Suby2
Well-Known Member
Does anyone one have a horse or pony with EMS which is under control through exercise etc. that is NOT on Metformin??
EMS query
- Thread starter Suby2
- Start date
Harriettie
Well-Known Member
I have.
Hepsibah
Well-Known Member
Me too. Keeping weight down is key.
Hokuspokus
Well-Known Member
Me too. Weight and reducing sugars in everything - soak hay , no sugar or low sugar feed (nearly everything has sugar in it!)
Suby2
Well-Known Member
Thank you for your replies. As you say, correct diet and weight is key. My pony is currently still on 8 Metformin a day however she is definitely on the skinny side (she is very different to how she looks in my photos) and her diet is very carefully managed. I was just wondering if it was worth checking with the vet as to whether she could come off them altogether.
Pebble101
Well-Known Member
Me 
He was never on Metformin though.
The big turning point for him was the fact that once he had got over his laminitis last June, I was able to start riding him. He was on a very restricted diet at the time but things are now back to 'normal' I am now riding him 5 days a week for at least an hour at a time, although it's walk only as he had been retired for 5 years due to injury.
He has now lost the fatty pads above his eyes a(they seemed to appear overnight and then disappeared just as quickly) and most of the crest he had developed. Apparently the crest often stays.
He has also been turned out all winter unrestricted. Things will be changing soon though, the grazing muzzle is ready.
He was never on Metformin though.The big turning point for him was the fact that once he had got over his laminitis last June, I was able to start riding him. He was on a very restricted diet at the time but things are now back to 'normal' I am now riding him 5 days a week for at least an hour at a time, although it's walk only as he had been retired for 5 years due to injury.
He has now lost the fatty pads above his eyes a(they seemed to appear overnight and then disappeared just as quickly) and most of the crest he had developed. Apparently the crest often stays.
He has also been turned out all winter unrestricted. Things will be changing soon though, the grazing muzzle is ready.
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DirectorFury
Well-Known Member
Me. Metaformin isn't actually that effective in horses due to the way they metabolise it and my vet won't prescribe it unless it's as a last resort.
Her weight is well-managed with daily exercise (quite a lot, tbh), soaked and weighed second cut hay with oat straw, and a grazing muzzle over the summer. It's the exercise that makes the biggest difference to mine.
Her weight is well-managed with daily exercise (quite a lot, tbh), soaked and weighed second cut hay with oat straw, and a grazing muzzle over the summer. It's the exercise that makes the biggest difference to mine.
PerfectCoffee
Well-Known Member
I've got one who went on metformin after a laminitis attack but we have been able to wean her off it now without problems, touch wood. Would definitely speak to your vet about it.
Suby2
Well-Known Member
Thanks all. Unfortunately I have just had to come to the decision to retire her for a number of reasons. Bearing in mind that she wont be ridden, would you still be of the opinion that she could manage without Metformin or could that be a bit risky??