First, let me say that Montana is NOT a rescue. She didn't come from the sales, she has not been mistreated, neglected or abused, she has been looked after her entire life. Her Cushings is just one of those things that horses are prone to. She was bought for my children knowing full well the issues that she is likely to face as she gets older, however those issues pale into insignificance when compared to the fact that she looks after my children, and the RDA riders, without a hint of naughtiness or malice. She isn't perfect, like any pony she has her foibles, but I will gladly put up with them if she continues to look after the small people.
What is Cushings?
Cushings is a metabolic/endocrine disorder found in several species, affecting horses primarily from their teens onwards. There are a broad range of disorders in horses that come under the umbrella, and without specific (and expensive) blood tests are difficult to distinguish, and so are managed as Cushings. These range from insulin resistance, to Equine Metabolic Syndrome, through to full blown Cushings with chronic laminitis. True Cushings is caused by a benign growth in the pituitary gland as the base of the brain. It is a life limiting condition, however with the right feeding and care, can be managed. It can be loosely compared to Type 2 Diabetes in humans. Those horse people reading this can probably think back to those chronic "founder ponies" with big crests and hairy coats - they were most likely to have this disorder. Here is a good overview of the disorder:
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/horse-care/vet-advice/understanding-cushings-disease-2/
Our Journey
When I bought Montana, I knew she had Cushings, and I knew the basics of managing it. But not much more, as I had never owned a horse with Cushings before. I thought long and hard about whether I wanted to take on this responsibility. Thankfully, among my horse networks were people with first hand experience, who gladly offered their stories and advice, making my decision easier. She has the classic signs - large crest, fat deposits around her tail, VERY hairy coat and doesn't shed it all, the "pot belly" body shape, slow and steady (some would say lethargic!) behaviour, drinking and peeing a LOT, and infertility despite having had 2 foals earlier in her life. Thankfully, she has not had any laminitis as far as anyone knows. I ummed and ahhed about the blood test, but decided against it, as it would be a fair bit of money to spend when the clinical signs were so obvious. So I don't actually know if she is Cushings, EMS or just IR, but I manage her as if she were Cushings. And when the time comes, and our management is no longer working, when she tells me it is time, we will make that most difficult of decisions.
This blog will be the story of our journey......the highs and the lows, the mistakes and the learning, hopefully helping other horse owners learn about Cushings, and manage their own Cushy Ponies lead longer, more productive, and happier lives.
