Greensleeves Gypsy Horses

06/01/2026

05/27/2026

Young “me’s” looking for you!!! Available!

05/27/2026

Daenerys seven years ago and now with her last foal Topper. She’s an amazing producer!!

05/26/2026

Happy first Birthday to Greensleeves Cerulean Thunder, RNRN Ee aa c**t by SD Cotton Eyed Joe out of Bandera Jolly Molly, who is by SD Whistler. Thunder is sweet and smart with hair and bone to spare. PSSM1 neg by parentage

05/24/2026

10/04/2025

Over the last several days we've taken a deep dive into understanding equine metabolic issues and the physiology behind them. After yesterday's discussion about chronic stress and how it causes inflammation, which leads to significant decreases in biological functions within the body, today we're going to progress into our discussion about Cushings (PPID).

Before we can fully understand Cushings, we need to understand the basics of the endocrine system, particularly the HPA Axis.

The HPA Axis is a system of glands that when functioning optimally, are in a constant feedback loop of hormonal communication with each other. The glands that make-up the HPA Axis are as follows:

Hypothalamus - Manager of Hormones
- Secretes corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH)

Pituitary - The Master Gland
- Made up of 3 hormone producing lobes: pars distalis (prolactin),
pars nervosa (vasopressin) , pars intermedia (secretes ACTH)

Adrenals - Spark Plugs for Life
- Secrete Cortisol (Review yesterday's discussion on the significance of cortisol)

Tomorrow we'll review how the HPA Axis commuicates and how stress is the pre-cursor to the cascade of hormones that are released when the HPA Axis is functioning well, so we can then understand what happens when the HPA Axis is compromised, leading to Cushings (PPID).

Questions? Leave them in the comments below. Have a horse with a metabolic condition? Tell us their story!