Feeding a laminitic for competitions?

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Ranyhyn

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My horse diced with a touch of early laminitis last year, so is treated as a laminitic from here on in.

He is now in medium work (2x fast work 2x schooling 1xjumping and 1xroadwork and 1x day off) with a view to get him out competing HT etc in a few weeks.

The question is, should I feed before/after comps? I know its a very roundabout question, but generally speaking, in order to do a HT will he need to be fed and if so is there any feed suitable for energy for a laminitic horse?

General thoughts and musings please

Kitty
 
Stick to fibre and oil based feeds if he needs feeding, no cereals. Oil will give more energy than fibre but its still slow release, so safe for laminitics. Look for as low starch and sugar as possible. remember that any feed not used up in exercise will be turned into fat.
Alfalfa has the same energy level (approx) as a cool mix, without the starch. it will also provide protein for the growth and repair of muscles.
Topspec conditioning cubes are higher in energy again (if you need more) but again, low starch.
You may find that a high oil chaff such as D&H fibergy, alongside some fibre nuts, will be sufficient.
 
Thanks TT. It will only be for the days leading up to and after a comp, just for a little lift and to replace anything lost. Will start with some kind of chaff and oil and maybe a little salt.
 
I don't feed frank anything (and touch wood not lami prone) apart from a sprinkle of hifi to soak up his foot stuff

ps just sent you a pic of shoe on phone hopefully, they arent too bad atm but you can see how far it comes round.
 
Claire Macleod is an independent nutritionist, she was recommended to me by some users on this forum. My boy is horrendously laminitic and she has given brilliant, very comprehensive advice to get the meat on his bones, keep his energy levels up, and save his feet.
You should be able to find her if you Google
 
If feeding short term you are better off with fibre based feeds, as it takes many weeks for a horse to adapt to using oil as an energy source. Definately feed salt or electrolytes too.
 
Yes, that would be a good choice. Although the oil will be more for the benefit of coat/skin rather than energy if only feeding it short term. As i said, it takes several weeks (10ish) for the body to fully adapt to metabolising and converting oil to an energy source. Although in smaller quantities it will happen quicker than if feeding an eventer pints of oil to get round Badminton!
 
Kitsune said:
How about alfa a oil - would that cover all bases?
Click to expand...

To be on the safe side, I would only use feed recommended by the laminitis trust, all feeds are listed on their website, you can also ring them for advice, they were VERY helpful when my horse had mild lami few years back, I still follow their advice approx 3 years on
 
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