Lameness experts

[MasterBenedict]

Deep bed, box rest and reassess Monday. Lots of Bute. X Ray's if no improvement.

Just a thought if your boy is still sore you could buy some hoof boots off eBay with some pads to allievate the soreness at the moment until he's gotten over it.. You shouldn't lose any money if you buy second hand and then re sell.

Bless, good luck and I hope it's over as quickly as it all started! I know I would be beside myself if my boy was in that situation. Thank you, if he's still sore I will look into it. thankfully he looked much better today and was happily having a good old charge around the field. Bought him in and no strange gait or pottery-ness so fingers crossed.

 

[[59851]]

He looks similar to the Highland.....although the Highland has more bone to carry the weight, your lad has finer legs which may to some make him look slimmer...he has the same overloaded rump and loaded shoulder which my sec D had when he first arrived with me, he weighed in at 600kg and was disgracefully obese (came from an inhand showing yard) I worked hard over the years with him, but the toll of carrying so much weight as a young horse finally put the end to him as his joints and ligaments started to give up in his mid - teens, he never did stay properly sound, although he never had laminitis....never again would I buy a horse from that sort of background, you need to act now with a sensible diet and get him working as soon as he's sound. Have you thought about asking a feed company to do a yard day and bring a weighbridge? - very interesting to do that and you don't have to buy their feed!!!

 

[MasterBenedict]

He looks similar to the Highland.....although the Highland has more bone to carry the weight, your lad has finer legs which may to some make him look slimmer...he has the same overloaded rump and loaded shoulder which my sec D had when he first arrived with me, he weighed in at 600kg and was disgracefully obese (came from an inhand showing yard) I worked hard over the years with him, but the toll of carrying so much weight as a young horse finally put the end to him as his joints and ligaments started to give up in his mid - teens, he never did stay properly sound, although he never had laminitis....never again would I buy a horse from that sort of background, you need to act now with a sensible diet and get him working as soon as he's sound. Have you thought about asking a feed company to do a yard day and bring a weighbridge? - very interesting to do that and you don't have to buy their feed!!!

Usefully I have a friend who is a baileys representative. She bought the weigh bridge to me so I know his exact weight - 549. Aiming to get to 480 and go from there.

 

[debsflo]

I too think the photos look similar. My mini came down with Laminitis a year ago, tested positive for ems was on box rest for 10 weeks was then muzzled and is now out full time dramatically lighter weight wise. I honestly didn't think she was fat but know when I look at photos I'm mortified....I would be super careful as he looks very fat to me and hopefully you can avert disaster...I know it's stressful but Dec look at getting him tested...best thing I did.

 

[Leo Walker]

That's fine, I was genuinely asking for others opionions, not trying to say he is any slimmer than the other photo. I have seen your posts and can see we are very much in the same boat. Will be interested to see your boys progress and give me inspiration to keep going

Its hard! Its even harder as it seems a lot of horsey people dont recognise fat horses! If you had two horses same point of the scale, but one skinny and one fat then people would be up in arms about the skinny one. If you have a look at some of my other posts you will see how I manage him. Its a very fine line to walk keeping him with 24/7 access to forage but with almost no calories. But he has maintained a good weight previously and having moved him he is steadily dropping weight with no work. So it can be done, its just costing me a fortune! But its worth it Your boy is gorgeous! I have serious spotty horse envy!

 

[[59851]]

Usefully I have a friend who is a baileys representative. She bought the weigh bridge to me so I know his exact weight - 549. Aiming to get to 480 and go from there.

That's great - it's hard work but do-able....much easier to put weight on horses than get it off (much like me!!) Well done for being proactive and getting a plan in place, wish you the best of luck with him, he's a nice horse.

 

[Moomin1]

Urgh how is it fair that my lean fit horse has stress lami and yours has been through the same (with the over trim of the feet), is dangerously overweight and gets away with it.

What a horrid, bitter comment Why would you wish it on any horse?

 

[Michen]

Already apologised to the OP for how that came across Moomin.. And of all the people to pull anyone up for saying something out of turn- I'm not sure you have a leg to stand on given you are known for your rather nasty attitude. Infamously when Torres was put down.

