Horrified at horses size

[Annagain]

A friend made the fat and happy choice for her boy, fully expecting him not to last the summer. Although very fat, he never got laminitis and the arthritis (with which he retired) didn't really cause him any trouble either - if anything he was better as was pretty sedate in the field so quietly mooching meant no deterioration. He eventually succumbed to colic 4 years later .

Archie is retired and while he's always been a good weight - never gaining or losing too much, I'd have no hesitation to do the same with him.

 

[Leandy]

Is there no option to keep him somewhere more suitable if the current grazing makes him too fat? Track or similar set up where they have a good natural life but with more activity and less grazing but naturally rather than you artificially restricting grazing and struggling to add exercise. Then he will self regulate much better and is in the same position as the rest of the herd etc and so should be perfectly happy.

 

[Birker2020]

This is what I’ve always leaned to, I just did his weekly SI rug and stuff yesterday and was a bit mind blown at the increase since last week.

Are you sure its not gas from the grass. As this ferments naturally in the belly the horse can look very distended in the flank area. Horses are very dependent on the good bacteria they have in their guts but when there is a problem with these bacteria then the bad bacteria takes over and this can cause them to produce large amounts of gas which is what causes bloat.

My horse used to look 'fat' from behind or in front, but if you studied her carefully you could see her ribs. The situation was made worse by the fact that she used to be ridden at one time quite a bit, especially schooling and when she was no longer ridden as actively through old age her stomach muscles sagged. This also helped to give the impression that she looked fat.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Thanks for all the feedback, it’s always been how I felt.
I’ll try to comment/reply to some points.
Ive tried literally every muzzle I know about and get the same result.
He’s very definitely fat not grass bellied. He has fat pads and a crest.
I do check him more often than once a week but I take his neck back, apply cream as needed, undo the tummy etc. The second it’s off completely he’s practically eating himself. So once a week I swap and usually give him a bath. This is the only time I stand back and see him as a (very large) whole.
I contacted a place that offers hydro therapy but sadly it wasn’t £15! I think it was £45 and about an hour away. So we wouldn’t be able to do it regularly.
He doesn’t have a huge amount of hay when in. He has a pile to last ad lib but it’s only a small amount really. He’s not a piggy horse weirdly.
I *could leave him out but then there’s the flies driving him nuts and I need a routine with the others, one needs prescand and it’s impossible if they are not in a strict routine (for the other pony not fat cob, he’s ok as long as he’s with his friends to get in and out any old time)

 

[poiuytrewq]

Is there no option to keep him somewhere more suitable if the current grazing makes him too fat? Track or similar set up where they have a good natural life but with more activity and less grazing but naturally rather than you artificially restricting grazing and struggling to add exercise. Then he will self regulate much better and is in the same position as the rest of the herd etc and so should be perfectly happy.

I do get what your saying but no not really. The current grazing as I say is really rubbish! We planted it ourselves so it’s a good natural grasses mix for ponies. No rye and never ever fertilised.
Im genuinely flummoxed as to why he’s not skin and bone!
He’s on much the same regime as my Welsh A and Shetland, the Welsh looks good and the Shetland is a tad fatter than ideal but fine. They are muzzled at night is the only difference but they happily accept that.

 

[splashgirl45]

i am with the quality not quantity group, my mare had out of control cushings and was on 4 prascend a day. my vet was in contact with leahurst and they said adding more medication was not going to stop it. she had about 6 months in her same routine, out 24/7 ,come in for an hour or so for a groom etc just not ridden any more so the weight was piling on. she was a bit footy on the friday, i thought she was low grade laminitis and vet agreed it was time. buted her so she was more comfy but kept the same routine and PTS on tuesday. never regretted my decision as it was right for her...

 

[Spirit2021]

just let him be fat and happy.

 

[poiuytrewq]

I’ve just put him out minus the muzzle, he’s wandered away instantly with the others. That’s confirmed that it’s got to be right for him then. Going out last night was horrible and like a different horse.
I am going to cut the balancer because it is an extra going into his mouth, it also contains molasses. Will swap to a powder vitamin supplement.
Will definitely try wandering or marching round the field with him! That would do us all good ?

 

[poiuytrewq]

I just feel guilty that I’m not doing better by him

 

[AandK]

Has he been tested for EMS? I too would be in the fat and happy camp, given the issues he has. I would not want to keep a retired horse in a life of misery and restriction.
Echo what others have said, keep a close eye and be prepared to act fast if anything changes.

 

[cauda equina]

I just feel guilty that I’m not doing better by him

It sounds as if what you're already doing is the best there is, for this horse
We can't fix them all, alas

 

[GG13]

Don’t feel guilty.
I’ve always been of the opinion that I’d rather my horses were happy, even that only be a week, rather than miserable for a year by grazing being severely restricted.

Horses are designed to graze after all and I think if we take that away from them what really is the point.

I’ve got an elderly mare who is living the fatter than ideal but happy life. This is her last summer but if the end comes sooner than planned because of grass then so be it. So far she hasn’t actually ballooned as I’d feared

If it makes you feel better, my vet is in agreement with the let them be fat and happy for their last weeks/months

 

[Annagain]

I just feel guilty that I’m not doing better by him

You absolutely are doing the best for him. You're making sure that he's happy now and that he isn't suffering now and that's what's important. Without wanting to sound too blunt, you need to manage his present not his future and that's exactly what you're doing.

 

[ycbm]

I just feel guilty that I’m not doing better by him

He's a happy retired pain-controlled horse. What definition of "better" are you trying to reach? Cut yourself some slack, P, you're doing fine.
.

