Advice on feeding laminitic horse...

[martini55]

Well as some of you know my horse Martini is recovering from laminitis. She is a 15 year old, 15.1hh tb x fell and is a good doer. She is not sound yet, but is doing really well. She has lost a lot of weight and is nearing a good weight again.

The problem is winter is approaching and I am unsure about feeding. Just now all she gets is a haynet at night (last years hay), two feeds a day with a handful or hi-fi light and carrots and is out in the starvation paddock during the day.

Normally all she gets in the winter is 2 feeds of hi-fi light with a scoop of pasture mix in the morning and 2 at night (one of the small rectangular scoops).

The problem is I don't want her to lose too much weight but I am not sure as to which feed to use because of the laminitis. Are there any feeds similar to pasture mix that have been approved by the laminitic trust? Does anyone know much about feeding or know any feed companies which offer free advise? Thanks.

[DavidH]

Hi,
Most feed companies will give you advice over the phone but of course, with specific references to their own products.
My daughter has and ancient pony which is prone to lam and losing weight due to his years. I am not an expert on the feed requirements for this type of pony (feeding eventers no problem) but my OH has had these problems for many years and has researched the problems.
She feeds the pony a product called Happy Hoof with Speedy Beet (none molassed) added to control weight loss with vitamin supplement. The amount of beet is varied depending on weight loss / gain. So far, we have not had any problems with him.
Might be worth looking in to.

[Showjumper]

There is Happy Hoof, which is sort of a mix (not particularly similar to pasture mix thought - Happy Hoof is an all-in-one - no need for chaff). That's been approved by the Laminitis Society and is what Dolly gets.

[martini55]

Thanks for the replies :) I had heard of Happy Hoof but wasn't sure exactly what it was but I'll look into it. It's just because she will need something to help keep the weight on over the winter (complete opposite problem to which I have been having to deal with just now lol) as we are not allowed to feed hay in the fields and as she is out all day she won't be getting much to eat during the day.

[cvb]

Hi

We have an ex-laminitic Fell. He doesn't get anything that is molassed, and no cereal. So he does get some unmolassed sugar beet in winter, but no mix at all.

He gets Hi Fi Lite and a balancer as his "feed". Then they also get Hay or Oat Straw as well. Carrots for "supper" last thing. And a feed ball with a handful of plain grass nuts in just to keep him amused.

This regime seems to work very well for him.

You do need to think things through e.g. at one stage he was getting the fluid off the sugar beet but no beet. But then we worked out that if there's any sugar left in the beet - it ends up in the soaking water so this was actually not the best idea :eek:

I think he had Happy Hoof at one stage, but for some reason it didn't suit him. He's been great since he's been on a balancer - wonderful coat etc.

[Laura+Phantom]

Hi, all 4 of my ponies have happy hoof all year round, at the moment just a handful each, and they've maintained good weights this year...much less flab than last year, and no sign of laminitis. I used to feed blue chip as well as it's a good balancer and gives them all their vitamins and minerals but it's rather expensive for 4 ponies!

[Samsky]

My fell pony has hi fi lite and Bailey's Lo-Cal.It says on the bag of Lo-Cal

Bailey's Lo Cal promotes good condition and superb muscle tone.Suitable for good doers and laminitics.

[artemis]

One thing you have to take care with is grass on a frosty day when the sun is shining. The sun forces the grass through which is high in sugar.

The laminitis trust has a good website. Also take a look at "safergrass.org"

[Yann]

We give Gem happy hoof, it is laminitis trust approved and very appetising. Rio would eat it if we offered it to her but she gets something with a bit more oomph.

If you don't give a vitamin supplement already you should maybe consider it, especially once the horse is working again.

[martini55]

Hiya, thanks for all the advice. I think I will continue with the hi--fi lite and then start using a supplement, I am not so great with feeding so all the advice is appreciated. With me being away at university I am just wanting to get this right as I won't be around to notice gradual change in her condition. I guess I am just a bit paranoid incase she loses too much weight.

[Jenn_and_Benji]

hi guys
I feed my 15.2 cob gelding 1.5-2kg of Happy Dieter (similar to Happy Hoof and made by the same people), with a wee bit of molasses because he is fussy, once a day. He is out 24hours a day in a small field with 4 other horses and there is not much grass. He is an extremely good doer and is always hungry (or greedy, I can never tell which it is). Does his ration sound ok? You are meant to be able to feed more of the Happy Dieter stuff because it is so low calorie. That way hungry (greedy) horses get more to munch on.

I am paranoid about laminitis - but it is so difficult to keep a greedy fat-prone horse happy and full.

[artemis]

A couple of things you could ask about.

"Formula 4 Feet" Similar to Farriers Formula, but made in the UK & GM free.

"Founderguard" Need a vet for this one cos of the EU regulations.

[cvb]

Jenn_and_Benji

We weigh tape on a regular basis to keep an eye on things. That way we pick up any movement much sooner - but we still use our eyes as well e.g. for neck crest or fat over kidneys i.e. general condition counting.

Its difficult to comment on your rations for Benji cos its "horses for courses" ;-) but if you feel you have his weight and health sorted, then its a question of maintaining the status quo despite the change in grass, weather, seasons etc.

One thing - our Fell seems to use eating as a way to keep occupied - much more than the other two do. i.e. if he gets bored, his first thought is food.

So we look for ways to keep him otherwise entertained or food that takes him longer.

e.g. in the winter for their "outside" lunch, they get some oatstraw. Keeps them amused but has less food value than hay. He also gets a snack ball last thing when he's in at night. It just has a handful of grass cubes but he has to chase it around to get to them :D

This is the opposite to our strategy for our 32 year old - he has to be encouraged to eat the right amount so gets food that is very easy to eat !

So basically its not just what you feed, its how you feed it as well. Make him work for it if at all possible. e.g. if you use haynets, use a small (haylage) haynet. and so on.

[lynniek]

Hi, my pony has laminitis the now.

Don't give him any cereals at all, give him hay, and as a feed either oat straw or chaff mixed with water, it is very important NOT to give him anything high in carbohydrates, give him something with high fibre and oil.

A lot of people think you starve a laminitic pony, u shouldn't,make sure he always has hay, being kept in the stable will make him loose wieght,as my pony has, he is looking great and is a lot happier and healthier looking.

My pony has frog supports on, his feet bandaged and his legs are bandaged too for extra support.

[CurlyWurlyRach]

i feed Fibrebeet as an alternative to speedibeet.

its exellent and my horse adores it.

[martini55]

Wow this is an old thread. Diet is sorted now ;)

[puzzles]

gdgd!

:-)

xx

[Laura+Phantom]

Crikey this must be an old thread, my ponies were 'good weights' at the time! Now they are just fat! Also I don't use happy hoof anymore because it's full of molasses, I feed baileys lo-cal, hi fi lite, and a splodge of speedibeet.

[puzzles]

Good good - all of those products are more than suitable for Laminatics and good doers.

:-)

xx

[Jadiee]

My pony has had laminitis in the past and is a good doer too. Although in the winter months i ride her lots so she's prone to weight loss. I feed her Dengie Healthy Hoof which is approved by the Laminitis trust and is only about £8 for a big bag! I also give her Speedi Beet Which is about the same price i think. Its good because theres not much sugar in it and you dont have to soak it for long. Hope i helped!