Laminitis Help

[Shetland1973]

I rescued a 10 hand Shetland last year. It is a stunningly typical Shetland. The Farrier warned me about it being laminitic. It wintered out and was looking stunning. I was planning on bringing her in for the summer. Just before I did there was a couple of sharp frosts followed by warm spring days which I guess built up the nitrate levels in the grass, over night I found the poor wee thing lying down in the field unable to walk. After some beaut and encouragement I got her standing and managed to get her into her stable. She is now recovered again and the farrier is also happy with her progress. I guess my question is has anyone any expeirence in this can I let her out at all during the summer months. Please Help !!!!

 

[MinskiKaii]

| rescued a mini shetland that had laminitis in all 4 feet when I got him. He was fine to be turned out as long as he wore his grazing muzzle. I got one from Dinky Rugs and the fit well. Dont rub and meant he could be out with my mares.

 

[kerilli]

a grazing muzzle is a great idea, and/or talk to your vet. but, beware feeding carrots (high sugar) beware frosts as you know, and don't trust that she'll be smart enough not to get laminitis again... it is all about prevention. soaking hay for ages to leach out all the good stuff works, she's better turned out on say a sand area with soaked hay, that's guaranteed safe...

 

[WandaMare]

I would go with advice from your vet. Its sound as though she had quite a bad dose of laminitis so I would be very cautious about letting her back out on grass. I have a pony who has had a couple of bad flare ups of laminitis and he hasn't been able to cope with much more than 1 hour turnout a day when the grass is good. I keep him turned out on a dirt paddock with soaked hay for the rest of the day.

 

[canteron]

Have you had an IR Test Done (insulin resistance?). I am in the process of having this done on my old boy, it apparently gives an idea of how prone to laminitus your horse is and isn't a particularly expensive test.

I also understand (and if anyone knows more than I do please tell) that they have some drugs they can now give horses which may help deposits of fat to break down - and the horse then becomes less prone to laminitus.

May be completely irrelevant in your case - but maybe worth a chat to the vet?

 

[frozzy]

As the present owner of several welshies and former owner of a mini shetland I have had to work hard at keeping them all laminitis free. These small natives require the poorest grazing available as they really do get fat on fresh air. A grazing muzzle is a must from the end of February to the end of October if living out on grass. The other issue is exercise. They need to be kept fit to reduce the chance of taking laminitis. Difficult with a mini. As others have said a sand school with soaked hay is just the job!! One of my cob mares spent the entire summer in the sand school last year with soaked hay twice a day. She stayed sound and was ridden every day. At the end of October she got turned out with the rest of the herd on 27 acres and wintered very well and was removed from the field on the last day of February. It is an art feeding little native ponies and keeping them well and laminitis free.