Comments on: Advances Against Cushing’s Disease

By: Carol

Carol — Tue, 02 Jan 2018 12:49:13 +0000

This the third year that my Rocky Mountain gaited horse has come down with ringworm. A new vet I contacted suggested doing a Cushings test and wouldn’t you know, he is pre-Cushings. This explained so much as my other three horses never got ringworm even though it is in my soil. I’ve started him on Peroglide and Platinum Performance and the ringworm is almost gone.

By: josephine

josephine — Tue, 10 May 2016 06:28:03 +0000

A very in depth article. As horse owners we are now in a far better position in regard to recognising and managing this insidious disease. 20 years ago we lost a 20 year old mare to cushings, looking back I now see that some of the signs were there, but not any great indicators. Sadly with no treatment she deteriorated very quickly in the last 6 months of her life. I now have another 22 year old mare, 4 years ago when she was having her routine vaccinations I asked my vet for a cushings blood test. The mare had no physical signs of the disease but due to her age and my previous experience I felt that it was a prudent measure to take. Many people were suprised when the test indicated that she did indeed have cushings, although I was disappointed I now feel in control. One pergolide a day,limited grazing, low sugar diet regular exercise and my mare is in great condition, she belies her age. Her regular blood test results are all coming back within normal limits. I suppose my thoughts on this are,perhaps we don’t want to hear negative news but maybe all equines would benefit from a routine blood test in their later years.

By: Nancy

Nancy — Fri, 08 Apr 2016 03:51:33 +0000

For comprehensive and up-to-date information on managing horses with Equine PPID/Cushing’s and Insulin Resistance, please see http://www.ecirhorse.org.

By: Angie

Angie — Thu, 31 Mar 2016 06:55:47 +0000

Please advise, horse was diagnosed with Cushings a few years ago, nothing was mentioned about treatment and no blood tests were ran. The horse is now blind and a new vet stated that the horse most likely has a brain tumor and advised to put the horse down. He is eating however his gait is off and he does not want to come out of his stall on his own, however he will come out by being led. This is my mother in laws horse.. she fell and broke her arm Tuesday, we were scheduled to put the horse down today but we are rescheduling for next week… I feel like this is a sign for me to maybe get a second opinion??? Any thoughts or advice is appreciated!

By: Laurie

Laurie — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 06:25:38 +0000

Thank you very much. This was very informative for me. Cooper is a 26yr. old quarter gelding that has very advance signs. His blood work came back good since I’ve started him on the meds. He appetite isn’t the best but he’s still happy and runs like a young colt.

By: barbara

barbara — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 10:22:03 +0000

You have not said anything about whether cushings is genetically related – very important !!!
thank you –
bbs

By: sampson

sampson — Mon, 13 Apr 2015 05:48:35 +0000

I am sampson smith and would like to introduce you to Thrive Feed, why because there are many horses who have been diagnosed with Cushings and are were on prescend and having regular blood tests to monitor their condition. Well when these horses were fed Thrive Feed complete feed there condition is reversed, oh, you say how ridiculous . Same things been said about gastric ulcers and Lamanitis.
May we invite to view the posts on Facebook page ( Thrive Feed Horsefeed in the UK )
Please feel free to contact the horse owners because they are the ones who put these posts on there and have had the blood tests for proof and these horses now have a healthy happy life.
We hope you join the Thrive Feed Family. Welcome to the future.

By: sampson

sampson — Mon, 13 Apr 2015 05:47:33 +0000

By: vivian

vivian — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 12:43:20 +0000

I have an 38 year old horse that has cushings and I did not realize it was Cushings untill about 3 years ago and I know he had it several years before . Typical symptoms, extremely long curly coat ( I body clip him twice a year)top line wasting, pot belly. My problem also is all his back teeth are gone. He can’t eat hay. I have done research and talked to people and vets. Iwas told to feed him alfalfa. I soak beet pulp, alfalfa cubes and low carb/low starch feed for about 1 to 1.5 hours twice a day. I also started giveing the Chaste Tree Berry. It helps get rid of 75% of the hair, but I still clip him some. NOw I read you are NOT suspose to feed alflafa!! It’s worked so far for me with no bad side effects. He is 100% sound and looks better than some of my younger horses. I also have a horse that I am sure is IR. He is my problem, Finding hay that is low in sugar besides feeding him straight cubes! I have to find 2 year old hay that is pretty much just ole grass hay. Hopeful to fine some orchard grass mix this year. I learned NO BROME…he founderd on Brome last year. I have been told alfalfa is lower in sugars and starch than Brome or Timothy, but he just does not need to be on that!

By: Lisa

Lisa — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 11:57:57 +0000

Thank you for this excellent article. I have learned a lot about this condition reading it. I have been offered a fjord horse that is showing signs of cushings (long hair that doesn’t shed out in the Spring) and is taking Pergolide. I’m still on the fence about adopting her as I’m wondering what the long term situation may be, but feel much better now about the outcome.
I do have a question about feed, though. I also have another horse that has been diagnosed border-line insulin-resistant but has a difficult time keeping weight on during the winter feeding just grass hay and beet pulp. One of the afforable, healthy hay options we have here in New Mexico is beardless winter wheat and my mare has been eating this now for over a year and we have had amazing results in muscle building, keeping a healthy weight, and having enough energy…but not too much like alfalfa tends to do.
My question is if you believe that beardless winter wheat hay is a viable option for a cushings disease affected horse.
I would be very appreciative to have your insight.
Thank you.
~Lisa