I am feeling awful. I am the worst Muzzah ever. Tiddles and Waffle have laminitis from the autumn flush of grass. I am totally bereft and have let them down. How could this happen?
I have been humm-ing and aah-ing recently about both of them the last 2 days and today it was patently clear what is going on. Bloody buggering laminitis.
I spend all winter wishing we had grass, and the rest of the year wishing we didn’t and now this….. It is too much.
Daisy and I looked at Tiddles and Waffle, sucked our teeth, went home and got the horsevan, painkillers and our hoof trimming kit. We slowly walked them out of their field, trimmed their hooves for more comfort and loaded them into the van, leaving them with a bucket of painkillers.
Meanwhile, we each lead 3 ponies (with me telling them all to behave and lead nicely) to the hill field a little way away. Less rich grass, more hill grass which is basically green and has no calories. Fibre. And watched and worried about them as well as they galloped, bucked and farted off into the distance.
Back to the horsevan, and the painkillers had kicked in so I drove my boys very slowly and carefully home (apologies to anyone behind us). Then we put many bales of shavings down and told Tiddles and Waffle to say goodbye to grass and any fun, ever.
So that’s us and we can only pray with zero sugar, painkillers, anti-inflammatories, soaked hay and fibre blocks that they come out of this and not too much permanent damage has been done. They will hate us for doing this but we may save their lives.
Off to sell a kidney – slightly used!
Please remember all our critters are born knowing to hide injury or sickness. They kept silent because that’s what their brains said to do. And our critters are REALLY good at hiding things like this. But you caught it, You are taking steps to help them heal and others to prevent. Yes, Pepper is a wonderful distraction, but neither her or you are to blame. Hugs from New England to the Minions and you. Purrs from Little Miss Maine Coon cat.
Poor ponios, always dreaded the summer and autumn flush too. You’ve hopefully caught it early and done everything you can for a good recovery Sending hugs to them both and a huge one for you too
Oh Francis,
I am so sorry…… I have been there with my late Icelandic Horse Glaesir. At least they are standing reasonably well, poor Gly was there with his legs stuck out in front of him. It all happened in a matter of hours. I’m sure, with you all looking after them , things will have a good result. Fingers crossed X
Laminitis is a terrible thing!! We have one pony permanently on a totally grass free diet, 2 that have had bouts that we monitor strictly – in every night, soaked hay, the works. Then there’s Apollo- Thordale Apollo – we try to restrict him by keeping him on a bare paddock, he’s in each night. Never shown a sign yet but we’re ever watchful. We were advised to also dose with paracetamol as it will reduce the inflammation while Bute reduces pain. Vet told us 20 twice daily for a 15hh Welsh D, about 450kg? If that helps!!
Laminitis is a scourge. You have all my sympathy, Frances. It can happen in the blink of an eye, as I know to my cost. You’ve spotted it quickly and done all the right things so, fingers well and truly crossed, they will hopefully make a speedy and full recovery. The best bit of advice I was given was to keep them off grass for as long again as it takes them to come sound. It’s hard to follow when they are desperate to be back out but it’s the safest way to prevent a relapse. It certainly saved my last horse and gave him a good few more years.
One of my mares suffered a bout of laminitis, a combination of rich spring grass and her being over weight. She now is never turned out on grass without her grazing muzzle, at least until we get a hard freeze. I didn’t want to keep her on too much bute for too long so we cut hoof shaped pieces out of 2″ thick foam insulation and taped them to the bottom of her feet with Gorilla tape. Her relief was immediate and it removed the worry of ulcers because of too much painkiller.
It looks like you’re getting some great advice from some of your readers. I hope their comments help you in some way. I’m so sorry that this happened and it seems like you’ve gone right to work to help remedy the situation. Praying that it all helps.
I know very little about horses Frances but I am most certain that you are an EXCELLENT MUZZUH.