Equine Gut Health UK | Horse Stiffness | Lameness & Recovery When a horse shows ongoing stiffness, inconsistent movement, or lameness that does not fully resolve, the focus is often placed on the musculoskeletal system alone. However, research increasingly suggests that underlying systemic factors — particularly gut health and inflammation — may influence both the persistence of symptoms and the speed of recovery (Al Jassim & Andrews, 2009; Stewart et al., 2018). Why is my ho

It often starts with a routine blood test. Your vet calls with the results — “Liver enzymes are a little high.” This news can be unsettling. It’s not catastrophic or an emergency, but it’s enough to make your stomach drop. If you’ve ever found yourself in this situation, you’re not alone. Subtle liver changes are surprisingly common, especially in horses with metabolic issues such as Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) or PPID (Cushing’s disease). The good news? With the right kn

🧬 The Overlooked Gut–Immune–Metabolism Axis It’s now well-established in both human and veterinary science that the digestive system is central to immune balance and metabolic function. Here’s why gut health is crucial for horses prone to: EMS & Insulin Resistance Laminitis (acute and subclinical) PPID (Cushing’s) The Impact of a Compromised Gut When the gut is compromised, several issues can arise: Systemic inflammation increases, raising laminitis risk. Insulin sensitivity