grass laminitis question

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Sarah04

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Hi my pony has laminitis is currently on one sachet of bute daily,x rays showed left pedal bone dropped more than right he's had heels,toes shortend and has pads on back of foot (ones dropped off waiting for farrier) and has been much better. Awaiting blood results for cushions and ems. He's currently in a starvation paddock with my shetland and im giving them hay small amounts regulary (was soaking but not good on my back ) . In the ponys previous quarter of an acre paddock I put two hunters in to eat the grass right down to the soil,I have now put up a track system and was going to start putting the ponie's in for 10 mins a day and build it up . Do you think this would be ok to try and if he gets pottery take him straight back out? Thanks
 
I wouldn't let him have any grass until he comes off the bute, otherwise it could mask any deterioration. I would take the vets advice on reintroducing grass tbh, even a very small amount can set the whole thing off again. I would also continue soaking the hay. I soak mine in a tub then tip out the water and rinse it and leave it on the ground to drain before lifting.
 
I am sorry to say I think you are playing with fire looking at grazing and un soaked (untested) hay at this stage. If you drain the water out first the hay is much less heavy. You need fresh water each soak anyway. Also, don't soak in nets, try soaking loose and put wedges in nets once soaked and drained in amounts you can manage, use more nets with less in each.
Look here. http://www.thelaminitissite.org/

ps. I think your plans of track etc. and current bare area with a mate are great but I think you need to wait until blood results and you know exactly what you're dealing with.
 
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If you've got a big supply of hay in it is worth getting it tested for non structural carbs and water soluble carbs. This will tell you if you need to soak the hay, it is best below 10% NSC. Dodson and Horrell do a fairly cheap test I believe so perhaps contact them for advice. Without testing there is no way to know, so if you can't test, always soak in acute laminitis.
 
If you have a stable, deep bed on Shavings and soak hay for at least 6 hours, double net if you have to, if you need to feed in mornings/evenings, Hi Fi Molasses Free plus tens daily balancer plus salt...
NO turnout whilst he still has laminitis, if he is still in pain after a week, you/the vet havent gotten to the bottom of the cause, possibly PPID ( formerly known as cushings) may be an issue, easy to test, manage etc...See the laminitis site for more information plus a link to a FB page where very helpful people may be able to help you.
 
Thank you for your replies. I shall keep him in the starvation paddock but only have 2 weeks left there as then it's getting building work done on it. He's stabled on matting and shavings. We'll know more when his blood results result come back. I've only had him 4 months and he has never enjoyed walking on gravel even with shoes on and then has be intermittently lame. I have soaked a full wheelebarrow full of hay to put in the paddock hope it will be easier on back! Vet was sure he has ems but If he has cushions that has brought on the lami do I still need to be really careful with grass? Thanks
 
he really would be better off the grass completely and in a stable until the attack has stopped, the structures inside the hoof are not stable whilst an attack is acute, stable, deep shavings bed right up to the door and soaked hay are a must until sound without bute
 
Sarah04 said:
Vet was sure he has ems but If he has cushions that has brought on the lami do I still need to be really careful with grass? Thanks
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Its is a very individual thing I'm afraid. Some horses have Cushings and IR.
I suggest you read through the laminitis site and perhaps join their FB group and ask on there for advice. The careful on stones/gravel even with shoes suggests things have been rumbling along for a while. Check for thrush as well but he could have thin soles which will need protection by keeping to softer surfaces or pads. Look at the hoof care sections.
Introducing grass if inflammation is still present is always a bit risky imho.
 
http://www.thelaminitissite.org/irems.html

Have a read in here and maybe join their facebook group for more advice.

Your pony really shouldn't be turned out while he is still on painkillers. Box rest him until he is sound when he is off the painkillers .
It's an individual thing as to what amount of grass he will cope with and you'll just have to monitor him for a while . The track system sound a good idea (for when he is better)depending on how much grass there is in it.
Once he is better, footiness is your early warning alarm alongside a digital pulse which you should get used to taking daily.
If your pony is overweight then you need to get him back in shape using soaked hay and a good balancer or vitamin supplement such as Spillers Lite balancer or Pro Balance + supplement
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PRO-BALAN...t=UK_Horse_Wear_Equipment&hash=item417f939d5a

Good luck...with a bit of work now your pony should recover completely but if you don't do it properly it will rumble on and eventually get worse :)
 
Thank you for all the replies my vet referred him to an equine hospital and the vet there said he could live out 24/7 in the starvation paddock . He's been diagnosed with chronic laminitis . He's currently on happy hoof (was on spillers balancer light but bute didn't mix to well with the pellets ) Im going to weight tape him today he was 476kg last week and im to get him to 400kg ,I think he has lost some weigh or muscle from not been worked but I do think he's better for walking around the starvation paddock he isn't pottery today. I got a tub of laminaze to try has anyone else used this? Will look up the websites .Thanks
 
Before I got him he was stabled 24/7 but when I tried him he seemed fine (not on gravel tho). I had his feet done a few days after he arrived and guessed to start with he was just foot sore after two weeks it didnt improve on the gravel so I got front shoes. He was on and off ok but then he got to the point where he was strongly pulling over to walk on grass verges rather than gravel track I feel so sorry for him now as it must of been so painful for him . He came with a large crest and rings on hoof. He's my first pony and I had a 2 stage vet check done on him.
 
Are you turning out on a vets advice ? I wasn't allowed to put mine out for about 2 months, he had it mild. He was in with a bed at least a foot deep and was only allowed 6lb of soaked hay day and night. He has been muzzled ever since whenever he is turned out and touch wood hasn't had it since.
 
Sarah04 said:
Before I got him he was stabled 24/7 but when I tried him he seemed fine (not on gravel tho). I had his feet done a few days after he arrived and guessed to start with he was just foot sore after two weeks it didnt improve on the gravel so I got front shoes. He was on and off ok but then he got to the point where he was strongly pulling over to walk on grass verges rather than gravel track I feel so sorry for him now as it must of been so painful for him . He came with a large crest and rings on hoof. He's my first pony and I had a 2 stage vet check done on him.
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Did your farrier notice any signs of previous attacks ?
 
Just got the blood sample results and he doesn't have cushions but his insulin levels are slightly high. We will re blood test in 4-6 weeks. So definately no grass!
 
Sarah04 said:
Just got the blood sample results and he doesn't have cushions but his insulin levels are slightly high. We will re blood test in 4-6 weeks. So definately no grass!
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I am relieved as I am reading about a lot of horses with laminitis atm. The grass is obviously still quite dangerous for many.
 
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