Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) is the most common endocrine disease of older horses and requires ongoing welfare-focused management.
PPID welfare management requires lifelong commitment to medication, monitoring, and preventive care. The welfare stakes are high — unmanaged PPID leads to laminitis, which causes severe chronic pain and is a leading reason for equine euthanasia. Early diagnosis through routine ACTH testing from age 15 and immediate pergolide initiation when the threshold is reached prevents laminitis episodes that cause enormous suffering. Monitoring treatment response through ACTH retesting ensures adequate dosing as the disease progresses. Supporting horses with PPID through appropriate farriery, dental care, and body condition management enables many additional years of comfortable, quality life.