How do you manage your EMS horses?

[kinnygirl1]

Horse recently diagnosed with EMS. He has not had a lami attack but was getting a cresty neck and weeing and drinking lots which aroused my suspicions. So just wondering how people manage on a day to day basis once any lami is under control in terms of turn out, muzzling etc and whether anyone uses Metformin or supplements? Thanks in advance.

 

[Zuzzie]

Hi. My 24 year old EMS horse had to go on an immediate diet as he was overweight. All sugars were taken out of his diet. He was restricted to Hi Fi Molasses free chaff, molasses free sugar beet and a feed balancer. Hay is soaked for 4 hours to reduce the sugar content and the amount of hay is strictly controlled. No apples or carrots. Grazing initially in a muzzle but now his weight has come right down he is allowed to graze for 3 hours without the muzzle. He was tested for Cushings twice with negative results, however, he was still lethargic and had a thickish coat so I asked the vet if he could go on a trial of Prascend for 60 days. Pleased to say he is looking and feeling much better. Didn't get prescribed Metformin as my horse was not insured and the vet thought it isn't always helpful.

Buy a weight tape and keep a note of the weight loss so you can monitor the situation. Also, take a look at The Laminitis Site as there is a wealth of helpful information on there about EMS etc.

EMS and Cushings are precursors for laminitis. If you haven't had a Cushings test then I would definitely get it done. Hope this helps. Good luck.