Meet Matilda! Pictures 10/1

[Paint_Party]

I’ll leave suggestions about extruded or pelleted rations to the experts, but as long as her appetite has picked up, I would think access to grass hay that she can munch on for hours would give her extra calories without the danger of laminitis. Perhaps hang a slow feeder bag in the evening, so she can snack all night?

As for her right front foot (apparently the most affected one), you’ll know more when you get the xrays. I’m glad you’re getting those done because they will help reveal just what exactly is going on. With more information, you, your vet and farrier can be more confident in formulating a plan regarding her feet and her feed.

She is looking so much better!

[MorganMaresVT]

I am having good luck with Triple Crown Senior for my metabolically sensitive retired Morgans. My oldest, nearly 30, has needed to put on weight after coming out of the winter thin. While she’s never foundered, she has IR & PPID. This feed is probably right on the borderline of what’s typically safe for a metabolic horse, but since she didn’t want to eat anything for several months, and she’s as old as she is, it’s what we’re going with right now. I have noticed a very positive change in her demeanor, her coat, and her weight since we started this about two months ago.

[Posting_Trot]

FeedXL has a post about feeding the laminitic horse, authored by a vet:

Feeding the Laminitic Horse

If you scroll down it discusses the example of a horse that needs to gain weight.

[Jackie_amp_Starlette]

@moonlitoaksranch

Their focus is PPID and Cushings. I need information on rehabbing a horse without those conditions. Is the low sugar founder rehab just for those groups? She is a stock horse type, so she might have a metabolic disorder that we don’t know about, but nothing has manifested itself. I think we would see it by now, but I’m not sure. That’s what I’m asking the vet.

PPID can be weight loss, difficulty of weight gain, loss of muscle/topline, and founder. There is a lot of information on the message board that might give you a better idea. If I took in a horse like her I would consider testing at least to know one way or the other.

[Calvincrowe]

As someone who had to rehab a horse with PPID/IR who had a moderate laminitis episode, and now 'feed for his feet", I strongly recommend lowering the sugar no matter what. Talk to your vet (or seek a vet who is experienced in rehabbing foundered horses for a consultation) about adjusting her feed. If you can test your grass hay, certainly do so, and offer her as much of it as she’ll eat-- forage is the key, but I understand there’s a starved horse refeeding protocol.

Maybe there’s a rescue near you that can offer advice? Here in the Portland OR area we have an excellent rescue that works with law enforcement-- Sound Equine Options. They might be worth a call to see what their protocol is. They’ve handled some awful starvation/neglect cases in recent years and might have some excellent advice. Thank you again for taking this lovely lady on-- she hit the jackpot!

[Displaced_Yankee]

@moonlitoaksranch

We need her to put on enough weight to get through our harsh winter

I am sure there are enough COTH aunties on here who have spare heavy blankets to loan to keep her warm and dry. You know…the one they can’t stand to throw out just in case they get another horse that size

I’ll agree with the others…keep as much grass hay in front of her as you can. Perhaps some of our nutrition COTHers can weigh in on high calorie, low NSC feeds. Another idea is maybe treating for ulcers? Something like the Nexium protocol to keep costs down. If she starts to really bloom then maybe it will be worth scoping, gastrogard, etc. Just throwing some ideas your way…

Do you think there is a horsey Powerball? Like Heinz’s Bo hit it…then 2BayBoys Henry…now Matilida

[Ghazzu]

some useful information in the links here:

http://www.lloydinc.com/resources/metabolic-syndromes/

[moonlitoaksranch]

I love the term “COTH aunties”!

[Salty]

Sound Equines Options were extremely helpful when we found an ancient, starving little mule running down the highway and we’re at the other end of the state from them. I think they’d be worth a call or an email.

Thank you for helping Matilda.

[moonlitoaksranch]

There’s a really good rescue I can call upstate. Thanks for the idea…

[moonlitoaksranch]

I’m an idiot. The way I set Matilda up in her pen, she was slightly downhill while eating. A simple move and she’s probably more comfy. Also, she picks up her front feet more willingly now and she’s definitely sound at the walk. No boots. She’s okay right now. I don’t know if she’s past the stage when the hoof wall is partially shed or not. That will be interesting.

Her skin is so much better. I curried off the last of the little scabby bumps easily tonight and her hair is velvety soft now.

More pictures in a better position.

[moonlitoaksranch]

Here’s two before pictures from June 5th

[moonlitoaksranch]

Vet called back. We’re switching to Triple Crown low starch. My chubby horse and the Cushings pony could use it, too.

[Grey623]

I had good results with Cool Calories some years ago with a hard keeper we wanted to control sugar with. It’s something like 99 percent fat? Worth looking in to, or maybe you’re already giving oil or fat to help. No idea if it would be good for a rehab like Matilda.

Grey

[Fiesta01]

@dags

And I still love good ol’ Pine Tar to harden up the soles.

I used Venice turpentine on one of my mares who had thin soles. Worked great.

[chestnutmarebeware]

Me, too!

[Jackie_amp_Starlette]

I have to say I love Hoof Armor. Tried a lot of other stuff on my gelding, and found this on a hoof rehab list on FB . You can get it from Valley Vet.

Hoof Armor - Abrasive Resistant Hoof Protection Coating - Used Barefoot or with Shoes and Boots

[SusanO]

She has definitely gained weight and I wouldn’t call her a refeeding project at this point. Yes she is still thin but at the rate she is filling out she will be in good weight by winter. If she is eating well I would focus on those feet, getting her proper nutrition and her skin. I think the “thin” is going to take care of itself and you don’t need to be adding lots more calories at this point. Just patience. Your current plan is working as far as weight wise.

[B_and_B]

Any reason not to add fat to her diet? Cool Calories is great is they like the flavor, not all do, my little pony won’t touch it (I think it smells like bananas?). She is a pinto, photosensitive, dubious feet, a picky eater, with serious arthritis as a former barrel racer. Her preferred supplement to her Blue Seal’s Senior, is Omega Horseshine or Uckele’s CocaSoya. but I can also sneak any sort of oil in, if it is in small amounts. She does not appreciate straight flax, which is a pity.

[moonlitoaksranch]

We had to order Triple Crown Senior Low Starch. I picked up a bag of regular TCSenior to start transitioning since we’re almost due for more feed.

We have her on three supplements right now and I think we might be doubling up if I add any more. She’s eating well and cleaning it all up. We’re getting some more grass hay Monday. Next month she’ll get her second round of vaccines and bloodwork. I’d like to see more improvement this time.