Hi, sorry for the question, I am overwhelmed trying to read through everything
and figure this out. My 4 year old pony last Dec tested 27.8 ACTH and 57.09
insulin, glucose from cbc chem was 82, so his G/I ration was 1.44.

I just had my vet out (due for EWT)and she took blood to test Insulin only,
should she have other tests run as well?

Thank you,
Kathleen in VT

My 4 year old pony last Dec tested 27.8 ACTH and 57.09
insulin, glucose from cbc chem was 82, so his G/I ration was 1.44.
I just had my vet out (due for EWT)and she took blood to test Insulin only, should she have other tests run as well?

Hi Kathleen,
No need to be sorry for asking questions - that's what we're here for. All of us have felt that "drowning in information" sensation, so you're not alone. Ideally, whenever you run insulin you should also get the glucose done simultaneously. We also recommend adding in Leptin, a newer recommendation and only available from Cornell.
Per your bloodwork, your pony is definitely IR - no surprise as pony's are IR just because they're ponies. At 4 yo, PPID (Cushings) is virtually impossible so no need to rerun that test for a few years at least.
I'm assuming you're new to the list - Welcome. IR is managed thru diet and exercise. It is not a disease but a type of metabolism. Equines with IR are genetically programmed to be extremely efficient in being able to extract nutrients from their feed and with our tendency to overfeed and under-exercise these beasties get in major metabolic trouble.
The list's mantra is DDT/E - Diagnosis, Diet, Trim, Exercise. You have the Diagnosis part already - IR. Now you need to focus on the next step - diet.
Start your pony on the emergency diet you were sent when you joined. This will safely remove the excess sugars from the diet. Your goal will be to have your hay tested (at Equi-Ananlytical, Trainer #603, $49) then have minerals balanced to the assay. No pasture/carrots/apples/sugary treats/alfalfa/red salt blocks as these are all unsafe for an IR equine. If you have Triple Crown products available in your area, you can get Ontario Dehy Balanced Timothy Cubes. These are a safe, mineral-balanced feed that is guaranteed to be below 10% sugar+starch. All you need to add is iodized salt, ground flax and vit E gelcaps to have the perfect diet. Feed at a rate of 1.5% of the ideal bodyweight of your pony, divided into 3-4 feedings per day.
We need you to fill out a case history for your pony on our sister site ECHistory5. You'll need to join but this only takes a moment.

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ECHistory5/

Take some deep breaths, keep reading and asking questions and soon this will all be old hat. Please add the year that you joined to your signature so we know where you are on your journey.

Lavinia, Dante, George Too and Peanut
Jan 05, RI
EC Support Team

(Ideally, whenever you run insulin you should also get the glucose done simultaneously. We also recommend adding in Leptin, a newer recommendation and only available from Cornell.)

I did actually call my vet and she added the Leptin to the list (had just gotten back to her office) and she swung back by to grab a sample for glucose.

Thank you :)
Kathleen and LG
'11 Vt