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
Protect Your Horse From Leptospirosis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:07
Leptospirosis is a serious bacterial disease that causes both recurrent uveitis (“moon blindness”)—especially in Appaloosas, draft horses, and Warmbloods—and abortion in horses. But now there’s a vaccine to prevent it. I…
Managing the Fearful and Anxious Horse [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:11
Do you feel unsafe with your horse when you’re on the ground or riding? Our behavior and vet experts are here to help!
Help! How to Manage Equine Emergencies [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:57
Your horse is wounded, bleeding, or critically ill: What should you do? Get advice from our expert!
Managing Horses on Small Acreages [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:47
Do you want to keep horses at home? Are you looking to develop and improve efficiency on your small farm? Join us for this information-packed hour! Our experts will answer your questions about fencing, housing, storage,…
Caring for Your New Horse [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:07
Are you getting your first horse or first horse in a long time? Our experts will help you navigate equine ownership.
Understanding Horse Behavior [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:43
Why do horses do the things they do? A behaviorist talks about how horses learn, stereotypies, herd dynamics, and more!
Itchy Horses: Dealing With Seasonal Skin Issues [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:00
Equine skin issues can be difficult to diagnose and frustrating to treat. Experts share practical solutions for dealing with sunburn, rain rot, skin allergies (sweet itch), and more.
Vesicular Stomatitis: An Emerging Equine Disease [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:01
If you own horses in Colorado, you’re probably familiar with VS. Elsewhere, you might get to know it soon enough. Get your questions answered now from our experts.
Mud Management and Equine Health [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:32
From sucking off horseshoes to perpetuating thrush, scratches, and more, mud threatens your horse’s health. Get your questions answered about mud management, controlling water runoff, and treating mud-related horse healt…