Dsld - how much pasture vs stall time

[shadesofbay3]

hi all

looking for insight in conjunction with working with my vets… never dealt with this issue before

i have an older TB mare that has cushings, kissing spines, and some other health issues, but believe it or not actually is in pretty good shape and not in any pain

i have always had her in full board - in half the time and out half the time and that is my preference… she seems content with that as well

she is currently at a layup/hospital barn right now due to a suspensory but further ultrasound last week revealed that the suspensory may have occurred as a result of dsld. i have a wonderful barn set up for her to go to when she is discharged but it is for full board

what i have read is that dsld horses do best when they are in full turnout. again, not my preference but i will do what is best for her. however, there seems to be a caveat because they need to be off bad footing (deep, wet, muddy, snow, etc) and obviously do best on flat ground. i also would want her by herself and in a paddock with shelter … i’ve talked to the place she is going and they are flexible with turnout but can’t do 24/7 turnout, which i expected

im really struggling with what the best thing is. im going to talk to my vet at our next appointment next week but my anxiety is through the roof. i really don’t want her out 24/7 but i don’t want to do her a disservice because that’s what i want… it thats what’s truly best for her i will have to do it. any advise? what have those in similar situations done?

[Tucker5]

I would seek out 24/7 turnout. There is more incentive to shuffle around and keep things from stiffening up. Something that I also think is vital - pain management. Part of that management includes distraction from pain, especially chronic, low level pain. Humans have so many choices for that but horses, not so much. Confining them to a stall limits their distractions of moving around, scents, sights, and sounds. There is so much more “out there”. Good luck!

[shadesofbay3]

thank you ! my other concern, though is with her being cushionoid is being out on grass 24 seven and having that increased risk of founder… I feel like I’m in a lose lose situation

[NaturallyHappy]

The three DSLD horses that were in my care seemed to like having a stall. They did not lay down outside but did in their stalls. All three wore egg bar shoes behind. One also had EMPF, and one was PPID. They lived to be 29, 31 and 34. I hope this helps somehow.

[greywithchrome]

It sounds like whatever choice you make she will be very well taken care of. Don’t beat yourself up too much about potentially making the “wrong” decision, especially if she seems perfectly happy with her full board arrangement. If you do want to try putting her outdoors 24/7 see if you can find an option with free choice hay but less grass to suit her cushings needs. Just curious, why do you want her by herself?

[Highflyer1]

Can you find somewhere that she can be in a gravel or hard packed dry lot/run with access to a shed or stall most of the time with paddock turnout for a few hours?

Given her age and other issues, I would not go too crazy trying to manage the DSLD perfectly. Just try to find somewhere that she gets some low level movement most of the time. Unless you are keeping her solo because she’s super nasty, I also wouldn’t discount a situation where she could be out with a suitable geriatric buddy or two if one comes along. At this point I think the difficulty of finding the perfect setup outweighs the risk of injury.

[Angela_Freda]

Mine was stalled half time, out on sloping pasture the rest of the time, for six years after his fetlocks fell.
Pain relief, low NASC feed, shoes to raise his heels.

This was him five years after his fetlocks fell, with the equiflexx on for a bout of cellulitis he had

[2tempe]

My mare out 12 hours and in 12. Florida here so flat and sand under grass egg bars behind. She is doing fine pasture sound, no meds for comfort. First diagnosed with dsld symptoms 4+ years ago. Just recently diagnosed with Cushings. No plan to change her arrangement

[lizloveshorses]

If you can find a boarding situation that has a track system (Paddock Paradise is another name for it), that would probably be ideal for this horse’s needs. The track usually has little to no grass and hay is fed around it to encourage foraging behavior and consistent movement.

[2tempe]

A couple things: When my mare was recently diagnosed with Cushings, vet said that I did not need to deal with the grass issue as she is not IR. Less risk to horse with “just” cushings.
Second, you dont mention what geography you are dealing with. Florida is pretty easy from a footing perspective and general ease of management. But you really dont want them out down here 24/7 in our summer months. Do you have to deal with mud, snow, etc?
From what I can piece together you board where she is out 1/2 the day. That makes you happy, it is her routine, why not just go back to that.
This may sound harsh but I want my mare to be a horse with decent quality of life. if that life is shorter because she is stupid in turnout, or because I dont want her alone in a dry paddock somewhere, well so be it. That is why upon first diagnosis of DLSD and bowed front tendon I did not try extended rehab. She was already 16, prognosis was lousy, so out she went. Now I wont fret about muzzles making her crazy or coming off, or grass restriction.

Its really really hard to find the right boarding situation, especially when your wants dont align with the limited options. So go with your gut, or facilities you know, or a place that is nearby so you can check.

[SMF11]

You might ask your vet for boarding recommendations as they know your horse, and who provides good care.

I board retirees; I have had many Cushings horses here, all on 24/7 grass turnout and every one has done fine. However these were not IR horses. Ask your vet if your horse would be ok on grass.

There are barns with 24/7 turnout and good footing!! In fact larger fields lend themselves to better footing (less trampling a small area).

I would also reconsider solo turnout. Horses are herd animals. Horses are social animals!! Again, consult your vet, but if your horse is turned out with gentle, compatible friends they are highly, highly unlikely to be injured, and will be MUCH more happy. This horse is retired. The number one consideration should be quality of life.

[Hightale]

Seconding the paddock paradise / track system post above.
My very severely affected DSLD boy had three fabulous years in a herd on our track, the gentle movement on firm surfaces with free barn access if he wanted it kept him happier than he’d ever been. He used to get very anxious (to the point of explosive separation issues) when kept stabled before he came to me.

[joiedevie99]

My (very likely DSLD) horse is out 24/7 on a drylot with two friends (because he would turn into a blimp on grass). I don’t love the footing by the gate, but you can’t have everything. I think good care and a watchful eye is more important than any particular set-up at this stage.

[shadesofbay3]

i think we will probably still go with our full board set up with as much turn out as possible… i just am scared of making the “wrong” decision… trust me, her quality of life is my #1 concern!

those track set ups sound great, but after boarding in my area for over a decade i’ve never seen any! im in central virginia, so if you happen to know of any near me…