THE WHITE LINE
A common side effect of laminitis and Cushing’s disease is a very stretched, weak white line on the sole of the foot. Add a load of moisture into the mix, and it’s the perfect environment for an abscess to brew. “It’s even worse in Cushingoid horses,” warns Stuart, “because not only is laminitis one of the side effects of Cushing’s — and therefore the stretched white line — but it also reduces the horse’s ability to fight infection.” It’s for these reasons that Stuart recommends owners put their horses through an annual health
check every autumn. “It’s like a good car MOT and will hopefully pick up any health issues before the winter hits,” he says. “Specifically, a lot of horses will have a diagnostic or monitoring blood test for Cushing’s in autumn. The accuracy and sensitivity of that test varies throughout the year and is at its most sensitive and accurate in the autumn, so it makes sense to do it then. “Horses bordering on or with Cushing’s can then be given the support they need at the most challenging time of year.”