Nutritional Management of Metabolic Disorders

There are a number of metabolic disorders that are common in modern breeds of horses. Many of these disorders including equine Cushing’s disease (ECD), equine metabolic syndrome (EMS), osteochondrosis (OCD), recurrent equine rhabdomyolysis (RER) and polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM) can be managed nutritionally by careful regulation of caloric intake with particular attention paid to the source of energy provided. Although these disorders have very different etiologies, they are all either triggered or aggravated by excessive starch and sugar intake.

Metabolic Disorders
Equine Cushing’s disease (ECD) or pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) results from a tumor in the pituitary gland and is frequently recognized in older horses The pituitary of horses with ECD secrete excessive amounts of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which results in an increased secretion of cortisol from the adrenal glands. Horses with ECD are prone to laminitis and may develop cortisol-induced insulin insensitivity which leads to elevated blood insulin (hyperinsulinemia) and elevated blood glucose (hyperglycemia). […]