Horse Cushings Disease and Welfare Management

Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID/Cushings) is common in older horses and causes significant welfare harm without appropriate diagnosis and management.

Key Facts

PPID affects an estimated 25% of horses over 15 years and is the most common endocrine disease in equines
Clinical signs include a long curly coat, muscle wasting, increased drinking and urination, and laminitis risk
Pergolide medication effectively controls PPID progression and is the primary treatment option
Annual testing with the TRH stimulation test allows early diagnosis before clinical signs are obvious
Laminitis secondary to PPID is a serious and painful welfare consequence that is preventable with early treatment

Welfare Considerations

PPID management is a case where early diagnosis and treatment dramatically improve welfare outcomes relative to late detection. The disease progresses insidiously, with the characteristic curly coat appearing only in advanced cases - but welfare-impacting changes including laminitis risk and muscle deterioration occur much earlier. Horses with well-controlled PPID can maintain good quality of life for years; horses with undiagnosed or untreated PPID suffer progressive welfare deterioration that culminates in severe laminitis pain. Annual testing for horses over 15 is a cost-effective welfare investment.

What You Can Do

Test horses over 15 years annually for PPID using TRH stimulation testing
Recognize early PPID signs including subtle coat changes and increased water consumption
Work with your veterinarian on appropriate pergolide dosing for diagnosed horses
Manage laminitis risk carefully in PPID horses through dietary control
Monitor for disease progression and adjust management seasonally as PPID severity fluctuates