Ems - energy levels down

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Zuzzie

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Hello all,

I have a 22 year w/blood gelding who up until this year was very energetic. May/June I had the vet out because he became very lethargic - I was worried about laminitis as he was very overweight. Vet took blood and confirmed he had EMS. He also had a cushings test which was negative. So then followed a massive diet change, eliminating sugars, soaking hay and using a grazing muzzle etc. He lost a lot of weight as recommended. His energy levels recovered and I have enjoyed some great hacks during the summer. However, a couple of weeks ago I noticed he wasn't quite so keen and gradually over that time his energy levels have gone down again. I have asked for a vet visit tomorrow as he was supposed to have a follow up blood test 4 months after the first.

My question is has anyone had experience of this? I turn him out to grass everyday from 12 noon to 3.30 pm with a muzzle on but I'm wondering whether he is getting too much sugar from the grass even though wearing the muzzle. The Laminitis Site says grazing on sunny cold days means that sugar accumulates in the grass. Any ideas??

Can I give him a supplement to help his energy?

thanks.
 
The simple answer may be that having cut back on his input he now is not getting enough from the feed he does get, soaking hay will also leech out the vits/ mins as well as reducing the sugar, there will also be very little in the grass he gets so I would look at giving him a balancer or vit/ min supplement to make up for what is missing from his diet, some salt every day may also help.
 
Thanks Be.P. I do give him Equimins Advance feed balancer and also Equimins Flexijoint. I shall try some salt though.
 
Exercise is the one main thing with ems horses/ponies..is he getting the same amount of exercise as the summer (all those months ago!)...mine has ppid (cushings) and the last two days has become a bit ploddy/lacking in energy too...despite keeping up the same work as normal...time of year? See what the vet says and let us know...
 
Micky: he gets the same amount of exercise but I feel awful pushing him while he's lethargic. I was lucky this afternoon, the vet rang to say he had finished early so he came and took 3 blood samples, EMS, Cushings and Anemia. I should get the results on or after Wednesday. Will come back to report. Thanks.
 
Yes I know that feeling..I felt the same before mine was diagnosed with ppid, like riding a slug! ...hope vet sorts it out for you..interested to see what the outcome is and a good one preferably for your boy...
 
Well I got the blood tests back. Good news in that the EMS level has improved and he does not have Cushing's. However, the blood shows he has raised white cells and anaemia so vet thinks he may have a virus ad recommended Red Cell for iron plus lots of rest with quiet hacks. At least I have some answers now. Thank you all for your help.
 
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