equine metabolic syndrome
debi
I have a 14yr old TWH that was just diagnosed with Equine Metabolic
Syndrome. I have contacted a person from Blue Seal Feeds who will
supposedly advise me on a diet for him. However, in the meantime I
was wondering if anyone has experience with this and has any advice as
far as a diet: 1st cut hay - 2nd cut hay - grain - grass - ect?
He has also had a few episodes of mild founder over the past few
years. I live in Vermont where the grass is very rich.
thanks,
Debbie
debi
>
> Talk to Dr. Reilly athttp://equinemedsurg.com/. �He specializes in
> equine insulin resistance, does free consultations, and will work with
> your vet. �He would say that equine metabolic syndrome is a misnomer -
> it's not really a syndrome; it's insulin resistance. �He has also
> formulated a supplement, HEIRO, which lowers insulin levels and allows
> the horse to get back out on pasture with a grazing muzzle. �I've just
> started my insulin resistant mare on it - too soon to tell.
>
> In general 2nd cut hay is lower in starches and sugars than first
> cut. �Soaking the hay removes more sugar. �It's a pain in the winter,
> but it can be done. �I have a hose run from the hydrant, up over a
> hook and back to the ground in my soaking area. �Just quick connect,
> fill muck bucket with hay and water, turn off water and disconnect
> hose. �It self-drains. �After soaking, dump the water and drag the
> muck bucket to the feeding area. �I dump the wet hay, refill the muck
> bucket and soak for the next feeding.
>
> Try to divide the hay into at least four feedings. �You don't want
> blood sugar and insulin levels to spike and dive - you want to keep
> them steady. �This is one reason turnout with a grazing muzzle is so
> helpful.
>
> Feed a low-starch/sugar feed according to the bag instructions. �This
> should give your horse the micronutrients he needs, formulated for IR
> horses, while keeping his blood sugar and insulin levels low.
>
> Exercise is important. �But in a study, horses with at least eight
> hours of turnout daily did better than horses with more limited
> turnout and an exercise program. �So get him out as soon as you can do
> so safely, with a grazing muzzle.
>
> Good luck. :) �Talk to Dr. Reilly. �He is up on the latest research,
> he is happy to advise your vet on the best testing procedures, and he
> is happy to review your lab results and make recommendations - an
> excellent resource.
>
> Nancy
Hi Nancy,
Thankyou, thankyou, so much for your very informative reply. I will
take your advice and contact Dr. Reilly.
Debbie
Nancy DeMarco
> Thankyou, thankyou, so much for your very informative reply. I will
> take your advice and contact Dr. Reilly.
You are very welcome. Let us know how it goes - I'm very curious to
hear how others do on his protocol.
Nancy
Jane Saranac
>"Nancy DeMarco" <nancy...@gmail.com> wrote in message
>news:4b250aec-cc7b-4726-a79c->ededeb...@p36g2000vbn.googlegroups.com...
>equine insulin resistance, does free consultations, and will work with
>your vet. He would say that equine metabolic syndrome is a misnomer -
>it's not really a syndrome; it's insulin resistance. He has also
>formulated a supplement, HEIRO, which lowers insulin levels and allows
>the horse to get back out on pasture with a grazing muzzle. I've just
>started my insulin resistant mare on it - too soon to tell.
Nancy, I will be reading with interest how the HEIRO works. I suspect that
Atticus may be insulin resistant as well. He is classified as an "easy
keeper", and came about 150 lbs overweight. He gets very small amounts of
safe choice feed (low carb) 2-3x per day with us and is out on grass and
gets good hay, but is in regular work now and he has lost some weight with
us, but slowly, which is good, but I'm wondering whether he is going to lose
what he needs without more radical change. I looked up the HEIRO and was
interested that Dr. Reilly's product is magnesium based only with no
chromium whereas he was on Quiessence at his former barn and they thought it
was the chromium that helped him .(and my diabetic father was told Chromium
was good for people too.) I have stopped giving Atticus the Quiessence
since I want to see what if any difference it makes but if we need to go to
something I will be interested in the HEIRO.
Nancy DeMarco
> Nancy, I will be reading with interest how the HEIRO works.
You and me both. :)
> I suspect that
> Atticus may be insulin resistant as well. He is classified as an "easy
> keeper", and came about 150 lbs overweight. He gets very small amounts of
> safe choice feed (low carb) 2-3x per day with us and is out on grass and
> gets good hay, but is in regular work now and he has lost some weight with
> us, but slowly, which is good, but I'm wondering whether he is going to lose
> what he needs without more radical change. I looked up the HEIRO and was
> interested that Dr. Reilly's product is magnesium based only with no
> chromium whereas he was on Quiessence at his former barn and they thought it
> was the chromium that helped him .(and my diabetic father was told Chromium
> was good for people too.) I have stopped giving Atticus the Quiessence
> since I want to see what if any difference it makes but if we need to go to
> something I will be interested in the HEIRO.
Dr Reilly said that drafts tend to not be insulin resistant, although
they do get fat. It might be worth testing, just the same.
He says he draws the blood (red top), refrigerates for 30 minutes,
then pulls the truck over and spins it, transfers to another tube and
refrigerates. He keeps a centrifuge in the truck with a cigarette
lighter adapter for this purpose. He said that the labs tell them
that they have 4 hours leeway, but they have found that insulin levels
drop quickly in the tube if they don't spin it right away. This has
led to mis-diagnosis and laminitic episodes that could have been
prevented. He has instructions for the testing veterinarian on his
site.
Interesting guy. :) My diabetic hubby also takes chromium, BTW. Not
sure why Dr Reilly doesn't include it, but I'm sure he'd answer an
email.
Nancy