Equine endocrinology centers on the diagnosis and management of hormonal and metabolic disorders that affect health, performance, and quality of life in horses. This category covers equine endocrinology, PPID in horses, equine Cushing’s disease, equine metabolic syndrome, insulin dysregulation in horses, laminitis and endocrine disease, pergolide therapy, thyroid testing in horses, and endocrine diagnostic protocols. Use this hub to explore clinical approaches to endocrine testing, seasonal considerations for PPID diagnosis, management of insulin-dysregulated horses, and the connection between metabolic disease and laminitis risk. As additional articles are published, this page will continue to develop into a stronger reference for equine endocrine medicine and metabolic health. The FAQs below provide a concise starting point for common equine endocrinology questions, while the linked articles offer deeper clinical context and case-based learning. Please check back soon as this category grows into a broader pillar page for equine endocrine and metabolic disease management. With an estimated 21% of horses older than 15 affected by pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID), ongoing monitoring helps manage this progressive… Here’s a good reason to let the cat back in the barn—or stable, anyway. When feeding horses with insulin dysregulation (ID), high-protein ration balancers have historically been the go-to treatment recommendation, despite the fact that the… Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction is the most common endocrine disease in older horses, caused by dopaminergic neurodegeneration in the pituitary gland. Diagnosis relies on clinical signs such as hypertrichosis and delayed shedding combined with endocrine testing, typically basal ACTH or the TRH stimulation test. Equine metabolic syndrome is characterized by obesity or regional adiposity, insulin dysregulation, and increased laminitis susceptibility, typically in younger to middle-aged horses, with certain breeds such as ponies, Morgans, and Paso Finos at higher risk. While PPID and EMS can coexist, EMS is driven by peripheral insulin resistance rather than pituitary pathology. Basal ACTH levels naturally rise in autumn due to seasonal pituitary activity, which can complicate interpretation. Season-specific reference ranges or the TRH stimulation test help maintain diagnostic accuracy during the fall rise period. Insulin dysregulation, whether from EMS or PPID, is a major endocrine driver of laminitis. Hyperinsulinemia damages lamellar tissue and increases the risk of acute and chronic laminitic episodes, making endocrine control a cornerstone of laminitis prevention. Pergolide mesylate is the only FDA-approved treatment for equine PPID. It works as a dopamine agonist to reduce pituitary hormone output. Dosing is individualized and monitored with periodic ACTH testing and clinical assessment to optimize disease control. Low-sugar, low-starch forage-based diets, restricted pasture access, soaked hay, and appropriate mineral and vitamin supplementation form the dietary foundation. Regular body condition monitoring and collaboration with an equine nutritionist support long-term metabolic management.Endocrinology
Recheck option expands PPID testing program
A Cheaper Alternative for Metabolic Care?
Managing Insulin Dysregulation
Frequently Asked Equine Endocrinology Questions
What is PPID and how is it diagnosed?
How does equine metabolic syndrome differ from PPID?
Why does seasonal timing matter for endocrine testing?
What is the connection between endocrine disease and laminitis?
How is pergolide used in managing PPID?
What dietary strategies help manage insulin-dysregulated horses?
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July 2026
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