Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID), commonly called Cushing's disease, is a common endocrine disorder in older horses that causes significant welfare burden.
PPID-affected horses experience chronic suffering if undiagnosed or undertreated: laminitis causes intense foot pain, muscle wasting reduces mobility, and metabolic dysregulation affects overall well-being. However, with appropriate veterinary management, most horses achieve significantly improved welfare. The welfare challenge is economic — pergolide treatment is ongoing and costly, and many horse owners delay diagnosis or treatment due to expense. Welfare-focused horse ownership includes proactive monitoring of older animals and budgeting for endocrine management.