Equine Metabolic Syndrome

[bluehorse]

Does anyone have any experience of owning/managing a horse with this condition? My 12 yr old TB was diagnosed 2 years ago, I think he is starting to show more symptoms such as general lethargy but not sure if it's the metabolic syndrome or just his age- just wondered if anybody else has had a similar experience? Also he get very footy and sometimes laminitis every time he is shod...any suggestions?

 

[Eaglestone]

Hi there I see that this is your first post and it is a shame it is because you are having health problems with your horse

I am so sorry that your TB is suffering form this syndrome, that must be similar to Cushings as your horse suffers from Laminitis, which is a horrid condition and if I can be of an help and support just PM me, as I have 'lived' with a Cushings horse for 2 years ... perhaps as a starter you could have a look at ...
TrythisfromLiphook

<<<< hugs >>>>

 

[bluehorse]

Thanks for this, yes it is similar to Cushings but they do not grow a thick coat. I've spent ages looking into this but there doesn't seem to be much info on what to expect as your horse gets older. I know Cushings can get worse with age but not sure about this - time will tell I guess! just trying to keep him slim (although he's never been fat - typical TB build) and fit... Shoeing is becoming a problem - it's the only thing that has ever triggered his laminitis. Barefoot is not really an option just yet as he is so flat footed and gets foot sore within hours of losing a shoe so it would be a real last resort and I would have to give up riding him! Not ideal...

 

[Happytohack]

I am trying to find out more about this condition myself. I have one pony with Cushings (he was diagnosed 2 years ago and is doing very well on Pergolide). I also have a shetland who has on-going laminitis - he has been almost permanently stabled for the last 5 months and has had varying degrees of laminitis. My vet has tested for Cushings and the result was an equivocal negative. She is now coming to test for E.M.S. next week as she things this may well be the problem. My Cushings pony has imprint shoes (he has rotated pedal bones) and my farrier is coming to fit these on the Shetland this week. The Imprint shoes have been brilliant for my other pony and I am confident that they will bring instant relief to the Shetland (we tried ordinary front shoes with pads, but these seemed to aggravate his feet more) as he is quite sore barefoot. I have the white remedial shoes, but they do other shoes that can be ridden in. Imprint shoes
Please let me know how you get on with your thoroughbred and if you find out more information, I'd be very interested.

 

[bluehorse]

I have heard about the imprint shoes, at the moment he seems to cope with normal shoes most of the time, but it does seem to be getting harder to keep him sound after he's shod so I think long term this may be a good option. I've found it's all a very fine balance managing a horse with EMS, mine doesn't look fat, but I can tell how borderline he is by how well he copes with being shod, if he's okay then I know he is fine, but when he starts to feel it I have to cut his diet right back down again to virtually nothing which leaves him with no energy for his work...lethargy is a symptom but I can't feed him anything much to perk him up. He stayed out full time this summer on fairly good grazing, muzzled 24/7, and looked a bit like a hat rack at the end of it, I'm sure the other people on my yard thought I was taking things a bit too far but better safe than sorry with this one I think... All illnesses are horrible for them but I have to say it's so much easier when it's something you can see!!