Cushings..... and our horrible YD.

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Solstar

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right, I know a tiny bit about Cushings... but could you please tell me any of your experiences and thoughts about it please?

the yard dragon (YD) was really, really, horrible about Red last night- saying (amongst other things) that he definately has cushings (his coat is a bit longer than normal, so I'm clipping him this weekend) and that is 'very old' and that we should retire him. WTF? Red is only 18, is as fit as he probably has ever been- and had managed to hunt twice a month last season, with no ill effects- he wasn't even stiff the day after! most of all, he's happy and we love him to bits.
I'm normally really thick skinned but the YD upset me last night- she seemed to spend 30 mins slagging Sol and Red off.
 
This link may work -

http://www.laminitis.org/cushings.html

Try to ignore the YD, we have one and the best policy is to rise above it, no need to listen to her slagging them off and if it really does get to you.

Best to politely tell her that you don't appreciate the comments that she is making about you or your horses and if she has a problem to speak to you directly not to others.
 
Sounds like she has a case of green-eyed monster jealousy to me.
As for Cushings - it can only be diagnosed by blood testing. Just because a horse has a long coat, it does not mean it has Cushings! Usually the first signs of Cushings are recurrent laminitis (quite often in the winter), excessive thirst, a curly coat and the horse/pony does not shed its coat. My Icelandic was diagnosed with Cushings 2 and a half years ago - although he does not have the bulging eyes or excessive thirst.
As horses age, some keep their winter woollies for a bit longer - which is nothing to do with having Cushings.
As for Red's age - he is not an oldie in my book. I have been involved with endurance for many years and at the Golden Horseshoe a couple of years ago there was a 22 year old taking part and completing the top class which is 100 miles over two days across Exmoor, he passed all the strict veterinary inspections with flying colours.
Ignore the YD and enjoy Red
smile.gif
 
masterbronze- thankyou, I have favourited to read in a bit. I have told her numerous times that I don't appreciate her comments but she really is horrible. I love the yard I'm at but if YD doesn't improve over summer, I'm leaving.

jaylen- I think Red might have his longer coat because he's been hunter clipped all winter- and I know he hadn't been clipped for at least 4 years previously- so my thinking is that maybe it's been some sort of a shock to his system?? I don't think he has had laminitis- I think he got quite close to having it last year (we didn't own him then, but he was at our yard) as he was SO fat. He has moulted- it's just his coat has been replaced by long hairs- and they aren't cat hairs. He doesn't drink much and doesn't have very big hollows above his eyes.
He isn't an oldie in my book either, he's only a teen! he doesn't act old anyway!....
 
Tell her to s@d off or if you arent that brave just ignore it, sounds like shes jealous of you and is looking for things to put you down- ie your horses. She should keep her beak out!
Plenty of the horses on my yard have curly coats when they have sweated but none of them have cushings- my share horse included!
 
thing is, I am quite outgoing and brave- I've told her to sod off, asked her politely etc but it doesn't work!!

also, she's the YO's sister- so I cant just tell her to f*** off can I? you see, I would have, if I could!
 
[ QUOTE ]
He doesn't drink much and doesn't have very big hollows above his eyes.


[/ QUOTE ] Actually not having big hollows about the eyes could be a sign of Cushings. In Cushings fat can deposit in the hollows above the eyes and this was actually the first sign of the disease I noticed in my old horse. I would definitely keep an eye on him, restrict his grazing and keep to a lami-safe diet to be on the safe side.

However, even if he does have Cushings, there is no reason why he needs to be retired unless there are any other health problems (lameness etc). In fact, regular work could help keep laminitis at bay.
 
oh, I will keep an eye on him, and monitor his weight and everything.
what would a lami-safe diet include? he currently has a handful of dengie good doer, and a handful of pony nuts, with a vit and min supplement.
 
Soluble carbohydrates are the dietary trigger for laminitis - that is sugars and starches. Sugars are found in molassed foods and grass, whilst starches come from cereals - barley, maize, oats etc., which are also contained in many proprietary mixes and cubes.

Good Doer is fine to feed, but check what type of cubes you are feeding and whether they contain cereals. High Fibre Cubes are the best bet.

Be careful with the hay you feed as well - some varieties are higher in sugars than others. Rye grass is usually high in sugars, whilst late cut hay is usually lower than hay cut earlier in the season. If you are not sure what type your hay is you can get it analysed, or alternatively soak it well to remove the carbs.

Obviously, be careful how much grazing your pony gets - use a muzzle, stabling, or strip grazing to restrict it if necessary. Make sure he does not get too fat and particularly check the crest of the neck, if this gets fatty it can be a precursor to laminitis. Also, learn to check the digital pulses in the feet, as raised pulses can be a sign that laminitis is imminent - see if your vet or farrier will show you how to do it.
 
tell the silly woman to sod off, 18 is not old, there are horses going round badminton at 18 and winning at hickstead at 20!
I personaly have a 26 yearold pony who is still in full work and still loving it. Old horses will let you know when they want to stop!
 
18 is not old, however my pony was diagnosed with Cushings at 15 . Not shedding the winter coat is only one of many syptoms, she also suffered recurrent bouts of laminitis, was drinking excessively and had formed the typical pads over her eyes and around her tail. 3 years down the line she is doing really well on 1 pergolide tablet a day. If your lad is showing no other symptoms I really wouldn't worry, but even if he is and tests do show it is cushings don't really see why you should have to retire him. I would tell YD to mind her own business and just monitor your horse carefully.
 
thankyou TGM- the nuts I've got at the mo are just the feedstores own range. I'll go tomorrow and get some ones with the blue laminitis logo on. he isn't eating any hay at the mo- he doesn't want to, but I'll keep your advice in mind for when he does, re soaking it. the farrier is coming to shoe Red on Mon, so i'll ask him about his digital pulse. I'll also ask if I can move my 2 into a less lush field. thankyou.

conniegirl- she annoys me so much- her attitude is 'once its 15 shoot it'.

murphysminder- thankyou.
 
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