Has anyone got a horse/pony that is Insulin resistance??

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Abandluc

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I have just got the blood test results back for our loan pony which has shown he is mildly insulin resistance.

My vet (who also happens to own the pony!) has said it is certainly not an extreme resistance. I have the option of using medication to control this, particularly during spring and autumn but for the time being I am going to try to control it myself by restricting the grass intake and increasing the exercise.

The first symptoms were foot sore after being out over night but thankfully I noticed imediatly and after 2 days off the grass he is fine. But obivously if he was left it would have turned into full blown laminitis.

I'm planning to introduce the grass slowly and with him wearing a muzzle. Hopefully he can go back out overnight in a few weeks on a bareish paddock with the muzzle. Being stabled has made him a bit fresh and daughter is a little worried about riding him like this.

Does anyone else manage a pony with this problem, I'd love to hear your stories and tips!
 
Hi, my loan pony is also mildly insulin resistant. He was tested for this when he kept getting laminitis in winter. At the moment, he is out for about 8 hours a day in his grazing muzzle. He is stabled at night all year round. He has soaked hay, Safe & Sound, Stand Free supplement, and is on Founderguard. I'd be interested to know what medication your vet was considering, as my vet was quite dismissive of it, with the comment, "There's no magic powder for this; he needs lots of exercise!" Which in my opinion is all very well if your pony isn't lame! At the moment, he is sound and quite full of himself! My friend's Welsh cob is very insulin resistant, and has to have a very restricted diet (hay soaked for 24 hours, he is on Bailey's Lo-Cal and hifi lite, and I think he is on a drug called Metformin.) I'd love to hear from anyone in a similar situation. Hints and tips welcome! For example, what vitamin and mineral supplements do others recommend for laminitis-prone ponies?
 
I too have a pony who has been insulin resistant for the last 5+ years, I was also told he has cushings. He is on pergolide (available generically so cheaper than branded) but is on no other meds, I did put him on global herbs lam prone supliment and a Vitex angus suplement, unfortunately he has had repeated laminitus over the years despite being v thin and on no grass. Keep with the feeding regime but one good system is the symple system feeds, it has no added molases and therefore no sugar! worked for Golly for the last 3 years. Just to also say Metformin is used for humans with insulin resistance as it sensitises the body to insulin and is used for patients with Type II diabetes. I've not heard of it used for horses. but in theory should work or at least help - I would check with your vet again
 
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