Cushings

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CracklinRosie

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I'm sure this has been asked plenty but one of my friends horses has just been diagnosed with cushings. He's a 15hh Anglo Arab and he's 17.

What are her best options, she lives abroad and only has access to straits(No D&H or Spillars available), might be able to access some medicines but limited also and suppliments- forget it!!

P.S. It'll be very hot in the summer, 35C plus!
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If he's got the thick cushings coat, she might have to clip him all year round? I usually get my cushings mare clipped out for the summer, but last year it didn't get hot enough so I didn't bother.
 
Mine's had Cushings since she was around 26/27, & she's now 35 - see post below!!

She eats the same as my youngster - 3/4 scoop calm & condition, 1/2 scoop top spec conditioning flakes, 3/4 scoop speedibeet, massive scoop alfa a, a cup of top spec feed balancer & a cup of herbs - summer shine, winter glow. Plus ad lib hay - she's ancient but she's got all her teeth & none of them are even loose, so she can still eat hay.

Prob not a lot of use to your friend if she hasn't got access to weird & wonderful feeds, sorry.

She gets fed twice a day, but if I'm around I do tend to sneak her an extra snack if she's neighing for it & my ISH isn't looking.

She isn't being treated as the vet said that while she's managing, it's best to leave her i.e. if it ain't broke, don't fix it. She also (touch wood x 1,000) hasn't ever had lami which is v lucky as I think it would finish her off.

My tips would be to keep an eye out for lami i.e. check feet for warmth every morning, feed for condition (but keeping lami in mind i.e. not tons of cereals) & keep on top of worming/poo picking as this will help maintain condition.

Also Cushings can make them lethargic - Jenny's still in work, but if she's done much one day, she needs a rest the next. Your friend should be sensitive when riding i.e. not force her horse if he feels tired.

Hope this is of some help? If you want better advice, try looking on the website of the veteran horse society - they've got a ton of stuff on there, & all the up to date veterinary info.
 
Thanks for all that.

He's in a riding school but he just gets used for kids lessons now and that seems to be enough for him.

Feeding is going to be the main issue.

I'll check out the website for veterans.
 
So, if the vet has diagnosed Cushing's, what does he/she advise?

Which country is she in?

Over here, we have some established starting points and access to plenty of supplements. If she is desperate, you could find out if there are any things you could send or take over there.

Catembi is 'lucky' in that her mare doesn't need any radical feed/grazing tactics, a feature of Cushing's is that it has many symptoms - any combination of which may or may not be present. Very careful attention to coat, teeth and feet plus worm burden control are essential, regardless of whatever else needs addressing.
 
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