Managing Coat Problems in Horses with PPID

The typical PPID coat is very warm and can cause itching. This becomes particularly uncomfortable during the increasingly hot summers. In addition, horses with PPID have slow wound healing, and wounds are harder to detect and treat under a thick coat. That’s why many horse owners choose to fully or partially clip their PPID horses.

Preparation

Clipping a PPID horse can take considerable time. This is due not only to the thick coat but also to the horse’s potentially sensitive skin. Your horse might react more strongly. Consider breaking the process into sessions and let your horse get used to the clipper gradually. Use a strong clipper with clean, sharp blades. Cattle blades are sometimes recommended, as they handle long hair better and often fit standard horse clippers. A regular trimmer is not suitable – it will get stuck and may cause cuts or scratches. The coat should be clean (washed or brushed) and dry before clipping.

Full or Partial Clipping

You can choose to clip only the areas that cause the most heat build-up or itching. Heat is released primarily through the neck and chest, so start there. Reward your horse for calm behavior and work in small steps. Clean the blades regularly and oil the clipper frequently. Stop if the machine gets hot, as that can be uncomfortable for your horse.

Aftercare

Carefully check for any scratches or wounds caused during clipping, and treat them with a disinfectant and possibly honey ointment. Since wounds heal more slowly in PPID horses, this is an important step.

Alternatives and Support

If you prefer not to clip your horse, it’s still essential to keep the coat clean to reduce itching. If you notice itching or rubbed areas, use a probiotic spray to support the skin’s microbiome – also suitable for treating wounds. Prevent overheating by rinsing your horse with cold water on hot days, ensuring good ventilation in the stable, and providing shade in the pasture. You can also support coat and skin health with supplements like salmon oil or DHA algae – whether you clip or not.

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Diseases

PPID stands for Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction, a disorder affecting the function of the pituitary gland. This condition was formerly known as Cushing’s disease. In horses with PPID, the pituitary gland becomes overactive and/or enlarged. This gland is a small hormone-producing organ located near the brain.

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PPID stands for Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction, a disorder affecting the function of the pituitary gland. This condition was formerly known as Cushing’s disease. In horses with PPID, the pituitary gland becomes overactive and/or enlarged. This gland is a small hormone-producing organ located near the brain.. It is estimated that PPID occurs in about 15% of horses over the age of 15. The symptoms seen with PPID are partly caused by imbalances in various hormone levels, and partly by the increased pressure the enlarged pituitary gland puts on surrounding areas of the brain. Symptoms One of the most well-known symptoms of PPID is the development of a long, curly coat. In some cases, the coat even changes color! In addition, about a quarter of horses with PPID also develop laminitis. Other symptoms incl...

First Aid

Salmon oil

There are many types of wound ointments for horses available on the market that contribute effectively to wound healing. Especially with relatively small wounds, these ointments work well. But did you know that omega 3 fatty acids also stimulate wound healing? You can also stimulate a wound to heal from the inside. Therefore, salmon oil is also very effective for (large) wounds. Read more about this in this blog.

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Salmon oil stimulates wound healing in horses.

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Nettle

Insulin resistance

Feeding

When a horse develops PPID, it’s crucial to pay close attention to its diet. PPID causes hormonal fluctuations and dysregulation. As a result, many PPID horses become insulin resistant, which can lead to laminitis (hoof inflammation). A well-balanced ration and herbal support are therefore important considerations for managing PPID.

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