Equine Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID), also known as Cushing's disease, and insulin resistance are two conditions that can significantly increase a horse's risk of developing laminitis.

PPID is caused by a tumor on the pituitary gland. While it cannot be cured, its effects can be managed with medication, such as Prascend, and careful dietary management. PPID typically affects older horses and is diagnosed through a blood test that checks for elevated levels of the marker ACTH. It's important to note that ACTH levels can naturally rise during the spring and summer, even in healthy horses.

Once your horse is on medication, it's crucial to perform yearly blood tests (or more frequently if recommended by your veterinarian) to monitor the effectiveness of Prascend and determine if a dosage adjustment is needed.

Insulin resistance can occur in horses of any age and is often seen in horses with an "easy keeper" body type. It can also accompany PPID. Managing insulin resistance involves weight control and a low-sugar diet. Insulin resistance is diagnosed through blood work, and there are medications and supplements available to help manage the condition if diet and exercise alone are insufficient. Depending on your horse's symptoms, medications may be recommended immediately, along with dietary and exercise adjustments.

Conducting a hay analysis can help determine the sugar content in your hay. If the sugar content is high, soaking the hay for about 30 minutes before feeding can reduce its sugar levels. If your horse is on grain, consider switching to a ration balancer to reduce sugar and calorie intake while still providing essential nutrients. Purina Enrich is one recommended option, but there are many effective ration balancers available. Limit or eliminate your horse's access to fresh grass, especially in the spring. If you do allow grazing, be aware that sugar content in grass increases when the grass is stressed. During hot summer weather, grass has lower sugar content at night when temperatures drop.

Using a luggage scale can help manage your horse's weight. Generally, horses require 2% of their body weight in hay per day (less if they have access to pasture). If your horse needs to lose weight, reduce their hay intake to 1.5% of their body weight per day until they reach their optimal weight, then gradually increase to 2% to maintain a healthy weight. Exercise is also important for weight management. If your horse cannot be ridden, consider taking them for walks or ponying them to increase their activity level.

Routine blood work is essential for long-term management of insulin resistance. Once insulin levels are well controlled, it's recommended to have yearly insulin checks.

Laminitis often results from unmanaged PPID or insulin resistance and can be life-threatening. However, with proper weight management, diet, and medication, you can significantly reduce the risk of laminitis in your horse.