Equine Cushings Stage 2 - Yin and Qi Support Blend
POA
Integrative Veterinary Products Equine Cushing's Stage 2 — Yin and Qi Support Blend is a veterinarian-compounded traditional Chinese herbal formula developed to support horses and ponies with Equine Cushing's Disease (PPID). It is designed for animals showing signs of combined Yin and Qi deficiency.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, some horses with progressing PPID move beyond the earlier “hot and sweaty” Yin-deficient stage and begin developing reduced energy, declining resilience and impaired recovery alongside ongoing Heat and fluid depletion.
These horses may remain sweaty, thirsty or heat intolerant, but now also appear more fatigued, weaker or less able to maintain normal energy and muscle tone.
This formula is designed for this more depleted transitional stage, supporting both cooling Yin fluids and the body’s underlying Qi and metabolic resilience.
By matching herbal formulas to the horse’s current pattern and combining them with appropriate dietary management, some clinical signs may improve and overall resilience may be supported alongside conventional veterinary care.
Currently in Australia, certain traditional Chinese herbal blends are only allowed to be dispensed by a registered veterinarian.
As with all Traditional Chinese Herbal blends, the best results are likely to occur when prescribed by an integrative veterinarian who can examine your animal in person. Telehealth consultations however, can be used when access to an appropriate veterinarian is difficult or not possible.
If you would like to access the Integrative Veterinary Products Herbal blends, please book an appointment to access a telehealth (phone or video) appointment with Dr Tanya Meares BVSc.
Before the appointment, you will be asked to submit a form with background information about your animal and their health issues.
The cost of the 15-30 minute telehealth appointment is $80 but you will receive a discount of $40 on your first order of any an herbal blend in the shop (if any are suggested).
These formulas require practitioner dispensing under current regulatory guidelines.
How it Works
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, some horses with progressing Equine Cushing’s Disease (PPID) move beyond the earlier “hot and sweaty” Yin-deficient stage and begin developing deeper exhaustion and reduced metabolic resilience.
At this stage, horses may still show signs of Heat and fluid depletion — such as sweating, thirst or heat intolerance — but now also appear more fatigued, weaker or slower to recover following exercise or stress.
This reflects the development of combined Yin and Qi deficiency, where the body is no longer simply losing cooling fluids, but also losing the energy required to maintain recovery, circulation and normal metabolic regulation.
This formula is designed to:
restore cooling Yin fluids
support Qi and metabolic resilience
improve recovery and stamina
reduce Heat and fluid depletion without excessively trapping Dampness
Clinically, this formula is commonly used in horses showing:
excessive sweating
heat intolerance
increased thirst or mild PU/PD
reduced energy or stamina
poor recovery
muscle loss or reduced topline
ongoing PPID signs alongside fatigue
horses that appear both hot and depleted
As disease progression continues further, some horses may eventually transition into colder, frailer Yang-deficient stages requiring more warming and restorative support.
This formula is generally less appropriate where:
marked coldness or frailty predominate
severe Damp accumulation or obesity dominate the presentation
strong inflammatory or infectious Heat patterns are present.
What types of horses tend to suit this formula best?
This formula is designed for horses with PPID that remain hot, sweaty or heat intolerant but are now also showing reduced energy, declining stamina or slower recovery.
These horses often appear both depleted and overheated at the same time.
How is Stage 2 different from Stage 1?
Stage 1 horses are primarily showing Yin deficiency, with signs such as excessive sweating, thirst and heat intolerance.
Stage 2 horses still show these signs, but now also display reduced energy, poorer recovery, muscle loss or declining resilience, indicating that Qi deficiency has developed alongside Yin depletion.
Why does my horse seem both hot and tired?
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, this pattern is often interpreted as combined Yin and Qi deficiency.
The horse is no longer simply struggling to regulate Heat and fluids but is also losing the energy required for recovery, circulation and normal metabolic function.
My horse is losing topline despite eating well. Is that relevant?
Yes.
This formula is commonly used alongside conventional PPID management, including Prascend, dietary modification and appropriate exercise programs where suitable.
The aim is to support recovery, resilience and comfort while working alongside conventional veterinary care.
Can this formula be used alongside Prascend?
Yes.
This formula is commonly used alongside conventional PPID management, including Prascend, dietary modification and appropriate exercise programs where suitable.
The aim is to support recovery, resilience and comfort while working alongside conventional veterinary care.
How do I know if my horse needs Stage 2 rather than Stage 3?
Stage 2 horses generally remain warm or heat intolerant but are becoming progressively more tired and depleted.
Stage 3 horses tend to become colder, frailer, weaker and less able to maintain body temperature, reflecting a shift towards Yang deficiency.
Will every horse with PPID progress through all three stages?
Not necessarily.
The stages describe common Traditional Chinese Medicine patterns rather than a fixed disease pathway.
Some horses remain predominantly Yin deficient for many years, while others progress more quickly into combined Qi or Yang deficiency patterns.
