Kelly2016
Member
Hi all,
Looking for some advice for a friend in relation to her retired Veteran Welsh Cob. Exact age not known but I would guess at 25+ and he has not been riden for around 3-4 years now.
He hasn't been a good doer for a few years, however this winter she has struggled to keep any condition on him. He currently gets fed Soft & Soak Ready Mash, Calm & Condition and Chaff. Turned out currently for summer, coming in every other day for hay in his stable.
Vet currently been out for teeth and Cushings Test. Test came back inconclusive. Options given by the vet were to give a Hormone injection and test agin which would cost a further £200 with call out, or other option would be to administer the Cushings tablets and see how he goes. Only other symptom of cushings is that his winter coat hasn't come out as easily this year compared to previous, however it has come out with a good grooming.
Vet also advised that his molars were pretty much flat and he has recently had one bout of choke, so I'm suspecting that it may have been a case of him not being able to chew and digest his food properly which has resulted in the loss in condition, so thinking to look at different feeding options at this stage.
What would you suggest to feed a veteran in this case? Would also like to note that he does sometimes suffer laminitis (not recently) and has previously had colic surgery, although a good few years ago now.
Although not the best, I have attached two photos of the old boy from May, however he has less winter coat now so ribs are more visible. I can get some more recent pictures tomorrow. He is still full of life, is quite high up in the pecking order of the herd, likes to throw his weight around and still does the Welsh prance around the field on occasion, so is generally feeling well in himself!
No criticisms, only kind helpful comments please
Looking for some advice for a friend in relation to her retired Veteran Welsh Cob. Exact age not known but I would guess at 25+ and he has not been riden for around 3-4 years now.
He hasn't been a good doer for a few years, however this winter she has struggled to keep any condition on him. He currently gets fed Soft & Soak Ready Mash, Calm & Condition and Chaff. Turned out currently for summer, coming in every other day for hay in his stable.
Vet currently been out for teeth and Cushings Test. Test came back inconclusive. Options given by the vet were to give a Hormone injection and test agin which would cost a further £200 with call out, or other option would be to administer the Cushings tablets and see how he goes. Only other symptom of cushings is that his winter coat hasn't come out as easily this year compared to previous, however it has come out with a good grooming.
Vet also advised that his molars were pretty much flat and he has recently had one bout of choke, so I'm suspecting that it may have been a case of him not being able to chew and digest his food properly which has resulted in the loss in condition, so thinking to look at different feeding options at this stage.
What would you suggest to feed a veteran in this case? Would also like to note that he does sometimes suffer laminitis (not recently) and has previously had colic surgery, although a good few years ago now.
Although not the best, I have attached two photos of the old boy from May, however he has less winter coat now so ribs are more visible. I can get some more recent pictures tomorrow. He is still full of life, is quite high up in the pecking order of the herd, likes to throw his weight around and still does the Welsh prance around the field on occasion, so is generally feeling well in himself!
No criticisms, only kind helpful comments please