Understanding Equine Insulin Resistance

Understanding Equine Insulin Resistance

Author: The Horse: Your Guide to Equine Health Care September 22, 2022 Duration: 59:04

Horses with insulin issues need to be managed carefully to live good-quality lives. Join our host, Shoshana Rudski, as she interviews Dr. Dianne McFarlane, of the University of Florida, and Dr. Vern Dryden, of Bur Oak Veterinary and Podiatry Services. You'll learn about the signs, causes, and treatment of insulin resistance in horses, and science-based steps you can take to combat it.   

This podcast is sponsored by Wellness Ready.

Dianne McFarlane, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM, is a professor and chair of the University of Florida’s Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, in Gainesville. She has studied equine aging and age-related diseases for more than 20 years. She is most recognized for her work in equine endocrine diseases, including pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction and equine metabolic syndrome. McFarlane received her DVM from the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine. She then completed a large animal internship at the University of Georgia, followed by a residency in equine internal medicine at North Carolina State University. McFarlane completed her PhD at the Atlantic Veterinary College, on Prince Edward Island, Canada, where she investigated the cause of equine pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction.

Vern Dryden, DVM, CJF, APF, owns Bur Oak Sports Medicine and Lameness, in Lexington, Kentucky, and Wellington, Florida, where he focuses on individualized care for his patients. Dryden is also the co-founder and CMO of Wellness Ready, makers of the Wellness Ready Stall Side Insulin Test. After earning degrees from the University of Arizona and Oklahoma State Farrier School, Dryden completed his veterinary studies at Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine. He frequently lectures both nationally and internationally on podiatry care. At home, Dryden breeds and shows American Quarter Horses.


Ever find yourself puzzling over a subtle change in your horse's behavior or wishing you had a clearer understanding of that latest veterinary study? Ask The Horse brings those conversations directly to you, transforming complex equine health topics into accessible, actionable knowledge. Each episode features recorded live sessions where seasoned horse owners pose their real-world questions to a rotating panel of top veterinarians and specialists. You'll hear discussions that range from everyday hoof care and nutrition management to explanations of emerging therapies and diagnostic techniques. The format captures the spontaneous, insightful dialogue that happens when curious minds meet expert experience, all without the filter of a script. This podcast, presented by The Horse: Your Guide to Equine Health Care, serves as a trusted resource for anyone invested in the wellbeing of their horse, whether you're a weekend trail rider or a competitive professional. It’s like having a front-row seat to a continuous learning community, where the shared goal is simply better care. Tune in to gain a deeper confidence in your decisions and to hear the nuanced, practical advice that can make a tangible difference in your daily routine with horses.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 150

Ask The Horse
Podcast Episodes
Neck and Back Pain in Horses [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:12
Join our host, Michelle Anderson of TheHorse.com, as she interviews Dr. Kevin Haussler about equine back pain during April 2019's Ask The Horse Live, a live event that focuses on your horse health questions. Dr. Haussler…
EIA, Coggins Tests, and Protecting Your Horse [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:00
Why are there so many equine infectious anemia cases in the news, and how can you protect your horse from this deadly disease? Join our host, Michelle Anderson, as she interviews Dr. Angela Pelzel-McCluskey, the equine e…
Get Ready for Equine Breeding Season! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:26
Dr. Ryan Ferris answers questions about breeding mares and stallions and producing top-quality, healthy foals during this archived Q&A. We cover everything from selecting the right parents to gestational care to ensuring…
Core Vaccines Every Horse Needs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:46
Learn about the core vaccines recommended by the American Association of Equine Practitioners and the five deadly diseases they prevent.
Biosecurity: Protect Your Horse From Disease [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:23
How can you keep your horse healthy when going to horse shows, trail rides, or events? And what about bringing new horses into a boarding stable? Learn about practical biosecurity measures to protect your horses.
Lyme Disease in Horses [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:35
Lyme disease is notoriously difficult to diagnose and has (or might not have) a myriad of vague (or not-so-vague) clinical signs in horses. Learn about this tick-borne disease and get your questions answered during our l…
Botulism: Deadly to Horses [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:39
Horses are one of the most susceptible species to botulism. Find out how to protect your horse from this deadly neurologic disease.
Protecting Your Horse Farm From Fires [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:11
Wildfires and barn fires present a real threat to horse and human safety. Learn how to make your property fire-free during this Q&A.
PPID: Early Signs, Diagnosis, and Treatment [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:10
Did you know your horse could be suffering from equine Cushing’s disease long before his coat gets shaggy and curly? Here’s how veterinarians recognize subtle signs so they can intervene early.