Equine Cushings disease (pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction) is the most common hormonal disease in older horses. Effective management with medication can dramatically improve quality of life for affected animals.
PPID causes a significant welfare burden in older horses that is often underappreciated. The long, matted coat of advanced PPID causes chronic heat stress and discomfort, poor immune function leads to increased infection susceptibility, and muscle wasting reduces the horse's ability to perform normal activities. Secondary laminitis in PPID horses causes severe pain. The welfare opportunity is substantial because treatment with pergolide effectively controls disease in most horses - treated horses show dramatic improvement in coat condition, muscle mass, energy, and overall quality of life. Early diagnosis through autumn ACTH screening allows treatment before serious complications develop. Welfare-conscious care of older horses should include routine PPID screening as a standard component of geriatric care.