you, your Veterinarian, and your Farrier as a team to chart progress and answer questions. Call us – we will speak directly to you, get history, and talk with your doctor and Farrier if you want.
• Your Farrier is often the first line of defense – they see changes and have a baseline. Their input is crucial.
• These consults are FREE! Speak to doctors that have a large practice and see these horses often. Talk about nutrition, shoeing, and the status of your horse.

After on a double-dose of Heiro for 10 days, if your horse is not comfortable, CALL US. Let’s go over all the things we can do to eliminate insulin triggers in daily life.

A small sample of the many horses helped by the HEIRO™ program. This is the before and after results of Horses on Heiro:

1. Hay Eating – In the right amount and right rate, your horse will have 24/7 forage, which will reduce insulin surging.
2. Rotation Balancer – higher protein in these lower insulin 3 ways. They are also low carb.
3. Thyroid Function – Low in all Insulin Resistance horses – now at bottom of normal range for T4 = sub-optimal. Need to be in top of normal range which is proven to help insulin sensitivity and help reduce nerve pain in feet.
4. Heiro – 1 scoop 2x a day for 10 days, then 1 scoop 1x a day.

*Note: if sore, will need a 5th step on pain management due to pain, increases insulin in all animals, so piles on top of metabolic insulin.*

A. Insulin is a hormone produced by an organ in the abdomen called the Pancreas. Using a Quarter Horse for reference, the Pancreas is about two feet behind the girth of the saddle on the right side and weighs approximately ¾ of a pound.

About 98% of the Pancreas produces enzymes to break down food in the gut and only 2% make hormones such as Insulin. Hormones are chemicals produced by one type of tissue that are transported to target tissues that have special receptors for the hormone; once the hormone and the receptor connect, the hormone will facilitate reactions inside the target cell.

B. Horse Insulin has many jobs and many targets. Insulin has direct action on all cells in the body (except the brain), and helps in carbohydrate, protein, and fat breakdown products entering the cells.

Insulin’s main job involves carbohydrate metabolism. Insulin release from the Pancreas is triggered by rising levels of carbohydrate in the bloodstream. The carbohydrate that causes this Insulin outflow is called Glucose. As Glucose levels rise, Insulin levels will rise and when Glucose levels go down, less Insulin is released from the Pancreas and hence Insulin levels go down.

There are several ways for Glucose levels to go up, but by far, the biggest rise comes after your horse eats. In hay and grass, carbohydrates are the main type of nutrient, with protein second, and fat the third type. In magazines, carbohydrates are often referred to as “sugars” or “starches”.

Starches are actually long chains of thousands of Glucose molecules linked together. As your horse chews, he is starting the process of breaking down starch to release the simple sugar unit of Glucose. Saliva enzymes, stomach acid, and small intestine enzymes further breakdown starch into individual Glucose molecules. Once these Glucose units get into the small intestine, they are absorbed out of the digestive tract and into the bloodstream. After a meal, large quantities of Glucose pour into the bloodstream. Blood Glucose levels are now rising. In literature, blood Glucose is often referred to as the “blood sugar”. This high level of Glucose circulates to the Pancreas and will trigger the Pancreas to release Insulin into the bloodstream. Now we understand Insulin’s source and what causes it to go up and down, which leads us to what it does.

* Insulin is like a key which lets Glucose into the cell.

C. Equine Insulin Resistance in horses is the correct term to use when they get pathologically high levels of Insulin. There are many other terms that have been used in the past that are inaccurate or confusing such as:

• Metabolic Syndrome – this requires high resting Glucose levels which most horses do not get and requires central obesity which horses do not get.
• Pseudo Cushings and Peripheral Cushings – horses get Insulin Resistance by itself with no Cushings at all in many cases, so trying to attach Cushings to this syndrome is not accurate. Many Cushings horses can develop Insulin Resistance but not all of them do.
• Horse Diabetes – most horses do not have elevated blood Glucose levels in Insulin Resistance.
• Hyperinsulinemia – this is inaccurate because horses and people elevate Insulin levels many times a day after a meal which is normal. The correct term, developed by Dr. Reilly, is Equine Pathological Hyperinsulinemia with Insulin Resistance being one of the causes.

