Question

I own a 17-year-old Welsh-cross pony mare (500 lb or 250 kg) that has a history of laminitis. She doesn’t exercise much, and she spends most of her time in a stall. Her daily diet consists of a low-calorie feed (2.2 lb or 1 kg) and mixed-grass hay (13 lb or 6 kg). Is this an appropriate diet for my pony?

Answer

Because of her history of laminitis, an appropriate diet for your pony would be the grass hay and/or chaff that you’re currently providing her combined with a concentrated, low-starch, low-calorie source of vitamins and minerals, such as Micro-Max.

Additionally, for ponies that are at risk for or have a history of laminitis, KER nutritionists recommend daily use of EquiShure, a hindgut buffer that can maintain the normal hindgut environment. EquiShure reduces the risk of changes to the hindgut microbial population, which can lead to laminitis.

Providing the nutritional resources for maintenance and repair of tissues is vital in these cases. Additionally, maintaining her body weight at a level where her condition is moderate rather than fleshy or obese is advisable.