Insulin Resistance

[Bozley]

We have a mare that just hasn't been herself lately and acting somewhat lethargic. We also noticed that we could slightly feel her ribs through her winter coat but she also has a cresty neck and fat deposits on her hind end. Last week we had blood work done on her and we received the results today. She has been diagnosed with Insulin Resistance. Some suggestions the vet made that we try first is soaking her hay, giving 1/4 tsp of cinnamon in her feed and slowly switching her to Carbguard and Minivite Lite.

Does anyone else have any suggestions? What type of feed or supplements have worked best for you?

Thanks.

Sue

 

[Fred]

Sue, Becky is also IR. She is on Pure Pride 100 which is the perfect feed for an IR horse as it doesn't have the molasses in it so a lot less sugar. She is also on cyproheptadine and I am surprised they didn't put Belle on something similar. NO ALFALFA I was told and I make sure she doesn't get any. Linda

 

[Bozley]

I thought that is what Becky had, but wasn't sure. I will try the Pure Pride 100 and see how she does with that. It would make sense for them to be on the same grain when Becky comes to visit during her "maternity leave"

Do you wet Becky's hay? I was told to stick with 1st cut which I feed anyway.

My vet said to start with the diet changes first and see if that works before trying any medication.

I have no idea what I am going to do with all the candy canes we have stored for Belle!

Thanks!

Sue

 

[targetsmom]

Hi Sue-

We have a mare that is also IR (Princess, not the mini you met in September). She also has the heavy crest and was just diagnosed this past year. You don't WET the hay for IR horses, you need to SOAK it for a half hour at least to remove as much sugar as possible. Be glad it is a mini and not a big horse! I soaked Princess's hay in a Strongid bucket and then drained it before feeding. That was only until I got some hay that was tested and is pretty low in NSCs. Our hay dealer tested some for us and that batch of hay is just for Princess, so I feed that normally. I had been feeding rich second cutting hay and I think the hay change has had the greatest effect. I also switched her to Carb Guard but she was already getting a fairly low carb complete feed (Nutrena Senior Feed). I also had her on Remission, which is a Magnesium and Chromium supplement for IR horses/those prone to founder. I took her off of that after show season though because it was having too much of a calming effect (it is similar to Quiessence). This is the first winter that Princess hasn't worn a poll-to-withers neck sweat every night and I don't think her neck has ever looked this good. Although it is a bit hard to tell with the fur, I think she also has better weight over the back than ever before.

So my recommendation: low NSC hay (1st cutting, tested or soaked and drained), Blue Seal Carb Guard, NO alfalfa, soak and rinse any beet pulp.

Good luck.

Mary

 

[Hosscrazy]

I am so glad that you had your vet run a blood test on her and found out early that she is IR! In addition to the above, I recommend that you also join the below group that I also moderate. The people on the site are incredible and will be able to provide expert advice.

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/EquineCushings/

Best wishes,

Liz R.

 

[babygoose]

http://www.safergrass.org/articles/index.html

Check out this site as it has a lot of info on feeding for IR horses and to prevent laminitis. Alfalfa actually has a safer form of carbohydrates than a lot of grasses, especially the cool season grasses such as orchard grass, timothy, brome. Then there are a bunch of variables thrown in like climate where the grass is grown etc., but I wouldn't completely rule out alfalfa as a feed.

 

[Fred]

Actually I WOULD rule alfalfa out. It is way to rich for this type of horse and I speak from a LOT of experience as a farrier as well as a horse owner. Linda

 

[maestoso]

Hi Sue, Triple Crown Low Carb is also a good choice for IR horses. Cindy can tell you pages and pages about it, she has a few IR horses in her barn and that is the grain she uses. We have used it as well. It worked great on some, and not so great with others.

 

[shelly]

Hi Sue,

I'm so glad you finally found out what was up with Belle!!!! I was concerned after hearing what her "reading" said...now you know! Hope all goes well with her..keep us posted please!

Shelly

 

[Bozley]

Thanks everyone for your replies. Belle will be just fine. I am just glad to know what it is and that we can make her feel better.

Makayla was really cute. She said "Mom, can you tell Belle that she can no longer have candy canes? I don't want her to get mad at me". That horse has Makayla so wrapped around her little hoof

Sue