by Laura Crump Anderson

Pregnancy is such an exciting and nerve-racking part of a woman’s life. There is no denying that it will impact your riding as your body adapts and changes to the challenges of becoming a mother. While most doctors and literature on the subject will tell you not to ride while you are pregnant, if you are healthy and your pregnancy is progressing normally, you can certainly continue to exercise. You may need to make some modifications for your changing body, and that’s what a pregnancy-specific routine is designed to help you do.

There are some exercises that are very safe to do while you’re pregnant; there are also some things you should avoid doing, such as deep twists, exercises on your stomach, and after your fourth month, exercises that have you on your back for extended periods of time. Be aware that expectant mothers often tire sooner, so don’t push yourself too hard as exhaustion leads to an increased risk of injury. The last thing you want from your exercise program is an injury that would make life even harder while you’re pregnant, so make sure you listen to your body and back off when it tells you to.

I developed a special strength-building routine after working with riding clients who wanted to stay active during their pregnancies. Pregnant women are some of my favorite to work with because it is such an exciting period in their lives. They know that they need to work hard and take care of their bodies. Some days are harder than others, but they always show up and give it everything they have. As a personal trainer, I could not ask for more.

Read more: Fitness for the Pregnant Rider - an excerpt from "Ultimate Exercise Routines for Riders"

by ECIR Group Inc.

Hyperinsulinemia associated with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) and/or equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) is well documented to put horses at high risk of laminitis. While dietary control of simple sugars and starch is the most effective therapy to control hyperinsulinemia, some horses fail to respond.

Since the publication of articles in 2018 and 2019 describing the effects of the SGLT2 (sodium glucose cotransporter 2) inhibitor velagliflozin in controlling insulin levels in horses with hyperinsulinemia, the Equine Cushing’s and Insulin Resistance Group (ECIR Group) has been interested in exploring this family of drugs in horses that do not respond to the usual measures of diet/carbohydrate control, pergolide if the horse has PPID/Cushing’s, and metformin.

ECIR Group members with horses that had unresponsive high insulin levels and laminitis, in conjunction with their treating veterinarians, trialed them on canagliflozin. Because velagliflozin is not commercially available, members used the flagship SGLT2 inhibitor, canagliflozin, with estimated appropriate dosages based on published information.

Read more: Published: Canagliflozin for Control of Refractory Equine Hyperinsulinemia and Laminitis