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New Member from South Carolina
Hello, my name is Linda. Wren is actually my Morgan’s barn name. He’s the reason I’m here. I have a dream of driving him in combined driving events…if I can only make him well. This year, I scribed for two driven dressage judges, and both suggested I look at The Horses Advocate.
Wren has a history of ulcers, problems with vaccines, metabolic challenges, and sore feet. I’ve listened to all the “experts” and spent a ton of money on medication and supplements. In 2021, he was scoped and diagnosed with level 1 ulcers. This is where Dr. T will groan…he was given 60 days of Gastroguard and two other human medications. I’m sure I killed every good bacterium in his body.
He was sound most of the summer and pulled the travois and flat sled. I was ready to add wheels when he walked into the barn sore footed. I called my vet and it was “same old story again.” A fourth set of x-rays in the same number of years showed nothing major. He never has a pulse or heat in the feet. However, nothing helped.
In October, I followed the two-week challenge with good results. My QH, Clyde, blossomed and I actually saw dapples in his winter coat. Wren didn’t show dramatic results, but I knew his health problems and the damage from everything I did wrong, wouldn’t be a quick fix. I took the nutrition class, and although I don’t consider myself gifted in science, I loved the class and learned valuable information. I added soybean meal in November.
It’s now March and I see positive body changes in Wren, but he still has slightly sore feet. He wears boots on the bad days. I joined the website to seek more information. I have a ton of questions and a lot to read.
I would love to hear from others who have experienced this journey. Thanks!
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6 Replies
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Hi Linda! Welcome! I’m sure you will find lots of information on this site. Be sure to check the Topics and Resources tabs—lots of info and testimonials. We have live Zoom calls two weeks of every month. (The next one is Thursday, 3/16, 8 PM EST – replays are always available) That’s where you can ask questions to Doc T directly or send them in advance if you cannot attend live. Thank you for being your horse’s advocate! Kathy Tucker
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PS I Love your graphic & picture!
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Thank You!
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Welcome Wren, and thanks for bringing along your caregiver! LOL, thank you Linda for finding and implementing the information I have here. It’s exciting, but also frustrating, to see positive results with so simple a concept.
I did not see that you were adding soybean meal (SBM). If you have, then be patient as the hoof needs at least a year to rebuild. But if you have not added SBM, start today. Be sure to record the start date and don’t tell your farrier. S/he will be able to tell you that the hoof is improving in about 2 to 4 months.
Glad you’re here! Doc T
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I looked up the date…added soybean meal 12/02/22, and, yes, my farrier has commented on the good hoof growth. Wren’s feet have improved.
However, I just started soaking hay last night. Both seem to love it soaked! I’ll survive. It’s getting warmer in SC.
I’ve monitored his pasture time but never unsoaked hay. Soaking hay could make a huge difference?
He’s a 14.1 Morgan about 850# (was heavier). My SBM weighs 5.5 oz per 1 cup so he’s getting 11 oz daily. Is this enough SBM? I mix it wet with alfalfa pellets.
Am I on the right track? Thanks!
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Yes, soaking the hay removes all free sugar, which is at the root of insulin dysregulation and is present in horses with “tender feet” and certainly with laminitis.
The starting point for SBM is 1 pound (16 oz) per 1200-pound horse. 800 pounds is 2/3’s of 1200, so 2/3’s of 16 oz is about 11 oz. However, that would be the minimum to add to about 1.5% body weight in hay (about 13 pounds), assuming 10% protein. You can double and triple the amount of SBM if you want, especially if you are going for an athletic performance.
But it is more important to reduce the sugar intake to reduce the inflammation in the hooves. Please listen to podcast #55 and the others about sugar and protein relative to laminitis.
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