Equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) is one of the most common endocrine disorders found to affect horses in their middle-aged years. While EMS is found to occur in nearly all breeds, the condition is believed to be a result of an animal’s genetic predisposition.

As a group, ponies often tend to be overweight and suffer from laminitis, two of the indicators of EMS. Along with ponies, conditions of EMS are found in the following specific breeds which indicates the breed may be susceptible to the condition:

• Morgan
• Peruvian Pasos
• Paso Finos
• Spanish Mustangs
• Warmbloods

Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS)

Signs

When clients portray their horse as being an easy keeper, their description may be one of the first indications that the horse has EMS. An easy keeper is typically a reference given to an animal that is able to efficiently utilize its feed, and one that can maintain their body weight even when the quality of feed consumed is at a lower nutritional level. Horses diagnosed with EMS are often overweight, and will have abnormal fat deposits most often occurring in the following locations:

• Crest of the neck
• Over the shoulders
• Tail head
• Rump
• Sheath, if a gelding

Additional EMS medical problems may include:

• Laminitis
• Insulin resistance
• Unusual estrous cycling, make becoming pregnant difficult
• Hyperglycemia
• Hypertension

Testing Options

Diagnosing the certainty of EMS in some horses may be difficult since some of the condition’s characteristics are similar to those observed in other disorders.
Information that will aid the veterinarian will come from:

• Observation of the presence of abnormal fat depositions (as described above)
• Whether the animals has a history of, or is actively experiencing conditions of laminitis
• Examination of the foot may utilize a radiograph to look for:
• Abnormal hoof growth
• Dropped soles
• Separation of the hoof
• Unusual growth lines
• Assessing the coffin bone position
• Results of testing for insulin resistance:
• Administration of glucose in order to measure insulin and glucose response levels
• Measuring the horse’s resting insulin concentration
• Ruling out the possibility of similar conditions, for example:
• Dexamethasone suppression test to rule out Cushing’s disease
• Thyroid test to rule out hypothyroidism

Treatment

One of the most effective treatments of EMS involves changes to the diet that focuses on limiting the stimulus for insulin production. The decision for treating EMS through diet involves looking at the complexity of the carbohydrates that are relevant to feed formulations. Points to consider may include examining the way certain feeds raise the blood sugar and insulin levels of the animal’s body, such as:

 

• High glycemic index feeds include:
• Molasses-based diets
• Oats
• Barley
• Certain senior feeds
• Low glycemic index feeds include:
• Rice bran
• Beet pulp
• Bermudagrass hay
• Moderate glycemic index feeds include:
• Timothy hay
• Alfalfa hay

A medical therapy now being looked at for use with EMS involves decreasing the adrenal gland production of cortisol using trilostane, a drug that is used to treat other diseases with conditions similar to EMS. The addition of supplemental doses of Vitamin E at 5000 to 7000 units a day is also suggested. Clients need to remain aware that regular health checks are critical to the long-term care of an EMS diagnosed horse. This care requires a diligence to providing for the animal through:

• Blood work
• Dental care
• Foot care
• Hoof trimming

Exercise therapy is essential, but shouldn’t be implemented until the conditions of laminitis are controlled.

Chronic laminitis is the most life-threatening condition the animal will face when diagnosed with EMS. Since there is no one medication or therapy for a cure, it is important to stress that while it is possible to manage the condition, the client will need to provide the animal with dietary constraint, exercise, and care for the rest of its life.

Need more information? Contact your Covetrus representative at 855.724.3461 for other tools and tips about equine care!

Sources:

http://www.thehorse.com/articles/24775/equine-endocrine-disorders-discussed-at-aaep
http://www.aaep.org/info/horse-health?publication=747

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