Cushing's and Insulin Resistance are both metabolic and hormonal disorders that affect horses, ponies, minis and more ("horses").

Insulin Resistance (IR) is most common among younger" horses" under the age of 15 who are being improperly fed because owner's want faster growth, higher performance or more.   This is when a  horse becomes "carbohydrate intolerant", which then leads to weight gain and fat pockets. It can also show up in puffiness around the eyes  and a cresty neck.

Slow and steady feeding of low NSC/sugar hays such as Bermuda, some Alfalfa (not to be the main course) and even some Orchard Hay is best.   I am not a fan of Teff, have seen horses impact on Teff Hay.  I recommend Hay Pillows to slow them down and to save you money in the long run!

For these horses to supplement them it is best to feed soaked Timothy or Timothy blend pellets with an over all vitamin/mineral supplement or one specific for IR like our IR Support Blend and Equine Zyme for digestive health and well being. 

Cushing's shows up in horses typically who are over 15 years old and older but can occur in younger horses as well, even 2-3 years olds have been seen.  Cushing's is an inflammation of, or enlargement of, the pituitary gland, in some cases it can be a pituitary tumor.  Horses with Cushing's may exhibit increased length of hair in their winter coat, delayed winter shed out, weight loss, and a loss of top line; they can also have excessive thirst and excess urination.

The Cushing's "horse" also benefits from slow feeding all day long in a Hay Pillow or slow feeder or appropriate hay, be it Bermuda, a little Alfalfa or a low sugar tested hay.   I get my hay tested at Equi Analytical.  Then I not only know the NSC in the hay I also know what I need to balance if it is low in any nutrients.  

Cushing's horses, ponies, donkeys and drafts can all show signs of sore feet (not true laminitis) when their ACHT numbers naturally rise in the Spring and the Fall.

For both Cushing's and IR it comes down to a digestive issue, they are not properly utilizing (digesting) the "energy" or the nutrients they are receiving in their forage/hay, in any of the  concentrated and artificial bag/grain feeds you may be feeding. 

Both of these disorders need to stay away from grain hay/forage such as barley hay, oat hay, three way and in some cases Timothy hay as they are hard to digest in the first place and can raise the sugars in their digestive tract which can lead to laminitis.

For both of these disorders it can come down to simple and educated diet changes, nutritional supplementation and also digestive health or lack there of.   If they are not properly digesting then they cannot metabolize the "energy" (sugars) in their feed stuffs.

Diet plays a crucial roll in both mainly with the lack of digestive/gut health.  Many do not understand the roll of probiotics in their horses gut health, it is part of the digestive process and the need for supplementation of not only horse specific probiotics but also horse specific digestive enzyme to assist them in breaking down their forage.   As horses age they product less digestive enzymes/acids and because they cannot get them from how we keep domestic horses we really do need to supplement.

If your horse is low in some nutrients that can also play a roll in both of these disorders.  B-Vitamins are for metabolism and mny horses are low in "B's"  we offer those but highly suggest that you also supplement with Equine Zyme so that they absorb and use what you are supplementing.

In today's world with all of the chemicals from insecticides, herbicides, artificial ingredients and more our horses need supplementation more than ever.  That are exposed to chemicals in their water, they forage/hay and any concentrated bag feed/grain that you might feed unless is is organic.   I also see that the effects of over vaccination and the over use of chemical wormer's are contributing to overall body inflammation and in some cases pushing up the ACHT numbers; one the horses are on a better diet, no soy, their digestive health is supported we see their numbers coming down to around the range of normal.

We do offer Sunny's Kit for "horses" who are suspected of being or having Cushing's, you don't need a blood test to "see" it coming on... your horses will show you! 

I encourage you to read labels, read the labels on anything you use on your horse or feed your horse, if you cannot pronounce it don't use it!  If anything that your horse is being fed that has soy in it in any form....stop!