Another laminitus + turnout question (sorry!)

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FinkleyAlex

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My 14.2 pba got stress lammi in feb last year following an injury and he was putting weight on one leg which came down with lammi and then did the same thing to the other leg without us noticing! So got lammi in both front feet with a small amount of rotation. He has since not had a problem.

He's not a good doer and is exercised 6 times a week, either 45 mins schooling, small jumping sessions, lunging or hacking. We've also put him on a low starch diet of alfa oil, copra meal and alfabeet and 3 big haynets a day. His weight is ok, could do with a bit more which is fine by me as we are coming into spring. He is currently being turned out twice a week for 3 hours on fairly well grazed grass. He weighs 430kg which the nutritionist said was good before spring.

Here is my dilemna - he is being moved to a new yard where he can get everyday turnout. I think to be on the safe side I will only allow him out every other day whilst the spring grass is coming through, for a couple of hours each day (maybe four?) The field is a big paddock and he would be out by himself, other horses have been on the field but the grass is still decent, does this sound ok to start off with?

Secondly, that paddock is mainly used as an adjustment paddock, there is then a paddock to the left of it that hasn't had anything on it all winter so the grass is fairly good. The YO has hinted that she would like to put him in that as its the only field near the yard that is suitable for individual turnout, should I ask if she could put another horse on it for a week or two before turning mine out
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I'm worried about grass triggering anything off, although the vet insists it is unlikely his lammi will ever be triggered by anything food related and was probably a one off (but I am a panicker)

cookies if you've got this far!
 
I think the longer grass should be better, but, I would definately invest in a grazing muzzle, mine wear them all winter when on very long grass, ( the shires ones are very good value) other than that, I would get some electric fencing and strip graze, moving the tape by a foot a day while there is dry weather, but leaving it if its wet and warm ( the grass grows quicker than they can eat it in these conditions)
Sounds like you should be fine, just keep a check on his weight by using a weigh tape.
Good luck
 
I don't mind buying electric fencing and strip grazing but he would go absolutely barmy with a grazing muzzle as he hates anything on his nose - I have to customise flymasks for him as he'll run into walls if the net bit touches his nose, also goes barmy if anyone undoes a flash noseband and lets it sit on his nose he snorts continuously and gets quite upset so I don't think thats doable
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A pony with a similar story to yours moved to to the yard I'm at a couple of months ago. They were quite careful when putting her out as the grass is better at this yard than her old one, and only put her out for a few hours a day, and there was very little grass, and she still got laminitus. Once she got better she only went out for 1 hour a day and built it up gradually, so that's what I would recomend. Being extra careful that she doesn't go out on frosty, sunny mornings etc. I would also recomend that the grass is eaten down by something else first.
 
You would be better off turning out for two hours daily rather than four hours every other day. Also, the long grass will be better as it has a lower fructan level than short grass, the fructans are found in the stems of the grass and not so much in the blades.
 
Hi there! My horse got laminitis a bit like yours, but in his back feet. He bruised a sole and took all his weight on one back foot triggering laminitis then shifted weight to the other so ended up with 2 laminitic feet. We also suspected very mild laminitis in front (he had supports on all 4 feet). My vet also said that he would be unlikely to get grass related laminitis as grass had not been a factor at all but yes, last spring he very quickly developed laminitis due to spring grass. He had been put in to a fairly lush field that had been left all winter and had cows on for about a week before the horses were allowed on. I think once the laminae have been damaged it doesnt matter what caused it originally, they will be much more prone to it in future. He spent all last summer, once recovered, in a muzzle and this year I am watching the grass growth like a hawk ready to muzzle him again. So, yes, I think you are right to be worried
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Will he really not tolerate a muzzle?
 
Once a horse has had laminitus for any reason they are always prone to it.

My mare got a mild dose two years ago which resulted in rotation and a lot of time, money to get her over it two years on from it.

She is strip grazed and I find this the best way of managing it in the spring. Look for any sign of stiffness in thier movement which is the first sign that something is wrong before it gets to the worst stage. I would aim to leave out in a bald patch with hay if nessary until the danger time is over belive me its far better to be safe than sorry.
 
I forgot to mention he wont be moving untill mid april, maybe I will keep him on his twice weekly turnout regime as that seems to be working ok for the mo, at least untill the spring grass is through. I think he'd be quite unhappy in a muzzle, I suppose I could always buy one and try it, but can imagine a very unhappy pony. I will ask YO if she can graze any other ponies in the rested paddock, vet will be coming before we go aswell so will ask his opinion, thanks everyone!
 
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