SUGGESTIONS TO LOOSE WEIGHT

[kayla221444]

We sold a colt born on our farm in 2007 to an older couple who wanted a nice gelding as a pet, we got a phone call from them about a week ago, stating he had gotten Founder in all 4 feet, which turned to Laminitis. So him being in their hearts, they gave us a call to see if we had a dirt lot he could go on. We have never had one with Laminitis before, but we have a dirt lot so thought we would give him a try. We gave our Leg specialist a visit to talk about the posibilities with our new little guy, and what we can do for him!!

He said a lower quality grass hay would be good, low starch grains (but we wont be giving him any grain..he DONT need it!) As little grass as possible, and get him to loose weight.

Well got him yesterday and he has lost weight since the last time we seen him. But hes still much over weight. But we also can't really work him right now because hes still sore on his feet.

So is there anything we can feed him that will help loose weight? I have him out with my 2 year old stallion right now, and hes getting more exercise running and playing with him (they get along great)

I am new to conditioning the mini's is their any good video out there that give's idead on how to condition a mini? for when he is better and can get more exercise.

 

[disneyhorse]

Soaking the grass hay and then dumping the resulting "sugar water" will pull the sugar out of the hay, therefore reducing calories and sugar which he shouldn't have. This will help A LOT.

Good luck,

Andrea

 

[Al B]

We have had some excellent results with a foundering mare by feeding her Coastal Bermuda and Wellsolve L/S (Purina). She had been foundering for 5 years and within 2 weeks she was walking well. She is also on a dry lot where we can control her feed.

 

[GypsyMoonMinis]

I second what Andrea said. With the right program lamanitis can be controlled so he's comfortable. I would imagine minis are slightly easier than a big horse, since they don't have the weight that causes alot of long term deterioration and rotation of the bones. You might also look into a supplement called ABC Plus and triple crown has a really nice low starch feed. If sore feet really become an issue at some point I would look into having sole pads put on, Vettec is one of the best. They don't require shoes, are sturdy and even come medicated to combat issues like thrush. Great for abscess too. It sounds like your defiantly on the right path though! Good luck

 

[Kim~Crayonboxminiatures]

I've had luck using the supplement Remission along with a diet change and as they can tolerate it, exercise. I use Triple Crown 30% Supplement as a ration balancer, gives them all the vitamins/minerals they need and only a small amount.

 

[Marty]

Please do some research on what exactly is you are dealing with. Loads of great information out there for you. Laminitis comes first, then possibly founder. If your guy is sore on all four feet, this is really not good and radiographs are in order to see what is going on there. A laminitis attack can be controlled if treated as an emergency situation and you get him stablized with the help of your vet and if you can locate a farrier clever enough to know how to trim him properly. This is not an easy thing but you must get him out of pain right away and stop any more inflamation from developing. If the laminitis attack is not stablized by a lot of soaking in cool water and pain relief and good trims, he will founder and that is badder than bad and you do not want that to happen but it may already have so this is why you really need a very good vet on board right away. Take the advice given above to feed properly, its all good and should help you out. However you must completely not even think of condioning this little one for a very long time via exercise but I guess you know that. I am so sorry this has happened and so happy you are able to take him back into your care. Best of luck to you and him.