D. Horse Insulin is crucial in promoting Glucose in the bloodstream to move into cells. Glucose is the major fuel used by cells for energy. Again, Insulin has many target tissues but the most important are muscle, fatty tissue, and the liver. How Insulin gets Glucose into cells is much like a lock and key. On the muscle cell, for example, are thousands of receptors waiting for Insulin to arrive. The receptor is the lock and Insulin is the key. When the key fits the lock, it allows Glucose to enter the cell. As Glucose goes from the bloodstream into the cell, the blood Glucose level will drop and hence the output of Insulin from the Pancreas will drop. Glucose transport into muscle and fatty tissue goes up 5-20 times in the presence of Insulin. This fact highlights how important Insulin’s action is in obtaining energy for the cell.

E. Regarding fatty tissue which is another target tissue for Insulin:

• Horse Insulin promotes Glucose into fat cells which help in fat synthesis
• Simultaneously, Insulin promotes enzymes that help increase fat synthesis
• At the same time, Insulin inhibits another type of enzyme that normally breaks down fat

This is a “triple-barrel shotgun effect” — all of which promote fat. This action by Insulin is normal in your horse but you can already hear warning bells if things go wrong. Too much Insulin means too much fat and that puts weight on your horse.

The Definition: Inability to respond to and use Insulin the body produces because Insulin is not functioning properly; higher Insulin levels are needed to achieve the same effect.

There is an abnormally high amount of Insulin circulating for long periods of time that leads to diseases such as Laminitis. Normally, we know the usual level of Insulin throughout the day and know that after a grain meal, the Insulin level will go up 3-4 times the regular level due to Insulin responding to Glucose pouring into the bloodstream. The short-term high level of Insulin is normal Hyperinsulinemia and lasts only a few hours.

In Horse Insulin Resistance, the base level of Insulin is about 3 times higher, so there is a constant elevation during the day. When an Insulin Resistance horse has a grain meal, there is a pathological Hyperinsulinemia that sees the level of Insulin go up 30, 40, 50, and over 100 times usual levels, and can remain elevated much longer than normal.

According to the American Diabetes Association, people with Insulin Resistance and Diabetes have a 7-12 year decreased life span. In a horse, that translates to losing 2.5 to 4.5 years of life.

1. Abnormally high Insulin levels cause metabolic changes leading to increased fat, overweight, fatigue, and eventually Laminitis.
2. Why high Insulin? Inability to respond and use Insulin the body produces because the Insulin is not functioning properly; higher and higher Insulin levels are needed to achieve the same effect. These high levels of Insulin damage the body.

Be PROACTIVE and not reactive for horses that have a predisposition to elevated Insulin, which is a proven cause of Laminitis

Equine Insulin Resistance is mistakenly called Horse Diabetes, Horse Pre-Diabetes, Horse Early Stage Diabetes, or Horse Type 2 Diabetes – for years and it created confusion. Horses and people can both get Insulin Resistance, but horses do not go to the next step of Diabetes. In people, they can advance on to Diabetes if Insulin Resistance is not controlled.

In Horse Insulin Resistance: Blood Insulin is high but Blood Glucose (Blood Sugar) is normal for both horses and people. In people, Early Stage Type 2 Diabetes occurs if Insulin Resistance is not controlled: Blood Insulin is High, Blood Glucose is also high. Horses do not get this type of Diabetes. In people, if Early Stage Type 2 Diabetes is not controlled, the Pancreas cells “burn out” and can’t make Insulin any more, so Blood Sugar goes super high and Insulin shots are required. This is called Late Stage Diabetes. Again, horses do not get this type of Diabetes.

Horses are lucky they do not get Diabetes. In people, it is now the most expensive disease to treat/ Diabetes is the fastest growing health problem and is the #1 cause of blindness in humans. Rarely in horses, Glucose values can be elevated such as in Equine Cushings, extreme infections, or high fevers. If the horse is already having Equine Insulin Resistance with high Insulin, then will see high Insulin and High Glucose. This is not true Horse Diabetes but an overlapping of diseases. Once the horse is treated, Glucose levels will drop back down to normal.

