Aged Horse
Aged Horse Research
About
UK’s Aged Horse Research Program was established by Amanda Adams, associate professor in the Gluck Equine Research Center. Adams, who specializes in the care of senior horses, is also an adjunct faculty member at Lincoln Memorial University College of Veterinary Medicine. She has established and supports a unique herd of aged horses who have conditions ranging from pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction, obesity, equine metabolic syndrome and insulin dysregulation.
Adams’ research program currently encompasses the study of equine immunology and endocrinology in the areas of aging, obesity, endocrine diseases, laminitis and stress. In 2019, Adams was named the inaugural MARS EQUESTRIAN™ Fellow in recognition of her expertise in equine science and dedication to creating a better world for horses. Adams was then tapped to provide mentorship to the inaugural MARS EQUESTRIAN Scholar, a doctoral scholarship program designed to engage and train future leaders in equine science. The holistic approach to supporting education and research exemplifies Mars’ dedication to improving equine well-being integrating the Mars, Incorporated, family of equine-related brands and services, including WALTHAM™ Science, ANTECH™, SOUND®, BUCKEYE™ Nutrition and SPILLERS™ Brands.
Research Areas
- Old horse health and wellness
- Equine metabolic syndrome
- Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (formerly referred to as equine Cushing's disease)
- Stress in horses
Research Output
Owner-reported health and disease in U.S. senior horses. Herbst AC, Coleman MC, Macon EL, Harris PA, Adams AA. Equine Vet J. 2025 May;57(3):684-702. doi: 10.1111/evj.14200. Epub 2024 Aug 2. PMID: 39092919
Demographics and health of U.S. senior horses used in competitions. Herbst AC, Coleman MC, Macon EL, Harris PA, Adams AA. Equine Vet J. 2025 Jul;57(4):1044-1052. doi: 10.1111/evj.14438. Epub 2024 Nov 12. PMID: 39533744
Retirement risk factors, exercise management and muscle mass in US senior horses. Herbst AC, Coleman MC, Macon EL, Brokman A, Stromberg AJ, Harris PA, Adams AA. Equine Vet J. 2024 May;56(3):522-534. doi: 10.1111/evj.13958. Epub 2023 Jun 21. PMID: 37341387
Identifying insulinemic responses of ID horses offered varying levels of NSC and meal-sizes. Kerley BS, Harris P, Jacquay E, Askins M, McClendon M, Adams AA. J Equine Vet Sci. 2025 Aug;151:105638. doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2025.105638. Epub 2025 Jun 29. PMID: 40588143
Insulin dysregulated horses metabolic responses to forage pellets. Macon EL, Harris P, McClendon M, Perron B, Adams A. J Equine Vet Sci. 2024 Feb;133:104991. doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2023.104991. Epub 2023 Dec 29. PMID: 38159582
Identifying possible thresholds for nonstructural carbohydrates in the insulin dysregulated horse. Macon EL, Harris P, Bailey S, Caldwell Barker A, Adams A. Equine Vet J. 2023 Nov;55(6):1069-1077. doi: 10.1111/evj.13910. Epub 2023 Jan 23. PMID: 36537847
Seasonal Insulin Responses to the Oral Sugar Test in Healthy and Insulin Dysregulated Horses. Macon EL, Harris P, Barker VD, Adams AA. J Equine Vet Sci. 2022 Jun;113:103945. doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2022.103945. Epub 2022 Apr 8. PMID: 35405290
The impact of short-term transportation stress on insulin and oral sugar responses in insulin dysregulated and non-insulin dysregulated horses. Jacquay ET, Harris PA, Adams AA. Equine Vet J. 2025 May;57(3):745-755. doi: 10.1111/evj.14403. Epub 2024 Sep 4. PMID: 39233387
Development and Evaluation of a Muscle Atrophy Scoring System (MASS) for Horses. Herbst AC, Johnson MG, Gammons H, Reedy SE, Urschel KL, Harris PA, Adams AA. J Equine Vet Sci. 2022 Mar;110:103771. doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2021.103771. Epub 2021 Sep 20. PMID: 34973594
Evaluation of seasonal influences on adrenocorticotropic hormone response to the thyrotropin-releasing hormone stimulation test and its accuracy for diagnosis of pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction. Adams AA, Siard-Altman MH, Reedy SE, Barker D, Elzinga S, Sanz MG, Urschel K, Ireland JL. Vet J. 2023 Oct-Dec;300-302:106035. doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2023.106035. Epub 2023 Oct 5. PMID: 37802466
Demographics and health of U.S. senior horses used in competitions. Erica T. Jacquay, Patricia A. Harris, C. Jill Stowe, Bridgett J. McIntosh, Amanda A. Adams
Insulin dysregulated horses metabolic responses to forage pellets. Erica Lyn Macon, Patricia Harris, Margaret McClendon, Brittany Perron, Amanda Adams