Harley Possible Metabolic Problems - **RESULT**

[Debbie]

LOL, glad he's oblivious to the diet changes ahead, but really it will be for the best for him.

I'm thrilled you've got a firm diagnosis Just knowing what you're facing means it can be managed, and full steam ahead

I run into a similar problem with Galahad if he gets too many sugars and starches in his diet, but he seriously needs the calories. I found copra (coconut oil) to be an excellent slow provider of calories for him. He gets a huge blob of it morning and evening and it keeps the weight on him.

[katiekynoch]

Glad to learn you now have a diagnosis Jane. Good luck with the EPSM research and Harley's new feeding regime

[cadeby]

It must be a relief to have a diagnosis. You can move forward now Jane

The Shire I worked with who was diagnosed with this condition was over 10 years ago when there was much less information than nowadays, and he still did well, so I feel really positive that you will be able to help Harley x

ETA - thanks for your pm Jane. You didn't need to thank me but it's appreciated. That's the great thing about friendly forums such as Dalesfans. They bring people together with similar experiences to better help our pones

[sammy]

Good news for you then because now you can start to manage it

[katiekynoch]

An afterthought . . . Dengie have some useful advice and info on fibre feeds suitable for horses with EPSM

www.dengie.com/pages/feed-advice/feeding-horses-with-ers-and-muscle-related-problems.php

May also be worth looking at the Top Spec website ...?? Especially the Top Chop Alfalfa (no molasses or other sugars!)

www.topspec.com/basket/horses/chops/41

[harleydales]

I've decided not to go for the biopsy, it is a 5cm by 1cm chunk of rump so a fair lump! I'm going to go with the diet and see how that works, and see how he goes at rides next spring - and if there's still a problem we'll think about the biopsy at that point.

New diet starts at the end of the week in preparation for a pleasure ride on 31 October and we'll see what happens.

[carolinec]

I'm so pleased you have a diagnosis and you can now manage his diet & look to the future

[Debbie]

I'm sure Harley' will be happy to keep that huge chunk of bum! Oi that's a large chunk...

Fingers crossed the new diet works out

[wdf]

Only just caught up on this tread

There's an Arab where I am got "sumatsumatsumat Myopathy" sorry can't remember anyway he starting behaving odd last summer, as if shying at things to a stage where it got that severe it looked like he'd had a hot poker pressed against he's backend - he'd bolt off then he's back legs would just be a quiver, anyway; last Christmas he was sent upto Liverpool where he stayed for a good 5/6 weeks where they found it to be this myopathy thing and said very few horses got it. He's had to have a total diet change so he has more fibre with low protein & starch. He now has Happy Hoof & steamed hay (NO haylage at all) + vegetable oil & selenium E. He's had the odd off day this year but all in all he's been OK.

[harleydales]

That sounds the same sort of thing - I'm pleased to hear he has been doing OK on his new diet.

It's not as rare as was originally thought unfortunately, just quite often misdiagnosed.

[harleydales]

An update - I've got Harley on the new feed and am adding the oil now and he is scoffing it down no trouble at all.

Today I took him to an 8 mile SERC pleasure ride - and he struggled to get round in time, he had no push, no energy....like his turbo wasn't working. Even when we caught up with another horse he wasn't himself.

And he's dropped over 35kg in 5 weeks. This is NOT good! He's down to the weight he usually sits at when he is 40 mile fit - but he's not fit, and his muscles appear to be dropping off.

He's still happy in himself, and wasn't shaking when I went out to feed at 5.30. I'll see him in the morning - it'll be interesting to see if the shakes are back or not.

[carolinec]

It must be so worrying. I hope you see an improvement once his new diet has had chance to work

[harveydales]

Oh Jane, I'm so sorry to read this. You must be really concerned and upset. Maybe it is going to take time for his body to adjust to the new diet? At least he is still happy in himself.

[harleydales]

Linseed is good - I've put a post in Feeding for more info on Linseed.

[Deleted]

i really hope he gets better soon. sorry about not writing earlier, i just caught up with the thread. if you haven't gotten a hay test you should look in to it, i've kinda had the same prob with wieght this year, and even though they were getting at least two % of thier bodywieght they were all dropping. the problem was the hay, it was way to low in protien and calories. check the vitamin and mineral levels too, he could be getting an overdouse. i was feeding a cocosoya oil to mine, it was good quality and unprossesed, but my gelding that needed to gain the most really couldn't handle the oil,he wasn't getting that much either,four onces a day,split between two meals. he really did seem fine just out in the field, but when he would work his manure would get a bit runny, and he deffinetly was not feeling right.he didn't have as much energy either. however flaxseed meal seems to work well and doesn't bother him, he's getting six onces a day now.
was he on grass a couple of weeks ago? the change from the high- protien grass to a low-protien hay could also do it.my gelding dropped an easy 30 kg after i took him of the grass in just two or three weeks too. he was already a little thin and i am ripping my hair out trying to get wieght back on before winter.i ended up putting him on a growth feed, a complete, and some alfalfa.we'll see if it works.
there are some feeds out there that have very low starch and sugar levels, if you think he needs more.
you also could try doing lighter work with him at least untill he starts gaining.between the problems he has been having and a change in diet is what i would think is causing the wieght loss.really hope he gets better soon, my very best wishes to you and Harley.