 

[poiuytrewq]

I guess so. I’ve always been a believer that horses live for the moment.
I just keep getting these photos ping up on FB of him at competitions or hunting with my daughter and he looked so good. It’s tough seeing them get old.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Has he been tested for EMS? I too would be in the fat and happy camp, given the issues he has. I would not want to keep a retired horse in a life of misery and restriction.
Echo what others have said, keep a close eye and be prepared to act fast if anything changes.

He’s been tested a few times over the past few years for anything metabolic as I’m pretty convinced.
Always come back fine.
As I understand the only treatment for EMS is weight loss anyway which I can’t seem to do!

 

[splashgirl45]

you are doing the best you can for him, im sure he is very happy out with his friends and eating grass...

 

[AandK]

He’s been tested a few times over the past few years for anything metabolic as I’m pretty convinced.
Always come back fine.
As I understand the only treatment for EMS is weight loss anyway which I can’t seem to do!

There is a medication you can give for EMS, my understanding is it’s very hard to get horses with this to a healthy weight unless they have the medication (metformin I think?). It can be reversed so to speak, if you get the weight down to a healthy level. There are a couple of ponies on my yard with EMS, the medication has been key to them dropping to a healthier weight.

 

[windand rain]

I too am in the fat short life camp. My pony had laminitis 5 year ago hasnt had it since but he has been/willbe on a track. The grass is refusing to grow so it has been sprayed and fertilised it will be available for use at the beginning of July He is currently a bit thin think he could use knocking out and his teeth doing but am sure he isn't in pain (he hates people to the point of being dangerous) If wonky teeth are not hurting him but keeping his weight down so be it. He won't let a vet near him to sedate him won't eat doctored food and he doesnt quid or any usual signs of a sore mouth except eating slowly. If he gets poorly in any way he will be PTS.

 

[ITPersonnage]

There is a medication you can give for EMS, my understanding is it’s very hard to get horses with this to a healthy weight unless they have the medication (metformin I think?). It can be reversed so to speak, if you get the weight down to a healthy level. There are a couple of ponies on my yard with EMS, the medication has been key to them dropping to a healthier weight.

This is correct but would it be ethical to treat the horse long term whilst allowing it to eat ad lib? Not sure my vet would have agreed with this strategy. Metformin is really good, don't get me wrong but it's also ££££ and I get the feeling the OP just want the horse to live out its days with minimum intervention, which I think is fair enough.

 

[Goldenstar]

This is where I am at Fatty .
No more strips and mini tracks he’s out with his mates on about six acres I put them in before the grass got away .
He comes in all day with his friends .
He is too fat but he’s not ballooning if he founders I will let him go ,
My fields look awful though .

 

[AandK]

This is correct but would it be ethical to treat the horse long term whilst allowing it to eat ad lib? Not sure my vet would have agreed with this strategy. Metformin is really good, don't get me wrong but it's also ££££ and I get the feeling the OP just want the horse to live out its days with minimum intervention, which I think is fair enough.

I agree. I was just referencing OP saying no treatment for EMS other than weight loss, which isn’t the case. Horse has already been tested anyway.
My earlier reply said I’d let the horse eat and monitor to act if anything changes. I stand by that.

 

[poiuytrewq]

This is correct but would it be ethical to treat the horse long term whilst allowing it to eat ad lib? Not sure my vet would have agreed with this strategy. Metformin is really good, don't get me wrong but it's also ££££ and I get the feeling the OP just want the horse to live out its days with minimum intervention, which I think is fair enough.

Yes, this is kind of right. Unless of course a super vet came along and promised an instant fix to all his issues in which case I’d honestly sell a kidney and max the credit cards.
Sadly it’s not possible

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

This is where I am at Fatty .
No more strips and mini tracks he’s out with his mates on about six acres I put them in before the grass got away .
He comes in all day with his friends .
He is too fat but he’s not ballooning if he founders I will let him go ,
My fields look awful though .

I would let him go at the 1st sign of laminitis, rather wait until he founders!

 

[spotty_pony]

I’m all for quality of retirement over quantity.
I would 100% go fat, happy and buted (provided you literally aren’t letting him stuff his face on rich grass) BUT be very set in your mind to act on the PTS the nanosecond the quality balance tips, no dithering

This. My mare is 29 and is retiredand on one Danilon per day. Some may remember I posted recently about her being stiffer behind. I have started her on Glucosamine and the difference it has made is huge! She had cushings but is not the laminitic kind and not fat but she had lots of grass. If anything changes and she goes downhill suddenly I am always prepared to have to make the decision, and time will tell if she gets stiffer as the weather changes again. I think you just have to play it by ear with the older ones whilst giving them the best quality of life that you can give them.

 

[splashgirl45]

This. My mare is 29 and is retiredand on one Danilon per day. Some may remember I posted recently about her being stiffer behind. I have started her on Glucosamine and the difference it has made is huge! She had cushings but is not the laminitic kind and not fat but she had lots of grass. If anything changes and she goes downhill suddenly I am always prepared to have to make the decision, and time will tell if she gets stiffer as the weather changes again. I think you just have to play it by ear with the older ones whilst giving them the best quality of life that you can give them.

can you tell me how you know she has cushings . i thought all cases of cushings are likely to get laminitis even if they are not fat

 

[eahotson]

I just feel guilty that I’m not doing better by him

Oh gosh love.You are doing far better than most.

 

[spotty_pony]

can you tell me how you know she has cushings . i thought all cases of cushings are likely to get laminitis even if they are not fat

she was tested 5 years ago and her levels are above what they are meant to be. No, not all get laminitis although it is more common than not that they are prone to it.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Oh gosh love.You are doing far better than most.

Appreciate that. Thank you