EQUINE CUSHINGS AND INSULIN RESISTANCE

Strengthens the care ecosystem by educating and empowering owners, hoof professionals, and veterinarians, promoting team-based rehabilitation and interdisciplinary collaboration to improve outcomes for horses with metabolic disorders.

Uses real-world case studies and qualitative interviews with horse owners to develop educational content that reflects practical challenges and successes in managing EMS and PPID, enhancing relevance and applicability.

The organization utilizes a comparative medicine perspective, drawing parallels between equine metabolic syndrome and human metabolic conditions, to inform management strategies. Additionally, it employs detailed case studies and qualitative interviews to demonstrate effective rehabilitation approaches and gather insights from horse owners, thereby enriching educational content and practical guidance.

Teaches equine metabolic disorders by drawing parallels with human metabolic syndrome and type II diabetes, and by explaining underlying biological mechanisms (e.g., dopaminergic neuron loss in PPID), enhancing understanding and informing management strategies.

Applies a structured, multi-component approach—Diagnosis, Diet, Trim, Exercise, and Drugs (DDT+E)—to prevent and rehabilitate laminitis in horses with PPID and/or EMS, emphasizing integrated, evidence-based interventions across medical, nutritional, and biomechanical domains.

Focuses on educating owners and veterinarians to recognize subtle, early signs of PPID—such as seasonal laminitis—to enable timely intervention, improve prognosis, and prevent laminitis.

The organization promotes a dietary strategy for horses with metabolic disorders centered on low-sugar/starch, forage-based, mineral-balanced diets. This involves educating horse owners on the importance of forage analysis, targeted supplementation based on nutrient requirements from evidence-based sources, and understanding the impact of carbohydrates on glucose/insulin dynamics to prevent and manage conditions like laminitis.

The organization advocates for a dietary management strategy for horses with metabolic disorders that is low in sugar/starch, forage-based, and mineral-balanced. This involves educating horse owners on the importance of forage analysis, targeted supplementation, and understanding the impact of carbohydrates on glucose/insulin dynamics, with nutrient recommendations derived from evidence-based sources.

The organization develops and disseminates educational content, including webinars and resources, based on specialized veterinary expertise, scientific theories, and peer-reviewed research. This approach aims to empower horse owners, hoof professionals, and veterinarians with accurate, up-to-date knowledge on equine metabolic disorders, their diagnosis, management, and prevention of laminitis.

Recommends combining blood testing (e.g., ACTH levels) with observation of physical symptoms to guide diagnosis and medication titration, ensuring treatment is tailored to the individual horse and adjusted over time for optimal outcomes.

The organization advocates for a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach to managing equine metabolic disorders (PPID/EMS) and preventing laminitis. This includes precise diagnostic terminology, early symptom recognition, a tiered management approach (Diagnosis, Diet, Drugs, Trim, Exercise - DDT+E), and continuous monitoring and adjustment of treatment plans based on both clinical signs and diagnostic testing, often involving collaboration among owners, veterinarians, and hoof professionals.

The organization promotes a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach to managing equine metabolic disorders like PPID and EMS, primarily focused on preventing laminitis. This includes precise diagnostic terminology, early symptom recognition, a tiered management approach (Diagnosis, Diet, Drugs, Trim, Exercise - DDT+E), and continuous monitoring and adjustment of treatment based on both clinical signs and diagnostic tests.

Promotes a diet low in sugar and starch, based on analyzed forage and balanced with targeted mineral supplementation, to manage insulin resistance and metabolic dysfunction in horses, with recommendations grounded in peer-reviewed science and NRC guidelines.

Provides evidence-based recommendations on medication use, including preferred pergolide formulations (compounded encapsulated powder) and dosing strategies, to ensure efficacy, safety, and consistency in treating PPID.

Uses the term PPID (Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction) instead of the less accurate "Cushing's Disease" to ensure clarity and precision in diagnosis and treatment, improving clinical outcomes and reducing miscommunication among veterinarians and owners.

The organization improves equine welfare by bridging basic research with real-life clinical experience, with a primary goal of preventing laminitis. This involves funding research on key aspects of equine metabolic disorders (diagnosis, diet, trim, exercise, and laminitis prevention) and fostering collaboration among stakeholders to advance knowledge and empower owners, hoof professionals, and veterinarians.

The organization improves equine welfare by bridging basic research with real-life clinical experience, with a primary goal of preventing laminitis. This includes funding research on relevant topics, exploring comparative medicine perspectives (e.g., human metabolic syndrome), and utilizing qualitative research to inform presentations, thereby translating scientific advancements into practical applications for horse owners and veterinarians.

Interfaces basic scientific research with real-world clinical experience to develop practical, evidence-based guidance for managing equine metabolic disorders, ensuring recommendations are both scientifically valid and applicable in daily horse care.

Identifies and manages seasonal elevations in ACTH and insulin-glucose dynamics (especially in fall) as a key factor in laminitis risk, recommending seasonal pergolide treatment for at-risk horses to prevent endocrinopathic laminitis.