[HelenVF]

Hi all,
 
I have a 22 year old Section A pony who is prone to laminitis.  She had a mild case last year, which was sorted by a couple of weeks in the stable.
 
She's looking a bit too skinny for my liking at the moment.  I've started learning to lunge her and my 4 year old son has got the confidence to ride her on his own (without OH holding him) so will be riding her more this summer holidays.
 
She has a couple of handfuls of happy hoof in the morning, is out on very short grass until 4/5/6 and then has a haynet when I bring her in and then more hay at 10ish.  She was having hay in the field but obviously, now there is a bit of grass, she isn't eaing it so we have stopped.
 
Is there anything I can give her to get some weight on her, without causing any problems with laminitis? 
 
Thanks
Helen

[sabrina]

have you had her teeth checked, maybe not eating like she should. Pitstop only gets out 2/3 hours a day but gets a hay when in and he looks just right. You can get reduced sugar beet which would help with weight. All mine get a low calorie mix , not a lot just enough to keep them thinking they are getting something. I feed vitimns all year so this small feed makes sure they are getting what they need. There is also a feed that is fed soaked can't remember what it is called some sort of mash which is good for olddies

[lachlanandmarcus]

A lot of people recommend Fast Fibre (which is fed soaked) plus some micronised linseed in it (the latter has similar omega profile to grass but without the sugars risks. Try to avoid alfalfa (present in a lot of lami friendly chaffs etc except in small amounts as some lamis react badly to it.
NB also consider (im sure you have tho anyway!) that lami prone ponies are best kept pretty slim (ie with a 'normal' pony you might be happy to just be able to feel ribs in the winter, with the lami prone you really almost want to see them a little bit, so that spring and autumn dont send them over the edge. Agree tho that in summer you might expect them to look not ribby, so it sounds as if maybe they do need a little extra - hope the above helps!

[HelenVF]

Thanks, both of you.  I remember worrying about her weight last year about this time as well and I am thinking it is because in the winter, she is getting a lot more hay but she just won't eat it when there is grass, although she is kept in a paddock with very little grass.  Will have a chat with my farrier friend re: dentist.  Will have a look into Fast Fibre, thanks.
 
My friend does say I worry too much!
 
Helen
 
 

[sabrina]

Worry and ponies go together.

[HelenVF]

Tell me about I lol!  I just want to do what's right by her.

Sabrina, forgot to ask - what extra vitamins do you give Pitstop?

Helen

[lachlanandmarcus]

just to add my lami pony and my oldie have dentist every 6 months, lami gets norvite (NE scottish tailored) vits and mins plus I add additional magnesium oxide (very very good for lamis)

[sabrina]

I give Pitstop Norvite also because is made to suit the North East of Scotland. he also gets Extraflex from Feedmark for his back and zerobute if his soles get bruise. I have also done his soles with Arnica which clears up in bruising very quickly. he only wears his boots when the ground is hard as wet ground they get pulled off. Trouble is there are days he decided to have a mad race up and down the paddock when he feels well. this causes bruising. he needs his feet trimmed every 6 weeks to keep him from walking on his heels.I have managed his problems for 5 years now and most of the time he is a happy boy.

[HelenVF]

Thanks Sabrina.  I have Dusty's feet trimmed regularly and my farrier/friend is here every week anyway so I get him to check on her regularly.

Will look up those things you give yours and see if they are suitable for Dusty. 

Helen

[lachlanandmarcus]

I give Pitstop Norvite also because is made to suit the North East of Scotland. he also gets Extraflex from Feedmark for his back and zerobute if his soles get bruise. I have also done his soles with Arnica which clears up in bruising very quickly. he only wears his boots when the ground is hard as wet ground they get pulled off. Trouble is there are days he decided to have a mad race up and down the paddock when he feels well. this causes bruising. he needs his feet trimmed every 6 weeks to keep him from walking on his heels.I have managed his problems for 5 years now and most of the time he is a happy boy.

thats a good point about arnica, will try that for Liesel's bruised heels.
I have tried to get farrier to come every 6 weeks but he doesnt take appts and Im lucky if i get him every 9 weeks sometimes which is no good for her (and there arent any other farriers locally) . So altho I prefer farrier care in theory, a (very well respected and properly trained) barefoot trimmer lady  is coming to see our two tomorrow with a view to taking them on,

[clydesdaleclopper]

Barefoot is excellent for laminitics as barefoot trimmers trim differently to farriers, particularly if they use the Mustang roll 

[HelenVF]

I've been in touch with Allen and Page, who make Fast Fibre and had a VERY detailed reply about what I should be doing for Dusty. 

Thanks for putting me onto Fast Fibre.  Starting to feel a little happier about it all now.

(I try not to mention barefoot trimmers to my farrier - if I do, I stand WELL back! lol, and it's not just to keep his business cos he trims her feet in exchange for dog training so we are both happy)

Helen

[HelenVF]

Just to let you know, she's been on Fast Fibre for just over a week and I'm already starting to see an improvement.

Massive thanks!

Helen

[lachlanandmarcus]

hurrah! that's excellent news :-))))))