A **PLEA** for all those Ponies & Horses at risk of Laminitis .......

[Eaglestone]

On my way home from work tonight it was lovely to see some Ponies turned out today in their lovely mud free, grassy Summer paddocks

…… but just a **PLEA** to remind all you peeps out there that the lovely green stuff is packed full with toooo much goodness for those at risk of Laminitis, especially at this time of year

…… and please please please, take it carefully and do not turn them out for toooo long …. perhaps give them a couple of hours on it and then back in the muddy paddock

………….. I have been there and done that and got the tee-shirt, with Laminitis and I would not wish this horrid condition on any Horse, or owner

If you see any signs of pottery steps or reluctance to move or walk … call the Vet

 

[Baggybreeches]

Agreed *stands up and applauds*
my farrier has been dealing with cases of lami through the winter too

Its very unnecessary with all the feed and infromation available nowadays.

 

[maddielove]

Lovely horse at my yard - Pure muscle absolutely stunning warmblood...down with Lami about 3 weeks ago...
Mine got very overweight last summer but thankfully didn't some down with it but I'm going to be extra vigilant this summer as just being over weight is just as bad.

 

[Nailed]

fatarse.. not as easy to keep at bay as you might think..

Yes, lami has been rip since last yrs wet summer and the warm winter has nto helped...

Quite common for fit horses to get lami, especially racers.. but there is concussive and due to there high protein diets..

Frosts also are a major cause of lami..

Not necessarily anythign to do with weight unfortunatly...

Lou x

 

[Tia]

Excellent reminder post ES; very timely.

I've also lived the nightmare of laminitis and it isn't something you would wish anyone, or horse, to have to go through. Thankfully my girl finally pulled through and has been clear now since emigrating 4 years ago, but you never take that "success" for granted.

Just one other pointer; don't forget people, that it isn't just ponies who are at risk, watch your big guys too!

 

[angiebaby]

I second that Eaglestone. Yesterday I had to tell a friend to get her 14h cob and two miniture shetlands off their 3 acre lush field!! "there's no grass there" she says, duh, thats cos their eating it down as its growing.

You've only got to look at the lawns to see how it grows this time of year. My three natives are in a paddock the size of a tennis court, and are nibbling away. ( they come in at night until it slows down a bit)

 

[Pep12]

A good plea. Even if you don't think the grass looks like it is growing, rest assured it is! Now is the time to restrict the area that they are grazing before things get out of hand, and hopefully your horses have come out of winter running up a little thin as a buffer for the spring grass. Too many horses come out of winter looking too well and that is where the problems start.

Unfortunately the comment about it being totally unncecessary with all the feeding information etc out there, highlights the ignorance and lack of knowledge that exists regarding this disease. It is not always down to the owners management. Just look at the race horse Barbarello as a case in point.

Watch out for overgrazed pasture too at this time of year as they can contain just as much fructans if not more than the lush ones. Stressed grass is high risk grass! The key is to limit intake as much as possible. Bare paddocks (dirt or wood chip or sand)and well soaked hay for those prone to laminitis.

Make sure others don't get obese especially if they are known good doers as they are probably sitting on a knife edge. Exercise, exercise , exercise is the only answer if it is possible (even if you have to go for a long walk with them, just like a big dog!)

 

[Eaglestone]

[ QUOTE ]
A good plea. Even if you don't think the grass looks like it is growing, rest assured it is! Now is the time to restrict the area that they are grazing before things get out of hand, and hopefully your horses have come out of winter running up a little thin as a buffer for the spring grass. Too many horses come out of winter looking too well and that is where the problems start.

Unfortunately the comment about it being totally unncecessary with all the feeding information etc out there, highlights the ignorance and lack of knowledge that exists regarding this disease. It is not always down to the owners management. Just look at the race horse Barbarello as a case in point.

Watch out for overgrazed pasture too at this time of year as they can contain just as much fructans if not more than the lush ones. Stressed grass is high risk grass! The key is to limit intake as much as possible. Bare paddocks (dirt or wood chip or sand)and well soaked hay for those prone to laminitis.

Make sure others don't get obese especially if they are known good doers as they are probably sitting on a knife edge. Exercise, exercise , exercise is the only answer if it is possible (even if you have to go for a long walk with them, just like a big dog!)

[/ QUOTE ]

I am with you on this .... and taking them for a walk like a dog is fun

(as long as they are well behaved

)

 

[dozzie]

Agree! Im having to keep a close eye on one of mine at the mo. She is on poor grazing and her weight is fine but I know that a flush of spring grass is all it could take...

 

[Angelbones]

Ask your vet about Founderguard (or Foundaguard?) a supplement you add to ponies' feeds daily and it keeps Lami away. It has to be imported under licence from Australia (i think) and isn't cheap per pot but it lasts for ages. It's like little cardboard matchsticks and some how or other changes the way the food is metabolised. it can't be used continuously as it does contain some level of antibiotic thogh. I use it for 2 porkers who have always been very prone and we haven't had any problems for 3 years or so. Obviously you still have to manage the ponies' diet carefully but the peace of mind it brings if great, I no longer worry if they are out for longer than planned, if they were to break into the bigger fields etc. Have several pals who also use it and it's been successful. One rang the other day to say her old pony had got lami again and she was kicking herself as she had underestimated the new grass growth and the effect of frost etc and hadn't started feeding Founderguard yet after a break over the barren winter. Beware everybody, lami is lurking again - but may be worth investigating this product, I certainly recommend it from personal use (I am not a professional though).