I swore off ever owning another pony with metabolic issues again after having to put our beloved miniature pony to sleep due to ongoing laminitis complications. Fast forward six months, and I found myself being the owner of a 19-year-old Australian Pony called Sophie.
Sophie is one of those dream ponies that has been there and done that. She was too good of an opportunity to pass up for my daughter who is learning to ride. But with all of Sophie’s good qualities, there were also some not so good. Sophie had been previously locked up in a “Jenny Craig” style paddock and had limited access to pasture and hay. From what I could tell, she had developed ulcers, her digestive system appeared sluggish and there were issues with her hind-gut.
Although she has a slight build; she had developed a cresty neck. This shot off an alarm bell inside of me – a tell tale sign that she could have Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS). So here we were again; back in the realm of laminitis!!!
I knew that management through proper nutrition and exercise would be the key to prevent Sophie from developing laminitis. The best treatment is prevention; however past experience has taught me that this is easier said than done.
After diving head first into the rabbit hole of laminitis information, treatment and management for my miniature pony; I was overwhelmed with all the conflicting information there is out there. I spent hour’s online reading blogs, group forums and veterinarian research papers. I had followed all the advice given to me by my vet and farrier; and through other professional recommendations and guidance had tried various: herbs, minerals, homeopathics, tonics, supplements, different types of laminitis approved feed, soaking hay, grazing muzzles, etc. It felt as though I was bleeding money, wasting valuable time and in some instances just making matters worse.
By learning from the past and not going back down that rabbit hole, my luck finally turned around when I discovered Greenpet.
In the first 12 months of us owning Sophie, she had several laminitis flare ups. It felt as though the harder I tried to manage her, the more easily she would tip. I started looking into a more natural approach to treat and manage the flare ups and this is when I stumbled across Greenpet’s website. I was drawn to their products yet still weary. This was only because I had been burnt so many times before. Once bitten, twice shy….as they say.
This is when Julie came into my life and I have gained so much……
In summary, Julie was quick to respond to my questionnaire, yet very thorough. She was able to confirm my suspicions in relation to Sophie’s ongoing laminitis triggers.
Julie was able to help me tweak Sophie’s feeding regime and suggested that I include a couple of the Calm Healthy Horses supplements that Greenpet stock:
These two products have been groundbreaking for us. After having a Spring and Summer on steroids last year due to an above average rainfall here on the South East Coast, I honestly thought that Sophie would have needed to be locked up for 6 months.
But with careful management and the amazing Calm Healthy Horses supplements, I am pleased to report that Sophie has been out grazing in the paddock without issue (touch wood) so far this year.
To get through the typical autumn flush unscathed which is usually notorious for the laminitics, is a huge credit to Julie and her team at Greenpet. They have been game changes for Sophie’s health (and my sanity) and I can’t recommend them enough.
