snow and no work for metabolic laminitic help

[sanchob]

My 7 yr old welsh x cob got laminitis from a steroid injection in march . Upon testing when able he came back borderline metabolic . The metformin was a godsend (he was started on 8 tabs twice a day ) He is now fully fit since november and has been out competing again and completely medication free. I am seriously stressing about this snow. He was on 2-3 hrs turnout a day prior to the frosts (muzzled ) and we have managed to keep him exercised until today i suspect . Our school is like a rock and we are stabled down a tiny icy lane - Should i start the metformin again as i believe the worst thing for him is no exercise

 

[Birker2020]

My 7 yr old welsh x cob got laminitis from a steroid injection in march . Upon testing when able he came back borderline metabolic . The metformin was a godsend (he was started on 8 tabs twice a day ) He is now fully fit since november and has been out competing again and completely medication free. I am seriously stressing about this snow. He was on 2-3 hrs turnout a day prior to the frosts (muzzled ) and we have managed to keep him exercised until today i suspect . Our school is like a rock and we are stabled down a tiny icy lane - Should i start the metformin again as i believe the worst thing for him is no exercise

I agree with you at the very least he will need a leg stretch. Could you walk him in hand in the school? Maybe just for twenty minutes? Put some grease in his hooves to prevent snow build up (petroleum jelly will do). We have a horse walker and its an absolute godsend except it goes really slow sometimes so the horses plod round and are not burning calories or getting fit and they get bored and can play up. We also have a small indoor school suitable for turn out only really due to the concrete under the disintegrating surface. Our outdoor school is frozen, but then I suspect this is like this all over the country.

If you are in a under cover yard (barn type) you could walk him around the aisles maybe?

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

My 7 yr old welsh x cob got laminitis from a steroid injection in march . Upon testing when able he came back borderline metabolic . The metformin was a godsend (he was started on 8 tabs twice a day ) He is now fully fit since november and has been out competing again and completely medication free. I am seriously stressing about this snow. He was on 2-3 hrs turnout a day prior to the frosts (muzzled ) and we have managed to keep him exercised until today i suspect . Our school is like a rock and we are stabled down a tiny icy lane - Should i start the metformin again as i believe the worst thing for him is no exercise

If it were me I would
A: see if there was a yard nearby with an indoor school for hire
B: move to a yard with one so the future problem would not arise

 

[sanchob]

Have spoken to my vet and he has advised me that it will do no harm to put him back on metformin over this icy spell. Started it this morn and will carry on while snowy.We managed to walk him out for 40 min hack this morn .Whilst i know the ideal option would be to go somewhere with an indoor school it's prob easier said than done. My yard is 5 mins from house and has good facilities and turnout . We have lovely stables and excellent off road hacking.We pay £145 per calender month with all hay and straw inclusive which is extremely good.

 

[Slightlyconfused]

Hi, my IR pony has no shoes so can go riding in his hoof boots with no problems of balling up....is this a possibility when it snows? Whip shoes off and boot him so you can still hack.