You’re probably noticing the classic signs right now. Is his hair long and curly when it’s July? That’s the “English sheepdog” look. Is he drinking so much water you’re considering a second mortgage?
The cause—the loss of dopamine and the ACTH surge—creates these symptoms. Your vet will run a simple blood test to check those ACTH levels. It’s not a guess; it’s science with a side of hay.
And here’s the kicker: the cause isn’t something you did. You didn’t feed him wrong. You didn’t stress him out. It’s just the cruel lottery of aging and genetics. So give that fluffy horse an extra scratch behind the ears.
One Last Thought (Because I Can’t Shut Up)
If your horse has Cushing’s, don’t panic. The cause may be a broken brain switch, but the treatment—a drug called Prascend (pergolide)—mimics that missing dopamine. It’s like giving the brain a new set of batteries.
So, what causes it? A tired, old pituitary gland that lost its boss. A lack of dopamine. And a whole lot of time. It’s not your fault. It’s not really his fault. It’s just the weird, frustrating thing that happens to some of the best old horses we know.
Now, go refill that water bucket. And maybe buy stock in the fly spray company. That fluffy coat attracts bugs like my kitchen attracts fruit flies. You’ve got this.
