epsm

[siennamiller]

Hi all

Just a question on EPSM.
Harley has been going really well, light in the hand, not leaning at all-best he has ever gone (has been on the diet since last june).
He has suddenly gone back to being like before, he is leaning and pulling down, tripping and carrying his quarters to the left ( which was his main problem b4)
Could it be because I have clipped him, cos he is now on haylage, they went onto a field with more grass but there probably wasn't much goodness in it? I have also upped his oat and barley free mix which the vet said was ok for him to have -Help!
Thanks
a

 

[YorkshireLass]

Before I can make any suggestions please could you explain more...

How old, what EPSM symptoms, did you get a biopsy, what sort/size of horse, what sort f EPSM symptoms, what is he fed, how much, how much oil, what does he weigh, how much exercise, how much turnout...

EPSM horses can re-lapse... but this usualy happens at the 3 month point. You miht find that the haylage is the thing that has tipped the balance as it is richer in sugar than hay. Any other changes in diet?

 

[siennamiller]

yay-an answer

He is 7 years old, symptoms were odd gait behind, tripping alot, unsteady when being shod behind, less muscular development on hindquarters on one side
Vet said not to get biopsies as you don't always get an accurate response as it depends on where you take it from? She said just to try the diet and see if it had an affect which it did.
16.1 ish prob 3/4 tb.
He has 1 level scoop (average round) happy hoof, 1 level scoop oat and barley free, 1 1/3 saracen releve, 1 1/2 mugs oil and selenium and vit e all twice a day.
Weighs about 600kg ( is just right for his build)
Exercised most days)in fittening work still as had 1 year off due to me having baby), has an easy day the day after a day off.
Was out 247 but came in night b4 last, will be out all day every day.
Vet said haylage was better then hay?
Thanks

 

[Imonone]

There is a lot of richness in the grass at the moment due to the warm weather and lots of people have had problems with autumn laminitis. I thought of this when I read your post as the starch has the same affect on epsm horses too.

As YL has said the relapse point is generally quite early on, Im not an expert but think that the grass and haylage probably have caused this and perhaps you could restrict the grazing for a few weeks and see if this helps.

 

[siennamiller]

great, thanks. He is in at night now so that will help. Also they have eaten their way thru most of it already. He did have a 3 month relapse, quite a spectacular one.
Thanks
xx

 

[sqippa]

My boy has a wobble with the weather!

Grass change is usually tolerated but reduced turnout/reduced work and wet weather really set his hamstrings off! He had his last one about 15 months in and hasn't had one for the last 8 months although with winter approaching I'm preparing myself.

I'm sure you'll get through it. Might be worth upping the oil for a few days/weeks as you work through it and just work to what your horse can tolerate.

Sqip