Laminitis advice please

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mooniemoo

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I have recently taken on a 19 yr old welsh section a gelding. He was due to be put down as his owner could not afford him anymore(others weren't so lucky). I know he had laminitis about 5 yrs ago, but my farrier said there is no sign of it in his feet. His previous owner has grazed him the last couple of summers but her management and mine differs. She won't turn out in rain wind snow etc,so it was only couple of hours here and there.I really need him to be out in the summer. With me he gets 1 feed of plain chaff 1/3 scoop and handful of Spillers light balancer, 1 small haynet over night of plain hay and turn out in morning on all weather patch with 1 section of hay. I have lunged him and now hacking him out off my pony. He is so much happier and calmer. My daughter will start riding him at weekends soon so he will have more excercise. Will I ever be able to turn him out ? was planning on strip grazing him with my pony. I'm very aware of Laminitis but never had one who has actually had it. Would like some ideas of regime etc. Thanks and sorry for the long winded post!
 
I think that they can be kept out with no problems as long as grazing is restricted, so either strip grazing, starvation paddock, track system or grazing muzzle.

If he's getting plenty of exercise then that should help too. Last summer I managed mine by turning out during the day muzzled and putting on a starvation patch/track with soaked hay overnight.

Here's hoping you enjoy plenty more laminitis free years together. :)
 
Agree with Touchstone - my mare had laminitis for the 1st time 1 1/2 years ago and she is kept out 24/7. Have to watch I don't over feed her in the winter so that she loses weight gradually and I weigh her hay cause it actually looks like I'm not feeding her enough but I know that I am because of that. I have a muzzle just in case but didn't need to use it last year and I weigh tape her all the time. Enjoy
 
You will need to keep the weight of the pony down so that you can see it's ribs and haunches as this will reduce the chances of laminitis..
If you are keeping your pony out on grass then the type of grass is critical. Traditional old pasture grasses are far safer than rye grasses.
Keep your horse in a small area of grass and ensure that the poos are picked up each day and that your pony is wormed regularly against encysted small red worms (not detected in a worm count - only detected in bloods).
Also ask your vet to teach you how to take the digital pulse of your ponies feet so that you can detect any changes which may indicate an onset of laminitis.
 
At the talk I went to recently, the vet said the main things were to keep the animal slim and exercise it for min. 20 mins per day, everyday! I try to do this with my mare and in the Summer I do restrict her time out and keep her in a smaller paddock.
 
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