Feed advice for 25yo veteran with mild anaemia

[Orchardbeck]

Looking for some ideas to build some condition on my veteran mare, she's on speedibeet, micronised linseed, balancer, molasses free chaff (for extra fibre) and hay twice a day, lives out on restricted grazing as lives with a laminitic and has had two episodes of laminitis herself in the past.

She's 25, Arab x, wormed three weeks ago, had full bloods taken last week which showed everything (all organs were still working well) other than she was a touch anaemic and had a slight bit of stiffness somewhere - I know that to be her near hind fetlock). Had her teeth done last week - she has diastema which has been improved with dental work over the last two years, plus has two loose teeth now which the dentist prefers to preserve.

Anyone have any ideas on what I can give her to build her up, bearing in mind she is anaemic and can get laminitis? I plan to get her tested for Cushings in a couple of weeks but I already give her Agnus Castus and Turmeric in her feed.

 

[UKa]

Hi, sounds like you are feeding good things but have you thought about changing the chaff to something more calorific like alfa a oil? Also you can perhaps feed more of the linseed but I would check the amount with a nutritionist. I have put my mare with Cushing's on D&H's Cushcare and she looks and behaves great on it I add some fast fibre and alfa a oil.Good luck with your mare.

 

[Orchardbeck]

UKa, thank you so much for your response. I have to say it has crossed my mind to add alpha a oil, I might give it a go but i'm a touch nervous she is sensitive to alfalfa (she has shown itchy reactions in the past, but then she has done with our wild meadow hay too so won't know until I give it a go...).

I have actually reduced the linseed as I was giving her two mugs per feed (2 feeds a day) and felt it was a bit excessive - I can't find anything that says it is toxic in large quantities but it says to only give 100g per day on the bag...! Her coat is looking shinier though.

I've been rugging her in a lightweight during the day and with a 100g liner at night, perhaps she could do with something a bit warmer? I normally never go thicker than 200g even in the coldest of winters but I feel things are a bit different this year.

 

[TGM]

Given she has dental problems, have you thought of giving a soaked hay replacer to make sure she is getting all the fibre she needs - as she is laminitic you could use Fast Fibre or Spillers High Fibre cubes. Check with the manufacturers for recommended quantities.