Cushing's syndrome is a devastating disease for horses. In horses the syndrome is primarily characterized by pituitary malfunction that progresses to secondary hyperadrenocorticism and can be complicated by insulin resistance. All Cushing's cases eventually lead to laminitis and a suppressed immune system.

Cushing's syndrome is primarily a disease of older horses but has been diagnosed in horses as young as 8 years old. Classic symptoms include a failure to shed in spring with the hair coat becoming long, shaggy and matted. Affected horses may become thin; or with concurrent insulin resistance remain obese. Above average water consumption and subsequent urination is common as is excessive sweating.

Nutritional management of horses with Cushing's syndrome should concentrate on controlling body condition, glucose utilization, and maximizing metabolic efficiency. Horses with insulin resistance are particularly susceptible to being over conditioned, especially on green grass. During the spring and fall when pasture fructan levels are elevated affected horses should have limited exposure to pasture as this makes them especially susceptible to laminitis. All horses with Cushing's syndrome should receive the smallest amount of grain required to maintain a moderate body condition level. Horses with insulin resistance that tend to stay over-conditioned even on limited or no grain intake may get by with no grain intake whatsoever. Affected horses receiving grain in order to properly manage body condition should receive a grain mix that is low in starch and sugar; Triple Crown Low Starch is an excellent choice in this situation. Horses receiving less than 6 pounds per day of a commercially fortified feed will be mineral and vitamin deficient without proper supplementation. In these situations one pound of Triple Crown 12 Supplement or 3 pounds of Triple Crown Lite should be fed daily. These products can either be fed in combination with other feeds such as Triple Crown Low Starch or by themselves depending upon the body condition of the individual horse.