Skinny lamanitic

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ChowChow

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The is a pony on my yard who has suffered badly from lamanitis but is quite underweight. Her new owners (who are not that experienced) don't know what to feed her to make her gain weight without causing problems. And I don't know what to suggest.

She is currently muzzled when turned out and in at night with haylage. The farrier has said she should be given nothing but hay and water but she is quite a finely made pony to start with so looks even more lean. Oh and she has been worm counted which is negative.
 
have you thought about Baileys lo-cal and outshine?? A horse we had was seriously underweight after laminitus, we too were concerned about what to feed, as we didn't want her to have another attack. Phoned Baileys and they were really helpful and gave us that suggestion! Worked really well and i have to say the horse is question is looking FAB now!
 
Get the cushings test done. This disease can cause both poor condition and laminitis. Do this before trying to inrease the pony's feed or you risk triggering a severe lami attack - un-medicated cushings ponies are on the edge of laminitis the whole time and it takes next to nothing, like a slight feed increase, to bring on an attack.

If pony has cushings, the vet will prescribe medication and then you can work on the condition. If the test is negative you know you are more safe to change the pony's diet to get the condition to improve.

Aim to keep the pony on the lean side, it is the most healthy weight and the safest for preventing laminitis. You will always have to be careful, make dietary changes slowly and monitor how the pony responds. Once a pony's had lami it will always be prone so do try to stick to lami-safe foods and soaked hay.
 
[ QUOTE ]
- un-medicated cushings ponies are on the edge of laminitis the whole time and it takes next to nothing, like a slight feed increase, to bring on an attack.

If pony has cushings, the vet will prescribe medication and then you can work on the condition. If the test is negative you know you are more safe to change the pony's diet to get the condition to improve.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm sorry but I would have to disagree here- the Vet really is the best person to advise re the symptoms you have described- it is perfectly possible for a horse or pony to live unmedicated without being on the verge of an attack of Laminitis as long as the diet is well taken care of.

True, Cushings means that a horse is more susceptible towards Laminitis however it can be managed more often that not.

I'd also add that the medication for Cushings is not always the answer for every Cushings horse or pony.
 
Sorry I meant to add as well that the feed companies as well as the vet should be able to advise a suitable diet- as the horse will not be getting enough nutrients from hay alone- a laminitic should definitely not be starved and fed on hay and water!- A feed that is high fibre, high oil, low starch/protein would probably be recommended.

good luck though!
 
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