The words "middle-aged, overweight, and sedentary" do not describe a healthy horse. They do, however, describe a growing number of horses.

As the obesity epidemic spreads to the equine population, researchers are learning more about its association with metabolic disorders.

A free, live webcast called "Equine Metabolic Syndrome" will be offered by My Horse University and the University of Minnesota Horse Extension Program at 7 p.m., EDT, Thursday, Oct. 28. Participants can register online for the presentation and ask questions on this important topic.

Presented by Raymond Geor, BVSc, MVSc, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM, professor and chair of the Michigan State University (MSU) College of Veterinary Medicine, the webcast will feature a discussion of the signs, diagnosis, and treatment of EMS and dietary and exercise measures for mitigating the risk of laminitis in affected horses