Eleanor Kellon VMD

The warm days and cold nights of fall contribute to laminitis risk on pasture for horses with metabolic syndrome and high blood insulin. Cathy Lang Takeaways While springtime is often associated with laminitis, fall is also a critical period for monitoring equine health due to specific climatic and hormonal factors. Contrary to earlier theories focusing on fructan, recent research identifies high insulin levels as the conclusive risk factor for pasture-associated laminitis.

One of the hallmarks of pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID), aka Cushing's Disease, is a weakening of the immune response. This includes waning immunity to intestinal parasites. Even ascarids, or Parascarus equorum, which are typically found only in foals, can become a problem for horses with PPID when their adult immunity to them fails. In 2024, Horner, et al., reported on strongyle egg reappearance rates in horses with PPID versus controls.

It wasn’t that long ago that a diagnosis of Cushing’s disease — Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID) — was felt to mean the horse had less than 5 years to live. The cause of the laminitis in these horses was poorly understood and, therefore, poorly managed. We know better now. The Equine Cushing’s and Insulin Resistance Group was founded in 1999 by an owner with an atypical Cushing’s mare who wanted to promote the dissemination of correct scientific information.