I have a 13 year old QH mare. She came out of last winter over weight(body score of 8+)with fat deposits and out of shape. I was feeding her a Ralco ration balancer and hay over the winter. In the spring she was on the same feed and pasture. In May she had a bought of laminitis. Never had one before. I immediately pulled her off pasture and called the vet. For the next week she was kept on a soft sand surface. I cold soaked her feet x2 daily. Fed soaked hay and bute 1 gm/day. We x-rayed her feet and figure she had about a 3 degree rotation in both front feet. Afterwords I fitted her with a grazing muzzle(she does not mind this) and feed her StayStrong and let her browse timothy grass. The vet put her on Thyroxine in Sept.when we thought she was foundering again. She also drew blood for Endocrine testing. The results of which were: Insulin, fasting 499. Glucose, fasting 6.8. Ratio, fasting 73.
At that time I don't really believe she had laminitis because in fact she blew out a very nasty abscess. from Oct. till Dec.she lost an obscene amount of weight(body score of 3-4) and we took her off of the Thyroxine. Now with spring/summer coming again I would like advise about what to feed her. I've seen a lot of different feeds for IR horses. I am also wondering if drawing the Endocrine sample at that time was really the thing to do for accuracy. Pain, stress, time of year etc. Thanks for your time.
Betsy

Where are you from? Northern Wisconsin

How did you locate this forum? refered by a friend

Hello Betsy,

You're correct -- insulin and blood glucose test results can be exagerated during pain and stress. However, her levels were high enough, along with her physically appearance and symptoms, to logically conclude that she is insulin resistant.

Horses will have laminitis (founder) relapses when they are experiencing an empty stomach because of the cortisol response that results, which leads to insulin elevation. A grazing muzzle, can also produce this relapse if it is frustrating (which you mentioned is not the case) or is on too long.

A low sugar/low starch (low %NSC) grass hay, offered free choice, is the best way to allow your mare to lose weight because she will actually eat less if allowed to self-regulate her intake. As I'm sure you've read in other posts on this subject, the key is not to feed more hay, but to feed enough so she never runs out -- not even for a few minutes. If she runs out, her instincts will not kick in and she will continue to inhale her hay. When her supply is always there, she will calm down her eating, eat less, and her hormonal response will calm down -- the result is weight loss.

You may already be doing this, but just in case, I needed to mention it becuase it is so critical -- the very foundation -- of weight management (and laminitis prevention).

Regarding feeds for the IR horse, you really don't need to feed much of anything in addition to a good quality, low NSC (sugar and starch) hay. But, you do need to fill in the nutritional gaps with a good vitamin/mineral supplement so a small about of a commercial feed that does not contain any cereal grains (oats, corn, wheat, barley, etc.) or molasses, can work as a carrier. Or you can simply feed some beet pulp or hay pellets (yes, even alfalfa pellets) in small amounts. Because if you were to purchase a commercially fortified feed that is for IR horses, you would have to feed it according to the directions (which is likely too much feed) in order for her to get all the vitamins/minerals listed on the package.

So bottom line... go with a small carrier (like I mentioned) and add a flaxseed meal based supplement such as Glanzen Lite Complete -- 2 scoops per day. Flax is high in omega 3s which regulate insulin levels, as well as many other benefits. She should also have additional magnesium and chromium -- Quiessence is worthwhile.

I hope this is helpful and come spring, if you feel a personal phone visit would be helpful, let me know. That way, I spend more time with you going over her blood work, your hay (have it analyzed), supplements, exercise, etc. to help avoid another laminitis attack.

