EMS/Lami advice please!!

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carolineg

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I met a lady last week who has a welsh pony that is only 7 and has been diagnosed with EMS, insulin resistant and has laminitis. The pony is uncomfortable but owner has no way of stabling her. Her vet recommended metformin but I have not spoken to him. She has offered the pony to me (for nothing) and if I could get her sound she could have a purpose and work with us. I don't know what to do! Help please! I hate seeing a pony suffering but if she stays where she is she will be pts in the next month (which would be the kindest thing if her circumstances remain the same). However if I take her home can I get her sound? We have stables, can do deep shavings bed boxrest, sand/arena turnout. I have a 19 yr old with cushings that we have to be very careful with so they could be together longer term. My OH will say I'm nuts and it will just be heartache....:confused:
 
If you want the pony it sounds as though you have a very suitable home to offer her. I manage my lami pony's condition very successfully with Metformin, unusually for animal medicine its not very expensive so could be feasible for this pony. I would definitely talk to your friend's vet to understand how badly her feet have been affected, is there any pedal bone rotation etc. so you at least know what you are getting yourself into. It could be a long recovery period for her which is going to take lots of time and attention but you obviously have the knowledge to undertake this, already caring for a Cushings pony.

Its kind of you to consider helping this pony :) I hope it works out for you.

Don't worry about OH, they all think we are nuts anyway :D
 
Thanks WandaMare :) the lady hasn't had x rays done but I think talking to her vet is a good idea. I just don't want to put the pony through an ordeal if she's never going to be comfortable. It's made even harder that pony has a lovely temperament and is so cuddly, I don't want to be led by my emotions
 
I can understand why you want to help, I would be the same. I know plenty of ponies who have had bouts of laminitis and made a full recovery in terms of foot health, but they always then have to be restricted in terms of grazing. If there is no movement of the pedal bone or even minimal movement then she could have a really good chance of coming sound. Hope the vet is able to help you :)
 
lachlanandmarcus said:
I would think you could take him on but if it were me I would want x rays first to assess what degree of rotation there might be before agreeing.
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That had crossed my mind too. It was the cost implications that put me off, particularly getting that past my OH :eek:! But if she had rotation at least I would know what I'm dealing with.
 
If you already have a Cushings boy to manage then it might not be such a shock to the system. Plus he'd have a companion for whatever routine he has as I imagine their management will be similar in the long run.

Is the pony comfortable at the moment? Medicated? Do you have a good farrier or trimmer? Laminitis is a total PITA as we all know but he might fit into your set up better than many. Even without x rays if the pony is comfortable and can be managed properly then eventually he should grow some better hoof.
 
'rotation' is not the problem it used to be, so long as you can stop the cause of the laminitis. In truth with the right help it can be overcome. I've got pics on the blog. I'll dig out the post later but am on phone now.
 
I've no advice on the EMS/lami issues but I would recommend if you are going to take on the pony that you buy her for a token amount (maybe £1). That way you own her and there is no chance of the current owner claiming her back once you have done all the hard work and got her sound again.
 
Barefoothorseblog.blogspot.com 7 September 2012 shows a) inside of rotated foot and b) how this can be grown out with no invasive procedures and with horse being sound and mobile throughout.
 
As long as you are prepared to give her a chance, my boy is ems/ir he is on metformin long term as he had such a bad rotation, 15degrees, that even though I have it management sorted and for the past three years been in work I would panic too much taking him off it. He is happy, shoeless but because of the rotation has boots and pads on for turn out and ridden work.

He got it in the middle of winter at the end of a month off because of heavy snow, the crappy part was he had just completed a 25mile ride a week before the snow came:(

Hoping to to it next year on him.
If you want any feed or management advice pm me.
 
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