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Are mini's more prone to get cushings?

Helaine <helaineelliott@...>
 

HI just wondering if mini's are more prone to get Cushings than larger breeds. My friend has a mini mare whose hair coat is pretty long for this time of year and I just wondered if that was normal or should she be concerned? Thanks

Helaine and Claire
N.Ca 2005

Chanda
 

While I'm not saying its not Cushings, but minis tend to look like they have more hair than full-size horses. I have 12 minis and it seems every single one of htem has a different coat type; some have nice short tight summer coats, others have coarser, longer summer coats, and I've also discovered nutrition and life's circumstances seems to play a role in what their coats look like. I have one mare that usualy has a pretty long, coarse summer coat, this year she had her first foal, and this year her coat is the slickest, shortest its ever been in summer. I have two mares, mother/daughter, and the mother has a pretty short slick coat, the daughter a longer, fuzzier coat.
I do have a mini gelding with Cushings, just diagnoses last November; he is clipped this summer, but his winter coat was coarse, curly and just a mess; I'm anxious to see what kind of winter coat he'll grow this year while on pergolide.
Chanda
MT 9/04

--- In EquineCushings@..., "Helaine" <helaineelliott@...> wrote:

HI just wondering if mini's are more prone to get Cushings than larger breeds. My friend has a mini mare whose hair coat is pretty long for this time of year and I just wondered if that was normal or should she be concerned? Thanks

Helaine and Claire
N.Ca 2005

Eleanor Kellon, VMD
 

Mini's coats tend to mirror their body type. Those that actually look like miniature horses

<http://www.google.com/imgres?um=1&hl=en&safe=off&sa=N&biw=1280&bih=900&tbm=isch&tbnid=0Ue013cN3GXP-M:&imgrefurl=http://www.americanminiaturehorse.com/&docid=MJoxOIPhYRriWM&imgurl=http://www.americanminiaturehorse.com/images/packy%252520sm.jpg&w=480&h=428&ei=pUUxUKrDOory9gTr9IEI&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=692&vpy=234&dur=646&hovh=212&hovw=238&tx=130&ty=129&sig=110494672211136870248&page=1&tbnh=162&tbnw=179&start=0&ndsp=21&ved=1t:429,r:18,s:0,i:199>

<http://www.google.com/imgres?um=1&hl=en&safe=off&sa=N&biw=1280&bih=900&tbm=isch&tbnid=C3B09tU_l-k8UM:&imgrefurl=http://www.magnificentjourneyminis.com/Show.html&docid=jOdtKGzZAXmNbM&imgurl=http://www.magnificentjourneyminis.com/images/0Z9K56433.jpg&w=443&h=533&ei=H0YxUOOBBIry9gTr9IEI&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=728&vpy=149&dur=1906&hovh=246&hovw=205&tx=129&ty=158&sig=110494672211136870248&page=1&tbnh=185&tbnw=153&start=0&ndsp=21&ved=1t:429,r:3,s:0,i:85>

<http://www.google.com/imgres?um=1&hl=en&safe=off&sa=N&biw=1280&bih=900&tbm=isch&tbnid=G7dWXjVBVPwtVM:&imgrefurl=http://www.silhouettehorses.com/mycustompage0005.htm&docid=MEtH605Oxk3-oM&imgurl=http://web.ecomplanet.com/SIPH4517/ServerContent/MyCustomImages/SIPH4517CustomImage5961466.jpg&w=448&h=332&ei=H0YxULr3OIqa9gTvmoCQBQ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=213&vpy=515&dur=60&hovh=193&hovw=261&tx=170&ty=116&sig=110494672211136870248&page=2&tbnh=169&tbnw=246&start=21&ndsp=25&ved=1t:429,r:5,s:21,i:161>

tend to have a smoother coat than those which more resemble ponies

<http://www.google.com/imgres?start=21&um=1&hl=en&safe=off&sa=N&biw=1280&bih=900&tbm=isch&tbnid=yMKsJk5bR1Vs6M:&imgrefurl=http://cute-n-tiny.com/cute-animals/koda-the-dwarf-miniature-horse/&docid=0okGqFZ9JqSl-M&imgurl=http://cute-n-tiny.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/cute-miniature-horse-koda4-400x315.jpg&w=400&h=315&ei=pkUxUP2AMoqa9gTvmoCQBQ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=337&vpy=343&dur=7414&hovh=199&hovw=253&tx=160&ty=119&sig=110494672211136870248&page=2&tbnh=161&tbnw=208&ndsp=25&ved=1t:429,r:46,s:21,i:73>