All the best,

Dr. Getty
Author of Feed Your Horse Like A Horse

Where are you from? Bayfield, CO

Hello Dr. Getty.
I am again looking for your input on my mare. I have been feeding the Glanzen Lite Complete and Quiescence since our last correspondence. Here are the latest numbers.
Endogenous ACTH 11.4 (2.0-10.0)pmol/L,
Insulin, fasting 709 (<=300) pmol/L
Glucose, fasting 10.0(4.3-6.9)mmol/L
Ratio, fasting 71
This blood work was drawn in the am and the mare had been allowed to eat hay.
This horse hasn't shed out very well. She has a very nice, soft one inch coat. Flax based feed? Did I mention she is about a "4" body score now. The vet feels she is borderline "out of control" and put her on Metformin 7000mg twice daily . Any comments or suggestions? Could I switch her to the regular Glanzen Complete?
Had her teeth floated and treated her for an abscess on the back of her tongue. She currently has a nasal infection and is on TMS (oral antibiotics).
I have been lightly working her 3-4 times a week. She is now out with the other horses with a muzzle.
She has not really picked up any weight nor has she foundered.
Would it be advisable to switch from the Lite to Glanzen Complete at this point and supplement with Quiescence.
Would love to hear your thoughts.

Thanks.
Betsy

Where are you from? Northern Wisconsin

How did you locate this forum? refered by a friend

Hello Betsy,

Thank you for sending the bloodwork results. She is definitely insulin resistant, which is likely due to having Cushing's disease (since she is not overweight).

Yes, Glanzen Complete would be preferred, since she could benefit from the extra calories. I would also recommend Balance EQ to help lower circulating cortisol levels. I am making the assumption that she is cushingoid due to her slow shedding and her slightly elevated ACTH levels.

Metformin in horses is controversial and may not be effective long term.

In addition, feed her hind gut with pro and pre biotics to assist with her immune function and for weight gain. Daily Start is an excellent choice for this.

Keep me posted.

All the best,

Dr. Getty
Author of Feed Your Horse Like A Horse

Where are you from? Bayfield, CO

Thank-you for the reply. Should I use the Glanzen Complete with flax? Should I also keep feeding her Quiesence?

Where are you from? Northern Wisconsin

How did you locate this forum? refered by a friend

Hello Betsy,

Thank you for your patience.

Glanzen Complete is flaxseed meal based, so you would not feed flaxseed meal in addition to Glanzen Complete. And, yes, Quiessence is appropriate to add -- there is no added magnesium in the Glanzen supplement.

All the best,

Dr. Getty

Where are you from? Bayfield, CO

Hello,

Here's the latest on my mare:
Insulin, fasting 254 (<=300)
Glucose, fasting 6.4 (4.3-6.9)
Ratio, fasting 40
She was on Metformin at the time it was drawn. and being fed the following: Glanzen Complete, Quiessence, Balance EQ and Daily Start. She is also on controlled pasture and hay.
The vet finally said maybe she could be pre-cushings.
I have since weaned her off of the Metformin. The plan is to run the labs again after she has been OFF the Metformin for a month.
She has shed nicely. I am however concerned about her going into the severe Wisconsin winter at her current weight. She could still gain some.
I was also wondering what your opinion of StayStrong mineral/vitamin feed? I have 2 other horses that I feed that to along with the Daily Start.
I really appreciated the Cushing's web presentation.

Thank you for your time and expertise.

Betsy

Where are you from? Northern Wisconsin

How did you locate this forum? refered by a friend

Hi Betsy,

Stay Strong is fine -- I like ADM Alliance products since they are low in starch and have no added cereal grains.

You will need to add Nutra Flax to the mix -- 1 scoop per 400 lbs of body weight, for the additional calories but also to help with hormonal control and overall health.

See how she does in a month, and please consider a phone consultation so we can go over everything and get her strong and healthy for the winter months.

I'm so glad you enjoyed the Cushing's Teleseminar. There is an upcoming one called "Things You Need to Know about Water, Salt, and Electrolyte Supplements" that addresses the salt needs for all horses regardless of the weather or exercise needs. And then in September, there will be one on joints -- "Joint Supplements -- So Many Choices!" Click here if you'd like more information on these two teleseminars.

All the best,

Dr. Getty
Author of Feed Your Horse Like A Horse

Where are you from? Bayfield, CO