Hi Aliza,
Welcome to the group. Our philosophy is very short and
simple. DDT/E. This means DIAGNOSIS by
bloodwork, DIET of low sugar/starch forage with the minerals
balanced to that assay, TRIM a foot in alignment with the coffin
bone/heels lowered and toes backed and last EXERCISE of handwalking
ONLY if the horse is willing and able. Never force a lamintic horse
to move.
In your situation with a new horse that is IR/PPID, I would tighten
up his diet and get current bloodowork. The bloodwork we
recommend are ACTH, Insuin/Glucose/Leptin on a NON fasting horse.
Please send the blood to Cornell. They are most familiar with the protocol
we use. Feed your boy soaked/drained grass hay the night before and
the day of the blood draw. Your vet needs to have an account with
Cornell. In the files under Bloodtesting, you can also find shipping
labels to cut your cost because these tests need to be handled quickly and
correctly. Ship overnight air to Cornell. The serum needs to
be seperated within 4 hours or less from the time of the draw. Keep all
samples chilled on ice.
As soon as you get the sample results, please join the ECH8 group and
fill out the questionnaire there. That paints the bigger picture of what
is happening with your horse. We have volunteers here to help
you from DIET to TRIM. I’m sending you the link to join
ECH8. You asked about feeding the exlaminitic ~ that will
depend on your bloodwork. I the meantime please start the Temporary
Emergency DIET in the Start Here File. Aliza, this is
critical for your boy. Arabs are the top breed in the IR
department. To control IR you feed a a special low s/s/ fat
meal. Soaking his hay for one hour is the first place to
start. Then adding the Temp ER minerals of Vitamin E, loose iodized
table salt, magnesium and freshly ground flax seed will be the starting
building blocks to his custom DIET. The search is on for low
sugar/starch grass hay. NO alfalfa. And NO
PASTURE! Grass is very high in sugar this time of year.
NO apples, no carrots, no commercial feeds or supplements -
yet. Lets see what his numbers are.
Send your hay sample to
Equi-analytical.com and ask for the Trainer #
603. Since hay is the major portion of his diet, he will need
extra minerals to balance his meals.
Aliza, you describe a lame horse. We call it smoldering
subclinicial laminitis. You caught this early. By starting the ER DIET
today you can stop it from getting worse. Have your vet take xrays of his
feet. Then you get down on the ground and take photos of his feet.
I’m also sending a link where you can get ideas on how to take good
photos. Do NOT exercise him at all right now. We
do not promote lunging because of the torque it puts on the walls of his
feet. Do NOT give him bute or any other NSAIDS because now is the
time to keep him quiet before he does any more damage to his laminae It
takes about one year for a horse to grow out an entire foot. Sometimes it
takes 2-3 years. Be patient. You have a young horse! He’ll
teach you tons...as he is now.
Start a journal on him. Take photos, measurements, trace
his feet- get him boots and pads if that makes him more
comfortable. We have all walked in your shoes. We are
paying it forward. Ask questions and we’ll help.
Organic Beet Pulp? You may have to grow your own!! Two other
options beside the Soy Hull Pellets that Laura mentioned are Ontario Dehy
Timothy Balance cubes or NUZU feed out of Illinois.
These are not organic but they are SAFE and COMPLETE feeds that are approved by
the group.
Get your bloodwork taken care of so we can help you start this journey.
He’s a lucky boy that you have him!
http://www.freil.com/~mlf/IR/ir.html
www.equi-analytical.com
http://www.all-natural-horse-care.com/good-hoof-photos.html
Mandy in VA
EC Primary Response
OCT 2003