<http://www.google.com/imgres?start=21&um=1&hl=en&safe=off&sa=N&biw=1280&bih=900&tbm=isch&tbnid=bwCnUJdtKLt2hM:&imgrefurl=http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/wallpaper/miniature-horse-kentucky_pod_image.html&docid=NRYr6Hw9R2YkpM&imgurl=http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/staticfiles/NGS/Shared/StaticFiles/Photography/Images/POD/m/miniature-horse-kentucky-737725-sw.jpg&w=800&h=600&ei=pkUxUP2AMoqa9gTvmoCQBQ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=569&vpy=569&dur=748&hovh=157&hovw=209&tx=159&ty=84&sig=110494672211136870248&page=2&tbnh=157&tbnw=209&ndsp=25&ved=1t:429,r:27,s:21,i:12>

<http://www.google.com/imgres?um=1&hl=en&safe=off&sa=N&biw=1280&bih=900&tbm=isch&tbnid=S2T8ICwTjGUWMM:&imgrefurl=http://www.centralcoastpictures.com/horsepictures.html&docid=6Xe4vYtX-jQhqM&imgurl=http://www.centralcoastpictures.com/_images/_horses/mini_horse_l.jpg&w=800&h=548&ei=pkUxUP2AMoqa9gTvmoCQBQ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=754&vpy=174&dur=1042&hovh=186&hovw=271&tx=166&ty=82&sig=110494672211136870248&page=4&tbnh=165&tbnw=231&start=71&ndsp=25&ved=1t:429,r:8,s:71,i:398>

However, I've worked with breeders and the external appearance is not a reliable indicator of IR. Minis have a strong influence of pony blood but even within highly susceptible hairy pony breeds like Shetlands there are familial influences and the smooth coated minis that might have more Arabian blood are also strongly susceptible to familial trends.

Bottom line is that coat per se will not predict IR or PPID.

Eleanor in PA
www.drkellon.com
EC Co-owner
Feb 2001

Chanda
 

Gosh, I hate to contradict you on this, while somewhat true, those pics aren't true reflections of mini coats. The first three were all professional pics, and since two are show pics, I'd say all three are clipped minis. The second three, well those are natural coats, I'm guessing they may be coming out of winter or going into winter; and one was a dwarf who would have a whole host of his own problems.
None are professional pics, and none are show minis, but here are a few of mine to show coat differences:
Here's one of my stallions:
http://www.freewebs.com/hcminis/Topper%20-%20Aug%2017,%202011%20-%20right%203%20-%20edited.jpg He has a nice natural smooth coat, I've not clipped him.
One of my more pony looking mares, unclipped, natural summer coat:
http://www.freewebs.com/hcminis/Misty%20-%20june%203%202005%20-%20full%20side.jpg
This next mare has a coarser summer coat, but not too fuzzy:
http://www.freewebs.com/hcminis/Tana%20-%20June%203,%202007%20-%20good%201.jpg
A chunky youngster with fuzzy summer coat:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v367/Horsephotos/horse%20album/Dolly-Aug172012-fattyforweb.jpg Not sure how that one will work out for link, she's 3 this year, and more pony build in addition to overweight.
Chanda
MT 9/04

--- In EquineCushings@..., "drkellon" <drkellon@...> wrote:

Mini's coats tend to mirror their body type. Those that actually look like miniature horses

tend to have a smoother coat than those which more resemble ponies


Bottom line is that coat per se will not predict IR or PPID.

Eleanor in PA
www.drkellon.com
EC Co-owner
Feb 2001

llkeach50
 

This topic is very timely for me. I have a 5 year old Shetland who came to me with a short sleek summer coat the end of May of his second year. That was the last time he had a sleek coat, and the breeder told me she did NOT clip him, but did blanket him. Now he sheds out his winter coat then grows a long summer coat, with LOTS of swirls, which make it look even longer! I tested him for thyroid,it was normal, de-wormed with Ivermectin three time three weeks apart.....no change. I am wondering if this is just his coat....but he is a part hackney very slim and elegant Shetland. One vet told me to try pergolide on him.....but this long coat thing started at age 3.......can't be PPID! ( I hope ). I have not tested him for IR, but feed him as if he is.
Strange huh?

