Laminshield Pure Sachets/Lick

[PrettyPolly]

Just wondered if anyone has used these products with any success for the prevention of Laminitis? I am currently doing everything I can to prevent another onset with my OAP pony who suffered a serious bout last Summer. With the incredible flush of Spring grass that has just appeared, I am willing to try anything that will prevent another onset. I am already limiting grazing by stabling 12 hours per day, electric fencing & she only has a limited amount of forage based SS feed & Formula 4 Feet. Does anyone have any feedback on the Laminshield products? Are there any other products that anyone uses to prevent Laminitis with success? Any feedback would be gratefully received......

 

[custard]

If you cant 'manage' her grazing for any reason have you asked your vet about Founderguard? (it is not available over the counter in the UK)

It is basically an antibiotic which kills the harmful gut bacteria that start the chain reaction which causes laminitis. There will be loads about it on the web but I tend to view it as a last resort.

To be honest Im very sceptical about over the counter stuff and supplements. This is a heart breaking disease for owners and dont the feed companies know it!

By far the best advice I can give is feed hay with a high content of Tomothy grass if you can as it is lower in fructan, some alfalfa and nothing else. If you want to save some cash then deaf the FFF, it is basically alfalfa and never did my horse any good for the 2 years he was on it!

Get a grazing muzzle so the pony has to actually move around for food, thereby keeping her metabollism on the go and you wont go too far wrong.

The book by Robert Eustace is also excellent and is my Bible now.

 

[Marilyn]

I think that supplements can help enormously but this has to be with good management. It might be best to give a few feed companies including Rockies a ring about your particular situation and see what they suggest...they often have good management tips too.

 

[PrettyPolly]

Her grazing is restricted but unfortunately I cannot use a grazing muzzle as her teeth (she is 31) do not meet properly at the front in the middle. This means that she can't "grasp" any grass through the hole in a grazing muzzle (believe me I have tried!) I am very closely monitoring her weight and checking digital pulses twice per day, but I just wondered about increasing her magnesium intake as I have read a lot about spring grass in particular lacking magnesium which in turn can lead to an increased risk of laminitis?

 

[minesadouble]

I have a friend with a chronic laminitic elderly pony who swears by laminaze - and she is normally a total cynic re supplements for lami. Management is the main issue though

 

[touchstone]

Laminshield is simply magnesium oxide - available much more cheaply from www.barefootbasics.co.uk. It does seem to help with the metabolic issues associated with laminitis, and horses on Spring grass are often deficient in magnesium.

 

[brighteyes]

Have you considered Equine Cushing's to be a factor?

 

[PrettyPolly]

She does not display any of the usual symptoms of Cushings and has also had a blood test which did not show anything? She does however have an intolerance to sugars (especially contained in feeds - even supposedly "safe" laminitis approved feeds). Since changing her onto Simple System feeds, she has (touchwood) been fine, but I just wanted to try the extra magnesium as a preventative measure during one the "highest risk" times of the year.....

 

[Kitchingman]

If she had a serious attack of laminitis last year i wouldn' t dare turn her out yet, i'd wait until spring is over and the fields are bare, and even then I would only turn her out after 4pm for a couple of hours. I personally wouldn't want to risk turning out during spring or autumn.

I don't believe any supplement (and i've tried them all) makes it any safer to turn your horse out in the field. I do swear by Formula Feet though, it's a fantastic product.

 

[JackieJATaylor]

I can supply pure magnesium oxide and various other bits and bobs for horses with laminitis/metabolic problems. Just email me on 2007@MetabolicHorse.co.uk for a stocklist.

Jackie