Aim is to improve senior horses’ lives.
Spillers is encouraging owners or carers of horses with Cushing’s to take a survey.
The result will help fuel research into improving understanding and management of the condition.
The work is the latest of many collaborations between the feed brand and international scientists.
Equine Cushing’s – also known as pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) – is commonly seen in older horses and ponies. It’s linked to laminitis, weight loss, delayed coat shedding and a long curly coat.
This latest survey is being conducted by the University of Melbourne, Australia, with support from the Waltham Equine Studies Group, which underpins the science behind the Spillers brand.
Collaborators include Queensland University of Technology, The Royal Veterinary College, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica and The Liphook Equine Hospital (UK).
The study aims to find out more about the causes of PPID to improve early diagnosis, treatment, husbandry and nutritional management.
The short, anonymous online survey will provide an insight into how owners comply with administering medication, their capacity to feed PPID horses separately, as well as the costs and the side-effects of medications.
“We are proud to be involved with collaborations that bring together world-leading equine veterinary, nutrition and research experts interested in working on healthcare in the older horse,” said Clare Barfoot, marketing, research and development director at Spillers.
To take the survey please click here
- ETN reviews the latest products for older horses in our July/August issue.
Image by brodammer