Linda K, NY
Dec 2003

Gosh, I hate to contradict you on this, while somewhat true, those pics aren't true reflections of mini coats. > > >

Chanda
 

Diet seems to make more of a difference with the minis than other breeds, especially if you dry lot them so they don't blimp out on grass. Mine all shed beautifully this year, and I attribute at least part of that to feeding flax this year (this is hte first year I've fed everyone flax), I haven't fed it yearround, but make sure I start in like December so there is plenty of time for it to work on their summer coat/shedding. I only clipped two horses this year, my Cushings gelding, and my senior stallion (he's tiny, but gets tons of hair, not Cushings, just hairy).
Chanda
MT 9/04

--- In EquineCushings@..., "Linda" <LLKeach@...> wrote:

This topic is very timely for me. I have a 5 year old Shetland who came to me with a short sleek summer coat the end of May of his second year. That was the last time he had a sleek coat, and the breeder told me she did NOT clip him, but did blanket him. Now he sheds out his winter coat then grows a long summer coat, with LOTS of swirls, which make it look even longer! I tested him for thyroid,it was normal, de-wormed with Ivermectin three time three weeks apart.....no change. I am wondering if this is just his coat....but he is a part hackney very slim and elegant Shetland. >
Linda K, NY
Dec 2003

llkeach50
 

He has had 2 oz of flax a day since I have owned him. He is about 400 pounds,( according to weight tape ) do you think I should give him more? He also gets minerals balanced to the hay, Vit. E, Selenium, and salt.

Linda K, NY
Dec 2003


Diet seems to make more of a difference with the minis than other breeds, especially if you dry lot them so they don't blimp out on grass. Mine all shed beautifully this year, and I attribute at least part of that to feeding flax this year>

Chanda
 

the flax amount sounds fine.
How tall is he? I have 9 minis from 35.5" to 38" and none of them are over 375# unless they are fat, and a better weight for most of them is 325-350#. [Ok I just reread and you have Shetland, so likely taller than my minis, so probably will weigh more.]
There is a formula for figuring weights and its much more accurate than weight tapes, especially for minis (and probably ponies too). Here's a link to the formula: http://www.lilbeginnings.com/info/misc/ (half way down the page). There is a chart that gives weight based on heartgirth, I don't know how accurate that is, but the formula right under the chart is pretty good.
Chanda
MT 9/04

--- In EquineCushings@..., "Linda" <LLKeach@...> wrote:

He has had 2 oz of flax a day since I have owned him. He is about 400 pounds,( according to weight tape ) do you think I should give him more? He also gets minerals balanced to the hay, Vit. E, Selenium, and salt.

Linda K, NY
Dec 2003


Diet seems to make more of a difference with the minis than other breeds, especially if you dry lot them so they don't blimp out on grass. Mine all shed beautifully this year, and I attribute at least part of that to feeding flax this year>

llkeach50
 

He is 44" tall. I do know about that weight calculator that is more accurate....he still came just a little under 400 pounds using that formula.

Linda K,NY
Dec 2003

How tall is he? I have 9 minis from 35.5" to 38" and none of them are over 375# unless they are fat, and a better weight for most of them is 325-350#.

Chanda
 

You are probably doing all the right things for him. Did you ask his previous owner what she was feeding him? If nothing else but for curiosities sake. Perhaps she was feeding another fat source or a coat conditioner.
Chanda
MT 9/04

--- In EquineCushings@..., "Linda" <LLKeach@...> wrote:

He is 44" tall. I do know about that weight calculator that is more accurate....he still came just a little under 400 pounds using that formula.

Linda K,NY
Dec 2003

llkeach50
 

I have a 5 year old Shetland who came to me with a short sleek summer coat the end of May of his second year. That was the last time he had a sleek coat, and the breeder told me she did NOT clip him, but did blanket him. Now he sheds out his winter coat then grows a long summer coat, with LOTS of swirls, which make it look even longer! >


****Update on this Shetland. Now that the days are shorter and cooler, he is completely shed out, to a sleek short coat that looks like a summer coat. Nothing in his diet or routine was changed at all. Might the thyroid be involved? I can't think of any other explaination for this coat change.

Any thoughts anyone?

Linda K
Dec 2003, NY

Mandy Woods
 

I had a Hackney cross pony that shed his winter coat entirely by August 15th and on August 30th he started growing a winter coat.
Mandy in VA

-----Original Message-----
From: Linda
Sent: Sunday, September 23, 2012 9:27 AM
To: EquineCushings@...
Subject: [EquineCushings] Re: Are mini's more prone to get cushings?



I have a 5 year old Shetland who came to me with a short sleek summer coat the end of May of his second year. That was the last time he had a sleek coat, and the breeder told me she did NOT clip him, but did blanket him. Now he sheds out his winter coat then grows a long summer coat, with LOTS of swirls, which make it look even longer! >


****Update on this Shetland. Now that the days are shorter and cooler, he is completely shed out, to a sleek short coat that looks like a summer coat. Nothing in his diet or routine was changed at all. Might the thyroid be involved? I can't think of any other explaination for this coat change.

Any thoughts anyone?

Linda K
Dec 2003, NY



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