A warning - equine metabolic syndrome

[ceej]

I didnt know this existed before harry - I knew fat horses were more prone to lami, but didnt know it can be linked to EMS. Its effectively diabetes. Now I know Harry has it (although tbh I never had the tests done; he's pretty classic) its obvious:

1 A Crest on the neck
2 A fatty pad above his tail
3 fatty pads over his kidneys
4 But not really fat anywhere else (I know lots of obese ponies are fat all over - harry wasnt really, a bit rotund, but could always see his ribs)
5 A bit pot bellied but still see his ribs
6 Put a mineral lick with magnesuim up - harry has got through his in 2 weeks, Willow barely touched his - the EMS means his body cannot get magnesium out of the grass in the same way
7 Drinking excessively - Harry drinks probably 3-4 buckets in 24 hours.

I would say if your horse has a few of these, have a read up on it!!!

Harry is a different horse (thinks he's a TB) now he is being managed differently

[scattymare]

Ceej is this sort of like a sugar intolerence? I've heard a bit about it. I believe it can effect their feet a lot too? And managed correctly you can have a very healthy strong footed horse.

Glad you've found the root of Harry's problem. At least you can now keep on top of it. Does it need a strict lifestyle change (I'm thinking probably minimal grass, no sugary or molassed feeds etc)
There seems to be more and more thinking these days about how our grassy paddocks are not actually the full needs for horses as they are a 'false' environment and too rich and sugary.

[fimacg]

I'd only ever heard of it in conjunction with lami before so always good to know

[brigadier]

Very interesting Ceej. Id heard of it but never come across any horse that was diagnosed, it would be interesting to find out how he is coping and is progressing.

[joandlad]

It's a bit like Type-2 diabetes. Can normally be managed with environmental adjustments. There's a growing number of horses being diagnosed. Probably a combination of vets being more aware of EMS and horses being kept less "naturally" (for want of a better word).

[ceej]

plus horses living longer I guess?

I wonder how many horse with lami have it in reality.

Yes Scats iuts a major lifestyle change. Harry will never be able to go out in the paddock like normal - he lives off a sp4rse paddock (even now) and hay. He only gets fibre and mineral supplement but like I say it can cause deficiencies in certain minerals.

Farrier is actually really pleased with his feet, but I do have to check for a pulse twice a day, and he puts weight on even if the hay is a bit better, so its a constant battle to keep his weight down but keep him eating. Exercise is a huge part too - of course Harry couldnt go out for ages because of his 'dis-attached (surely theres a better word?!) laminea - its almost grown out now but the ridge in his foot must have been a good 10mm. We are out now about 3 times a week and building up the type of work.

God its been such a long road - the worse bit was when his foot sounded completely hollow and the farrier peeled back his sole to reveal a huge hole - he had had an abscyss very high up an dhad grown another sole behind it, tyrapping the pus - OMG IT STANK but at one stage we thought there was literally just a hole for a foot!! You could see the hoof wall sloping away into theis black abyss and couldnt see where it ended (hard to explain but even the farrier looked concerned at that stage!!)

But if you have particularly a native who is a bit overweight, you really should act because even if it isnt EMS it could develop and believe me, prevention of lami is much better than cure. Over rugging doesnt help either - I once read that native horses were MEANT to have to use energy in the winter to keep warm and they should lose weight doing so - thats how they are built; plus they have a layer of fat TB types etc dont have - I think about 90% of natives are over rugged. Mine now get a lightweight if its wet. Harry today for the first time wore an outdoor rug with a bit of fill an he's clipped!! (he does have light stable rug at night though) He is never cold though unless he gets soaked.

Of course had I not had a stupid vet who had diagnosed an abscyss to start with, gave him bute and told me to put him back out with a poultice boot (a week he was buted up, with lami, getting worse but showing no signs) then it wouldnt have been so bad.

But I tell you what, cantering thru the woods has never been so good!! Im so glad for every ride!

[brigadier]

Reading this Ceej I think you have done marvellously to get him back sound and rideable again. The description of the hoof is horrific, its amazing to believe youve got it right again.
I too have been let down by vets in the past with a misdiagnosis causing my horse unecessary suffering leading to his eventual death. If the vet had got it right he might have lived because he would have got the correct treatment before his other leg gave way with the strain.
I wish there was some way of dealing with these misdiagnosis incidents, because we all still pay for the treatments regardless if they are wrong.
Anyhow I digress- bloody well done with Harry!!

[racaille]

Fascinating in a macabre way ... hollow hoof FGS!!!!!! very well done for getting him right again.

I've been wondering how to keep UK horses off grass - in other words in dirt paddocks like we have - but I suppose the problem is mud. Is there anything that can be put down to create a less muddy environment?

I do agree Ceej about how horses and ponies are kept. We all try to do the best we can but the weather has become such a terrible problem - this is the third year running that we have had a very wet November and it shows no sign of abating. But I too am sparing with the rugs - P has a medium weight at night (it has been getting very very cold and wet) but is naked during the day no matter how cold and he always seems to enjoy a really long roll in the mud!