Of all domesticated animals, horses have the lowest fertility rate. This is often due to selective breeding for performance and conformation rather than fertility. Equine fertility is influenced by a complex mix of environmental, management, and individual animal factors.

Gestational Diabetes in Horses

Just like humans, horses can experience pregnancy diabetes, known as Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM). This condition affects 4-12% of women and has an equivalent in mares, increasing their risk of pregnancy-associated laminitis. Both humans and horses experience changes in blood glucose and insulin levels due to this condition.

Insulin resistance is associated with a range of diseases in both horses and humans. In horses, it is linked to conditions such as laminitis, hyperlipaemia, Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS), Cushing's disease (PPID - Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction), osteochondrosis, colic, and grass founder. In humans, insulin resistance is connected to type II diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, polycystic ovary syndrome, and colorectal cancer.