PPID (Cushing’s)
PPID — pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction, still often called equine Cushing’s — is an age-related hormone disorder of the pituitary. Classic signs are a long curly coat, delayed or incomplete shedding, a pot belly with muscle loss, and a raised risk of laminitis. A photograph cannot diagnose PPID. Diagnosis is veterinary bloodwork. The app body-condition scan is a first look at condition, not a verdict that your horse has PPID, and there is no PPID scanner.
Symptoms to watch for
A long, curly, or coarse coat that does not shed on time in spring
Delayed or incomplete shedding — patches of winter coat left into summer
A pot-bellied appearance with loss of topline muscle
Lethargy, dullness, or a drop in performance
Increased drinking and urination
Recurrent infections, delayed healing, or a dull coat
Laminitis or unexplained foot soreness — sometimes the first sign
Common causes
- Age-related loss of dopamine inhibition of the pituitary pars intermedia
- Most common in horses and ponies over about 15 years
- Excess ACTH and related pituitary hormones
- Not the same condition as equine metabolic syndrome (EMS), though both raise laminitis risk and can occur together
Prevention
- Watch older horses for delayed shedding, a long curly coat, or a pot belly
- Ask your vet about screening bloodwork in senior horses, especially if the coat or energy changes
- Keep a regular farrier cycle and watch for laminitis signs
- Do not treat a photo, a coat change, or a scan result as a diagnosis
- Body-condition photos can help you and your vet track change over time — they do not confirm or rule out PPID
What to do
- 1
Book a vet visit for bloodwork if you see a long curly coat, delayed shedding, a pot belly, or unexplained laminitis. Diagnosis is laboratory testing, not a photograph.
- 2
If PPID is confirmed, follow the medication and re-test plan your vet prescribes (often a dopamine agonist such as pergolide).
- 3
Clip a long coat as needed so the horse can cool and you can watch the skin.
- 4
Watch for laminitis — heat in the feet, a strong digital pulse, or reluctance to walk — and call the vet if those appear.
- 5
Use a body-condition scan only as a first look at condition to share, not as a PPID test.
- 6
Keep feed, farriery, and dental care on a regular schedule. PPID horses can lose muscle and pick up infections more easily.
Pick up the phone if…
Schedule a vet visit for bloodwork if an older horse grows a long curly coat, sheds late, develops a pot belly, drinks or urinates more, or has repeated infections. Call immediately if you see laminitis signs (digital pulse, heat in the feet, reluctance to walk, sawhorse stance). A photograph cannot diagnose PPID.
Related topics
Watch body condition while you manage PPID
Scan body condition in HorseCare. 5 free scans this month, then Pro.
5 free scans this month, then Pro. Scans run in the HorseCare app.
Educational content only. Not a substitute for veterinary advice.