Ems help/info

[iwantaunicorn]

My daughters pony is a 13 year old, Welsh sec a, he has been on a diet since we bought him 8 weeks ago. He doesn't seem to have lost any weight at all. His belly looks bigger to me. He has a huge crest aswell. His belly seems to hang very low looks almost like a broodmare. Old owners said he has never had lami. Somebody said to me the other day at a show that he looks like he has ems, is that possible if he hasn't has lami? He is booked in for a blood test on Thursday.
Also the Shetland is on same turnout and a little less hay and has lost weight.

 

[Zuzzie]

Sounds like he could have EMS. But in any event you need to get that weight off him as its a great big signal that laminitis might be coming soon. Also its not going to do his joints any good carrying all that weight. If you have a weigh tape, measure his girth to calculate his weight. To really get the weight off you need to feed 1.5% of his total body weight. Look at the Laminitis Trust site to get more info. So for instance, my horse weighs 600 kg. 1.5 x 600 = 900 kg which equates to 9 kgs of hay with no turnout on grass where he can eat a fantastic amount in no time. Your vet will advise the best course of action once the test is back.

 

[Prince of Peace]

There is alot of sugars in our feed, hay can be soaked for a few hours to remove the sugars and you would'nt believe the color the water changes too, as well the dirt. We were suggested to do this and what a difference it is making. Hope this helps. No molasses or corn feed. High in sugars that are hard to digest, stores in the fat cells. Carrots and oats are usually not needed as feed if you are feeding these. They really do not need them. However, you can call any vet and ask questions they can help you sort somethings out, without the vet bill. Our vet is very loving and compassionate, and our farrier is full of answers too.

 

[TGM]

The size of the belly is not a true indicator of a horse's condition - a belly can be big if it is full of fibre, or if the horse is wormy etc. You should be judging condition on the amount of fat on the ribs, crest and hindquarters - so yes if your pony has a big crest that is concerning. The Blue Cross do a good guide online to condition scoring, and to managing overweight horses.

The longer a horse or pony has been overweight, the more likely they are to develop EMS, but it is possible for a horse/pony to have EMS without having laminitis. But having EMS makes laminitis more likely. Plus vendors are not always truthful about such things. Worth talking to your farrier to ask if he has spotted any laminitic changes in the feet.

 

[iwantaunicorn]

I can feel his ribs, but can't see them. He has a huge solid thick crest. there seems to be no shape between his neck and his shoulders. Farrier came 2 weeks ago and said that his feet were fine and pony has had a worm count and been wormed accordingly. Just really want to get his huge belly gone. The days my daughter doesn't ride, I'm lunging him. Hoping that might help his big tum.

 

[holeymoley]

My gelding has EMS. What is your daily routine feed and work wise for him? A 'grass' belly is pretty normal and usually disappears overnight if they've been in the field all day. Mine is sectioned off in the field and usually gets a grass belly when the fencing gets moved! However, if he has a crest I would be inclined to say its more than just a grass belly. I've personally found that the restricting of grass whether it be by fencing, muzzling or keeping in with soaked hay for that little hour or so longer is the main way of trimming them down. Especially natives. My gelding would eat and eat if he was in an open field! From what you've decribed I would personally treat him for ems as it is. Soak and weigh hay religiously, cut out sugars whether it be from any 'extra' carrots ,apples or even your hard feed. Check the composition and the ingredients of any hard feed, as they can be very misleading on the bag. You want to get the lowest sugar and starch feeds you can find, and no mixes. I have been doing this for a few years now and I'm really pleased with my gelding's condition. I have also been using a supplement which I really rate and can let you know of via PM.

 

[iwantaunicorn]

He comes in at around 7.30ish and has 2/3 slices of hay in a double hay net. Little one rides most evenings for about 1hr. She is off the lead rein and is doing lots of trotting, bending and trotting poles. if she doesn't ride he gets lunged. Also go pony club once a week. He has scoop of hi fi lite with baileys lo cal balancer. I don't feed any mixes. I worry about him hotting up and like him to stay calm for my daughter to ride. He is then turned back out at 8ish. Field is sectioned of with electric fencing. The Shetland has lost a nice bit of weight since being in the sectioned off bit.
He always seems so hungry. Loves his food.

 

[Elspeth]

I too have a pony with EMS and have struggled with helping her lose weight. First you need to change the Hifi Lite to Hifi mollasses free as anything with mollasses in it will not be helping. I was also surprised to find Baileys lo cal balancer has mollasses in it - so you need to find a mallasses free balancer. I would soak the night hay for at least an hour to reduce sugar, and also maybe think about a muzzle when the pony is grazed. It is good the pony is getting lots of exercise. Well done for trying to get on top of the weight issue before laminitis.

 

[_HP_]

I would soak the hay. You want to be feeding 1.5% (dry weight)of the ponies bodyweight to get weightloss
EMS ponies are very greedy but with diet and exercise you can reprogramme that.
Slow and steady is best for weight loss....it sounds like you are doing the right things but juts make sure you aren't feeding too much (including grass) and keep at it.
Get used to checking pulses each day too..this will help you to recognise early laminitis signs as it sounds like your pony is a prime candidate, and be prepared to take him off grass completely if necessary.
Taking photos and using a weightape can help
Also, ask your vet about Cushing's test...holding onto a crest and having a belly despite being able to feel ribs can be clinical signs

 

[iwantaunicorn]

Thanks for all the replies. Vet has been out and took bloods, so just waiting on results. The vet is going to do me a diet plan for him aswell.