Winter management

[wdf]

Since our episodes in the summer I'm now OCD on checking pulses, fat pads & crest thickness, all of which have been going really well . . . . until now! We're not allowed to soak hay over the winter (Nov - Mar) and over the last 2 weeks our crest has started thickening I'm at a bit of a loss as what to do to reduce sugars. It's got to be from the hay as NOTHING else has changed since August.

Workwise, he's only being walked in hand 20/30mins twice a day.

Just wondered how you all managed with feeding / excersize during the winter ?

[valerie n scout]

I don't understand why you can't Soak your hay ?

[wdf]

It's just one of the yard owner's rules!

I had started to steam it & then wrap it in rugs to make it "stew" for several hours, it does leech out some sugars but obviously not enough

[valerie n scout]

But even if you soak it for a couple of hours, it's something, could you do it at home and put it in a shavings bag and traveling back ?

[dalesnfellfan]

Being able to soak hay makes such a difference to fatties, last winter when I was unable to soak for about a week due to frozen pipes and conditions, Spud put on about 15 kg and Briallen put on 25 kg, she was on box rest so was getting very little exercise. If you cant soak, can you up the exercise? I always found with Spud the right amount of work was key to keeping him slim.

[harveydales]

How frustrating not being able to soak the hay in this sort of situation. I assume it's because your yard owner doesn't want to risk icy patches where water has drained and frozen? Surely there is a way round this? As a last resort you could soak your hay at home and bring it drained to the yard I suppose. Or maybe find some older clean but lower sugar hay to feed. I agree exercise makes a huge difference but that's not always possible.

[harleydales]

Harley is out 24/7, ad lib hay, with a feed of Alfa A Oil and Winergy Medium, plus micronised soya beans, vit/min supplement and a vit e/selenium/magnesium supplement. I barely ride through the winter because of the dark and working full time, so it's a walk out occasionally and that's about it.

My problem comes in April and May when the grass starts to come back - he's a nightmare to manage then.

[harveydales]

Thinking about you saying nothing has changed since August - I've forgotten how much access to grazing you have? The grass has been very strange this autumn. Harvey has had very loose droppings for the last few weeks which is very unusual for him (it is improving now) and our grass is short but extremely lush looking, far more so than even in the spring! I haven't known a November like this one. Round here farmers were cutting and baling for silage last week! I wonder if the unusual grass conditions have something to do with the crest? Or the low light levels which can lead to lami in cushings/EMS horses?

[dalesnfellfan]

Dec 4, 2013 6:01:41 GMT -1 harveydales said:

Thinking about you saying nothing has changed since August - I've forgotten how much access to grazing you have? The grass has been very strange this autumn. Harvey has had very loose droppings for the last few weeks which is very unusual for him (it is improving now) and our grass is short but extremely lush looking, far more so than even in the spring! I haven't known a November like this one. Round here farmers were cutting and baling for silage last week! I wonder if the unusual grass conditions have something to do with the crest? Or the low light levels which can lead to lami in cushings/EMS horses?

I didn't know low light levels could cause laminitis in cushings horses, does it trigger release of hormones or something like that?

[harveydales]

Dec 4, 2013 12:39:50 GMT -1 dalesnfellfan said:

Dec 4, 2013 6:01:41 GMT -1 harveydales said:

Thinking about you saying nothing has changed since August - I've forgotten how much access to grazing you have? The grass has been very strange this autumn. Harvey has had very loose droppings for the last few weeks which is very unusual for him (it is improving now) and our grass is short but extremely lush looking, far more so than even in the spring! I haven't known a November like this one. Round here farmers were cutting and baling for silage last week! I wonder if the unusual grass conditions have something to do with the crest? Or the low light levels which can lead to lami in cushings/EMS horses?

I didn't know low light levels could cause laminitis in cushings horses, does it trigger release of hormones or something like that?

Yes, it is hormonally related. There's loads of complex info on the internet but this is a link to the Laminitis Clinic's simple explanation: www.laminitisclinic.org/ECD.htm

[wdf]

Dec 3, 2013 20:18:53 GMT -1 harveydales said:

I assume it's because your yard owner doesn't want to risk icy patches where water has drained and frozen? Surely there is a way round this?

Yes that's EXACTLY it, tap/drain is at a part of the yard you have to walk across; it's sloped and on a GOOD day a bit slippery underfoot so when the cold frosts come = ice rink!
For now I'm soaking during the day (rather than overnight) I'm having to manually fill bin with small buckets of water AWAY from the tap area, NIGHTMARE
Dr Kellon suggested haylage for several weeks during this time, it must be tested <10% WSC to be safe (we're IR as well) - that MAY be an option, need to get some analysed.

[tinkerdorisalison]

What about making a wheelie bin into a soaker, could you put a tap (like on a water butt) near the bottom so you can drain the water directly into the drain and its easy to move about.

Or mix (really mix it) straw into the hay - takes longer to eat and less calories?

[harleydales]

Straw is OK for EPSM/PSSM horses... that's a good idea.

[wdf]

* UPDATE *
Not been on for a while so thought I'd just let you all know our new dilemma:-

We've been out at night since June at the request of vet and WOW what a difference it has made! He's much more softer in he's flanks and we can manage 1hr hacks twice a day with some trots and he gets schooled twice a week where we can now achieve 4x20mtr circles. Now we are stronger the vet has referred us to a physio who came out last week; surprisingly SHE has a pssm horse (tested positive to type 1) so she knows the utter pain it is to keep them anyway; she said we're still too weak in our hind end for her to do any therapy BUT she gave us some tips to get stronger. She said keeping the carbs & sugar out the system is key and her horse can only stand to stabled MAX 5hrs so our upcoming routine of 14-16hrs she found horrifying I said being on livery yard is restrictive and I do my best, she & vet have since advised that night grazing MUST continue! I've since spoken to YO who initially said NO its not allowed but she's come back to me today and offered me a patch out the way but its no shelter and she said I could have 1st refusal on a grass livery paddock which HAVE shelters. My dilemma is . . . . . . do I keep him out overnight thru the winter with no shelter & he'd be on he's own . . . . stay in the same field but switch to days with long stabled times?

Thanks in advance

[harveydales]

Difficult one but I agree, overwintering outside is the best option. I don't think the lack of shelter will be a problem. You can always rug as required. It is more the lack of company which might be a problem but you know your pony best. I winter 3 of mine in a big field with no shelter and they are fine. Harvey winters on his own in a field with a shelter and is fine too, but he does know the others are close by.