QUT research ponies need new homes and tough love to lose weight

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This was published 8 years ago

QUT research ponies need new homes and tough love to lose weight

By Natalie Bochenski
Updated

Wanted: good homes and tough love for around 50 portly ponies.

The animals have been taking part in QUT research into Equine Metabolic Syndrome, which Professor Martin Sillence from the Earth, Environmental and Biological Sciences School said was similar to diabetes in humans.

QUT researcher Martin Sillence with one of 50 ponies the university hopes to rehome.

QUT researcher Martin Sillence with one of 50 ponies the university hopes to rehome.Credit: Erika_Fish

"It's when ponies with a particular genetic background are overfed and over-loved, put on a lot of weight and get a diabetic-type syndrome which produces very high insulin levels," he said.

"In ponies it causes this horrible condition called laminitis, where the hoof comes away from their leg – like when your fingernail comes off."

Professor Sillence said laminitis led to the death of Black Caviar's half-brother, the $5 million colt Jimmy, and its increasing prevalence could threaten Australia's billion-dollar horse industry.

"We think we've got a treatment within arm's reach but we're at a particular stage where we need to part with a few of these animals," he said.

"We're trying to find homes with responsible horse owners who understand about nutrition and will take good care of them."

Professor Sillence said horses were similar to humans in that over the past 40 years their food supplies have become more secure and nutritious while their lifestyles are more sedentary.

He said they were also genetically programmed to never say "neigh" to a bale of hay.

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"Their metabolism's adapted in such a way that when there is plenty of feed they really pack on the weight," Professor Sillence said.

"They're greedy animals, they're like people – if they see it, they'll eat it."

QUT has kept more than 100 ponies on its university farm at Pinjarra, west of Brisbane.

Their involvement in research has extended to feeding trials such as using a feeder that makes the animals exercise before they can eat.

Professor Sillence said prospective owners should ideally have a good-sized property and the ability to help the horse exercise, as well as a tough will to help them shed a few kilos.

"The ponies have all received excellent veterinary care during their time with us, including Hendra vaccination, de-worming, dental and hoof care, so they are leaving us in good condition," he said.

"Some of these animals may be good to ride, whereas others are more temperamental and will need careful handling."

Available ponies are being listed on the university's Facebook page.

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