Putting weight on horses at risk with laminitis?

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KiaKaha

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We have a Thoroughbred that needs to put weight on and we have recently started feeding a bit of barley for weight gain but seems he is developing signs of laminitis. He has been on oats in the past and seemed the same in terms of symptoms - nothing too bad but enough to make me want to change his feed.

So what can i feed him that will put condition on him? a high fibre chaff with oil added perhaps?

Thanks.
 
Personally I would speak to your Feed Merchant as they will have the best knowledge of feed and its nutritional values for your needs.
 
Call some of the feed companies and the Laminitis trust. Laminitis can be caused by an overload of starch or sugar, concussion, stress or retained placenta (ok, maybe not in this case!). It's not just a disease of "fat ponies". I would remove any access to the spring grass, feed ad lib soaked hay, then fibre and oil all the way. Avoid cereals and look for feeds that are laminitis trust approved. The feed companies will be able to recommend some feeds wich are based on fibre and oil and have a low starch level these will range from low calorie like Happy Hoof, to higher calorie if the horse is underweight such as Spillers Response Slow Release Cubes or Winergy Equilibrium Growth (althought these wont be laminitis trust approved the starch level in them is good). An underweight laminitic must be managed very carefully and I would definitely get advice from feed companies, laminitis trust and your vet if the symptoms persist or worsen.
 
Personally I would speak to your Feed Merchant as they will have the best knowledge of feed and its nutritional values for your needs.
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Actually they are the last people that I would talk to - unless you have an exceptional feed merchant!! :D

Is he really underweight such that you are concerned?

There are a number of safer feeds you can put into the diet to add condition - have a look in the UKNHCP forum where you will find a number fo folks who are actively managing diets of laminitic horses, some at competition level.

For my lads, I add in linseed meal - it really is the best way to feed oil - better than a liquid, and would think about Copra meal as it comes recommended by several of the folks doing rehab work. Fill up with more unmollassed SB, and of course make sure there is plenty of good hay (rinsed if you need to).

Maybe I'd be quite cautious with grains, especially barley, or with the oats for a lami. Of course you need to ask why he is underweight - check worm counts and so on. Possibly he is in low grade pain and is not eating? What is his appetite like?

A vet might want to do blood tests?
 
Definitely ring the laminitis clinic!

Years ago I had a horse that I sent away on loan- the loanee rang me to say the horse was lame. The condition and state I found him brought tears to mine and my vets eyes! He was seriously underweight, had abscesses in all four feet and laminitis (stress? concussive? Not sure...). The vet and farrier suggested we give him beet pulp, which we did and that helped lots. Fibre fibre fibre!
 
brucea said:
Actually they are the last people that I would talk to - unless you have an exceptional feed merchant!! :D
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I actually take offence to that comment.:mad: I have worked at the local merchant's for 10 years and can offer INDEPENDANT advice and often know the person and their horse as well. I have qualifications in equine nutrition as well as an AMTRA qualification, so feel I am well placed to offer advice.
 
Personally if your horse is showing signs of lami then I would call the vet.

Diet wise I would probably feed something like Fibergy, Spillers high fibre cubes and Speedi-beet. All approved by the lami Society. The Speedi-beet will help with weight gain. It MUST be Speedi-beet and not mollassed Sugarbeet!

I would also just run this diet past the vet or give the lami Society a call just so you know that you are feeding correctly. They may also be able to advise you of correct amounts to feed.

Ensure you feed little and often and for a few days, bring the Horse in off the grass with a soaked hay.

Weigh tape once a week and make sure that your horse does not put on the weight too quickly as EMS could follow and doesnt always effect fat horses either!

Hope your Horse is ok x
 
KiaKaha said:
We have a Thoroughbred that needs to put weight on and we have recently started feeding a bit of barley for weight gain but seems he is developing signs of laminitis. He has been on oats in the past and seemed the same in terms of symptoms - nothing too bad but enough to make me want to change his feed.

So what can i feed him that will put condition on him? a high fibre chaff with oil added perhaps?

Thanks.
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Number one - get your vet out. If he's got signs of lami he needs a vet's visit asap. Also if he's underweight and showing signs of lami there may be other metabolic issues going on - so blood tests might be required. For info on managing lami cases/Cushings and Insulin resitent horses you can't beat the Metabolic Horse discussion group on http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/themetabolichorse/ It's a mine of information and there are lots of people on there with horses going through similar things. The advice on diet on there is second to none.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by brucea
Actually they are the last people that I would talk to - unless you have an exceptional feed merchant!!
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moses06 said:
I actually take offence to that comment.:mad: I have worked at the local merchant's for 10 years and can offer INDEPENDANT advice and often know the person and their horse as well. I have qualifications in equine nutrition as well as an AMTRA qualification, so feel I am well placed to offer advice.
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Well that's great Moses - you are obviously the "exceptional" feed merchant I referred to! ;) Most of the places up here it doesn't really get beyond "it's got the Laminitis Trust logo on it"

:eek: Sorry Mr Darcy, I had just assumed the OP would have already called the vet if there were signs of lami. Hope she has.
 
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