In this podcast, I explain why it's important for all of a horse's systems to stay flexible, especially when it comes to body fat. Many horse owners worry when their horses lose "weight" and assume it's a problem. I reassure them that, as long as the horse isn't starving or sick, this can actually be a sign of good health.
Every living thing needs energy to survive. Sometimes, the body needs extra fuel fast, and that's where body fat comes in. For example, if you or your horse had to run to escape danger, you wouldn't have time to stop and eat. Your body would use stored fat to restore energy until you eat. The same thing happens during long stretches without food, like in winter.
A horse's body needs to stay flexible in all its systems to handle extra stress or times when food is hard to find. This flexibility helps horses stay healthy and thrive. Without flexibility, they can get sick or lame. Body fat supports the ebb and flow of energy needs, and even if a horse has a lot of it, the horse can still thrive as long as the fat stays flexible.
Timestamps:
0:00 - Body fat as a buffer.
1:15 - The ebb and flow of food intake.
3:09 - The similarity of body fat to an electrical capacitor.
9:15 - All body fat is the storage of excess food, especially glucose.
10:05 - When body fat is no longer flexible.
13:19 - All body systems flex to accommodate loads applied to them.
15:50 - Summary - The importance of system flexibility.
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#horses #veterinary #horseteeth #horsecare #equinedentistry
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Geoff Tucker is a veterinarian and horseman who has worked with horses since 1973. He earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University in 1984. Starting out mucking stalls as a farmhand, Geoff eventually opened his own equine practice. He now uses his experience to Help Horses Thrive In A Human World™ by teaching owners about dentistry, horsemanship, nutrition, and other important topics.
