Very picky cushings pony - what to feed?

[MagicMelon]

I still have my original very first pony, now at the grand age of about 28. He was diagnosed with cushings about 5 years ago and the prescend seems to be doing the job. However, I don't know if its the cushings or just his age nowadays but he is skinny and I struggle to put any weight on him. He's out 24/7 (on minimal grass), gets as much good quality hay as he wants which he does eat (no problems with teeth), he's rugged when necessary to keep him warm etc. but he's hell with his feed. He's very picky, and will sometimes like his feed for a few days then not touch it the next. I have to be careful what I feed him but he really could do with more weight - cant see his ribs yet but hip bones stick out. He's perfectly perky (in fact he's been a little git lately - destroying all my fencing!). But what can I feed him that he'll eat?! He's currently on Veteran Vitality (but gone off it) and Cool Mix (which he vaguely picks at) - have tried other mixes which I know aren't ideal for his cushings but I'm just trying to get him to eat something! Have tried things like Rowen & Barbury mashes in the past and speedi-beat, cubes etc. and also tried stuff like adding peppermint oil. I thought about giving him something like micronised linseed but I don't know if he'd eat that on its own. Any ideas? What do other fussy horses eat?

 

[be positive]

i had a very picky 30+ cushings pony who fortunately had never had laminitis so his diet was not restricted to being low sugar, although I did try, he became more and more fussy initially eating something new then going off it, I eventually got him eating calm and condition, with a mix to pick through and some redigrass I tended to give him 2 bowls with different options at each meal, grass nuts were popular for a while as long as they were not too sloppy, he struggled to keep weight on the only thing he really ate well was grass.
I think when they get like this you have to accept it and go with the flow, if they don't eat you cannot force them, if they want something that is not considered suitable then at their age is it really going to matter too much, the main issue was the constant swapping feeds, spending a fortune then it not being eaten, luckily my others ate the left overs!

 

[Barnacle]

I have never met a really picky horse so I can't really help there but just wanted to point out that hip bones showing is actually within healthy weight... Most British horses are a little overweight technically. Here is the Blue Cross guide for body scoring that I think is very easy to understand: http://www.bluecross.org.uk/files/body-score-chart.pdf

Also, it may be worth mentioning that your horse won't put weight on to your vet as they may be able to suggest an alternative to the current medication, which may well be contributing to this weight loss issue.

 

[MurphysMinder]

It sounds as if his weight isn't too bad, the sticking out hip bones could be due to a lack of muscle as much as weight, which is quite common with cushings. My pony has had Cushings and been on prascend for over 10 years. I have recently put her on to Dodson & Horrell Cushcare Condition and it has made a real difference, she has put on a bit of weight, her coat is greatly improved and most importantly she loves it. Both my vet and farrier commented on their last visits as to how well she was looking.

Ets. Do you realise you have posted this in introductions, might get more feedback in Tack Room.