my horse has laminitis. we had the vet out and he said that the horse cant have any grain. is that true?

Question

is there any type of special grain i can feed him, like specially made for a horse with laminitis?

its not that i think he isnt right, but is there any home remedies? anything,just to feed him something at dinnertime?

Answer 1

Why did you bother calling the vet out if you're not going to listen to his diagnosis and advice?

No. Do not give your horse grain if he has laminitis, because it can make it worse.

Answer 2

There is Ultium made by Purina or Safe Choice made by Nutrena. Both are very low in carbohydrates and sugars. I have worked on a lot of foundered horses that are on either of these feeds (as long as you do not overfeed them) that have not had any recurring problems. Do not feed pure alfalfa hay go with a timothy mix. Limit grass intake to a very minimum (no grass intake is best) especially in the spring as the sugar content is the highest at this time. There is also a supplement called Lamina Saver that may help.
Make sure you get a credible farrier out to trim or even shoe your horse. You can use lilly pads (most vets carry them) duct taped over the frog of your horses feet until your farrier can get there. If your horse is just starting to founder soaking the feet in ice water for 25 minutes 4 times day will help reduce the damage to the lamina. Your farrier may want to put a heart bar depending on the degree of rotation of the coffin bone (you have to take x-rays to determine degree of rotation). You can also use an egg bar with a frog support pad; or you can also use equilox for frog support and put a metal plate on the bottom of the shoe to protect the sole.

Answer 3

The icon of the 29 year old horse to the left was a severe laminitis case over 12 years ago. I was told by some of the best vets and trainers in the Arabian breed to put him down because he'd never walk again and would suffer due to the extensive damage to 3 of his feet.

I wouldn't listen to what they had to say. Eventually, I was connected with Dr. Ric Redden DVM who is a pioneer in this field. He agreed to help me even though he was in Kentucky, my horse was in New Mexico and we needed to get him back to my home in Miami, Florida eventually.

Well, needless to say, my horse came home after extensive treatments and time sound and ready to show again if I wanted to. That was not a consideration in my mind.

There is valuable information on this webpage. http://www.nanric.com/classify_lamdamage.asp

Get the book, Understanding Laminitis and learn as much as you can. Don't ever just listen to your vet. Do as much research and gain as much knowledge as you can. Most vets do not specialize in laminitis and I've seen quite a few ruin a good horse with barbaric, antiquated treatments.

Don't be shy with your questions. Ask anyone you think can help but don't jump to do everything they say. Call Universities, get 2nd opinions then think about all you've learned and work with your vet to treat your horse the best way you both agree to.

Be sure radiographs have been taken as baseline records today.

Don't ever stop fighting for your horse until you know it is time.. You're gut will tell you what to do and so will your horse.

I applaud you for your efforts

Doc Redden will do phone consultations for a fee if you send him the documents he requires to review to give you his best opinion on what protocol to follow.

You can reach them at 877-462-6742

Either way, call and talk to anyone there. They are very knowledgable & happy to help.

Also become a member at http://www.horse.com and start reading the articles on laminities there.

http://www.thehorse.com/viewarticle.aspx?ID=5181

Just to let you know, Ric is a great guy. He has always been available to me for questions or concerns I had about my boy. He'd take my calls wherever he was and took his time listening and explaining to me what I should do. He never charged me after the initial treatment period. He is a man who is passionate about his work and it shows.

I know it's lengthy but I hope it helps.

Oh, your initial question, did we feed grain? Yes we did when the time was right.

Answer 4

Laminitis is a disease of the sensitive laminae of the foot in a horse. The front hooves are most commonly affected, although the hind feet are sometimes affected. Its name means inflammation of the laminae, although inflammation is no longer considered as the key mechanism of the disease process.

If a horse is given grain in excess or eats grass that is under stress and has accumulated excess non-structural carbohydrates (NSC, i.e. sugars, starch or fructan), it may be unable to digest all of the carbohydrate in the foregut. The excess then moves on to the hindgut and ferments in the cecum. The presence of this fermenting carbohydrate in the cecum causes proliferation of lactic acid bacteria and an increase in acidity. This process kills beneficial bacteria, which ferment fiber. The endotoxins and exotoxins may then be absorbed into the bloodstream, due to 'leaky gut syndrome', caused by irritation of the gut lining by increased acidity. The endotoxaemia results in impaired circulation, particularly in the feet. This results in laminitis.

Successful treatment requires a competent farrier and veterinarian and success is not guaranteed. Alternative therapies such as herbal and homeopathic medicine may aid recovery but require expert veterinary input.

Answer 5

yep. Your vet is right. No grain or anything with alot of succulents. If you want to give you horse something to 'ease the pain' during breakfast and dinner, I would reccomend some soaked Beat Pulp. If your horse won't eat this (some won't...but most fatties do! =] ) give him/her some alfalfa pellets.

~Don't give very much of eitheir-maybe a handful or two. This will make your horse not feel left out.

Answer 6

DON'T GIVE YOUR HORSE GRAIN, you'll be killing it with kindness. strict diet and small amounts of exercise are cruicial if you want to try to bring your horse back from lameness. and then this still isn't a guarentee. but if the coffin bone hasn't rotated, then you may have a good chance for soundness later. for your horse's health, please follow your vet's directions. good luck

Answer 7

no grain. Ask you vet if there is anything. Maybe just a handful of plain oats would do, or one treat. I know why you want to give him something, but please take your vet's advice.

Answer 8

If a horse is lame then the only thing you sould be feeding is hay or alfalfa. At that depending on the alfalfa it still might be too rich.

Answer 9

yes, keep the protein under %10, silver lining herbs has laminae formula thats works really good.