Thyroid Hormones in Horses

Although primary thyroid disorders are rather limited in horses, thyroid supplements are often administered to horses to address obesity-associated disorders or poor performance with limited evidence and potential side effects. Diagnostic testing for thyroid disorders is also confounded by disease states and drugs that can alter thyroid hormone concentrations limiting their use and their accuracy. This presentation will provide an overview of equine thyroid function in health and in diseases (adults and foals) as well as the evidence-based use of thyroid supplementation in non-thyroid diseases.