Posted by Patty Stiller on August 12, 2003 at 19:47:26:
In Reply to: to starve or not to starve posted by debbie foster on August 12, 2003 at 19:20:40:
: on 8 - 10 -2003 I asked for some advice and since i have got a different farrier will be out to look at my horse thursday 8 -14-2003.this farrier is well known and i trust him .I have used him before just for shoeing.He ask me if my horse had lost any weight i told him yes compaired to what he was he is a eazzy keeper. HE SAID THAT i SHOULD NOT HAVE GIVEN blue oats only hay and H2/0 he should look like he has been starved .IN ORDER TO GET WEIGHT OFF HIM.i have read that you should not starve these horses .Blue is getting 1/2 CUP OATS AND 1/2 CUP SINOUR FEED CHOICE MINERALS 1/4 C.3 TIMES A DAY HIS HOOF BILDER AND VIT. ONCE A DAY AND ALL THE HAY HE WANTS.THERE IS NOT MUCH GRASS .BUT THIS FARRIER SAIES I MUST DO THIS.SO SHOULD HE BE STARVED OR NOT ? debbie
Even though the horse sounds like the horse is overly fat and needs achange, starving is seldom the long term answer not is it something your farrier should recommend.
The metabolic problems that create "easy keeper" horses are very complicated, and not remedies by sarving the hose iof necessary nutrients. You vet should be the one to help you sort this out, doing blood tests specific to evaluiate certain metabolic issues. Most often these horses are 'insulin resistant' and therefore cannot properly process carbohydrates (found in grains, feeds with added mollasses and in varying levels in hay). But some horses can be just low thyroid, or are just getting too much overall feed.
I would certainly cut out ALL the senior feed and the grain for now.
Then you need to sit down with your vet, ask about tests to evalute blood insulin, glucose, thryroid and 'cortizol rhythm',(the fluxuation of cortisol throughout the day) and measure certain enzymes to look for kidney or other internal disease, etc.
Then carefully evaluate the diet, piece by piece, and make the necessary changes in nutrients without overall starving. Be aware that since carbohydrates are the most usual culprit in fat horses and laminitis, hay can vary a LOT in carbohydrate levels depending on the variety,as well as the the time of year ,time of day and weather when it was cut. If you buy in big batches id pays to get it analyzed for non-fiber carbs. Horses NEED protein and some fat, as well as carefully *balanced* vitamins and minerals to build good feet and remain healthy overall.
Patty