At Cavalor, we receive questions about nutrition on a daily basis. We often get asked: “My horse has equine Cushing’s disease (PPID) and is sensitive to sugar. Despite that, he loses weight quickly. What can I feed him to keep him at the right weight?” Our nutritionists share their advice in this blog.
PPID (pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction), also known as equine Cushing’s disease, is a common disease affecting the hormones in older horses. It is caused by an abnormality in the pituitary gland, a gland in the brain that regulates hormones. This in turn increases the production of certain hormones, which can cause a range of health problems. Typical symptoms include:
- A long, curly coat that is difficult to shed
- Muscle loss
- Accumulation of fat above the eyes
- Increased sweating
- Increased drinking and urinating
- Increased risk of laminitis
While there is no cure for PPID, your horse can lead a healthy, comfortable life with the right treatment and feed.
Tips to keep your horse in shape
The older horses become, the more energy they need – even when they are in good health. Horses with equine Cushing’s disease face an extra challenge to do so. Their disrupted metabolism means they are more sensitive to sugar, making it important to restrict the amount of sugar and starch in their feed as much as possible.
At the same time, horses with PPID need enough energy to build up or retain muscle mass, and to remain at the right weight. And that requires a well-thought-out approach. We’re happy to share a few tips to keep your horse in the best condition.
1. Make sure their internal systems are running smoothly
A well-functioning body begins on the inside. We recommend giving a course of Cavalor Hepato Liq at least once, but preferably twice, a year (during moulting). This supports the liver and kidneys in processing waste foodstuffs and will help your horse feel fitter. Dosage: 5ml twice a day, for 25 days.
2. Ensure a stable sugar metabolism
Not all horses with PPID suffer from being resistant to insulin; however, they do present an increased risk. Sensitive horses can be supported with Cavalor LaminAid. Research carried out by the University of Kentucky has shown that Cavalor LaminAid has a positive impact on the sugar metabolism of horses unable to regulate their insulin. Doing so significantly reduces the risk of laminitis. In this case, give your horse suffering from PPID 25ml of Cavalor LaminAid twice a day.
Every horse needs sugar – even those with PPID. Horses already get the sugar and starch they need through roughage, and that’s why we try to limit the amount of sugar and starch in concentrates as much as possible. Cavalor FiberForce is a muesli that provides energy from fats and fibres. Fiberforce is low in sugar and starch, making it an ideal choice for sensitive horses. For horses weighing 600kg, we recommend a minimum of 3kg per day up to a maximum of 12kg per day, split into several small portions.
3. Opt for fat and/or protein as an additional food source
Due to underlying hormonal problems, horses suffering from PPID often lose weight and muscle. This means they could use a few added extras:
- Weight gain: Add Cavalor Wholegain, a balancer that provides safe weight gain by adding fats to the roughage.
Add 150g per 100kg of body weight to the roughage (for a horse weighing 600kg = 0.9kg per day). Divide the quantity across the mealtimes per day and gradually build it up over a five-day period. Divide gradually per day and build up over five days.
- Retain and build up muscle: If you want to build up your horse’s muscle once they’re back up to weight, we recommend additional proteins that are easy to digest.
Cavalor Silhouette is a high-fibre muesli that supplies all the essential nutrients such as proteins, vitamins and minerals. It is low in sugar and starch, and contains easily digestible proteins with an amino acid profile that is similar to the horse’s own muscle. This helps the horse retain and build up muscle. We recommend feeding a minimum of 150g and a maximum of 250g per day, per 100kg of body weight. For a horse weighing 600kg, this means a minimum of 900g and a maximum of 1.5kg per day.
- If you prefer a supplement, add Cavalor OilMega to the roughage. Rich in Omega 3, it supplies extra energy from fat and you make sure your horse is healthy from within. Make sure you add it to your horse’s roughage gradually as follows:
- Day 1: 20 ml
- Day 2: 40 ml
- Day 3: 60 ml
- Day 4: 80 ml
- Day 5: 100 ml
- After day 5: 100 ml
Need advice?
Every horse is different. Each horse has its own needs. Feed your horse according to its needs. If you’d like recommendations on how to care for your horse, visit www.mycavalor.com or get in touch with us by phone on +32 (0)9 220 25 25.
