The ponies knew I was up to something. I could feel their eyes from the other side of the field and track while I was moving electric fence posts and wire.
I was busy making an eating area so they could have a bit more grass.
Once finished, I called them over to go and find it.
They cantered up the hill and bombed off in a hurry.
There was even a good trot from Fivla and Vitamin, which was surprising.
It is a tough decision because now is what is known as an Autumn Flush – a high-risk period, much like spring, because the perfect mix of warm weather and the sudden onset of autumn rain can lead to the rapid growth of grass packed full of water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) and high intakes of these WSC’s can trigger laminitis.
So I only gave the ponies a small corner to eat down of new track and the grass is pretty old, mixed with lots of other edible plants too.
They dived in.
I feel bad if there is nothing to eat and everyone gets very bored of hay but then I worry that they will all now have laminitis because I gave them something to eat. I can’t win.
Hi Frances – Lamanitis is so scary. My beautiful little American foundation shetland had a bad case this last spring. I really thought I was going to lose her. But with REALLY careful feeding, stabling on thick shavings, some Acuscope treatments, and a couple of good trims, after 3 weeks she finally recovered. Now, 3 months later, she is fully her sassy, bouncy self and has been for a few weeks. She is totally on dry lot and I find I can spread her grass hay over a large area of her paddock (about 1/4 acre) and she gets to “graze”. It was scary however. I ached for her and how painful it was.
You’re being so careful, Frances, but I know what a worry it is.Fingers crossed that they all stay sound.xx