Simple Systems feed for a not so great doer with cushings

[Puppy]

Hi Guys,

I know quite a few on you in here have experience of cushings, and lots of knowledge of feeding them, so I was wondering what your thoughts and experiences were on feeding a cushinoid on Simple System feeds?

As I understand it they are low in starch and sugar, so I thought they would be more suitable than a standard veteran mix?

My girl in question is a 16.2, 24 year old, ISH x WB, who is not the greatest of doers (so has never been lami prone before), but obviously since she has been diagnosed, then I want to take all precautions.

At the moment she is on a small pretty bare paddock, of about 1/2 acre, with ab lib hay, and she is having 3/4 scoop of spillers senior maintenance mix (approx 1kg), and 600gms of topspec senior balancer, with supplements of synequin, devils claw and magnesium. She in on 1mg of pergolide per day.

She has only been on the pergolide since April. This is a photo of her about 2 weeks ago:

Although I'm pretty happy with how she is doing right now, I know that she would be better on a lower starch feed, and that certainly will be better for her come winter when she has greater quantities of it. Although she still doesn't require a huge amount in winter, despite living out, as I then put her on ab lib haylage.

Do you think a simple systems product or two would suit her?

Thanks in advance for any feedback

 

[louised1henry]

i used simple system for my 27 year old laminitic cushings pony.i didnt use it for very long though as unfortunately we lost her at xmas. but she loved it for the 3 months she had it. its actually really good value for money i found. we had the lucie nuts,the beet one (cant remember its name)and top nosh.and as they needed soaking they really swell up and expand they last really well. her dentist recommended it as her teeth were completly knackered and she couldnt eat anything else really. i found them really help full when i phoned and ordered and it came in about 3 days.

the only problem i found is that they are very rich and really need introducing into the diet really slowly,i changed her over to it in 2 weeks and it was too quick and she got the runs but they kept her sound for 3 months anyway.

would recommend it and its certainly worth a try.

 

[Brandy]

I use it for my elderly but non cushings horse (and others too) who isn;t a good doer either.

Good value for money - most things are £9.50 per back and are soaked so produce more volume of food.

Mine have - total eclipse supplement (general does everything type thing)
Instant linseed supplement
Lucie nuts
Blue bad grass nuts
purabeet

Last three are soaked.

The fatties have lucie stalks -stalky chaff type stuff.

Easy once you get the hang of soaking and worth investing in their buc-kit which has measuring scoops of 5 or 6 sizes in it.

Mixes can sometimes make the stiffness worse in older horses. I no longer use blue chipor cortaflex or seaweed/biotin since start this feeding system.

They are really helpful if you phone or email for advice.

You will probably not need to feed anythign liek their recommended amounts though.

Your horse looks great btw!

 

[Puppy]

Thank you.

I'm a little concerned about the 'soaking' as my girl doesn't really like her feed too wet... How long do you soak it for? Does it go to a pulp similar to sugar beet? I was thinking about trying her on the lucie nuts but I'm a bit undecided.

 

[stormybracken]

The Simple Systems people are really helpful, so best to ask them for advice, I usually find an email is most effective as I need nutritional advice written down!!!
I've found soaking the Purabeet so its consistancy is like biscuit crumbs is the most appetising for my two, they both did very well over winter living out unrugged 24/7 on just that and Total Eclipse plus adlib hay and haylage! And the Total Eclipse made a huge difference to both sets of feet, they're both barefoot.
One word of warning - one of mine appears too sensitive to have any lucie-nuts which I tried introducing a couple of times since August as he became footy within days with no other changes, so if you're concerned about lami. take care. I do know of others who's horses thrive on them, so it may not be a problem.

 

[bensababy]

Hi Puppy, I have my 17 year old cushinoid on simple systems feed, they are so helpful if you email or call them, They advised me to put my boy on Lucie nuts - i think im correct in saying these can also be fed un soaked. I also have mine on Purabeet. I notice the difference in his coat quality and energy levels more on this feed than any other. I couldnt reccommend it highly enough.

 

[gaufron]

Hi Guys,

I know quite a few on you in here have experience of cushings, and lots of knowledge of feeding them, so I was wondering what your thoughts and experiences were on feeding a cushinoid on Simple System feeds?

As I understand it they are low in starch and sugar, so I thought they would be more suitable than a standard veteran mix?

My girl in question is a 16.2, 24 year old, ISH x WB, who is not the greatest of doers (so has never been lami prone before), but obviously since she has been diagnosed, then I want to take all precautions.

At the moment she is on a small pretty bare paddock, of about 1/2 acre, with ab lib hay, and she is having 3/4 scoop of spillers senior maintenance mix (approx 1kg), and 600gms of topspec senior balancer, with supplements of synequin, devils claw and magnesium. She in on 1mg of pergolide per day.

She has only been on the pergolide since April. This is a photo of her about 2 weeks ago:

Although I'm pretty happy with how she is doing right now, I know that she would be better on a lower starch feed, and that certainly will be better for her come winter when she has greater quantities of it. Although she still doesn't require a huge amount in winter, despite living out, as I then put her on ab lib haylage.

Do you think a simple systems product or two would suit her?

Thanks in advance for any feedback

Hi
My old (30 two weeks ago) pony has been on simple sytems for a year because he can no longer eat hay. He developed cushings this winter but we didn't realise until spring when he didn't loose his coat properly. I am sure that simple systems helped him through this dreadfull winter. Luckily he is not laminitic but geting him to take his perolglide is another matter! I have now reorted to dissolving it in marmite. Last Spring after a winter of failing to masticate his feed he looked dreadfull and too thin this year realy good.

 

[Puppy]

Hi Have you tried hiding the pergolide in a cored out carrot? My mare can be very suspicious of things being added to her feed, but takes her pill in a carrot every day, no probs

 

[gaufron]

Hi
Yes I have tried everything, he now refuses to eat, carrots, apples and pears. I have crushed it with both honey and molasses and hidden it in polos. He is a not so good doer with poor teeth so I am anxious not to put him off food completly. I'm considering disolving it in beer for a change!
gaufron