Dr. Reilly is the “Ask The Vet” expert on Equine Insulin Resistance for the AAEP.

1. Laminitis – acute or chronic. Repeat episodes over the years, pasture turnout stopped but still happens, secondary to Cushings disease, more often in ponies, occurs in the middle of the winter when there is no grass around. The horse only gets hay and no grain and still happens.

• EMS (Equine Metabolic Syndrome) – not a disease, only a list of risk factors for endocrinopathic laminitis via high insulin. (Insulin Resistance)
• Laminitis is the #1 clinical consequence of EMS.
• 22% of horses in USA have EMS. #1 risk factor = obesity. Genetics is another big factor. 18% estimated to have it that are healthy, non-laminitis (inapparent but have it).
• Oral Karo light syrup dynamic challenge test is the best test.
• Cushings can cause insulin changes so if there are signs, need to test for it.
• “Muzzles have added benefit of increasing forage time and exercise.” Dr. Reilly: What we have pushed for over 10 years is now accepted – wonderful.
• Metformin – oral bio availability poor in horses, does not have systemic effects on insulin.
• Thyroid powder well tolerated, helps body mass to reduce, proven to help insulin sensitivity. Dr. Reilly: What we have pushed for over 10 years is now accepted – wonderful.
• The only Horse Insulin Resistance supplement double-lab tested for mineral amounts. These tests show how safe HEIRO is on levels of over ten (10) important minerals.
• Horses that improve insulin dysregulation rapidly might be able to resume restricted grazing relatively quickly. Dr. Reilly: what we have pushed for over 10 years is now accepted – wonderful.
  Click Here for Article

2. Overweight – either by diet, lack of exercise, or genetics. 25% of people with Insulin Resistance due to genetics. On no grain or little grain and stays big, exercise and still big. Cresty neck often seen.

3. Cushings – 2 ways Insulin Resistance is linked with Cushings.

• Many with diagnosed Cushings also have Insulin Resistance but this second condition is not diagnosed, so on Pergolide but still does not do well.
• Recent study shows Cushings in horses is massively under diagnosed, so if these are missed, then more are missed with both Cushings and Insulin Resistance.
• Dr. Grubbs, 2016 Veterinary Internal Medicine Forum. 45% of Cushing horses have high insulin also.
  See the article showing as horses get older, they probably have both conditions
  4. Age – as horses get older, they lose muscle and gain fat. Fat production goes way up in Insulin Resistance because Insulin makes fat and fat produces toxins leading to an increase in Insulin. Also as horses age, Cushings incidence goes up.
  5. Fatigue – can not exercise as well as in the past. They become dull and resist riders.
  6. Certain Breeds – Breeds that were designed for a rugged existence seem to be more susceptible due to today’s easier surroundings. These breeds include Quarter Horses, Morgans, Paso Finos, Mustangs, Pony breeds, Tennessee Walkers, and Rocky Mountain Horses.
  7. Genetics – The National Institute of Health (NIH) has shown a genetic trait in Insulin Resistance. Often the mare or stallion had Insulin Resistance and now the offspring start to show signs.
  8. History Behind The Horse –The previous owner warns the new owner that the animal must live on a dirt lot and never be turned out. They are the horses who are fed very little food and stay “fat on air”. Some times Pergolide helped in the past but is no longer effective.
  9. Winter Foot Pain – Even with no grass in sight, the feet get sore. Less exercise, loss of fresh grass, vitamins/magnesium, cold stress, cortisol increase, seasonal ACTH increase, longer fasting periods between food intake all contribute.
  10. Abnormally Foot Sore after routine trimmings by Farrier. Takes several days after scheduled trimmings to recover soundness. This is an Insulin problem not a bad trim job. The Farrier is the key to a successful program.
  