Of course I wouldn't wish it on any horse, that wasn't what I meant, rather that it's my typical luck that mine gets lami despite no weight issues and someone else's doesn't who does have weight issues... It was actually a jibe at my own situation it just wasn't phrased particularly well or with any tact hence my apology.

Crawl back into your dark cave Moomin... I've found the use for that UI button

What a horrid, bitter comment Why would you wish it on any horse?

 

[Michen]

Thanks- me too! It's rotten seeing them in so much pain. Glad he's looking better! X

Bless, good luck and I hope it's over as quickly as it all started! I know I would be beside myself if my boy was in that situation. Thank you, if he's still sore I will look into it. thankfully he looked much better today and was happily having a good old charge around the field. Bought him in and no strange gait or pottery-ness so fingers crossed.

 

[Moomin1]

Already apologised to the OP for how that came across Moomin.. And of all the people to pull anyone up for saying something out of turn- I'm not sure you have a leg to stand on given you are known for your rather nasty attitude. Infamously when Torres was put down.

Of course I wouldn't wish it on any horse, that wasn't what I meant, rather that it's my typical luck that mine gets lami despite no weight issues and someone else's doesn't who does have weight issues... It was actually a jibe at my own situation it just wasn't phrased particularly well or with any tact hence my apology.

Crawl back into your dark cave Moomin... I've found the use for that UI button

I couldn't give a shee ite what I am 'known' for on this forum. I speak as I find things. It always strikes me that those who protest too much have something to hide in any case...

 

[Equi]

I couldn't give a shee ite what I am 'known' for on this forum. I speak as I find things. It always strikes me that those who protest too much have something to hide in any case...

Ever find its always the same people who claim everyone else is a troll? I've also been on that end of the scale for this one particular user. At what point do they stop and think "maybe its me that causes these negative reactions not peoples "trolling" attitudes?"

 

[Moomin1]

Ever find its always the same people who claim everyone else is a troll? I've also been on that end of the scale for this one particular user. At what point do they stop and think "maybe its me that causes these negative reactions not peoples "trolling" attitudes?"

Sorry, confused by that lol. Could you elaborate slightly? Are you implying I am a troll? Because quite frankly, I actually wish I had the time to be one....

 

[Equi]

Sorry, confused by that lol. Could you elaborate slightly? Are you implying I am a troll? Because quite frankly, I actually wish I had the time to be one....

Quite the opposite. Another user tends to call people trolls or imply they are always rude to every poster (like they have just done to you) yet can be quite rude themselves.

 

[Moomin1]

Quite the opposite. Another user tends to call people trolls or imply they are always rude to every poster (like they have just done to you) yet can be quite rude themselves.

I see, apologies lol. I am so tired after work I wasn't sure how to interpret your post haha.

 

[Equi]

I see, apologies lol. I am so tired after work I wasn't sure how to interpret your post haha.

tbf it is 2am and everyone should be in bed!

 

[touchstone]

I'm pleased to see that you're taking everything on board op, fwiw I think it is easy to become used to how our horses look, it is sometimes difficult to view them with a critical eye, and dieting them can be hard work especially when they look at you with those big sad eyes! I'm another who thinks that those photos are very similar, especially bearing in mind the differences in bone and build between the two.

My mare always had to be kept on the lighter side with visible ribs, I couldn't have turned her onto your starvation paddock without her gaining weight or becoming footy or her neck getting cresty.

She was managed on a track that was practically bare and fed soaked hay or and high fibre chaffs. She lived her whole life like this with plenty of work, although it certainly wasn't a cheap option, but she was fit and healthy when properly managed. The difficult part was giving enough food to keep her happy without the calories and grass was definitely the worst offender. I could allow her to graze the whole field in winter, so it wasn't all bad, and it's certainly better than the health issues that carrying excess weight can cause.

It will be lovely to see your horse as a new slimline chap, good luck with it!

