Laminitis

[BadWolf2022]

Wondering if anyone can advise.

8 year old throughbred horse. Came down with laminitis this week.

Vet advised strict stable rest for a month and to loose weight.

He's on 20 pound of hay (soaked in water to remove sugar) and need to give less.

Just wondering if there's anything we can give him to keep the boredom at bay? He's had celery but I'm worried about the sugar content in it.

We've had the same issue. Double net the hay to slow his eating down which is better for his metabolism too. Are you giving him anything else supplement wise?

Can you set up a track system or find a yard locally that uses one as it’s probably the best way to move forward . You have my sympathies we’ve had a Shetland and an Anglo Arab with laminitis - caused both of their deaths eventually after years of time , vets bills and specialist shoes .

Short term double bag haylage nets and spread them out throughout the day. You could also half the hay ration and replace it with oat straw. All hay most be thoroughly soaked to remove as much sugar as poss. I would bed on shavings and a nice thick bed with cushion for comfort. Your horse may well be happier with as little dust as possible. Is there a stable that sees as much traffic as possible to keep them occupied?

Find some old hay, as in ‘20 harvest or if that’s not possible the lowest quality you can find and feed ad lib or little and often if he’s a glutton. You’re soaking it anyway so the dust doesn’t matter. Small net of straw to nibble if he’s not bedded on it.

Have a look at some horse enrichment groups on Facebook, I give mine Hazel branches, I do a herbal lick mat lots of other non food related things they can do.