Pony Founder Laminitis and The Obesity Link
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Many kids start their riding careers on ponies. And many of us, well into adulthood, love and respect ponies too. Some people look at ponies and believe they are baby horses. Some think that a pony is a different species than a horse - like a donkey or zebra. Genetically, horses and ponies are the same species. But, besides the obvious size differences, there are some ways ponies differ from horses and one of those ways is how efficiently their bodies use the food they eat.
Two of the most common causes of health problems in ponies is obesity and founder. Both are caused by overeating. It is almost easier to overfeed, than underfeed a pony. Obesity can lead to a number of problems. Fat, cute ponies are almost so common, we sometimes forget how bad being overweight for a pony is. Even if the pony hasn’t foundered or isn’t showing signs of EMS, fat cells are responsible for producing hormones and inflammation that can have long term health problems.
Foundering happens when a pony gets too much feed too fast causing laminitis. When laminitis occurs connective tissue between the hoof and the inner structures of the hoof break down because the blood vessels that supply them have become badly inflamed. In some cases the hooves will heal. But in some cases, they do not. The breakdown can lead to movement of the bones within the hooves - what we call foundering. The result is a pony with very sore, damaged feet. Once a pony has foundered it may never be completely sound again, and it may be easier for another episode of founder to occur.
Another problem that can occur when ponies get to fat are lipomas. These are tumours that grow around the intestines. Lipomas can cause strangulation colic if they wrap around a section of intestine and cut off the blood supply The only way to save the pony is by surgery.
Overweight ponies also suffer from stress, can’t handle heat or workload as easily as fitter ponies and the extra weight can stress joints.
So, how do you feed a pony to prevent obesity, laminitis and their complications? Good pasture is probably bad for ponies. Sparse pasture, where the pony has to work a bit harder to find its food may be healthier. Think of the terrain and forage a pony would have to deal with in many environments like moors, mountains and areas prone to drought. These are the pastures ponies evolved to thrive in. Our lush green pastures are far too rich for our ponies, although they might be just the thing for our larger riding horses.
Hay rich in legumes may also be rocket fuel for a pony. Ponies can survive on good grass hay, and not much of it. I had a Section A Welsh that was quite healthy on one bale of good grass hay a week, along with some rather bad pasture.
Most ponies will not need any grains or other concentrated food. The exception might be mares with foals, ponies that are working hard, or older ponies with dental or other health problems. Even then, feeds that include beet pulp, molasses, or apple pomace may contain too much sugar for a pony’s metabolism to handle. Even treats need to be figured into the ponies feed intake.
It’s rare that a pony is a ‘hard keeper’. Usually there is an underlying reason for this. Because ponies have small mouths tightly packed with teeth, sharp edges may make eating uncomfortable. Floating might make a difference. Parasites can pull any horse or pony down in condition. And, ponies need water too so they can digest their food efficiently. |
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