Equine Metabolic Syndrome is a common endocrine disorder linked to obesity and laminitis risk, with careful dietary and exercise management offering significant welfare benefits.
EMS causes significant chronic welfare harm through its primary complication: laminitis. Laminitis is intensely painful — affected horses bear weight reluctantly, show a characteristic leaning-back stance, and in severe cases cannot stand. The condition is driven by insulin-mediated disruption of hoof blood supply. Many EMS horses suffer repeated laminitis episodes before an accurate diagnosis is made, because the endocrine basis of their condition goes unrecognized. Welfare-focused management removes all grain and limits access to high-sugar pasture, especially during spring growth and autumn flush. Grazing muzzles reduce pasture intake while allowing horses turnout access — preserving psychological welfare while managing metabolic risk.