Hi Amanda,

It sounds like some of his calories are being wasted, which makes it difficult to determine what his actual needs are. Have you experimented with different degrees of soupiness? If chewing is his issue, which is sounds like it's at least part of his issue, he may do better with meals that are soup consistency. Soaked feed does "spoil" to varying extent over a day depending on the environment so that's a real challenge too.

It doesn't sound like you will have an issue with too much weight gain! I want to be clear I'm not trying to discourage you out of concern for weight gain; just that his actual calorie needs might not be as high as you think and apparently part of the reason for that is waste.

You can also safely feed him up to 1 lb/day of  ground flax, which will significantly boost his calories without affecting insulin, and up to 4 oz/day of CocoSoya, which is highly palatable.

Keeping his ACTH normal is going to be your most important goal because his breeding does not at all predispose him to IR and laminitis. That's coming from the PPID.
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Eleanor in PA

www.drkellon.com 
EC Owner 2001
The first step to wisdom is "I don't know."

Thanks Dr. Kellon, I really appreciate the response.

In the past 3 months leading up to the laminitis episode very little food was being wasted. With the new diet, I see he is eating all the portion I feed at night, but there is some waste of the rations the barn feeds (I board). His meals are three equal portions fed at 8 AM, 3PM , and sometime between 5 and 8 PM. I feed the last feeding and he is always still working on the feed from 3PM when I feed. They are split this way to avoid spoilage and I found he eats better with less food in front of him and tends to get "overwhelmed" if there is too much presented at once.

I've spent a ton of time finding the right degree of soupiness for him and am pretty confident we're at the right texture currently. I have been experimenting a bit with adding more or less water for the cubes since that's a new feed for us but so far it seems to be coming out close the right consistency.

I have also added the 1lb of flax already, that was included in the calorie count.

I have not added cocosoya. Would that be a safer way to add additional calories than the Stabil 1 feed?

I liked the Stabul 1 because of the flavoring aspect (Crimson seems to agree) but it's not worth it if that compromises his comfort level.

All the best,
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Amanda C in Southern California, Joined 2022
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Once you settle on a diet that works for his weight, have his bloodwork redone so you can see if insulin is in a safe range, and ACTH is normal.

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Kirsten and Shaku (EMS + PPID) and Snickers (EMS) - 2019
Kitimat, BC, Canada
ECIR Group Moderator
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Well, I would say Crimson is slightly worse three days in on the Stabul 1 that he was the two days prior (Still better than a week ago). This could be because the ground is hardening back up after rain or it could be the feed. I cut the Stabul 1 in half  the last two days (4.5 lbs), but likely will remove it completely for a few days and see if things start improving again.

My next plan is to try 15 lbs TC balance cubes, 1 lb flax, and add in cocosoya oil. Recommendations on amount of oil to feed? Should I go with the 4oz?

Thank you all!
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Amanda C in Southern California, Joined 2022
Crimson's Album
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4 oz is fine.
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Eleanor in PA

www.drkellon.com 
EC Owner 2001
The first step to wisdom is "I don't know."

Amanda,

It could also just be the normal up and down you see with these horses as they are recovering. For example, they may feel comfortable one day and do too  much moving around then pay for it after that. The only way to know for sure if a food item is an issue is to check insulin.

If you go to the TC (Ontario Dehy) Balance Cubes you also need to add salt and vitamin E.
--
Eleanor in PA

www.drkellon.com 
EC Owner 2001
The first step to wisdom is "I don't know."

Ok, thank you. He's already getting salt and vitamin E, so we should be good there. 
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Amanda C in Southern California, Joined 2022
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