You've got it now AA.

Cushings disease is caused by a benign adenoma of the pituitary
gland. It happens primarily in older horses. As horses age, their
pituitaries enlarge. Cushings disease is treated with pergolide. In
early stages, it can be treated with Chastetree berry.

Insulin resistance is caused by metabolic disturbances and the
inability to handle glucose appropriately. Other causes can be
uncontrolled Cushings Disease or iron overload. Insulin resistance
is treated with diet. Primarily low sugar, starch, fat. But also,
mineral balanced.

Some horses that have Cushings disease go on to get insulin
resistance. In the past, vets would frequently think that they were
both the same thing. They're not.

Our list philosophy is DDT/Es - Diagnosis, Diet, Trim, Exercise (if
able).

Diagnosis: As you can see, since they are different and treated
differently, it's handy to know exactly what you're working with. We
suggest getting an ACTH test done to determine Cushings. We also
suggest getting an insulin and glucose test done to determine
insulin resistance. Upon getting the blood results, you will know
how to better proceed with a treatment plan.

Diet: We suggest a low sugar, starch, fat diet that is mineral
balanced. The only way that you can know for sure what's inside your
hay is to test it. Sometimes "crappy" hay is high in sugar. And
surprisingly, sometimes "lush" hay is low in sugar. You can't tell
from the outside. Some people have said that to lower the sugar and
starches in the diet, to add fat. In fact that does. However, it's
been shown that increased fats actually cause insulin resistance.

Trim: The hoof gurus to jump in here. We recommend a balanced trim
with heels down and toes back.

Exercise: Exercise helps with insulin utilization and glucose
handling. We NEVER recommend that a person exercise a laminitic
horse. Additional damage can occur to already-compromised hooves. We
do recommend regular exercise for the horses that can do it.

If you have any more questions, please feel free to ask.

Joan and Dazzle

--- In EquineCushings@..., "Anne M. Clarkson"
<katzpa92@...> wrote:

so what you are saying is that it isn't
that she got it because of what she ate but what she is eating can

make it

worse.