  Genetic Lock – diet/exercise is not controlling Insulin. Owners have tried multiple management techniques but the horse is still foot sore, has repeat laminitis, can’t be turned out on grass, and stays big on little food. Also the horse is a candidate for future problems and the owner would like to avoid a problem instead of waiting for the problem to occur. These are the horses the HEIRO program can help.
  11. Horse Insulin Resistance Creates Cardiac Changes – new finding.
  The heart is directly affected by Insulin Resistance in a 2017 study from a Swiss Veterinary School. Heart rate is higher (37% had over 48 beats a minute) than the controls which accrued 40-41 beats per minute. This is important for Vets to know due to the heart rate is a parameter measured for health status.
  Also of interest, the Insulin Resistant horse’s Insulin resting rates were only 10 uU/ml, but on a challenge they jumped way up to 145 uU/ml, further showing the need for a challenge to find true Insulin Resistant horses. The heart, itself, had changes in wall thickness in areas in Insulin Resistant horses also. Insulin Resistance effects not just the feet, but total body systems.
  Click here to see Dr. Heliczer’s article in JAVMA on Cardiovascular findings in ponies with equine metabolic syndrome.

A. Horses with past Laminitis, sore feet, or chronic abscessing are going to need daily HEIRO year round to maintain their health. After they improve, they are not cured of Equine Insulin Resistance, they are controlling it to avoid repeat damaging episodes of Laminitis.

B. Horses with no past Laminitis issues that are showing signs of Equine Insulin Resistance and are in areas of snow, may use HEIRO seasonally from March 1 – December 1. Many owners do keep their horse on year round due to how well the horse does. Horses in areas of year round fresh grass grazing will require year round HEIRO to help control Insulin and keep Laminitis away.

If your horse has Insulin resistance but also has joint issues/stiff/puffy joints, you can use Heiro and Comfort Quik together!

Why important?

Pain in all animals increases insulin. If your horse has joint problems, then this can increase insulin which can lead to laminitis.

If your horse has IR, high insulin not only creates foot problems, but also inflames joints.

Dr. Koujan, Phytomedicine 2014

1. Powerful antioxidant – increased SOD (superoxide dismutase).
2. Increased TAC – total antioxidant capacity.
3. Increased GPX – Glutathione Peroxidase.
4. Conclusion – improves antioxidant indices.
5. This helps in reducing inflammation in your horse, helps preserve other antioxidants like vitamin E.

1. Heiro has 10 years of proven results. Noble was produced only in 2019.
2. Heiro has many herbs not in Noble. In Heiro, Not in Noble: Chia, Ginko, Pine, Magnolia, Oregano, Boswellia, Cat Claw, Arginine, Ashwagandha, Vitamin C, Zinc Sulfate.
3. Heiro has demonstrated the ability to lower insulin levels that has been seen in hundreds of horses. Noble has none.
4. Heiro is state certified to contain no drugs, herbicides, pesticides, or lead. Noble has no lab tests for these available on their site.
5. Heiro is lab tested for low SUGAR and low starch. Noble does not provide and testing on their site verifying what you really get.
6. Heiro is safe in pregnant mares and has helped dozens of mares avoid laminitis. Noble is NOT approved for pregnant mares.
7. Heiro is safe to use in combination with medicines like Banamine/Equioxx/Bute. Noble is NOT approved to use with these medications.
8. Heiro is designed to help horses get back to the pasture. Noble has no information on this important aspect.
9. Heiro is backed by an experienced veterinarian, Dr. Reilly, who can answer your questions for free and provide a free tailored program for your horse. Noble does not.
10. Heiro has a free website full of extensive information on the best hay, balancers, snacks, and insulin testing. Noble has none.
11. Heiro is a proprietary blend developed after years of research. The parts of plants used, and the quantity of each herb is unique to Heiro. Proven results on thousands of horses is why Heiro is a winner.

Imagine a cake mix – Flour, water, eggs, salt, SUGAR…But no idea of type of flour (corn, wheat, rice…) , no idea of the quantity 1 tablespoon or 1 pound of salt, no idea of 2 or 20 eggs. This is the problem with noble and why Heiro is a unique product to help keep horses healthy.

Equine insulin resistance broodmare.

HEIRO is used in broodmares to assist in getting in foal or helps to avoid pregnant mare laminitis or abortion.

