Horse Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction: Welfare Updates and Management

Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID), formerly known as equine Cushing's disease, is the most common endocrine disorder in older horses and ponies, with significant welfare implications.

Key Facts

PPID affects around 21-25% of horses and ponies over 15 years old
The condition causes elevated ACTH levels, leading to hypertrichosis (long curly coat), laminitis risk, and muscle wasting
Pergolide mesylate (Prascend) is the primary treatment, shown to improve clinical signs in most horses
Seasonal ACTH rise in autumn can cause diagnostic challenges and treatment adjustment needs
Laminitis associated with PPID is one of the most significant welfare concerns - chronic and potentially severe
Quality of life in PPID horses improves substantially with correct diagnosis and treatment
Regular blood testing (resting ACTH or TRH stimulation test) is essential for monitoring and dose adjustment

Welfare Considerations

PPID is a manageable condition when diagnosed early and treated appropriately, but unmanaged PPID causes substantial suffering through chronic laminitis, compromised thermoregulation due to coat changes, and progressive muscle loss. Many PPID horses suffer unnecessarily due to delayed diagnosis or owner reluctance to commit to lifelong medication. Welfare-focused management requires regular veterinary monitoring, prompt laminitis management, dietary support, and body condition scoring to track muscle loss.

What You Can Do

Test horses over 15 years old annually for PPID using ACTH blood testing
Discuss treatment options and monitoring schedules with an equine vet if PPID is diagnosed
Ensure PPID horses have appropriate dietary management to reduce laminitis risk
Monitor coat, body condition, and behaviour regularly for signs of treatment inadequacy
Contact the Laminitis Trust or Equine Cushing's and Insulin Dysregulation charity for support resources