Managing a Pony AT RISK from Laminitis

J

Joyous70

Well-Known Member
Joined
4 August 2010
Messages
1,953
Visit site
Can you help me, ive been advised by my vet after my boy has had injections to his coffin joints, that he is at a VERY high risk of laminitis.

I have been told to cut down his grass/hay intake by 25-30%, at the moment he is on two days box rest, so getting very minimal amount of hay, but when his box rest is over is my main concern. There are several options, but im unsure as to which would suit my boy best, i am considering any of the following:-

In 23/7 with an hour turnout whilst i muck out his stable

In during the day, out at night with grazing muzzle

In during the day, out at night with a postage stamp in his main paddock with his field buddy.

Or a mixture of any of the above.

Any advice?
 
I'd prefer the in during the day option feeding soaked hay and out at night, either muzzled or in a small area. Mine is kept out 24/7 using a track system or grazing a smaller area hard with sheep and feeding additional forage.
 
My mare is very prone and as she won't wear a muzzle/stay in pens and my grass is way too lush she's only out for 2/3 hours a day and seems to be doing well on it :) she spends most of her time out bombing about, racehorse impressions, bucking/rearing/sliding stops which might not be a good idea for yours if he's had to have injections in the joint? All about weighing up the pros and cons for your individual horse!
 
I think the quality of the grass effects the choice too. We've had ponies that have had it in the past on our yard which has plenty of low quality grazing. Usually out with a muzzle 24/7. If they aren't getting enough forage that way then either in for the day with hay, or in a small bare lami paddock we have with hay for a few hours. Provided the grazing is suitable to eat through a muzzle they are better off out & moving about than stood in. Anything in a muzzle usually gets a few hours without in the lami paddock with a companion so they can have a play & a groom each day.
 
I have had to keep my 6 yo native pony grass free with my big CB lad.. I am lucky that I have always had the facilities to keep them out but not on grass.. I hand graze and allow a couple hours here and there a day but am very vigilant for heat and pulses.. My old vet said if they can't stay out in a field for any reason they should be pts as no quality of life.. I had a few things to say about that! Muzzles are impossible to keep on..
 
All our lami high risks are turned out 24/7. They are initially patched in very small areas which are widened slowly to what they cope with. Or on areas which have been patched and eaten down. They are supplimented with small amounts of hay until the paddock sustains them, or if the paddock stays less than a sustainable amount. They are continually monitored.
One very at risk recently (not one with history or patched) was turned out into a small paddock which had been eaten down first.

(Touch wood) the patched ones have never had problems and have plenty of room to hoon about still.

At my last yard this would have been impossible as the non-horsey yard owners fertilised to the point that every horse out was in knee high, very rich grass, muzzled 24/7 and the at risks were only taken out of stables to stretch their legs.

Always worth having starvation paddocks or areas to patch at a moments notice.
In emergency stabling I always soak hay before feeding too, but not as a general rule.

Pan
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top