Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID), commonly called Cushings disease, is the most common endocrine disorder in horses, causing significant welfare impacts if undiagnosed or untreated.
PPID welfare impact is substantial and progressive if untreated. The excess cortisol associated with the condition causes immunosuppression, predisposing horses to infections and parasitism, while the laminitis risk represents one of the most severe and chronic pain conditions in equine medicine. The abnormal coat of affected horses may cause owners to dismiss signs as cosmetic, delaying diagnosis during which welfare is continuously compromised. With effective treatment, many horses with PPID maintain good quality of life for years. The welfare imperative is therefore early detection through regular blood testing in older horses, enabling treatment before disease progression causes irreversible damage or necessitates early euthanasia.