pony with laminitis

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georgiesmum

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I have just recently got a little pony for my daughter and was told that she had never ever had laminitis, but had the farrier out yesterday and he said at some point in her life she has had it. Now i have never ever had experience with laminitis so please can someone tell me what i have to do?
many thanks in advance
 
The main thing is to keep sugar levels down. Keep spring grazing to a minimum and also during the autumn flush. I strip graze mine. Don't allow pony to become overweight. Don't overfeed, most small ponies just need chaff ( Hi Fi Lite) and a good vitamin supplement.

Don't turn out on frosted grass as the sugars in the grass rise to the top.
Google laminitis, loads of information on there.

Hope that is of some use.

Jane
 
Hi, what you have to do is ensure above all else that your pony does not get laminitis! I have been going through the trauma of this with my horse recently and not out of the woods yet. I recommend that you have a look at the Laminitis Clinic website and perhaps purchase a book if need be.
You need to keep your pony's weight down to a condition score of 2.5 to 3, so that you can feel ribs but not see them and ensure that there are no lumps and bumps of excess fat anywhere at any time of year. There are some good websites that show you how to condition score and it would also be worth buying a weight tape and checking your pony's weight on a weekly basis...that way you can adjust her feed accordingly.
Restrict grass at all times of year either by strip grazing, using a muzzle or having her off the grass for periods of time. Feed her a fibre based diet and keep away from concentrates. The key to it all is the grass being limited especially during the spring and autumn - and for me that means from April to June and from August to Nov inclusive and exercise, keep her well exercised as this will keep her trim and be good for circulation (feet).
There is loads of information on the internet and if in any doubt I am sure your vet will help too.
 
As Whyworry said. Some ponies are more sensitive to getting lami again than others. My 2 for example I can turn out on frosty grass and have never had any problems, but I have to be very careful in the spring/summer/autumn to keep them slim and keep their diet as low sugar as possible. Make sure you dont feed anything other than lami approved feed (its on the bag) and be VERY careful about the grazing. Mine stay in one small paddock during the lami-season and get given hay instead.
 
There are so many different things that will trigger Laminitis and one of the less known ones is emerging encysted small red worms so use a wormer that is specific to these at least twice a year and especially in October. Also pick up the poos in the horses field each day to avoid an increase in worms.

Keep the weight of your horse well down so that you can see it's ribs and haunches and keep it on restricted grazing and if possible on old mature grassland.

Give your horse old low nutrition hay and soak it for one hour before feeding to remove the nutrients.

Give your horse a daily measure of Formula 4 Feet.

The Laminitis Clinic Website (Dr Robert Eustace) is excellent.
 
Keep on resricted grazing all year round dont turn out on on frosty grass only feed lammi proven feeds and keep feet in excellent condition if on hay soak it for at least 12hrs!
 
my shetty has hade it all his life according to previous owners you have to moniter them all the year muzzle in summer in at night be carefull of frosty grass magnisiun oxide can help with the exess fat 4gms per 100g of body weight keep feet well trimed and remember if they are prone and you are awere of it they didnt get it you allowed it to happen thats the way i manage it.
 
Be over cautious and very vigilant. It can strike when you least expect it. It is really painful for the horse.

Everyone's advice above is great. Prevention really is the key.

But it is not all doom and gloom. Dads little mare had it this summer. Previous owners didn't tell us she had it before and little monkey kept jumping out of her paddock. Anyway, we acted quickly and got vet involved immediately. Luckily she was ok and since then she has been leading a normal life. Hunting, jumping, dressage hacking etc. You just have to look after them well. Good luck
 
ALL of the above (sound and anecdotally proven
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) plus, as your pony reaches mid to late teens, if it hasn't already done so, watch for the signs of Cushing's disease. The main ones are long, slow to shed winter coats which do come away but are immediately replaced by the next one, excessive thirst and urination, a ribby, pot-bellied appearance and huge appetite (and yes, I know ponies qualify almost across the board on that one!) fat pads above the eyes and occasionally vision problems which may cause head pressing and depression. Oh and laminitis, in early autumn and for no apparent reason. You have paid total attention to bodyweight and care with grazing types, times, recommendations and everyone, yourself included, assumes you have been caught napping with the late flush of grass or ponio has been overfed somehow... If you find laminitis for no reason and it baffles you, think Cushing's.

If your pony ever looks 'not quite right' in the foot and walking department, a tad stiff or cannot turn a tight circle without stepping round with each foot (rather, they tend to swivel on their hinds whilst pottering gingerly in front) then immediately go to laminitis clampdown and get pony onto deep shavings, feed only small amounts of well soaked hay AND GET THE VET, straight away and without delay! That might prevent a very long and miserable time for all concerned and even losing the pony prematurely.

I wish you well and lots of fun - ponies are THE BEST!
 
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