Supportive Management Practices for Horses With Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) or Cushing’s Disease (PPID)

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Text-only version of “Supportive Management Practices for Horses With Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) or Cushing’s Disease (PPID)”

• Pasture should be eliminated or severely restricted by using a grazing muzzle.
• Pasture is particularly dangerous in the spring and the fall in areas where cool-season grasses ­flourish. WARM DAYS (60° or above) + COOL NIGHTS (40° or below) = More sugars stored in leaves
• NSC = nonstructural carbohydrates, aka simple sugar and starch
• Choose feeds with a nonstructural carbohydrate (NSC) level of 10% or less.
• Limit dietary NSC in forage to 12% or less. 10% is optimal, particularly in horses with a history of laminitis.
• Avoid high starch and sugar in feeds and treats.
• Soak hay that is above 10% NSC to reduce sugar content.
• Completely submerge hay for 60 minutes in cold water, or 30 minutes in hot water.
• Drain well before feeding.
• To encourage weight loss, slowly reduce forage intake from
• 1.5% to 1.25% of ideal body weight over 30 days.
• Do not feed less than 1% of ideal body weight.
• Once ideal weight is attained, increase level fed to 1.5% to 2% of ideal body weight.
• Exercise has been shown to increase insulin sensitivity.
• Use caution with laminitic horses. Exercise should be restricted until the horse is sound and then introduced slowly to protect damaged laminae.