1. Broodmares having problems getting in foal or with being pregnant, but getting laminitis or aborting due to Equine Insulin Resistance is a growing problem.
2. Many of these mares with chronic inflamed uterine tissues are directly due to Insulin problems – high insulin not only inflames the feet, but also the reproductive tract. This problem is also seen in women with Insulin Resistance problems.
3. Many of these mares have chronic uterine infections due to high Insulin. While attempting to get in foal, antibiotics are needed over and over again due to heavy mucus created by inflamed tissue in the uterus. Equine insulin resistance broodmares.
4. Insulin normally elevates during pregnancy. This is part of the developing process in horses. If the mare is already at a high Insulin level to start with then the Insulin surge in pregnancy puts the Insulin level super high and they cannot get in foal, fall off the cliff into Laminitis or abort. The HEIRO program can help mares because it provides the right feeding program and the right supplement to keep Insulin from super high levels.
   • “Mares with metabolic syndrome, any metabolic abnormalities and endocrinopathies existing before pregnancy is established will probably be exacerbated.” Dr. Morresey, Rood and Riddle Equine, AAEP 2012 Proceedings.
   • “Hyperinsulinemia increased Pancreatic B-Cell Sensitivity to glucose and increased resistance to action of Insulin occurs in all broodmares.” Dr. Foxden, Eq Vet Journal, 1984. Click here – Does my horse have Horse Diabetes?
   • Obesity/Insulin Resistance damages mares’ eggs making pregnancy tougher. Click here to see the Colorado State Veterinary Study, 2017, Effects of Obesity on Mares’ Follicles and Oocytes.
5. Routine Farrier care is crucial in these mares to discover any foot issues early. The Farrier can report any evidence of early laminitis such as hoof growth abnormality, white line disease, and foot pain. Trims should be scheduled every 4-6 weeks after pronounced in foal and every 4 weeks at 6 months in foal mark.
6. Mares with pre-existing Equine Insulin Resistance need special diets to ensure the right amount of nutrients from Day 1 of the pregnancy. Like other Insulin Resistance horses, the right snacks, farrier care, turn out, hay, grain, and supplements are needed. The ration balancers listed in the HEIRO Program under Best Diet will be fed throughout the pregnancy. In early stages, these, along with HEIRO, will be given and as the foal develops, increasing amounts of ration balancer will be given along with senior feeds. It will be a combo of both to meet increased needs. Large amounts of sweet feeds and carbs have shown in several studies to create huge Insulin spikes in the mares and bone/muscle defects in the foals.
   • “Maternal obesity can severely impact offspring when they grow up. Having an obese mother may be worse than having nutrient restrictions.” Dr. McCormick, The Equine Chronicle, 2012.
   • “In early pregnancy, many people are feeding too many calories and the mare is fat, but the actual diet is short of vitamins/minerals. That is when ration balancer pellets are ideal.” “Having the mare on a ration balancer supplement is critical during early gestation if you want to give her foal the best chance of being healthy and strong.” Dr. Cubitt, The Equine Chronicle, 2012.
   • “The foals can become Insulin Resistant if their mares are fed high-starch diets late in pregnancy.” Dr. George, Dom. Anim Endocrin., 2009.
   • Pregnant mares on high-starch diet in last trimester have a more increased Insulin response to the high-starch feeding than non-pregnant mares. At 7 months pregnant, Insulin levels of broodmares are higher than non-pregnant. Dr. George, AMJ Vet Res., 2011.
7. Laminitis in the brood mare negatively effects the foal. Important information in Equine Insulin Resistance Broodmares.
   • Mare’s pregnancy time is shorter, so the foal has less time to develop.
   • Foal born has less weight, so weaker.
   • Placenta weight (nutrition source of foal) is lower so less nutrients getting to them.
   • Conclusion: “Laminitis creates vascular changes in the placenta of mares resulting in shorter gestation and lower birth weight.” Click here to see Dr. Pazinato’s article in Theriogenology Journal, on Histomorphometry of the placental vasculature and microcotledons in Thoroughbred mares with chronic laminitis.
8. Avoid vaccine reactions in these Insulin Resistant Mares.
9. Milk to the Rescue! Why important in equine insulin resistance broodmares.
   Insulin levels were lower in early lactation than in late pregnancy. Foaling and milk production helps naturally lower Insulin. Dr. Hoffman, Jour. Am Sci, 2003.
   Dr. Reilly Note: The mares are kept on HEIRO during lactation. Of interest, Vitamin E is shown to pass in milk and to increase foal’s blood levels of Vitamin E in studies. HEIRO is high in Vitamin E.
   
