Would like to know your thoughts. Bean is a Shetland X, just turned 4. I've had him for two years. He came from a not so good situation, but don't know a lot of his background. He was in poor shape when I got him. I have always been very careful about what he gets fed, making sure he doesn't get too fat. His hay is weighed for every feeding so I know how much he is getting. He is basically fed an I/R diet due to the fact he is predisposed, but also because I have an oldie who is Cushing's and possibly borderline I/R.
Bean has terrible seasonal allergies, had had a couple bouts of mild laminitis we think due to steroid shots for the allergies, and seemingly diet changes. I always scratched my head when this occurred because I've been so careful with him.
Recently we've been treating him for colitis, from which he has recovered after over a month of treatment. Vet isn't sure what caused it, but thinks it may be due to pain medication for issues with his teeth and teething. Part of his treatment for the colitis was increasing alfalfa to help buffer his gut in addition to giving him Sucralfate 3x a day. I worked him up to 2 lbs of alfalfa per day of his 7 lbs total of forage. Bean typically gets 7 lbs of Bermuda grass hay per day over three feedings with a little alfalfa sprinkled on it. He also gets High Point Grass supplement.
When I took him in yesterday for his recheck, the vet noticed right away that he basically has a full blown winter coat. Now this isn't totally abnormal for him, because he does grow a triple coat every winter, but it did seem to come early this year. My Cushing's boy has just now started his winter coat. She also noticed he is a bit on the heavy side, and has developed a cresty neck. I did think he was looking a bit rounder, but thought it was either my imagination or the fact that he's so fluffy already.
After talking to the vet, and thinking back, I realized he didn't get as 'slick' this summer as the year before, also he has had at least 3 bouts of mild laminitis that we chalked up to different things, but also due to the fact that he is a pony. The vet did verify that my thoughts on his weight gain were correct.
I was shocked when she suggested testing for Cushing's and I/R. We went ahead and did that, should get results next week. I'm just flabbergasted that a horse so young could potentially have such serious issues. The thought had crossed my mind when I noticed his coat coming in so heavy, but right away dismissed it because of his age.
Bean has had extensive training and is such a good boy. My first training project, which I've enjoyed so much. I have to admit that I'm a bit frustrated with the fact that he's had so many issues despite my best efforts, as my other horse has had numerous health problems, and I was really looking forward to having a healthy horse for a change.
Does anyone have experience/knowledge of horses so young with these issues? Even horses well managed like mine is?
Bean has terrible seasonal allergies, had had a couple bouts of mild laminitis we think due to steroid shots for the allergies, and seemingly diet changes. I always scratched my head when this occurred because I've been so careful with him.
Recently we've been treating him for colitis, from which he has recovered after over a month of treatment. Vet isn't sure what caused it, but thinks it may be due to pain medication for issues with his teeth and teething. Part of his treatment for the colitis was increasing alfalfa to help buffer his gut in addition to giving him Sucralfate 3x a day. I worked him up to 2 lbs of alfalfa per day of his 7 lbs total of forage. Bean typically gets 7 lbs of Bermuda grass hay per day over three feedings with a little alfalfa sprinkled on it. He also gets High Point Grass supplement.
When I took him in yesterday for his recheck, the vet noticed right away that he basically has a full blown winter coat. Now this isn't totally abnormal for him, because he does grow a triple coat every winter, but it did seem to come early this year. My Cushing's boy has just now started his winter coat. She also noticed he is a bit on the heavy side, and has developed a cresty neck. I did think he was looking a bit rounder, but thought it was either my imagination or the fact that he's so fluffy already.
After talking to the vet, and thinking back, I realized he didn't get as 'slick' this summer as the year before, also he has had at least 3 bouts of mild laminitis that we chalked up to different things, but also due to the fact that he is a pony. The vet did verify that my thoughts on his weight gain were correct.
I was shocked when she suggested testing for Cushing's and I/R. We went ahead and did that, should get results next week. I'm just flabbergasted that a horse so young could potentially have such serious issues. The thought had crossed my mind when I noticed his coat coming in so heavy, but right away dismissed it because of his age.
Bean has had extensive training and is such a good boy. My first training project, which I've enjoyed so much. I have to admit that I'm a bit frustrated with the fact that he's had so many issues despite my best efforts, as my other horse has had numerous health problems, and I was really looking forward to having a healthy horse for a change.
Does anyone have experience/knowledge of horses so young with these issues? Even horses well managed like mine is?
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