How to Care for Horses With Cushings Disease

Cushing's Disease is an age-related disease that affects horses. The disease was identified about 70 years ago as one that attacks horses in their 20s. The disease is caused by a malfunction in the horse's pituitary gland, which leads to an increase in the production of the stress hormone cortisol, and an overall hormonal imbalance. Symptoms of Cushing's are shaggy coats, loss of muscle mass, laminitis, and a higher susceptibility to infection. New research has brought new improvements to the field of Cushing's control and maintenance, giving today's Cushing's horses a fairly optimistic prognosis.

Things You'll Need

  • Medication
  • Low-carb food
  • Supplements
  • Dewormer
  • Clippers
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Instructions

  1. Instructions for Managing Cushing's in Horses

    • 1

      Switch your horse immediately to a low-carb/high-fat diet. Limit the horse's exposure to lush grass, and eliminate grain from its diet. These measures will counteract and prevent the loss of muscle mass.

    • 2

      Add a selenium supplement to your horse's diet. Always check about supplementation with your vet, and have blood work done on your horse to confirm the need for supplements like selenium.

    • 3

      Start your horse on Cushing's medication, per your vet's recommendation. Dopamine agonists regulate the pituitary gland and may slow the progress of the disease.

    • 4

      Deworm your horse regularly. Horses with Cushing's have compromised immune systems, and will fall prey to internal parasites like worms.

    • 5

      Have your horse's teeth checked regularly, to prevent periodontal disease and sinus infections.

    • 6

      Increase the frequency of your farrier visits. Regular foot trimming will reduce the likelihood of laminitis (acid buildup in the feet) and foot abscesses.

    • 7

      Increase your horse's grooming. Body clip your horse to control the amount of hair it has and to keep it cool.