The Power of Dr Green

TheresaW

TheresaW

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As a lot of you know, Mac went into winter very poor, and what a winter we had. I was piling feed and hay into him, and although I managed to maintain his weight, we came out the other side still with a very thin, but happy I will add, Mac.

I think I’ve started to see real improvement, but seeing him every day, wasn’t so sure, so decided to take a photo each weekend. The grass has really taken off now, and this has happened in 8 days.

4th May.
JSksC3Q.jpg


Today.
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Obviously there is a long way to go, and if I don’t get a decent weight on him over the summer, I won’t put him through another winter. The vet is back on the 21st to look at his teeth again and give him another once over. His teeth are his problem, he had a very thorough MOT last November, and is generally a very healthy horse. His passport says he’s 21 this year, vet says his teeth belong to a horse 10 years older.
 
Thats a massive difference in 8 days although he still looks thin. Mind he doesn't get too fat or you will have a different problem! My 27 year old is picking up on the grass as he was a bit lean for my liking. His teeth aren't great but he doesn't quid and would need a GA to do more than has been done which I don't think is right at his age
Mac is very wooly still, does he have Cushings?
 
I have muzzled him in years gone by, was always a very good doer, so will definitely keep an eye on him if he puts too much on. Also rent my own land, so can move the fencing about to suit.

Mac has been tested twice for cushings now, both times negative. My mare has cushings and it was the first thing I thought of when he started losing the weight. To be fair with his coat, my 10yo has held onto his too. Mac’s is now coming out in spades, although did clip his front end last weekend as he was getting sweaty.
 
Bless him, heading the right way weight wise for certain. My boy has the same problem with his teeth, 20yo with 30yo teeth apparently. It's been harder to keep weight on what used to be a fatty the last couple of years, but with Cushings lots of grass to help him eat vs lami potential is an interesting balancing act.
 
Another who can sympathise with your predicament. Sixpence went into winter looking absolutely perfect, managed to hold his condition nicely until March, and then when the Beast from the East came along, he dropped horrendously. He's a 30 odd year old Cushings pony with very poor teeth, and our main problem was that he decided he didn't want hard feed anymore. We tried all of the old faithfuls, but he just wasn't interested in any low sugar/starch options. I eventually gave in and tried him on TopSpec Linseed Mash, and he'll now eat their High Fibre Mash as well, plus Fast Fibre mixed with either of the two, so we're finally going in the right direction. Having oldies is a nightmare sometimes!
 
Just a quick update.

The vet came out to do his teeth and general health check. She said despite his test results, he has cushings. She is also convinced he’s a lot closer to 30 than his passport suggests. His passport says he’s 21. He has been on half a tablet a day for around 3 weeks, and we will medicate on symptoms.

Some pics from this week. He has really shed his coat, and his summer coat is looking good.

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Am keeping a very close eye, and vet wants to come back around October (unless needed before), and give a pre-winter check. At the moment, am hoping he’s has a good summer, anything more is a bonus.
 
No advice to offer Im afraid but just wanted to share a story about a 36 yr old mare I know. She never wanted for anything but was starting to really show her age, thats a good few years ago now, her coat was long, her owner was clipping her in Summer and she had started to really look poor. Her owner finally agreed to have to tested for Cushings, I think she had just thought well she is old and as expected she was positive, so she has the tablets and wow she looks fantastic! I hadnt seen her for a while and the difference is amazing. Yes shes old but you would never guess she was in her late 30's! Good Luck with your boy, I think hes looking so much better now x
 
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