28/05/2026
❌ FALSE INFORMATION ALERT ❌ - SUPRAORBITAL FAT PADS (being called puffy eyes) DO NOT MEAN YOUR HORSE NEEDS A SUPPLEMENT OR TO REMOVE "INFLAMATORY" INGREDIENTS FROM THEIR DIET!
Supraorbital fat pads can be a sign of pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) or equine cushings disease. They can also be normal - some horses normally store fat here.
If you're worried your horse has increased or abnormally large supraorbital fat pads please do:
✅ Speak to your vet! They are the ones who have the training and experience to identify what is normal and what would be worth a blood test to check for PPID or insulin dysregulation. Yes, it will cost you a consultation fee BUT that's cheaper than spending loads on supplements and quackery then having to call your vet anyway in the end!
✅ Contact an independent veterinary nutritionist. We're able to not only advise whether there's cause for concern and carry out blood tests to identify insulin dysregulation / PPID, but we can advise you on the safest diet for for your horse or pony based on evidence and without trying to flog you supplements.
✅ If you feel your horse is gaining weight and at risk of laminitis, reduce their grazing amount BUT check you're providing enough fibre.
Please, please do not:
❌ buy supplements. There is no good evidence for a supplement that helps to control PPID or insulin dysregulation. Some of these supplements will do more harm than good - I am aware of one that actually contains deadly nightshade. Equine supplement production in the UK is not regulated to ensure products or safe or contain what they say they do.
❌ cut out ingredients from feed with no good reason. There are a few individuals claiming that alfalfa, soya and rapeseed, for example, are "inflammatory". This is categorically not true! No ingredient on it's own is "inflammatory". Some high-fat feeds contain a reverse ration of omega fatty acids, which we need to balance. Using fat as calories increases the horse's requirement for vitamin E, an antioxidant. Neither of these things means you shouldn't use those ingredients as they can be valuable sources of nutrition. Very rarely, horses require an exclusion diet due to genuine allergies or inflammatory bowel disease but these needs to be carefully managed by your vet and veterinary nutritionist.
Please treat what you read on social media with caution. Assess whether that person is qualified to be giving that advice. Take advice from suitably qualified vets, veterinary nutritionists and registered nutritionists.
Properly qualified and reputable physiotherapists, body workers, farriers etc will always advise you to check with your vet if they notice something is not right, rather than telling you to buy supplements!
As always, please get in touch if you're worried about your horse.
Photo courtesy of Care about Cushings.
