RAO/Heaves and Laminitis

Nugget La Poneh

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Nugz has been diagnosed as having recurrent airway obstruction (although not had a lavage done, vet has based diagnosis on drug treatment and stable management). While this is not great as I feel I have failed as an owner, I have a slightly bigger issue in that the vet wants him out pretty much 24/7, at least until we get him stabilised and 'clean', and then we start to relax to the point of maintenance.

The issue is not the 24/7 turnout per se, more that he is lami prone (another owner fail *sigh*) and the fields on the yard are still not suitable for him as the big field on group turnout are far too lush, and the 'lami paddocks'/single turnouts are still too green and currently half bog. Moving is not an option as I have visited every yard in the area and I would be even more stuffed than I am now :D

The vet has said that the lami takes priority, so stable being hoovered free of dust (think I might do pony as well after patting his bum this morning), he was put onto woodchip (easibed/cushionbed) when the vet first came out last week and was on soaked hay anyway, and the ledge on the kick boards is being washed down too to get rid of the tit-bits he finds.

I have spoken to the YO and put forward a proposal to put in hardstanding made of road planings at the first 4 metres of the paddock and along the width (and then put bark over top possibly), and then I would use metal sheep hurdles to section this off from the remainder of the paddock so he has mooching and tomfoolery space, but off the 8"mud and the dreaded green stuff, at least during the day.

However, this is a big ask on the YO (although I will offering to pay more per month as I know he is losing paddock grass) and I want to know how others have managed if they have been, or are in a similar situation?

Sorry for ramble. I have nothing to offer as on a diet and I have eaten it all :D
 
I managed mine by putting her out either in a bare paddock or sectioned off part of the main field for her, so that she could be kept out as much as possible. She does not get turned out on frost and is muzzled when the grass is at the highest risk (had to use a greenguard muzzle as the bucket times ones may her breathing worse).
She is stabled on rubber matting with a sprinkling of shavings which is removed every day, hay and feed is soaked and all cobwebs etc are brushed out of stables.
It is a bit of a nightmare dealing with both - my pony is under control now as she was diagnosed with Cushings last year and since she has been on the medication the RAO seems a lot better.
Your idea of making a grass free area sounds good and hope your YO is understanding and helps.
 
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