Ulcers #sigh#

SEL

SEL

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Back in 2015 my mare was diagnosed with grade 2 ulcers and an inflamed stomach (the stomach was more of a concern than the ulcers). I was blissfully unaware she had PSSM at the time so she was turned out in a winter field with a load of resting polo ponies, had omeprazole daily and 2 months off work.

Until the beginning of last week she's had the odd dodgy tummy from grass etc, but she's generally bounced back pretty well and definitely not given me any signs she's had ulcers.

Last week was a nightmare. She had a pouch wash for strangles (luckily negative) and in 30+ degree heat her system seemed to go into some form of meltdown and she stopped eating, drinking and sweating. Vet had to give her 2 x steroid injections and she's back on the omeprazole (I'm not insured any more :mad:)

Trouble is this time round she's a lot worse. We don't want to scope her again given we're supposed to be de-stressing her, but the steroids only seemed to calm things down for 24 hours and now she's bloated and really not very nice to be around. Vets have advised food in front of her at all times - and that's where I need help.

She can't go out in a field with a lot of grass because of the PSSM and the risk of laminitis (her feet have softened a lot since the steroid jabs). She does have grass to nibble on in her paddock, but this doesn't seem to be keeping the acid down as she's chewing fence posts and getting quite distressed. Soaked hay vanishes in a few gulps.

Nowhere safe to tie haynets, but neither of my 2 are shod. Do you think I could leave the soaked hay in nets on the ground to make her eat more slowly? Is there anything on the market that could go on the ground and slow down her eating without stressing her out more? Not too expensive would be helpful as I think last week's vets bill is already >£1k and still climbing :(
 
Yes to the haynets on the ground. If you tie the opening up short with your usual knot then undo the end of the string so you don't have any loops there is nothing for the ponies to put their feet in.

they may stomp on them and kick them around ;) but they work :)

Blitz%2014%20Aug%202016.jpg
 
SEL said:
Back in 2015 my mare was diagnosed with grade 2 ulcers and an inflamed stomach (the stomach was more of a concern than the ulcers). I was blissfully unaware she had PSSM at the time so she was turned out in a winter field with a load of resting polo ponies, had omeprazole daily and 2 months off work.

Until the beginning of last week she's had the odd dodgy tummy from grass etc, but she's generally bounced back pretty well and definitely not given me any signs she's had ulcers.

Last week was a nightmare. She had a pouch wash for strangles (luckily negative) and in 30+ degree heat her system seemed to go into some form of meltdown and she stopped eating, drinking and sweating. Vet had to give her 2 x steroid injections and she's back on the omeprazole (I'm not insured any more :mad:)

Trouble is this time round she's a lot worse. We don't want to scope her again given we're supposed to be de-stressing her, but the steroids only seemed to calm things down for 24 hours and now she's bloated and really not very nice to be around. Vets have advised food in front of her at all times - and that's where I need help.

She can't go out in a field with a lot of grass because of the PSSM and the risk of laminitis (her feet have softened a lot since the steroid jabs). She does have grass to nibble on in her paddock, but this doesn't seem to be keeping the acid down as she's chewing fence posts and getting quite distressed. Soaked hay vanishes in a few gulps.

Nowhere safe to tie haynets, but neither of my 2 are shod. Do you think I could leave the soaked hay in nets on the ground to make her eat more slowly? Is there anything on the market that could go on the ground and slow down her eating without stressing her out more? Not too expensive would be helpful as I think last week's vets bill is already >£1k and still climbing :(
Click to expand...

If they aren't shod then i don't see why not. I've just had a look round as I'm sure i saw a company that did a haynet specifically designed for going on the ground out in the field but can't find them now, it was like a trickle net.. Or there's homemade things like a bath with a haynet tied in it or a a bin with the same. Or if you don't want to make your own your could get an eazigrazer or haycube with haynet inside.

For the ulcers, what about feeding a supplement to reduce acid production? Something like Acid Ease might help a little, I put Toby on it when I was weaning him off the peptizole..
 
I leave haynets on the floor for my two all the time. I use the Martsnets with a cord of bungee at the top so there is nothing for the horses to get stuck on.

http://www.martsnets.co.uk/ourshop/cat_1147402-FLOOR-FEEDERS.html

The first time we gave them to the horses my mum's horse started yanking the net about in the air to get some hay out of it. He didn't quite realise the bungees were there and one of the cords whacked him on the face as a result of his exuberance! He wasn't hurt but was a little shocked at the hay net having a say. :)
 
I have seen a haynet tied inside a (large, with big holes) packing crate work well for a shod horse. The net was tied in 2 or three places so didn't come out and crate heavy enough to not be flung around.
ETA, crate had an open top, that's how they accessed the hay.
 
Thanks all. I have to soak hay so I'm thinking I could use some of my old nets and tie them up like Casey said. I'll probably just chuck them straight on the ground - the farmer will have a wobbly if I put a crate in!

Equishure is on order. I am rather fed up of poorly horses right now. Not the girlie's fault but I think the last time we managed a decent ride was October!
 
Any small hole haynet will be fine on the floor if you replace the cord with thin chain and use a small carabiner to close it. The ends of the chain are loose and the horse can't get its foot caught in anything. I get chain and carabiners from eBay.
 
what about using hay replacer/grass nuts that you can soak and make really sloppy, then mix a little bit of chaff in - if you make it really sloppy then you'll be getting good hydration in and it should go down slowly.
Maybe do a mixture of the haynet footballs and a bucket of slop etc to give good variety and help to keep horse occupied :-)
 
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