Hi!
Welcome to the group. Please sign your name! We have lots of tips for you to keep your 23 yo mare in good health and sound. You'll find by reading out files that our philosophy is DDT/E. This is DIAGNOSIS, DIET, TRIM and EXERCISE.

DIAGNOSIS is by bloodwork. What tests did your vet use to confirm Cushings aka PPID? What was the value, unit and lab normal? Cushings is a progressive condition treated by pergolide. The DIET we prescribe here also supports Cushings as many Cushings horses become Insulin Resistant. IR is diagnosed by having blood pulled for Insulin/Glucose and Leptin on a NON fasting horse. We want you to feed just soaked/drained grass hay/no grains the night before and the day of the blood pull.

DIET is low sugar/starch/fat with the minerals balanced to your hay's assay. Testing your hay to find out exactly you are feeding then balancing the minerals is critical to an IR horse. Feeding under 10% a day sugar/starch will keep most horses from laminitis. Some horses are super sensitive and need to go lower. Soaking hay for one hour in cold water can reduce sugars up to 30%! If your horse is foot sore, appears to have hock issues, is stiff etc, it could be laminitis. You did not mention any lameness which is good!

In the files you'll find one called Analysis of Various Feeds. This will fascinate you with the difference in each type of feed. I don’t know who makes your Cool and Calm but wouldn’t you like to know what the sugar/starch is in it? NO horse needs over 4% fat!

TRIM is a balanced foot with toes backed and heels lowered. Boots and pads for sore footed horses.

EXERCISE is the best way to reduce IR. Burn off those calories!

Texas has a large group of members that can help you source products you may need. If you look in the DATABASE (blue box on the eft side of your screen on ECIR main page) you find by states members who have signed up to help others. You arent alone!

Please read the files and ask questions as they pop up. Feed her the best hay and feed you can because she has Cushings. I would even start her on Vitamin E, loose iodized table salt, magnesium and freshly ground flax seed. These are the Temporary Minerals in the Emergency Diet but they will stay onboard when you balance her hay. These are good things to feed her.

We'd like you to join the ECH6 group - only takes a minute - and fill out the questionnaire (be sure to save it) so we can see the big picture. Like her breed! Then we can see what more we can do to help you. Start a journal on her now. Take photos and notes. Here's the link to ECH6

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ECHistory6/join

Mandy in VA
EC Primary Response
OCT 2003