Thyroid problem - what to feed?

[Spydgal]

We have a bit of problem and could do with anyones ideas on how to solve it!
We have a 20 year old mare that we rescued at the end of last winter - I have written on the board about how she came to us in the rescue centre in an awful state covered in open sores from untreated rainscald and was severely under weight. She was doing fabulously until last month when she nearly choked to death eating due to a lump in her throat. The vet saved her even though she was haemorraging internally and it was a very close call.
Anyway (sorry this is long) its turned out to be enlarged thyroid and is untreatable (its not hypo or hyperthyroidism). We have now been told she is not to have hay anymore. We want to give this the best shot possible after all she has been through .......
Can anyone recommend a hay replacement bearing in mind the ease of her eating it with this particular problem? We will be feeding her a specially made pureed feed and she will also have added vitamins and minerals to her diet.

[Wally]

Ready grass is a good one.

[Spydgal]

That was the best I could think of as well but was trying to think of ways to feed it that would be easiest for her ..... should we soak it/add a little oil/ hang it up in erm something/ or put it low in the most natural position???????
Any ideas anyone?

[claireh]

Hi!

Firstly, lucky horse to have found you!
With regard to feed, I don't have any first hand experience but I visited a rescue centre locally recently & they had several 'older equines' and ones with 'feeding problems'. They all appeared to be being fed the best thing for their particular needs- some of them had ready grass on the floor of their stable, some had it in a feed bucket with water to soften it. They were also feeding something that looked to me like chaff but was called 'mollychop' or something like that- apparantley it has added vitamins etc & is excellent for horses with feeding problems. Not sure about nutrition though, 'cause as I say, it just looked like good old chaff to me! Also, if she can't have hay, it may be too simmilar in texture or whatever- loked like finely chopped hay!
As to how/where to feed- didn't your vet give you any ideas? It might be worth asking because with such a specialised problem, the most obvious thing (like feeding low) might be the worst thing. Don't know of course- just thinking as I type and typing it, so I'll stop now!!:D Good luck!

[intouch]

Just an idea - the grass nuts you can get for cattle, if you soaked them, they should provide the fibre and protein you need without the effort needed to swallow hay etc. So long as they didn't have any nasty additives. Kelp is recommended for thyroid problems, maybe including seaweed in her diet might help. But check it out first.