Treating laminitis?

[Patterdale]

Luckily for me and my ponies, I’ve not had to deal with laminitis for many a long year now. However, I think my new pony has it and I’m probably not very up to date so all help appreciated please!

Pony is fit and only very slightly overweight. He’s landed at our place on a ‘bare’ paddock (but grass that is still green and growing in November!) and ad-lib very good haylage. This has clearly been too much for him.

He looks sound walking and trotting in the field, but bilaterally lame trotting up on the hard. Not shifting foot to foot. Not rocking back. Slight pulses today and heat.

I’ve removed the haylage so just on bare grass (but still green). Three of them in a small half acre paddock so there really isn’t much. I’ve given him bute. Should I be muzzling?

Bringing in isn’t an option as I don’t have that luxury sadly. There are no livery yards within an hour and no equine vets within 1.5hrs.

I’m hoping it’s mild and I’ve caught it soon enough, however ANY and ALL help much appreciated as I want to get this pony right.

Thanks

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

It's not ideal leaving them on grass and he should be on some sort of pain relief really and should be seen by a vet, what can be a touch of laminitis can quickly and easily escalate into a full blown attack hence why catching it early is essential.

It's also proven now that most laminitis is caused by a metabolic issue so your pony needs to be tested and treated or you will be constantly battling with it and it won't go away.

Trust me I have had 2 horses with it and lost them both it is literally my worst nightmare and wouldn't wish on any horse It's a horrible extremely painful condition.

Sorry if you feel its a bit of a preaching post but through bitter experience you need to get the pony seen by vet and off grass.

 

[poiuytrewq]

I’d muzzle and give soaked hay if you really can’t get him off the grass. my ponies eat hay ok through muzzles

 

[Gallop_Away]

Get him off the grass ASAP or muzzle. It sounds like it's mild right now but could easily flare up and get worse.
Laminitis is an emergency and he needs to be seen by a vet urgently.

 

[Sprogladite01]

Getting them off grass ASAP is essential and unless you can have your hay tested/analysed, soak it. The extra weight needs to come off, and getting the vet involved with testing for PPID and EMS and also x rays of the feet to look for pedal bone rotation are all things to consider.
It sounds like this is fairly mild/caught early so the quicker you can get him off grass and implement changes to support his feet, the better. I urge you to throw everything at it in the first instance to minimise the potential damage that can be done by this awful disease.
My previous pony was laminitic and I currently have one on loan who has EMS and is in recovery from the lami - it's difficult but it's doable!

Edit to add: as @Amymay says, deep bedding in the stable when they are in can also offer them some relief and support for their feet. A diet overhaul may also be in order - what is he currently on (if anything)?

 

[AmyMay]

He needs pain relief and stabling on a deep bed.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Is this the pony you just bought?

 

[Sprogladite01]

Is there a field shelter in your field you can turn into a temporary stable for him?

 

[Patterdale]

Thanks very much.

Yes this is the new pony. First few days he was just bilaterally sore in front on hard, no pulse and no notable reaction on hoof testers (farrier). Now he’s no better, but slight pulse and heat.

He’s not on any feed, but was on ad-lib good haylage and still-growing grass. My section As have been on this for the last few winters and they are all fine so as he’s reasonably fit I thought he’d be the same. I was wrong sadly!

I’ve now spoken to the vet on the phone. My horse vet is over 2 hours away, he is fine not seeing him yet as he knows I can cope, and is happy with the instructions he’s given being followed.
Bute, staying on bare paddock with muzzle and minimal soaked hay (apparently this is better to keep him moving. Plus I genuinely can’t magic a stable up).
To go in next week for x rays and bloods if he’s not better.

I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s EMS, I will test for that regardless if he’s better or not.

 

[Sprogladite01]

Thanks very much.

Yes this is the new pony. First few days he was just bilaterally sore in front on hard, no pulse and no notable reaction on hoof testers (farrier). Now he’s no better, but slight pulse and heat.

He’s not on any feed, but was on ad-lib good haylage and still-growing grass. My section As have been on this for the last few winters and they are all fine so as he’s reasonably fit I thought he’d be the same. I was wrong sadly!

I’ve now spoken to the vet on the phone. My horse vet is over 2 hours away, he is fine not seeing him yet as he knows I can cope, and is happy with the instructions he’s given being followed.
Bute, staying on bare paddock with muzzle and minimal soaked hay (apparently this is better to keep him moving. Plus I genuinely can’t magic a stable up).
To go in next week for x rays and bloods if he’s not better.

