Cushing’s disease is a tumour in the pituitary gland that grows and sends inappropriate signals to the body to secrete excessive hormones, primarily encouraging the secretion of the stress hormone cortisol.  Too much cortisol can have a negative effect on the body in numerous ways.

Cushing’s disease can not be cured but it can be managed and controlled. All breeds and types of horses can be affected by Cushing’s but it is common in pony breeds.  It is also quite common in older horses over the age of 15. 

Symptoms of Cushing’s include:

• A long and uneven coat that fails to shed normally
• Weight loss – despite a normal or even an increased appetite
• Lethargy, acting docile and being more tolerant of pain
• Loss of muscle mass – particularly in rump and saddle areas
• The appearance of a pot belly and fat deposited along the neck, above the tail and above and behind the eyes.
• Sweating – particularly in those with long coats
• Drinking an excessive amount of water
• Urinating excessively
• Recurrent infections – especially dental and respiratory
• Ulcers in the mouth
• Wounds taking an unusually long time to heal
• Unexplained and recurrent laminitis
• Susceptibility to worms.

Cushing’s can be confirmed by a blood test where the vet will possibly try to rule out other diseases first. Medical treatment is available for Cushing’s but is expensive and once started, it must be maintained throughout the life of the horse.  Medication can very quickly show an improvement in the coat of the horse and a reduction in drinking and urination.  It will lessen the symptoms overall and improve their quality of life.

Although Cushing’s is incurable, management of an affected horse is exceedingly important:

• Horses with long coats would benefit from regular clipping due to the excessive sweating.
• Regular dental care is important
• Weight should be carefully monitored
• Routine foot care and regular visits to the farrier should take place.
• Prompt treatment of infections is recommended
• Vaccinations and worming are more important than usual and should be kept scrupulously up to date. 

If you are worried that your horse may have Cushing’s then it is important to consult your vet.

Probiotic supplements help support health and prevent harmful microorganisms being established in the hindgut of the horse.  The probiotics reintroduce the beneficial bacteria and although the hindgut would naturally do this, it speeds up the process. Probiotics help to support the horse’s defense system and maintains their gastrointestinal system. They are available in various forms – such as powdered, liquid, granulated to sprinkle on feed and single use syringes.

The hindgut has a microbial population that serves to break down the fibre.  This helps the horse to digest plant materials. Unfortunately, the microbes in the hindgut can be easily disturbed. Probiotics help to keep the microbes in the hindgut healthy. Circumstances such as

• stress
• strenuous performances
• change in diet (especially an abrupt one)
• travel
• alterations to routine
• seasonal changes
• illness or a course of antibiotics 

can all cause the balance in the hindgut to be altered. Antibiotics can cause good bacteria to die and give bad bacteria a chance to increase.  Probiotics maintain the population of good bacteria under these difficult and stressful circumstances for the horse, keeping the balance healthy. Young and aged horses may also need to have probiotics added to their feed as foals lack balanced levels and aged horses may have conditions that make it difficult for them to digest food.

Probiotics supplements can be purchased on their own, but may feeds and supplements contain a type of probiotic in their ingredients list.