Smokey

No molasses, no sugar. Some can manage with grazing on poor low quality grass some can't check out sugar/starch content in all foods as some are very high in sugar starch which you want to avoid. Some horses only get it once and changing feed and management can keep it at bay. Depending on his age, test for cushings. Feed hay try to get some which isn't rich - they are usually better on old grass if you let it grow up 2ft or more as it loses its richness.
 
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Oh no, poor lad 😞 I’d cut everything sugary out and look carefully at what grain you’re feeding, the rule of thumb is keep it under 10% combined sugar and starch. It’s probably worth sending your hay out to be tested too as that is the bulk of his diet. Scrub the diet right back until it’s under control, then you will probably be able to carefully reintroduce the hand grazing. I would definitely run a metabolic blood panel as well, just in case. ECIR is a great resource for emergency diet and trimming protocols. I’ve got 2 who have had it, but with careful management they are both fit and well and have got back to a pretty normal life.
 
diplomaticandtactful said:
No molasses, no sugar. Some can manage with grazing on poor low quality grass some can't check out sugar/starch content in all foods as some are very high in sugar starch which you want to avoid. Some horses only get it once and changing feed and management can keep it at bay. Depending on his age, test for cushings. Feed hay try to get some which isn't rich - they are usually better on old grass if you let it grow up 2ft or more as it loses its richness.
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I guess that's the beauty of living in a desert like place like Texas! You have to go out of your way to get rich hay.
The stuff that grows here is kind of high fiber low everything else.
So we will skip the delicious orchard hay I've been getting from up north as a treat and only offer the basic coastal hay.
 
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Thanks! I already got him nutrena special care with NFC of 10% to replace his senior feed with 18%.
I actually skipped giving him pellets for a day since it started altogether though. I just let him try a handful of the low starch special care pellets and was surprised he liked them.
I've been trimming Minnie and DJ myself for the past 18 years but this is too scary to be honest.
I have a lady coming Friday that specializes in trimming laminitis, navicular etc. And she only takes clients that are willing to get on a 4 week schedule but I think it will be worth the expense and peace of mind.
His feet were so very long and heels so flat that there might have been some mechanical issues for quite some time before he even got here.

He's doing lots better. I was scared it would take a long time for improvement but I'm pleasantly surprised.
I did not give him any NSAIDS today because he's almost doing too good now. I don't want drugs masking pain and he get too mobile now that the inflammation seems more under control.
 
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He's back to waiting at the gate for breakfast and walking around. Good timing too as it was really cold and rainy and it was good that he could come back in the barn to stay warm and dry.
The switch to the low starch feed was easy and he likes it fine.
He hates the low starch treats Hilton her balls. Can't even sneak them into his pellets as he will spit them out.
Minnie and the goats love them though
Gotta keep looking for a different treat
 
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Great news! I'm sure you will find a treat he doesn't mind soon, but also as he detoxes off the sugary stuff he may find them more appealing.
 
New trimmer came and balanced his feetsies.
He was worried about it a little but she took her time. Now he almost has cute little QH feet.
Getting there.
Feeling fortunate that we live in such an arid area where managing this should be very doable.
She thought he might have ulcers which is a reasonable assumption. Having em empty stomach with just acid for months on end is probably not the best for ulcer prevention.
Looking into magnesium supplements as she thought it could also help with him being kind of anxious.
 
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Magnesium is a great idea for an anxious horse. And ulcers, well, yes, that would go with the territory, really. Poor boy.

He is so lucky to have found you.
 
Jane&Ziggy said:
Magnesium is a great idea for an anxious horse. And ulcers, well, yes, that would go with the territory, really. Poor boy.

He is so lucky to have found you.
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I needed that horse as much as he needed us. I was so heartbroken over losing DJ after 22 years.
And I didn't realize how stressful it was to deal with his health issues and weightloss for the last 10 years until it was over.
Smokey was so therapeutic for me in the aftermath. With Smokey I have the opportunity to make things better.
 
I'm feeling so grateful for that fluke occurrence of winter grass here in Texas that returned that big laminitis episode.
Up until then we had so many little flare ups that just seemed like maybe he was just a bit fragile from all he's been through. Mild colics. Lameness here and there.
Without that big flare up I might have never figured out what it is and that we can manage it.
Since changing his feed to the low NSC food, cutting out treats and skipping grazing he seems rather content.
We haven't even started the magnesium yet
 
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We had snow! Which is super rare here in South Texas.
Smokey is a big fan of the stock tank heater.
He and Minnie had a great time running around in the snow.
He started his treatment with ozemprazole and seems to be pretty chipper on it.
 

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Jane&Ziggy said:
Remind me what the ozempraxole is for?

He looks great, especially his nosey. I luffs him.
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Nothing. I just have a complete mental block about getting that name right. Lol
Omeprazole!
Stomach ulcers
There's no ozemprazol
And he's definitely not taking ozempic.
 
He's been getting a lot better about having his face touched and yesterday he actually came straight up to me and let me pet his face. He usually comes to me but then stands a little off to the side. I'm happy. I really really like this little boy.
 

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We had to send the trimmer away because I could not catch the horse! I didn't know she was coming and the day before I had traumatized Smokey by pretend saddling him.
😔
Since then I've tortured him daily with saddle blankets and lead ropes and halter during breakfast and dinner.
Today (and this might be tough to understand why it's a big deal) I was able to put his halter on while he was just standing in the aisle with no lead rope. He even thought I was too show and pushed his nose into the halter. It was amazing.
I was so happy. It also makes me think of the horse he must have been before all these bad things happened to him
 
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KarinUS said:
pushed his nose into the halter
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That is so wonderful. Sid does it, and it makes me feel confident that he is a happy partner in our activities. I get a warm glow every single time.

I'm sorry Smokey was a frog to catch, but I am sure he will remember everything before long!
 
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