Understanding the difference between equine metabolic syndrome (EMS), pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID), and insulin dysregulation (ID) helps owners and veterinarians manage metabolic risk more effectively. Equine metabolic syndrome is a metabolic disorder often associated with obesity and insulin problems, while PPID is a hormonal disease of the pituitary gland that typically affects older horses. Insulin dysregulation refers specifically to abnormal insulin responses and can occur on its own or alongside conditions such as EMS or PPID, increasing the horse’s risk of laminitis. In this Ask TheHorse Live excerpt, Caitrin Lowndes, DVM, Dipl. ABVP, fellow at the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center, in Kennett Square, explains the differences between EMS, PPID, and ID.

This podcast is an excerpt of our Ask TheHorse Live Q&A, “Choosing the Right Supplement for Your Horse.” Listen to the full recording here.