I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s EMS, I will test for that regardless if he’s better or not.

If he has to stay out, a muzzle is definitely the right call. Are you able to put a track system in place in your field? Keeping them moving (once they aren't sore) will be hugely beneficial - both in terms of keeping weight down and helping increase insulin sensitivity. I've got all my fingers crossed for you - it's such a stressful thing to be dealing with!

 

[Patterdale]

Can’t do a track system on the winter field but I can definitely do it in spring. Between the 3 of them though they do move about quite a bit.
Hopefully once we get over this episode I can be much more on the ball, now that I know it is a risk. I will be able to work him quite hard too and will probably hunt him, he’s the first child’s pony that’s big enough for me ? so that will be a help with keeping him a healthy weight.

Does anyone have any muzzle recommendations?

 

[HappyHollyDays]

I like Dinky muzzles for mine, they are soft webbing and have large air holes across the nostrils. Over time they can chew through them but I do find it takes a while. The only thing is in winter they can get wet and soggy so a rubber bucket with an oblong opening might be better this time of year unless you get two Dinkys so they get a chance to dry out.

Edit to add my very fit and skinny Connie got repeat laminitis last year from concussion as the ground was hard so something to consider if you want to work him hard once he’s over this episode.

 

[Chianti]

Can you make a smaller patch for him in the paddock with electric fencing? I think restricting movement is very important with laminitis.

 

[Patterdale]

Can you make a smaller patch for him in the paddock with electric fencing? I think restricting movement is very important with laminitis.

My vet said movement was good? Trouble with sectioning off a small area is that it would just be a swamp within 12 hours too.

 

[Patterdale]

What’s the current consensus on cold water? I could stand him in the sea - you’d think that would help?

 

[The Xmas Furry]

I like Dinky muzzles for mine, they are soft webbing and have large air holes across the nostrils. Over time they can chew through them but I do find it takes a while. The only thing is in winter they can get wet and soggy so a rubber bucket with an oblong opening might be better this time of year unless you get two Dinkys so they get a chance to dry out.

Edit to add my very fit and skinny Connie got repeat laminitis last year from concussion as the ground was hard so something to consider if you want to work him hard once he’s over this episode.

Yes, I use Dinky muzzles too, A has 3 on rotation as it means they can dry out before being put back on.
She comes in for a few hours in the day to have muzzle free time and a small haynet, I dont dare drop my guard again!

 

[Hepsibah]

I heartily recommend the laminitis site: https://www.thelaminitissite.org/

It has all the most up to date research from around the world in one place and can help with or without a stable.

 

[Chianti]

"My vet said movement was good? Trouble with sectioning off a small area is that it would just be a swamp within 12 hours too.[/QUOTE]

I hadn't heard that. When mine had a mild bout in 2021 the vet said to keep him in his field shelter for nearly three weeks. These used to be the go-to people for the latest advice. Don't know if that's changed? Others may know.

Index page for Laminitis Trust information

 

[Patterdale]

Thanks I’ll have a look at both of those!

Well I’m feeling like I might actually breathe/sleep tonight now. Bute at lunchtime and half an hour standing in the sea this evening, and he was 1/10 lunging on a hard surface (for just a circuit each way too give me a clue of !) afterwards. Massive improvement so I am cautiously optimistic although I’m aware the bute will be masking to a degree.

Next massive task is to source good hay in a cattle county!

 

[Sprogladite01]

I think the general consensus these days is movement is good once horse is no longer sore - helps with blood flow to the foot obviously if sore, keep confined as much as possible!

 

[Patterdale]

Thanks all.

Next question is - when to resume work? Cold feet, no pulse and sound on grass or sand. 1/10 trotting on hard surface if you really look for it. No bute since Tuesday.

He needs to work but I’m not sure what the advice is now.

 

[meleeka]

Thanks all.

Next question is - when to resume work? Cold feet, no pulse and sound on grass or sand. 1/10 trotting on hard surface if you really look for it. No bute since Tuesday.

He needs to work but I’m not sure what the advice is now.

I always treat as I would any horse coming back into work. Start off with lots of walking and increase gradually. If the pony is sound with no bute I’m sure it will be fine, but just avoid any fast work on hard ground.

 

[Red-1]

I wouldn't work until he is 100% sound.

When he is sound, I would start in-hand until you are convinced that the feet are strong and able to take the extra weight of the rider.

He will likely take some time to slim down, which will help get the metabolic peak under control. Mine showed EMS on a blood test when he had his lami attack, but with slimming and soaked hay, this has returned to normal and stayed normal for 2 years.

