Any condition that puts your equine companion at risk for health problems, such as Cushings, any sub-category of a pituitary disorder, hypo-thyroidism or insulin resistance, may be effectively treated. And while it's imperative that a good veterinarian to be involved in any health problem facing your horse, you can make his or her job easier -and it's just a few mouse clicks away.

If your horse has been diagnosed with Cushings disease, or a similar syndrome, you may feel completely helpless, thinking you will be facing a future with the added responsibility of paying hefty veterinary bills, providing a costly medication needed to treat the disease and an outcome which is bleak. Yet, logging onto one Cushings website will prove those beliefs are not necessarily the case.

While your horse-related responsibilities have most likely increased due to any of these diagnoses, your veterinarian can't be there every day to answer the questions sure to be popping into head, especially during your initial response to the news.

But there is an Internet site available which is sure to answer your questions and more; where the information is dispensed from veterinarians and other knowledgeable contributors who are pioneers in the field of Cushings syndrome. The site tackles issues such as the importance of having your hay analyzed, the basic diet changes that are imperative and how to handle a horse in crisis.

The web site not only educates horse owners on Cushings disease, but it broaches countless other topics in the horse health realm, related to the syndrome. Because of the very generous time and dedication invested by veterinarians, and horse owners, who have put in extensive hours of research, you can determine what diet is best for your horse.

Valuable nutritional advice is a large focus of the Equine Cushings website, and subscribers to the list will cover basic facts you've probably never heard before. It's where horse owners can learn about critical subjects, such as the latest research, the safest times to graze your horse, what types of feed and supplements to avoid, and what treats that can be safely fed.

One example of how horse owners are educated is by learning that the dexamethazone suppression test, which is sometimes used to diagnose Cushings disease, carries a risk of laminitis. Additionally, it is generally accepted that the dexamethazone test is not as accurate as an ACTH (AdrenoCorticoTropicHormone) test, which only requires a simple blood sample, with special handling. The ACTH test carries no risk to your horse. Furthermore, extensive discussion may help reveal to horse owners precisely what ailment they are dealing with.

After dedicating some time and effort learning from the website, you will understand critical aspects in management, such as why various vitamins and minerals should be supplemented; why others need to be avoided; and what can contribute to hypothyroidism.

The Equine Cushings list is not a chatty or entertainment-based web site. It's a site that focuses solely on horse health for horses with Cushing's disease, where you can receive priceless input from those who contribute. In addition, fellow horse owners who post on the site offer great support to others going through a crisis or difficult time. If you own a Cushing's or metabolically challenged horse, this website can benefit your equine companion exponentially. And it requires only the investment of time.

The discussions are fun, the information is precious, and the benefits to your horse are countless - as evidenced by the frequent email updates of improved bloodwork, newly energized horses and constant thank-yous. There is one caveat, however. Initially, you may feel the information provided is way above your head, as you'll be reviewing the latest abstracts and messages seemingly written in a different language. The idea of plowing through endless messages in an attempt to gain even a partial understand of the explanations can be quite a daunting task. To thoroughly understand the information presented on the site, you must invest extensive time to learning.

However, you will find, for the most part, the information is offered in an easily understandable format, where horse care suggestions are basic and straightforward.

To review the immense archives, read articles that pertain to your metabolically challenged horses,