EMS pony and hay net help wanted

Suby2

Suby2

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My pony has just been diagnosed with EMS which has led to a big change in her management. ( She was out 24/7 in a shared field before ). I seem to be chasing my tail at the moment with all the additional care and work involved.

I was wondering if anyone had any time/money saving tips when caring for a pony with EMS?

Also are there any hints and tips on filling haynets? They are taking me ages to do.

Thank you :-)
 
Hello I also have an EMS pony and it is a challenge but it's manageable. I have a big, solid bucket - the sort you would use to poo pick and I put hay net in it then fill and weigh using a fish scale weigh thingy (I use Timothy hay). I then fill up a big green wheelbarrow with water and this holds 2 haynets and I weigh them down with slabs.

If your pony has laminitis it may be worth trying Metformin to get it under control but I'm sure your vet will have advised you. I have found Formula 4 Feet good as a balancer as I couldn't get my pony to take vitamins any other way.

The best thing for EMS is exercise so providing your pony is sound and fit (and your vet is happy) then the more the merrier. Hope this helps, good luck!
 
If you are able to, then fence a track around the perimeter of your field with electric fencing - it makes them move more (water/feed/shelter all spread out) and also restricts grazing, mine is out 24/7 with this system. I also feed a high fibre haylage, which is only 5% sugar, so no soaking hay.
 
and have a look on thelaminitissite for more management help. Its not extra work, you just have to think about what you're doing/feeding etc, you'll get into the swing soon enough :)
 
Broccoli - Bryony did have mild laminitis last year. She is also low grade PPID but came off the Prascend as she become completely lethargic even on half a tablet. Her levels when she came off were well within the normal range. She is currently on 8 Metformin a day and luckily she can be exercised and is hacked out five times a week.

Touchstone - a track is something I will look into in the future. Because her companion is the complete opposite of Bryony and needs huge amounts of hay in the winter and also Bryony is the boss and will therefore always eat more than her share, I have to separate her in the winter. I managed last year without a shelter but it wasn't ideal and I have ordered a field shelter that I can also shut her in if necessary. Once that is here I will review the fencing. I did have her on Hi Fibre horsehage last year (vet said recently not to feed it) but the volume that I gave her the to keep her slim was quite small and she ate it quickly even in double haynets. The soaked hay lasts her a lot longer.

Micky - I have been looking at the laminitissite and trawling the rest of the Internet! It's just a bit of a shock to the system when I have had it basically quite easy with her living out 24/7. I will get there :-)
 
With a track you could have EMS pony on the track and companion in the middle bit. Mine is on his track in spring/summer and will go into the middle bit for winter once the grass stops growing and the ground gets wet so he doesn't trash the summer track. I also have a hay cube which takes 3 small haynets at a time - my pony is only allowed 6-7kg total forage daily on vet advice which is one small haynet which goes up to 2 in winter. I soak 3 for 12 hours then drain it so i am not constantly soaking hay and always have some available. I also have straw/Timothy hay blocks for him to nibble at which is quick and easy if I am pushed for time.hayledge sends him loopy !
 
Thanks JLD. That sounds like a plan re the track system. All information gratefully received as there is nothing like first hand experience. :-)
 
Metaformin is really useful in horses that can't be exercised but once they can and you can control weightloss that way, then you should be able to stop it and save your money :)
Its recommended that you start horses on prescend gradually to avoid the 'veil' that can affect some .

Mine live on a track all summer and have full turnout through winter. I use a bath for soaking large amounts or a black bin for smaller.
 
Hi _HP_. The vet put her on Metformin as she was already being exercised but it wasn't enough. Hopefully she will come off it eventually. Numpty question but when yours is on full turnout in the winter I guess he/she/they still has soaked hay or something as well? (Mine only started on half a Prascend but it still didn't seem to suit her.)
 
Suby2 said:
Another question - when the hay has been soaked, rinsed and drained, how long can you leave it before feeding?
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I was told by my vet to hang for 2 hours (think to drain all the sugary water away) but this is often not practical. I would soak 2 nets and hang them, when one is drained feed that one and at least the other will have been hung long enough. It's a lot of work caring for a metabolic horse!

Would it be worth asking the vet if it's possible to feed Timothy Horsehage? My vet is very cautious, but is happy for me to feed this. My pony got laminitis when he was lean and fit after a foot injury then got it again after restricted turnout. Because of this we've made the decision not to let him graze any more. He's in a dry lot now, off the Metformin and fed unsoaked Timothy hay and fit and healthy (fingers crossed) so it's much easier now.
 
Mine have very little hay through winter because I have so much grazing so went they gave hay I don't soak unless they are overweight . I try to let mine drop right off through winter if possible.
I feed more hay through summer. I feed it straight after soaking and a quick rinse.
 
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