Putting weight on a laminitic

[windand rain]

Thinking maybe getting close to call time on the evil dartmoor. We let him lose weight over winter so we can let him graze in summer but this is the first year he hasnt ballooned in weight on grass. He looks quite ribby so is on sooth and gain but it doesnt seem to be helping him pick up. He is as fit as a flea looks really well just not gaining weight like he usually does. I would like him a bit rounder going into winter. It is a balancing act with him. Musing really he was on linseed in winter but still was slim coming into Spring. You can feel his ribs easily and see them on the turn by now I would expect him to be well covered. His little field mate is chubby and working every day. He eats when she is out working. Hay, extra grass feed etc he is on the track with her but it is a grass track

 

[Auslander]

Sounds ideal for a lami prone pony - the last thing I would be worried about was him not ballooning in weight on grass. If he's fit and well,, I wouldn't say that you had anything to worry about. I try and keep my lami prone livery on the lean side all year round - fluctuations in weight are the last thing she needs

 

[Mule]

Sounds ideal for a lami prone pony - the last thing I would be worried about was him not ballooning in weight on grass. If he's fit and well,, I wouldn't say that you had anything to worry about. I try and keep my lami prone livery on the lean side all year round - fluctuations in weight are the last thing she needs

I feel the same way. If they have cushings the ribby look with bigger tummy is common anyway. An old family pet of ours has cushings and unfortunately has laminitis attacks, the most recent one being over a month ago. The lighter she is the better it is for her hooves and general health too, I believe.

 

[meleeka]

Have you had a test for Cushings? It sounds pretty classic symptoms to me. It’ll either be that or his teeth I expect.

 

[Nari]

That's the weight I aim to keep my laminitic at - it's not too thin, it's ideal, and the last thing I'd be looking to do is fatten him up. If you haven't already had teeth checked and a worm count done then there's never any harm in getting them done, and a test for Cushings may not go amiss, but please don't try to fatten him up.