19/11/2024
๐๐ง๐ค๐จ๐ฉ๐ฎ ๐๐ง๐๐จ๐จ - ๐ฌ๐๐๐ฉ'๐จ ๐ฉ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ก? ๐ฅถ
The UK has been experiencing some seriously chilly weather the last few days!
As you reach for the de-icer you may also be wishing wilfully for a similar instant fix to the ill-effects of frost for your horse.
EMS/Insulin Dysregulated/PPID/Laminitic horses can be sensitive to frost, and grazing frosty grass can be quite risky for these guys. ๐
๐ฝ๐ช๐ฉ ๐ฌ๐๐ฎ ๐๐จ ๐ฉ๐๐๐จ? ๐คทโโ๏ธ
In short, cold nights (under 5ยฐC) cause most grasses to accumulate sugar making grazing unsuitable for many metabolic horses. In the same way that we recommend low sugar diets for these horses, it is best to also avoid high risk grazing situations like frost. ๐ง
There is also another issue โ the cold can reduce blood flow to the hoof and this in turn can result in โcold-inducedโ or โwinterโ laminitis. This laminitis of a different cause to โeverydayโ laminitis and, somewhat scarily, can present slightly differently with no digital pulse or limited relief from pain medication.๐
๐๐ค ๐ฌ๐๐๐ฉ ๐๐๐ฃ ๐ฎ๐ค๐ช ๐๐ค?๐ค
The easiest way to avoid laminitis during frosty temperatures is to seek grass-free turnout options. However, many of us have access to grass turnout only, we are often met with, at best, two choices โ the stable or the field. In this case, I suggest you try some/all of the following options:
โ๏ธPrevent or limit access to the grass during sunny frosty weather
๐โโ๏ธInstead, embrace movement through in hand and/or ridden exercise where available. Any movement will be beneficial to your horse, I am a big fan of in hand walks a few times a day.
๐งฆKeep feet warm by using wraps or bandages.
๐ดOffer appropriate hay either before turnout or during turnout.
๐ฑUse a grazing muzzle following consumption of hay if grass turnout is unavoidable and your horse is already accustomed to a grazing muzzle.
As ever, there is no โone size fits allโ approach to laminitis management and we are all trying to do the best we can with the tools weโve got. What is appropriate for one horse may not be so for another, and it is up to you as the caregiver to decide what is appropriate for your horse. ๐ด
๐๐๐๐ฉ ๐จ๐๐ค๐ช๐ก๐ ๐ฎ๐ค๐ช ๐ก๐ค๐ค๐ ๐ค๐ช๐ฉ ๐๐ค๐ง?
๐ฆถ Footsoreness
๐ฅHeat (in any amount of feet)
๐ซ Flexibility/softness in soles of the foot
๐ Swelling above the eyes
โ๏ธ Shifting of weight from one foot to another
๐ด Lethargy
๐ฉบ Pulses
๐ฑ Firmness in the neck
๐ฌ๐ผ๐ ๐ฑ๐ผ๐ป'๐ ๐ป๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐ฎ๐น๐น ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐๐ฒ ๐๐๐บ๐ฝ๐๐ผ๐บ๐, you just need to notice a change.
Remember, not all horses are affected by the frost, but it's good to be mindful of these symptoms just incase. โ
๏ธ
โช๏ธPlease share
