CUSHINGS IN HORSES AND PONIES
- Hayley Burton
- Mar 6, 2023
- 3 min read
What is Cushings?
Correctly known as Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID) or Cushing’s. The pituitary gland located at the base of the brain, producing hormones in response to brain signals, when a horse or pony has PPID / Cushing the glad has become damaged or inflamed, so it loses its ability to function correctly, causing excessive production of normal hormones in the gland.
The hormones affect the horse’s whole body, some have little to no signs at first then over time start showing smaller changes where other horses show big changes.
Generally effecting horses over the ages of 10 years, with studies showing 19 being the average age, it’s generally a condition associated with older horse, mainly smaller ponies over horses, but mares and geldings are both just as likely to get the condition.
How does it affect horses?
The signs of Cushing’s are varying between each horse and their severity can change from horse to horse, one horse may have many symptoms or one or two.
Symptoms Of Cushings
Longer, thicker coat, with delayed shedding of winter coat
Laminitis, repeating or chronic
Weight loss, no top line
Pot Bellied
Lethargic behaviour
Increased sweating
Increased drinking
Increased urination
Infections/ cuts taking a while to heal
Fatty deposits above eyes, crest or top of tail
How is it Diagnosed?
A quick hormone test from the vet is the quickest way
Clinical signs usually prompt owners to get a hormone test
Chronic Laminitis, often coming on out of nowhere, often prompt a hormone test
But as with all things horse related it is not always that simple, as the progression is very slow it can be hard to pinpoint on a hormone test in the early stages. With seasonal changes, you horses’ levels may be different every six months or so but your vet will advise on the best way to test and diagnose if they suspect Cushing’s could be the cause.
Treatment
Vet treatment is normally given in the form of a Pergolide tablet 65-85% effective by controlling the production of Dopamine. This can take 6-8 weeks to start working and helping the horse return to its former self.
They do have side effects most commonly diarrhoea, depression, weight loss and colic but most horses will not show these symptoms.
Your vet will be able to help you decide on the best treatment that will suit your horse and the best dose to start on, the vet will prescribe the medication. Don’t administer medication without your vet’s approval.
Depending on the severity not all owners will medicate, because of cost, clinical signs and how the medication affects individual horses.
Some owners treat the clinical signs, laminitis, infections and excessive hair growth by careful management, monitoring, and daily care and herbal supplementation.
Management
Medication – 65-85% control via medication from vets, the vets will advise on the dosage correct for your horse, often started on a low dose increasing over a 6–8-week period.
Treating the horse or pony like they have laminitis with restricted grazing, low sugar, and starch diets.
Light exercise- this helps keep weight down and horse normally enjoy getting out and about.
Any wounds and infections treated quickly making sure they are clean and infection free.
Clipping coat out all year round to help the horse cool and comfortable and regulate their temperature.
Horses can live in or out with the right management and live perfectly normal lives and even compete, it’s not life ending.
Summary
It’s up to the individual owner and what they feel is best for their own horse and what you vet recommends as well, as it is always best to consult them in any decision you make to make sure, that everyone is on the same plan so you can work together to make sure you’re giving your horse the best you can, your horse will always need careful management but many horses live perfectly normal and happy lives with this condition though it’s not curable it’s just something that happens especially as our horses age.
There are many forums, websites or speak to your vet.
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