Cushing’s syndrome
Cushing’s syndrome, also known as ECS or PPID, is a progressive, treatable but incurable disease affecting older horses (> 15 years). Approximately 15 to 30% of all older horses are affected. The cause of Cushing’s syndrome is almost always a disorder and damage to the pituitary gland and its impaired regulatory function of important hormones.
These hormones influence the water and salt balance, fat and protein metabolism, and cause a marked disturbance of the coat change. Above all, however, the regulation of blood sugar levels derails, meaning that affected horses frequently tend towards laminitis. For this reason, a low-grain, low-sugar, fibre-/fat-based diet is recommended – even for horses undergoing medicinal treatment.
Further information: Blood sugar level, grain-free, fibre-fat feeding
