Managing Azotoria

[thehorsediva]

Hi,
I have a 12year old 16h coloured cob who suffered a bad azotoria attack about year and a half ago. Since then I have managed to prevent it happening again but i am paranoid about it reoccuring. He is usually very forward going but the last two rides this week he has seemed a bit slugish and maybe sweating between his hinds (though equally this could just be splash from the water on ground i cant tell!). Normally he is very fizzy and fast so he doesnt have any hard feed unless I ride him when he has 2 scoops hi fi light and 2 scoops of general vitamin supplement. He has haynet overnight 2 1/2 sections, and section in morning, plus he is turned out during the day but the grass isnt great at the mo. I am worried he isnt getting enough nutrients- should I start feeding him daily? He isnt doing any more work but he did only come in about a month ago for winter. Any other tips on how to ensure it doesnt occur again? I am worried he isn't feeling too good as its so unusual for him to be a plod but equally maybe its my paronia!!! what are the first signs i should be looking out for? he seems really well in himself, is a good weight, has a blanket clip and was full of energy to ride only a week ago i could barely stop him! any general advice would be really appreciated.

 

[christinao]

an old horseman once told me to put a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda in the feed once a day (get it from coooking dept in any suoermarket) and that seems to help. But hi-fi is not hard feed anyway it is just chopped dried grass of some variety so perhaps you need to give him something exttra over the winter. I would suggest starting off with something grass based and inofffensive like horse and pony nuts (dont use mixes, the molasses used to mix them makes them too sugary IMO for this sort of horse.).

 

[trick123]

We manage our 4* eventer with tying up [azotaria] We give ours stud balancer, outshine and pony nuts, some beet and alfa a, but we were given this diet after talking to Caroline at Baileys, it is free, the consultation. And touch wood we have only had a couple of relapses in 10 years. Oh and we also don't let him have any rich grass as this seems to trigger a bout.

 

[Marilyn]

I would do as macidoodle says- speak to Baileys and maybe Dengie or someone else too about feeding and what could wok for your horse. It's free and they are experts- of course, they will reccommend their products BUt they will also give you a lot of advice that you can then go and make your own decision with.

 

[Saints_fan88]

Just to add to the good points above, with my boy it was a case of an electrolyte imbalance so now we have to give him salts in his feed whenever he's sweated up working. Hasn't relapsed all year.

 

[royal]

Absolutely 100% agree with the sodium bicarbonate...my hoss suffered really badly from azortoria to the extent where just about anything set it off!
Since adding about 1/2 desert spoon of bicarb each day, she has been fantastic....it works by helping to stop the production of lactic acid which is the major contributor to tying up - she looks better, moves better and this week was kept in for 3 days for worming and worked brilliantly without an episode (that is the longest we have ever been able to keep her in without tying up!). However, it isn't competition legal (google 'milkshakes' in race horses) so if you compete may be a problem.
As for feed, as much fibre and as little starch and sugar as possible....there are a number of suitable feeds depending on your level of work etc...D&H Equine Sensitive is great for those in light work, Winergy feeds also good....
Can be caused by many many things, keeping stabled, excess grass intake, excess feed to work ratio, lack of electrolytes etc...
Can be managed as others have said, but agree, dont' think you ever stop being a little 'concerned' (ie: paranoid) about it!!

 

[SirenaXVI]

[ QUOTE ]
Hi,
I have a 12year old 16h coloured cob who suffered a bad azotoria attack about year and a half ago. Since then I have managed to prevent it happening again but i am paranoid about it reoccuring. He is usually very forward going but the last two rides this week he has seemed a bit slugish and maybe sweating between his hinds (though equally this could just be splash from the water on ground i cant tell!). Normally he is very fizzy and fast so he doesnt have any hard feed unless I ride him when he has 2 scoops hi fi light and 2 scoops of general vitamin supplement. He has haynet overnight 2 1/2 sections, and section in morning, plus he is turned out during the day but the grass isnt great at the mo. I am worried he isnt getting enough nutrients- should I start feeding him daily? He isnt doing any more work but he did only come in about a month ago for winter. Any other tips on how to ensure it doesnt occur again? I am worried he isn't feeling too good as its so unusual for him to be a plod but equally maybe its my paronia!!! what are the first signs i should be looking out for? he seems really well in himself, is a good weight, has a blanket clip and was full of energy to ride only a week ago i could barely stop him! any general advice would be really appreciated.

[/ QUOTE ]

I would try the bicarbonate of soda just to be on the safe side, but it could also just be that he needs more energy, try adding oil to his feeds BUT if you do, make sure you give him extra VIT E/Selenium. The easiest way to do this is by adding either Triple Top Up or Outshine to his feed. The other thing to think about is adding salt to his diet, sometimes that alone can make all the difference.