Energy feed for 26yr old with laminitis

[SammyCob]

Pony is 26 and amazing for age. Still fit and jumping and a total legend. He had his first bout of laminitis ever a month ago and came sound after 3 days. The vet has given us strict regime of night turnout on bare paddock and soaked hay in the day. He also has a daily scoop of happy hoof, sprinkle of micronised linseed for mallanders and dose of glucosamine. He isn’t actually losing the fat pads (which aren’t huge - he is old after all!) but the ribs are starting to show more than I would like. He is also flat and lacking spark. What can I feed him for energy and condition but not going to make those fat pads any bigger?! Suggestions please (I tried speaking to vet and wasn’t much help on subject)

 

[be positive]

Have you tested for cushings? the fat pads need to go before you can really feed any more and they tend to be the last thing to shift, I would do plenty of slow steady hacks, assuming you are riding, get him slimmer and fitter then once the pads have gone you can up the work and feed appropriately, a decent vit/ min supplement and some salt may help for now.

 

[holeymoley]

I really rate and trust simple systems for feeding my ems laminitic. What do you feed just now?

Sorry completely missed the fact you stated you feed happy hoof and linseed! I was going to suggest a bit of linseed. Give simple systems a call or message, they are really good.

 

[ester]

linseed
magnesium for the fat pads
and a cushings test.

 

[SammyCob]

Thanks all. No cushings, he had the test. And he’s still in proper work. My daughter just did camp on him. I wouldn’t want him in any harder work at his age than he currently is tbh.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

If he had the ACTH test, I would ask for the TRH Stim test. ACTH often gives false negatives. There must be some reason why a 26 yr old pony in work gets his first bout of laminitis.

 

[ester]

re the fat pads, my own is 27 the only time (since he arrived as an obese 12yo) he has had fat pads was when I stopped his magnesium for other reasons when he was 24(ish!) he certainly doesn't have any now, when essentially retired and I would worry if he did and be looking to do something about it.

 

[SammyCob]

Thanks for all the tips. Will check out the magnesium.

 

[splashgirl45]

one of the symptoms of cushings is lack of energy, as PAS said strange that he should get laminitis if in work. also fat pads are another cushings side effect. has he lost muscle on his back, if so another cushings side effect. has he got a heavy coat, if so try clipping him to help with energy.. but again another sign of cushings, if your vet isnt helpful it may be time to change and get some fresh ideas..

 

[oldie48]

When my old TB developed cushings, the first thing I noticed was that he was drinking more other than that he didn't have any of the other symptoms although I had a gut feeling that he wasn't quite himself.