   A mare that kept losing her pregnancy is put on the Heiro program! Success!
   On Heiro before and after foaling. Equine insulin resistance broodmares.
10. Mares that are obese/IR cause bone abnormality in Foals.
    • Obese mares with IR going into pregnancy have higher IR/higher insulin/higher leptin.
    • Foals from obese mares become IR!
    • Foals from obese mares have more bone abnormality like osteochondrosis.
    • Click Here to see Dr. Robles, Natural Institute of Health, 2018 article Maternal Obesity increases Insulin Resistance.

There are two categories for this problem:

1. Horses in continual warm weather in Fall/Winter.

2. Horses in areas that get cold/snow in Fall/Winter.

Horses in warm weather areas are effected by the change in seasons while horses in cold areas are effected by both the change in season and the change in weather.

First – Horses in Fall/Winter Laminitis by change of season (over 50°F year round).

A. Horse Insulin Resistance is year round – it does not go away. At times, owners will “let up” on the Heiro program in November-March and suddenly find their horse foot sore. Laminitis Veterinary calls are expensive (most over $1000.00) and you want to avoid further damage to your horse’s feet. It is only $40.60 a month to keep on Heiro Program. Also, many get surprised by Spring grass while not on Heiro and fall into Laminitis.

B. Insulin Resistant horses are in a constant state of pre-existing pro-inflammation. Constantly on the edge to tip into foot pain if any outside event occurs – colic, kicked by another horse… “Higher TNF and IL-1 inflammatory cytokines in horses with Insulin Resistance.” Treiber, 2009, Vet Immuno; Vick, 2007, JAS.

C. Workload of the horse is reduced. There is less exercise with summer over. Exercise lowers Insulin. Heiro will help in this change.

D. Trims and routine shoeing times elongated – mistake. “When toes get too long, extra stress is put on the horse’s body and risk of lameness.” Farrier Matt Tiamuty, Holistic Horse, 2012.

E. The horse has been in continual chronic Laminitis for years and finally is lame enough for a diagnosis, or body changes that have been creeping up are now evident. Chronic white line disease underlying cause is now seen on radiographs. The reason for the radiograph might be a Pre-Purchase Exam or looking at another area can catch old founder evidence.

F. Older horse in Laminitis as seasonal surge of ACTH tips the horse into foot pain. All older horses have this increase in ACTH hormone from August (some late July) to November and, in some, will bring into recognition long-standing Equine Cushings signs. Most horses with Equine Cushings also have Horse Insulin Resistance so need Pergolide and the Heiro program to control ACTH and to control Insulin.

Studies show Prascend can’t stop seasonal ACTH surge. A 2013 University of Kentucky study shows just being older ALONE (not Cushings) lowers Insulin sensitivity by 75% – So if older or older and Cushings, have Insulin problems needing Heiro program. “Decrease in Insulin sensitivity might occur as a normal part of aging not directly associated with PPID (Cushings).” University of Kentucky, Gluck Institute, July 2013.

G. Older horses already on Pergolide go into Laminitis. The Horse Cushing disease they had is now joined by Insulin Resistance. Why? High ACTH of Cushings leads to high cortisol – both ACTH and cortisol at high levels increase Insulin leading to foot pain. Also muscle loss due to high cortisol will elevate Insulin. Muscle loss also leads to less exercise which will elevate Insulin. Now need Pergolide and Heiro together.

H. In many places with warmer weather, there are still cooler nights which will increase fructans in grass. Cooler nights, extra rain or droughts can create Laminitis events by changing your grass. Click here to see Fructan section.

