Sodium and ponies with laminitis

[alwaysfallingof]

This may get a bit involved, please bear with me since I could really do with finding this out.:o

I think that Max (still on box rest and strict diet after lamanitis) may well be lacking in sodium - he is slightly dehydrated, but drinking normally, weeing lots and not sweating.

Since I'm soaking his hay, I think that I'm probably dissolving all the sodium into the water. I've been giving him Formula 4 Feet as a general supplement, but on inspecting the tub, it doesn't contain any sodium either - lots of potassium, but no sodium:confused:

So questions are:
1) Is it likely that a sodium deficiency is behind his slight dehydration?

2) Is there any reason why sodium isn't contained in F4F - is it bad for laminitics?

3) Is there any reason why I can't give him either electrolytes, or just table salt, and which would be better?

He's bright and happy in himself, has a very shiny coat and is eating normally.

Thanks, I know it's a bit obscure.

[MelanieD]

My EP has told me he's getting good results from feeding salt to laminitics, as well as feeding magnesium oxide or calmag. Its more because most grazing and hay/haylage has quite a lot of potassium in it compared to sodium and there's a balance thing where to excrete excess potassium they have to excrete some sodium or magnesium, so not deficiency as such more of an inbalance of various minerals.

[alwaysfallingof]

Brilliant MelanieD, thank you.

I admit that biology isn't my strongest point, I knew there was something about the Na+/K+ ratio, but couldn't remember what.

Thank you :)

[artemis]

I give my laminitic pony (he now has cushings) magnesium & sodium.

[Gill]

Why not provide a rockies salt lick (those pink salt lumps) which has trace elements including magnesium? My fatties on restricted grass love this and they can choose it when they want it.

[artemis]

Because he eats salt licks for breakfast!:eek:

[martini55]

Intersting... I may just add some salt to my horse's feed. What kind of differences can you expect to see?

[Bronya]

I was advised to ensure my girl had both magnesium and salt, when she was diagnosed. I've got one of those pink rock salt licks. Seems to solve the problem nicely!

[Denbenj]

I have always preffered offering rather than giving for things like these... but if hes eating salt licks for breakfast:eek: then I guess your stumped!

[alwaysfallingof]

:D Fingers crossed problem solved.
Pony's skin recoil now back to normal. Offered him electrolytes last night and he spent ages licking and playing with the water. Offered him salt this morning and he said no thanks. Salt this afternoon, he said YES PLEASE MUM!!

Thanks for your help. Agree with you artemis about the salt licks. It seems a bit of a misleading name. Salt BITES would be more accurate:rolleyes:

[Marusenka]

Have you ever tried those Himalayan salt licks that come attached to a rope (which is mega handy!!!)?- they come from hilton herbs and contain all the trace elements including iron, potassium and magnesium!

They are the only salt licks i have found that my little un can't take big chunks off- they are literally rock hard and they don't dissolve in the rain or anything either so you can put them out in the field or wherever

[gingeremmie]

My horse doesn't know how to lick. Seriously. So I can't give him licks of any kind. I add a little salt to each of his feeds along with magnesium. He doesn't even lick the bottom of his buckets, he sort of snuffles at it with his lips. Guess his mum never taught him to lick :(

[artemis]

The problem with the saltlicks with everything in them is that you haven't a clue as to the dosage that they are getting. I was worried about overdosing.