If your horse has been diagnosed with Laminitis or Cushing’s you need to know this:

A few years ago Cushing’s disease and Laminitis were classified as Equine Metabolic Syndrome because they originate from an identical underlying metabolic issue. The metabolic disease of these horses displays in a vast number of physically observable symptoms as well as systemic similarities found in their blood work profiles. Some of the observable symptoms are polyuria (excessive urinating), polydipsia (excessive thirst and water intake), fat deposits in the shoulders, rump, above the eyes, and cresty necks that can get thick and hard. There is a tendency towards obesity until the later stages of this disease when there is muscle wasting with accompanying weight loss. It is common to see them ‘depressed’ with lethargy, ‘dull eyes’ and sensitivity to touch, especially in the flanks and barrel. Hirsutism (thick, curly coat that is late to shed) is more common in Cushing’s horses’ than laminitic horses but still present in the latter.

So the difference between the two relates to the expression of the disease, not the cause – the cause is identical. A horse with Equine Metabolic Syndrome that has had an acute episode of laminae stretching is considered laminitic – a horse with the same syndrome that has not had an identifiable episode is called Cushing’s.  The real difference is simply whether or not they’ve had one.  Once a Cushing’s horse has had an acute episode of laminae separation, that horse is  laminitic.

Blood work profiles

Cushing’s and laminitic horses display identical patterns of blood work test results when a thorough laboratory panel is performed. Dr. Thomas has been collecting a database of blood work profiles for numerous horses identified with Cushing’s and laminitis. These horses display similar patterns, e.g. insulin/glucose relationships exhibited over time, elevated triglyceride levels as well as anemia and the same low levels of leukocytes (white blood cell constituents).
This explains why and how both groups of horses have all of the same systemic problems, e.g. sensitivity to feed that contain carbohydrates and fructans (sugars), fat deposits, hoof abscesses, extreme vulnerability to infections and the inability to fight these infections once acquired.

EMS (Equine Metabolic Syndrome) is a metabolic problem that shares all of the significant defining characteristics of Type 2 Diabetes in humans.  This is what Dr. Thomas discovered through cross-referencing the blood work analyses from numerous laminitic horses and humans with Type 2 Diabetes.  Understanding EMS from this frame of reference explains why treating the hoof alone is so ineffective. It also explains why this disease is so relentless that once a horse has suffered one episode of acute laminitis, it is likely to happen again.

Hirsutism problem solved
 
The apparent difference between Cushing’s disease and Laminitis is the hirsutism (thick, curly coat that is late to shed) present in horses being labeled with Cushing’s and present in fewer laminitic horses. The extreme, thick, curly coat in these horses originates most commonly from an excess of androgens, i.e. a hormone secreted by the adrenal glands (in response to ACTH). Regulating the enzyme 11beta-HSD1, as accomplished through our EMS [Equine Metabolic Syndrome] Laminitis/Cushing’s herbal solution, normalizes the ACTH response thereby tempering the androgen secretion excess and eventually leading to the loss of the identifiable thick curly coat.

Our EMS (Equine Metabolic Syndrome) Cushing’s/Laminitis Solution lowers blood glucose, regulates the insulin-glucose relationship, assists in a more efficient metabolism of carbohydrates, produces a more alkaline intestinal environment, regulates the activity of 11beta-HSD1, and androgens.

Recommended Reading & Audio

The Easy Keeper: Myth and Dangers - published in the July/August 2006 issue of Natural Horse Magazine.
The Missing Link in Laminitis - in the Sept/Oct 2006 issue of Natural Horse Magazine.
The Immune Laminitis Connection – in the Jan/Feb 2007 issue of Natural Horse Magazine.

Listen to Dr. Thomas' radio interview on the “If Your Horse Could Talk” show hosted by Lisa Ross-Williams for a thorough and enlightening presentation of Laminitis: Looking More Like Diabetes.

Horses using our EMS (Equine Metabolic Syndrome) Laminitis/Cushing’s Solution are having extraordinary results

Dosage: 1 plastic spoonful is the equivalent of 2 measuring teaspoons.

Brood and Lactating Mares	3 scoopfuls 2X a day
Adult Horses   800 to 1200 pounds	3 scoopfuls 2X a day
Adult Horses 1200 to 1400 pounds	4 scoopfuls 2X a day
Mules/Donkeys – 300 to 800 pounds	2 scoopfuls 2X a day
Ponies/Goats – 150 to 300 pound	1 1/2 scoopfuls up to 2X a day

Submitting a profile/history on your horse for an evaluation by For Love of the Horse is highly recommended to establish the best possible herbal protocol for your horse's recovery. Please visit Support Services.

"I feel like writing the newspaper and saying if your horse has laminitis, you need to call For Love of the Horse!"  Catherine Rule, East Waterford, PA "I love the Cushing's Solution! It has helped my pony SO much."  Elizabeth Hammond, Brewster, MA