putting weight on a laminitic

[akehurstannabel]

Des anyone have any ideas what my friend can feed her 12.2 NF pony? she has had laminitis in the past but has been clear for a couple of months. She has happy hoof and corn oil once a day and a haylage net full of hay at night. she is turned out all day in a greenguard muzzle. do you think she should be feeding more hay?

[jonib]

Not sure if this will help,but I asked the same thing of Dengie when my laminitic shettie dropped weight due to her age.They said it was safe to feed Alfa-A Lite as no sugar added,and also in some cases the Hi-Fi with oil added,although they dont generally advertise that as most horses dont need that much.
Give them a ring..they are really helpful and may be able togive your friend some advice.

[akehurstannabel]

thanks very much for that. i was also thinking maybe soya or corn oil. when holy needed a bit of weight back on i did it by increasing her hay but she wasn't working so it's a bit different. does oil provide energy as well? the pony is a bit lacklustre at the moment as well

[tinkerdorisalison]

I would still go for ad-lib hay - ponies can do a lot of work on fibre only diet.

[harleydales]

Is oil good for laminitics? Pretty high energy stuff.

Dodson and Horrell have a very good helpine - 0870 442 3322. I phone them a lot!

[lancslass]

i personally would opt for ad lib hay too.

[akehurstannabel]

Yeah I have talked to her, I think hay would be safest too. Jo x

[g]

One of the important things to do with a laminitic-prone pony is to learn how to feel its pulses.
Usually you can't feel anything when you feel round the fleshy part at the back of the hoof.
If you have one that's prone to laminitis, especially as it gets older, you will be able to feel a gentle drumming.

When this becomes quite a medium-strong pulse, that's something of a warning.
I reckon on a medium-strong pulse being like a human pulse after a brisk walk up a hill that gets you breathing hard. This applies to the feel of the pulse not its speed.

When it becomes a thundering thud, even if the hoof itself isn't that hot, then keep an eye on her as in my experience it's the sugars in the grass that get the feet going.

Dealing with a laminitic can be like walking a tightrope and the pulses give an indication of how your balance is going.

If you are going to feed oil, remember to consider what you feed it in and choose an *unmolassed* carrier whether it's chaff or beet.


Happy hunting and don't forget to pick the vets' brains if you think they're any good with large animals.

G

[akehurstannabel]

I do know a thing or two about laminitis and taking pulses, but thank you anyway! As I said the pony is fed Happy Hoof which is a laminitis trust approved feed and unmollassed. The pony is under the care of an equine vet who has suggested increasing hay, as did some others. Jo x