 

[Goldenstar]

I took Fatty through a 200 kilo diet .
I just think you have to do it you have to,restrict them till they they start loosing and if they don't you have to restrict them some more .
I think the use of a weight bridge is a big help mine go on a minimum of three times a year .
They have all just been done two weeks ago.
Fatty 16.1 ID resting at the moment was 650 his working weight is 600 /620 and when hard fit he goes down to about 580.
Hero ID in work only 16.2 but a lot of substance 730 in lovely condition he will be a bit lighter when hunting hard.
J 17.2 TB resting ATM 630 looks fantastic I am lightly dieting him he's around 600 kilos in work I take him a bit lighter to hunt .
Tatts 16.3 resting ATM as fat as I like a horse to be 595 when he's hunting and field mastering he will be under 550 .
C 16.2 ISH doing lots of flat work very heavily muscled a little fat as he was still getting fit after his OP 595 .
I gave up on tapes as they where so inaccurate for example under weighing fatty and over estimating J ( because he has huge depth ).
I started weighing really because I got a thing for dosing them the correct amount of drugs for their weight after one incident .
My vet brings the scales here or I pop them down to the surgery .
I think it's as much work to diet a horse well as it is to look after a fit event horse and it costs the same .

 

[MasterBenedict]

Day 6 of The Starved Pony Diaries. I now have to resort to super not-so-stealthy ninja skills to get a mouthful of the green stuff. My field is pretty much bare. It's ok though, I was a bit of a tit hacking out tonight for mum...revenge is sweet XD

 

[Michen]

LOL!!

Day 6 of The Starved Pony Diaries. I now have to resort to super not-so-stealthy ninja skills to get a mouthful of the green stuff. My field is pretty much bare. It's ok though, I was a bit of a tit hacking out tonight for mum...revenge is sweet XD

 

[Leo Walker]

Dear God, dont let the cob see that photo! He is so terrified of the electric fence he keeps a good foot away from it at all times :lol: Plus he would consider your horses current grazing lush, compared to his current mud patch. Its best he doesnt see these things :lol:

 

[AppyLover]

I'm also dealing with a fatty paddock kept pony at the moment (partially due to a few extra lbs and recovering from an injury) and apparently earlier she had limboed up to her withers before she decided that the electric fence hurt lol (Brand new battery on this morning) guess I should put a second row of tape on.

 

[LD&S]

Thanks for asking. He seems much better today and was happily swinging through his back much more with no wierd shuffly movement. I was just worried because it had been 5 days. I have been thinking a lot and because he was sore immediately after the farrier I am certain he just took too much off and made him sore, this coupled with the fact he has recently been turned out with my new horse who is bullying him and running him round has probably contributed.

I am pretty sure this is not laminitis, but I am of course still addressing his weight. I have taken the following pics this morning so I can track progress. I have had him weighed on a weigh bridge and have one at my disposal when needed. I appreciate everyone's views and I certainly don't want to be one of those who says 'oh but he's a cob' or 'he's big boned' and bury my head in the sand, but seriously? I do not agree that he is grossly overweight. In my opinion this is an exaggeration - he does not have fat pads, he does not have a gutter down his spine, his belly cannot be seen sticking out from in front or behind and his ribs can be felt. Yes, he is cresty and needs to drop the pounds but in reality he will never look like a fine boned show pony. His breeding is high % quarter horse and his conformation is definitely not what many people would deem ideal. He has weight to shed and I will be keeping a close eye.

I do of course appreciate and take on board everyone's comments

Now in his restricted paddock not looking very impressed.

Blimey if mine had grass that long they'd think it was their birthday lol

 

[Summer pudding]

Blimey if mine had grass that long they'd think it was their birthday lol

Mine too...he's on similar paddock as we don't have a choice, so is a muzzled fatty. What size is your very pretty pony OP....what did the weigh bridge say, and what is the goal weight please?. I've really struggled with mine finding a muzzle that is comfortable and stays on - I love it when vets etc say 'muzzle it' as if it's that easy. Good luck...we all share your pain, but it's worth it.

 

[MrsMurs]

Read this with interest as have a friend going through a similar thing with hers. Well done Op for getting on top of things and being proactive!
It seems such a fine balance getting grazing right. Our land is currently housing a small herd of cows and some sheep in the attempt to keep the grass under control for when I find a horse. It seems though there is a fine balance between too much grass and stressed grass which can also cause problems! Can anyone tell me what a perfect grazing paddock for horses actually looks like? Obviously appreciate all horses are different and have individual requirements!

 

[touchstone]

Mine had metabolic problems and could only tolerate bare grazing. In theory this would be stressed and full of sugar, but in practice because the amounts were so limited she coped fine. Rough grass with any length, even restricted tended to cause problems. A perfect paddock for me would be the paddock paradise set up.