I. Dirt lot horses/horses on poor pasture due to year-round grazing beating up the pasture. Need Heiro program.

1. Dr. Hinkley in England, 1996 BEVA proceedings, showed that 39% of horse’s laminitis was not on pasture at all.
2. Weeds can lead to high iron intake leads to Laminitis. Click here for our original study on why weeds cause Insulin Resistance.
3. No/little fresh forage means a Vitamin E deficiency – either in a sunny, weedy lot in Florida or a snowy field in Pennsylvania (in cold weather areas, Vitamin E in grass is almost zero from November 1 – March 1).
   • Vitamin E in Heiro is over 2.5 times daily needs in order to combat inflammation of Equine Insulin Resistance. If you pull off Vitamin E in Fall/Winter, you go Vitamin E deficient within 30 days in university studies.
   • Vitamin E is the most important lipid (fat) soluble antioxidant responsible for integrity of biological structures such as cell membrane. Dr. Coombs, 1975, Fed. Pox. 34.
   • Heiro contains ester-stable Vitamin E so good in heat/light/air – the one that works. “Free Vitamin E compounds are particularly unstable, so ester-stable form is a better form in supplements.” Gassman, 1979, MD Nut Food Res.
   • Avoids neurological diseases – “Low Vitamin E is associated with EDM and EMND neurological diseases.” Goer, 2013, Equine App. Clin. Nut.
   • Vitamin E supplement shown to help brood mares by increasing IgG antibody in colostrum and hence increased IgG in foal’s blood. Hoffman, 1999, Eq. Nutri Physio.
   • Helps with immune function. Antibody response to vaccines increased in horses supplemented with Vitamin E. Balstrud, 1986, Eq. Vet. J.

J. 2000 USDA Laminitis study showed that in the Winter, the area of the country with the largest percentage of lameness cases being Laminitis was in the South.

K. Foot pain Neuritis Issues – can happen year round in any area, in any weather. On a good program and suddenly sore. This is due to spontaneous firing of damaged nerve endings. Click here to see: It is not Laminitis, but your horse is sore –why? Due to Neuritis.

L. Horses genetic component in Winter is in effect in warmer areas. “Early Winter is a time of increased fat in the body, thickening of hair coat, increased appetite, and weight gain.” Drs. Donaldson, McFarlane, Beech, 2005, J. Vet Int Med. Body changing is due to less sunlight in order to store up for the Winter when food is scarce. All over the country daylight is lessened in winter time and not just cold areas.

Second – Horses in Fall/Winter Laminitis by change of season and also by colder change in weather. These horses have all the problems of the change of season horses AND problems of colder weather piled on top of that.

A. Grasses change as daylight lessens and cold weather advances. Why is this a problem? Click here for High Fructans.

B. Less physical activity in cold/snow – they move less, exercise lowers Insulin, so less exercise means Insulin is up.

C. Osteoarthritis is worse in Winter – people and horses are stiffer in arthritic joints in cold weather. Less movement so Insulin is up. If more painful, then remember Insulin also goes up with pain.

D. Less soaking of hay due to quickly freezing up. Many horses will not eat “Haysickles”.

E. Drink less – all horses drink less when it is under 45°F – When water gets to that point, start using heated water buckets. Less fluids in your horse means less blood flow to the feet, which damages nerves. Less fluids in your horse means the dilution factor of insulin drops so higher insulin concentration to the feet. Less fluids means less flow of nutrients to the feet.

F. Foot pain neuritis issues. Some issues are due to cold weather inducing foot pain. Not true Laminitis. Click here to see about nerve pain issues.

• High Insulin levels will cause vasoconstriction or less blood flow – this damages laminae and nerves
• Vasoconstriction due to cold weather
• Past Laminitis damaging vessels so tissue is not as vascular (fewer or inadequate)

Insulin Resistance in horses and humans (through independent studies) has shown to occur within 24 hours of endotoxin administration. This toxin of bacteria is a common occurrence in certain types of colic and post-colic surgery.

Summary:

In horses already with Insulin Resistance, trauma/colic/infections/surgery can push them over the edge if their Insulin is already high. If normal individuals can get Insulin Resistance, then it highlights how important it is to get your Insulin Resistant horse back in action in the field to get the Insulin down.

In other species, it is already shown to occur that in profound trauma (surgery/wounds) and immune challenges, Insulin Resistance occurs in normal individuals. These “stress-induced Insulin Resistant” cases can, again, possibly be a source of Laminitis, even in horses with no pre-existing metabolic problems.