Equine Cushing's Syndrome, Part 3

Good nutrition is crucial.

Nutrition plays a key role in the holistic management of Cushing’s horses.

1. Many horses have been given anti-inflammatories and antibiotics frequently throughout their lives. This compromises the health of the digestive tract in many ways. So the most important thing to do is restore the gut function with high quality probiotics. If the gut is in poor shape, 20 grams of glutamine (an amino acid that acts as a fuel for cells of the gut wall) per day will help.

2. Feed whole foods if possible, unless the horse has poor teeth or digestion. Processed grains and hays may lose key ingredients during manufacturing since pellets and extruded feeds are made at high temperatures. Some horses digest their food better when digestive enzymes are added.

3. The feed should be low in sugar! There is no need for any sweet feed. Plain whole grains are effective, or if you need to purchase a processed grain, get a low carb feed. Plain corn (about 25%), barley (about 35%), and oats (about 45%) make a simple, clean mixture, and any combination of these grains can be used based on their availability in your part of the country. From a Chinese medicine perspective, barley is a cooling food and is useful for inflammation.

4. Higher levels of protein (up to 14%) and calories may be needed in horses with weight loss problems. Increased calories can be given as fats (vegetable oils or rice bran), and are well digested by most horses. Animal fats should not be used due to the preservatives used in the processing and the fact that horses are vegetarians.

5. High levels of antioxidants are needed. Coenzyme Q10 is very valuable in this respect. The therapeutic dose is 300 to 600 milligrams per day for the first week or two, after which the amount can be decreased slowly to a maintenance dose of about 100 milligrams per day. Vitamin C is an excellent antioxidant and nutrient for collagen support as well as organ and immune system healing. Doses range from 3 to 8 grams per day.

6. One of the most important aspects of any nutritional program for horses is free choice minerals, with salt fed separately. Several key minerals are needed for glucose metabolism. Magnesium affects insulin secretion and its action in the cells. It also helps the cells become more flexible and permeable to insulin. Chromium helps make muscle more sensitive to insulin so glucose can be taken into the muscle cells more easily. Chromium has also been shown to be effective in reducing fasting blood sugar levels. Vanadium, or vandyl sulfate, has actual insulin-like effects on glucose metabolism and helps transport glucose into the cells.

7. Essential fatty acids (EFAs) help make cell walls more permeable to insulin – they are also anti-inflammatory and improve the health of the immune system. Omega 3 fatty acids are especially deficient in many equine diets. Most high fat equine foods use highly saturated animal fats that are full of preservatives. Flax and hemp oil provide plenty of Omega 3 fatty acids that are palatable to the equine.

8. I often use pituitary glandular support along with general glandular support, because the pituitary gland is central to the function of the entire hormonal system. Glandulars are nutritional supplements made from actual glandular tissue, often prepared with supporting nutrients. In small animal and human medicine, they are commonly and successfully used both as replacement therapy for poorly functioning organs and when there is evidence of inflammatory or degenerative processes in the organs.

Glandulars can be useful in equine nutrition and should be considered instead of synthetic organ replacement, as in thyroid therapy or support for other organs such as the pituitary gland. Cushing’s horses are about the only ones I will use glandulars for because of the vegetarian nature of the horse. Additional thyroid supplementation may be necessary in some cases.

Treat each horse as an individual and seek quality practitioners to help you. Use as much whole food nutrition as possible, supplement with specific nutrients as needed, reduce stresses and vaccinations, and support a healthy digestive tract. Over time, you will learn to manage your horse’s Cushing’s disease effectively, maintaining a healthy, happy medium with your equine partner.

Thank you for reading this series!

Happy Riding!