Too expensive?

[Orca]

how do u keep ur cobs weight down? is there anything u do tp stop ur horse getting lami? has ur cob ever got lami before? xx

My cob is new to me but doesn't seem to have had lami before. She came to me overweight, so, as others have said, her exercise will be increased and diet carefully managed to reduce her weight (and the risk).

She is unlikely to ever need hard feed, her grazing will be limited, her hay might be soaked for 12 hrs before feeding. She might at some point receive a bib clip to make her body work a little harder to keep warm. The main aim is to reduce sugars and energy in their diet, maintain a fibre diet and create a work - feed balance, so that they expend any extra calories rather than gaining weight and/ becoming laminitic. Orca will probably only have one rest day per week once she's broken (and if she does need more feed at any point, I'll start with more hay).

If you are going to buy a 'good doer', research absolutely all you can about laminitis. Learn about a healthy diet and also, learn about how to body score a horse and how to spot signs of lami. Laminitis is (or at least, was) one of the top four causes of horse deaths, along with Colic, Old Age and Accidents. Fortunately, there is a lot of information available now about the best ways to prevent it ��

 

[RoyalSapphire]

my old pony, Saffy got lami and so had to be pts. however we like the good doers as they are quite often low maintance (until they get ill) and we dont have stables so cant have hard keepers who have to be stabled at night etc. however i dont want my new pony (coming on the 21st i might add!!!!!!!!!!!!) to get lami as i cant lose another one so soon. any advice on lami, treatment, prevention, signs are greatly appreciated. of course ive already looked it all up already but my lovely pony still got pts and u always think u could have done more. plus theres always more to learn. x

 

[ester]

Weight management really is the key so exercise and limited intake.
Best ways of limiting intake if out is to have a track system (electric fence so there is approx a 10ft track around the edge of your field so they have to keep moving to graze) - also called paddock paradise if you google. Brilliant IMO.
If not, muzzling which is what I currently do with my welshie as now on livery I can't put a track up very easily.

Also keep an eye on any hidden calories/sugar going in like hard feed/carrots etc .

 

[Leo Walker]

There is evidence to strongly suggest that lami is a metabolical issue. The reason I am so, so hot on mine not being fat, is because being fat can trigger metabolic issues. The mare looks a lovely weight in the pictures. Get her home and work her hard and you shouldnt have any issues I've had good doers living out previously, but they worked reasonably hard and we ever had any issues. They lost a bit of weight in the winter, and gained some in the summer.

 

[Orca]

my old pony, Saffy got lami and so had to be pts. however we like the good doers as they are quite often low maintance (until they get ill) and we dont have stables so cant have hard keepers who have to be stabled at night etc. however i dont want my new pony (coming on the 21st i might add!!!!!!!!!!!!) to get lami as i cant lose another one so soon. any advice on lami, treatment, prevention, signs are greatly appreciated. of course ive already looked it all up already but my lovely pony still got pts and u always think u could have done more. plus theres always more to learn. x

We lost a family horse to acute lami too, when I was younger so it is a bit of a bugbear for me! Whatever type or breed people keep, they will have their down and upsides. Slimmer builds can have the exact opposite problems over winter, as you say. I just think it's a case of being aware of common ailments (which you are), and getting to know your individual pony and what works for them. I can't see the pics of the one you are interested in but she really does sound lovely ��

 

[RoyalSapphire]

Thanks everyone. shes coming on the 21st, next weekend so ill post some pics once shes here. if i can figure out how to? only problem now is dont have saddle.

 

[RoyalSapphire]

Thanks everyone. shes coming on the 21st, next weekend so ill post some pics once shes here. if i can figure out how to? only problem now is dont have saddle.

 

[RoyalSapphire]

we got her today!! shes great rode her as soon as got her off the trailer (was trying on saddles anyway) and she was great only problem is she hasn't been handle in a while (sold off fell) and shes not very good at picking up her feet! AT ALL!!

 

[Archangel]

How exciting! Hope you have lots of fun with her

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

great the feet thing will come with time have a long happy life with her, now the pictures please

 

[Clodagh]

Lovely, well done.
If she doesn't like having her legs handled get a broom handle and stuff a glove and attach it to the end, that way you can stroke her legs while not endangering yourself.
If she just won't pick them up and hold them up get your farrier to come and give her a trim and at the same time ask him to show you what he does. Watching a farrier hold a bicycling leg is an education, and it isn't all about strength, it is the way they do it.

 

[Dry Rot]

we got her today!! shes great rode her as soon as got her off the trailer (was trying on saddles anyway) and she was great only problem is she hasn't been handle in a while (sold off fell) and shes not very good at picking up her feet! AT ALL!!

Thank god for that! I had terrors that others would see the link on here and someone would jump in ahead of you and buy her!

I was considerimng buying a certain pony so asked around for advice. The pony had been advertised for months so I thought I was safe. Then, when I'd decided to buy, I phoned up to be told, "Sorry! The pony was sold last night!'

But there was a happy ending. I saw another I liked, same breeding, same type, but a bit older and he'd done it all. I told no one -- and bought him! Best thing I ever did and a far better bargain for me than the first. He is here now and will never be sold.

Sometimes it is better to say nothing and take a chance rather than be too cautious and lose them.

 

[Alec Swan]

we got her today!! shes great rode her as soon as got her off the trailer (was trying on saddles anyway) and she was great only problem is she hasn't been handle in a while (sold off fell) and shes not very good at picking up her feet! AT ALL!!

The 'right' horse is never expensive. Well done you! I'm pleased for you, and relieved too!

As Clodagh says, the soft and floppy glove on a broomstick is the trick, but importantly, if she lashes out, hold it against her leg, DON'T remove the glove, keep it in place, and she'll give in, eventually!

Any pics available?

Alec.

 

[RoyalSapphire]

 

[RoyalSapphire]

 

[RoyalSapphire]

Here she is! shes very sweet the Labrador of ponies we call her as she loves everyone! shes still young n inexperienced and is quite bargy and stronger than me! but hopefully with time it will sort itself out. shes also escaped from her field already! does anyone know any cheap good gate/fence man - cumbria xx

 

[PorkChop]

Fantastic