Laminitis in elderly ponies

[FarplaceRescue]

I have 3 rescued ponies, aged 25, 30 and 35 yrs. All are prone to laminitis, and the 35 yr old is also arthritic. They are currently on hay and dengies laminitis food, with zero grazing. They see the farrier and vet regularly.
Does "Restricted Grazing" mean zero grazing... or am I being cruel?

 

[bensababy]

When you say zero grazing - where do they go?
Mine is a 18 year old cushings/laminitis sufferer and is out 24/7 with a muzzle - couple of hours break from it in evening. Touch wood i have never had a problem with muzzling, at least he is able to go out and stretch.
Do you soak the hay?

 

[LucyPriory]

Depends on causal factor for laminitis. 66% is obesity related, the rest, cushings, IR etc.

If cushings or IR you may need meds to help, ask your vet and join the ECIR Yahoo group. If your ponies have IR then they may not be able to cope with any grass at all.

If obesity then the answer is a steady weight reduction plan.

IMO the various laminitic branded foods are not terribly helpful. The ECIR recommended diet however is great and not expensive.

You may need to soak your hay to remove sugar.

 

[hayley123horses]

I would also recomend to get them tested for cushings, my old girl is 28 and has cushings but I keep her on a small paddock with older Hay and this combined with her pergolide tablets keep her weight in control.