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100% REFUND ON TASTE REJECTION
Diet is key when it comes to addressing laminitis and founder in horses. The number one priority is to ensure that the diet is low in simple sugars and starch.
When testing forage, Ethanol Soluble Carbohydrates (ESC) is the measure of simple sugars. It's the ESC and starch that need to be considered when assessing forage for the laminitic prone horse. Anything with a combined ESC and starch content below 10% is considered safe. Unfortunately, many feeds, pasture and even hay, can be much higher than this.
Do not starve a laminitic horse! Starvation can cause a condition called hyperlipaemia and can worsen IR. Starvation will also cause stress and a stressed horse will be more susceptible to laminitis.
The next most important factor is to ensure that the diet is balanced in minerals. This also requires you to test the primary forage to determine baseline current mineral intakes so you can supplement what is lacking.
Along with ensuring that the diet is low in sugars and starch, and with balancing minerals, there are a number of other additions to the diet you can make to help your horse.
Below is an outline for the temporary emergency diet, what to feed NOW to help your horse. Ideally, you will find a source of hay that you can test for nutrient analysis and then the diet will most likely change according to the results. Until you can find a source of low sugar hay and test it for minerals, follow the diet below:
Soaked grass hay at between 1.5-2% bodyweight. The bulk of the diet should be made up of plain grass hay. If you can find hay that is made up of primarily native grasses this will tend to be lower in sugars than improved pastures such as ryegrass. However, the only way to know if the grass is low in sugar and starch is to send it to the lab to be tested. You cannot tell if hay is high or low in sugars by looking at it. The factors that contribute to sugar content in the grass when cutting for hay are complicated. There are a few general guidelines but you need to test to be sure.
In the meantime, it is safest to assume that the hay you have is too high in sugars for your horse. Soaking hay in water and discarding the water, has been shown to reduce the sugar and starch content by up to 30% (1/2 hr in hot water or 1 hr in cold water).
It should be fed at 1.5% body weight for an overweight horse or 2% of ideal body weight, whichever is larger. For example, if your pony weighs 400kg and is overweight – 400 x .015 (1.5%) = 6kg hay/day (dry weight).
Feed hay in a slow feeder net so that your horse has a slow trickle of feed 24 hrs a day if possible. Find great nets at various sizes at www.allbarewithnaturalhoofcare.com.au
Image: Slow feeder nets can be used to slow hay consumption, allowing a trickle feed over 24 hours.
Beet Pulp (Speedi-Beet/Micrbeet) or Soy hull pellets (Maxisoy+ Low GI Super Fibre Pellets) – These are used as a safe low sugar and low starch alternative and are useful as a carrier for minerals and supplements. Both beet pulp and soy hulls need to be soaked and fed as a wet mash. Use approximately 1-2 cups dry volume with 1-2 litres of water. Soak until soft – 5 minutes for soy hulls and 10 minutes for beet pulp. If using beet pulp, it is best to rinse it before soaking it to remove any contaminants, particularly iron.
A small amount of lucerne chaff can be used to tempt fussy eaters, however, start slowly as some very sensitive horses find lucern difficult to tolerate.
The best way to balance minerals in your horses' diet is to test your hay and balance the minerals according to the test results.
The testing process can take a while, however, so in the meantime it may be a good idea to feed a commercial supplement BUT you need to choose carefully as many commercial supplements contain ingredients that can be harmful and are low in the minerals your horse actually needs.
Missy’s Bucket Minerals is an excellent choice. Designed specifically for horses in Australia, especially in the Southeast, it balances the average pasture and takes into consideration the high levels of Iron we have in our soils. This is important as there is some evidence that high levels of Iron can worsen Insulin resistance in susceptible horses.
An excellent way to supplement the most commonly deficient minerals, especially important for horses at risk or those suffering from Laminitis.
Watch out for hidden sources of high sugar feed! Is your pony reaching over the fence to the apple tree or eating the straw bedding you’ve put down to make him comfortable?
If your horse is a picky eater and doesn’t like this new feed, don’t give up! Always add supplements after the horse is used to the new carrier.
You can also add the following to tempt fussy horses – sugar-free flavourings like peppermint, beetroot or anise powder, 1 cup of brewed tea such as peppermint, chamomile or raspberry leaf, sage, a pinch of wheat germ or a handful of lucerne chaff.
It may also be helpful to ensure your feed bin is shallow. Often it’s the smell that will put a horse off, not the taste. Deep sided feed bins tend to trap the smell making new additions hard to disguise!
Apple cider vinegar can be a useful disguise as it has quite a strong smell. Slowly get your horse used to the apple cider vinegar before adding supplements.
It’s really important to start any new feed or supplement slowly and it may take you a month or two to get your horse to eat the optimum amount of supplements. Don’t worry, as long as you’re feeding low sugar or soaked hay at 1.5-2% body weight, the minerals can wait! It’s much more beneficial to start slowly and gradually build up, than rushing your horse. Once he’s developed a dislike for something it can be hard to turn him back!
Missy’s Bucket Range of feed supplements provides essential nutritional support for Laminitis recovery and prevention.
Insulin Resistance is the most common cause of Laminitis and Minerals play an important role. A mineral balanced diet is crucial in promoting healthy insulin levels and optimal recovery from Laminitis.
Missy’s Bucket supports horses through Laminitis by providing the minerals, vitamins and antioxidants often deficient in pasture and hay diets.
Targeted ingredients promote antioxidant defences, balanced immune and thyroid function, normal glucose metabolism, healthy nerve and muscle function, and proper insulin sensitivity.
Dietary management including optimal mineral balancing forms the keystone of Laminitis prevention, management and recovery. Along with a low sugar diet, excellent hoof care and an appropriate exercise program, Missy’s Bucket provides the commonly lacking and crucial vitamin and mineral additions for Laminitis support and prevention.
Find out more about the Missy's Bucket products here.