Moving home could have been the stress that, combined with rich hay, then having shoes on (concussion) have just pushed him over. I would keep him very slim for a year, it is safer. People didn't think Rigs looked well but the vet insisted that he have at least 3 ribs showing for his own safety.

 

[Highmileagecob]

It may help to think of laminitis as very similar to diabetes in people. Repeated insulin rises trigger lower limb circulation problems. Horses are trickle feeders, and in ideal conditions a trickle of food means a slow drip of insulin which keeps everything in balance. Research has proved that giving insulin to horses after a large intake of food sent them all into laminitis. Horses which regularly have access to large intakes of food possibly reach a point where insulin overload is reached ie they are releasing more and more insulin to break down the sugars. Far from being insulin resistant, their bodies simply cannot deal with this arrangement.
If you can replicate the trickle feeding and keep him active it will go a long way towards keeping laminitis at bay. I appreciate it is not easy - my cob lives to eat and just does not have the cut off switch that tells him he has eaten enough.

 

[Patterdale]

Thanks.
I’ve bought trickle nets and will now give rationed soaked hay in these.

My lot all have ad-lib haylage and have for years, they all regulate well. However what I suspect is that this one does not. He strikes me as a pony who has been restricted in the past - he is so so greedy, pulls haylage out of the nets like every mouthful is his last. I suspect that he has just absolutely gorged himself on the haylage, and not knowing his history I’ve just treated him like the others.

He is not actually very fat at the moment and is reasonably fit - no gutter along his back, and you can’t see his tummy when looking from the back end. He has a slight crest which I think is a hangover from much fatter days. Looking at the situation now I think he just absolutely gorged. Our haylage is quite rich too.

Will see how he is today ??

 

[HashRouge]

Do they actually need hay/ haylage at all yet if your field is green and the grass still growing? Mine have more or less eaten down their winter paddock but I still haven't started feeding hay and one of them is nearly 30! I'll be making her a "day" paddock inn the next week or so where she can go to have some hay, but the other one (Welsh) won't need anything for a while yet).

 

[Gloi]

.

 

[Patterdale]

Do they actually need hay/ haylage at all yet if your field is green and the grass still growing? Mine have more or less eaten down their winter paddock but I still haven't started feeding hay and one of them is nearly 30! I'll be making her a "day" paddock inn the next week or so where she can go to have some hay, but the other one (Welsh) won't need anything for a while yet).

Yes - the winter pony field is half an acre and 3 on it. So they do need something. What’s there is green but the surface area of grass is v small if you see what I mean.

I hate rationing though, and those tiny stress nets. Always said I would never do it ?

I’m going to hunt him this winter though and he’ll come into spring looking like a whippet!

 

[Crugeran Celt]

I have a mare who developed laminitis at about the age of seven. She then started having abscesses in all four feet. Recommendation then for laminitis was to stable and feed soaked hay. I spend years with a very unhappy horse who when she felt better would jump out of her stable and become lame all over again. At the age of about eleven I decided this was no life for a horse and having spoken to vet and farrier decision was made to turn her out and if the laminitis became too bad to PTS at least I wouldn't have a completely miserable horse who hated being in. She was 29 in July and has not had laminitis or a foot abscess since making that decision all those years ago. She is out on about 16 acres with five other horses 24/7 all year round with access to her stable. She is happy and healthy. My point is you need to find the cause of laminitis, in my mare's case vet assumed it was stress related before deciding on the treatment. Keeping my mare in caused more problems as made her more stressed. I could not feed haylage though and still can't as that would would cause issues for her.

 

[Dexter]

Thanks.
I’ve bought trickle nets and will now give rationed soaked hay in these.

My lot all have ad-lib haylage and have for years, they all regulate well. However what I suspect is that this one does not. He strikes me as a pony who has been restricted in the past - he is so so greedy, pulls haylage out of the nets like every mouthful is his last. I suspect that he has just absolutely gorged himself on the haylage, and not knowing his history I’ve just treated him like the others.

He is not actually very fat at the moment and is reasonably fit - no gutter along his back, and you can’t see his tummy when looking from the back end. He has a slight crest which I think is a hangover from much fatter days. Looking at the situation now I think he just absolutely gorged. Our haylage is quite rich too.

Will see how he is today ??

EMS makes them starving hungry a lot of the time, so if its that it would explain his behaviour. Some are just greedy though and can never have ad lib no matter how hard you try.