Laminitis Management

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Samantha008

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Im getting a new loan horse next week, and hes great apart from the fact that hes had lami about a year ago for 2 weeks. His ownder doesnt do anythign differently now other than muzzle him when theres fresh new grass and i just wanted to check that theres nothing i should/ shouldnt be doing. I have another horse who is on turnout so i want him out with her as much as possible. Will he be ok out through the winter? I do have a stable i just dont liek using it all that often. (i will if i have too) What routine would you have?

Please dont tell me hes not the right horse for me, its really hard to find loan horses that are tall enough and at a good age without something really wrong and as far as problems go this one is manageable! Hes such a good horse that i cant say no becasue of this. His owner says she doubts hell get it again, it was the grass at her old livery yard where most of the horses got lami, she moved him and hes been fine eversince. Hes 13yr old tbx.

Thanks
 
My warmblood x had lami earlier this year for 5months. There were some tense moments but luckily she's come through and I'm riding her again :)

I have her muzzzled if she goes out and she's only out for a maximum of 5hours as our grazing is rich. She is stabled and given weighed soaked hay, magnesium and 1 scoop of happy hoof morning and night. I exercise her every day and weigh her every 2weeks just to keep checking her weight as she's such a good doer. She has the farrier every 5weeks and cross fingers we don't have another bout.

Good luck with your loan horse.
 
If he's perfect in every other way then don't let it put you off. Yes you will have to monitor grass levels, the horse's weight and other factors (frosty grass can kick start an attack of laminitis for example) - but we should all be doing those things for all horses, not just ones who've had lami in the past. At least you know about it! I'm assuming his hooves are in a reasonable condition now and not showing any signs of damage - such as white line disease, cracking/crumbling hoof wall, losing shoes etc?
 
I've got a loan pony that's had laminitis and has EMS (diabetes and insulin resistance). I already had a pony with a similar condition so knew what I was letting myself in for! This one's a perfect first pony, and I know how hard it is to get a good loan horse!

Management wise we keep the pony out 24/7 and on weighed, soaked hay (based on 2% body weight) in an 'almost-mud' paddock. She also has a feed balancer designed for laminitics. I monitor her digital pulses daily, especially when there was a tiny picking of grass and she would be removed from grass if there's any frost, or milder sunny days. She's also exercised as much as I'm able (which is only a few times a week in this weather). I'm hoping that next year she'll be able to tolerate more grass.

Laminitics do take considerable more management than other horses/ponies, and you will need to be extra carefull initially and learn to recognise the early signs. If you monitor carefully and take action (bring in off grass, give soaked hay, monitor pulses), then you should be OK. You really don't know if the pony is likely to have another attack as there are lots of triggers, including stress which will happen when you move the horse. Make sure you read lots about this condition as it will really help.

Sue
 
Great that your getting this loan horse and you are aware of his Lami...BUT laminitis can come back at any given time, not just in spring and autumn when the sugar levels are highest, My lad was a laminitic too so had to watch his weight sooo carefully he was allowed out for a few hours a day, fed only soaked hay or blue haylage from marksway his feet were always kept upto date and had to ensure I had a great farrier, he had a nasty bout in winter a couple of yrs ago where he had to kept in and bedded up to the max...no concrete at all, I would also check his pulses daily and if he was tiny tiny bit foot sore I would check for lami...etc...his hooves were OK not great condition.
I also fed him Happy hoof and with garlic supplement.

Good luck with him but please read up on it and educate yourself to signs etc.....and if you are unsure about anything always seek advice.
 
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