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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1034
 
| Has anyone had luck feeding wheat hay to horses with Cushings?
I rehabbed him after he had been fed bread instead of hay by a not so smart guy for several years. Part of the rehab process was wheat hay in the morning and grass at night with Renew Gold. (And teeth, worming, etc). He looked FABULOUS.
I leased him out to a gal who fed alfalfa and sweet feed. Within a year he looked AWFUL. I brought him home and fed him what everyone else here gets - alfalfa and Renew. I kept thinking he would get better but he hasn't. Vet says likely Cushings and is sending blood off.
Now I'm wondering, could he have done better with the wheat/grass combo?
Edited by HorseMommyFiveO 2014-10-23 3:50 PM
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Expert
Posts: 1695
 
Location: Willows, CA | If he is positive for Cushings, I would stay away from Wheat Hay. That can be all over the board as far as NSC depending on what stage of maturity it was at when cut. Wheat hay can test anywhere from 8% NSC to 32%. Be careful there unless you have an analysis. | |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1034
| winwillows - 2014-10-23 3:55 PM
If he is positive for Cushings, I would stay away from Wheat Hay. That can be all over the board as far as NSC depending on what stage of maturity it was at when cut. Wheat hay can test anywhere from 8% NSC to 32%. Be careful there unless you have an analysis.
Good to know, I had no idea. This whole experience with this poor horse has made me wish I had more equine nutrition knowledge. | |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1034
| How do you get an analysis of your hay? | |
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Expert
Posts: 1695
Location: Willows, CA | HorseMommyFiveO - 2014-10-23 4:01 PM
How do you get an analysis of your hay?
Some county Ag Extension offices can test hay for you. Your local hay broker can tell you where to test in your area. I would stay away from all the grain hays for this horse. I am a bit surprised that this horse did not do well on alfalfa, as it is pretty high in energy and usually very low in sugars. Most alfalfa will test around 11% NSC. The most consistent hay from one cutting to another might be Timothy. It usually runs around 13% NSC. My thinking is that Timothy would be my first choice if you did not have testing available, second would be alfalfa and last would be the grain hays like Oat, Wheat and Barley. | |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1034
| winwillows - 2014-10-23 4:39 PM
HorseMommyFiveO - 2014-10-23 4:01 PM
How do you get an analysis of your hay?
Some county Ag Extension offices can test hay for you. Your local hay broker can tell you where to test in your area. I would stay away from all the grain hays for this horse. I am a bit surprised that this horse did not do well on alfalfa, as it is pretty high in energy and usually very low in sugars. Most alfalfa will test around 11% NSC. The most consistent hay from one cutting to another might be Timothy. It usually runs around 13% NSC. My thinking is that Timothy would be my first choice if you did not have testing available, second would be alfalfa and last would be the grain hays like Oat, Wheat and Barley.
Thank you! Our alfalfa is super green and leafy, it's really nice where I get it from. (I hope so at $19.99 bale in bulk!)
I'll look for some Timothy for him. He doesn't even look like the same horse anymore and our vet appointment can't seem to get here fast enough to suit me. He was such a pretty little horse and fun to ride. He looks terrible now, and his sad little face is awful! | |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 974
Location: USA | I think Chaff hay is supposed to be good for horses who have metabolic issues like Cushing's and Insulin Resistance. | |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 762
Location: NC | I knew a pony who had foundered 2x, had cushings and insulin resistent. Oh and he was blind in one eye.He was fed bread/bagels by a previous owner as well. He lived till this year and he was about 32 (just passed about a month ago from colic and may have been older) . He was on 1st cut timothy, a handful of triple crown low starch and got cinnamon and pergolide. If he got any cookies it was those low sugar ones or occasionally a alfalfa cube. Was a very happy pony, and he did pony rides(birthday parties) till he passed.
Dont know anything about wheat hay, sorry! we only have timothy, timothy/grass or alfalfa up here. | |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1034
| Racer4eva - 2014-10-24 12:40 PM
I knew a pony who had foundered 2x, had cushings and insulin resistent. Oh and he was blind in one eye.He was fed bread/bagels by a previous owner as well. He lived till this year and he was about 32 (just passed about a month ago from colic and may have been older) . He was on 1st cut timothy, a handful of triple crown low starch and got cinnamon and pergolide. If he got any cookies it was those low sugar ones or occasionally a alfalfa cube. Was a very happy pony, and he did pony rides(birthday parties) till he passed.
Dont know anything about wheat hay, sorry! we only have timothy, timothy/grass or alfalfa up here.
What is with people feeding bread and bagels to horses?! So so strange. This horse went five years on that diet. And I think it may have contributed to his problems now.
When I brought him home, my vet scratched his head and said well, we know he's an easy keeper and obviously not colic prone. LOL! He wasn't too skinny, surprisingly. I had very little weight to put on him. I didn't want to upset his system with hay after having eaten bread so long so I started him on wheat hay since it seemed like the closest thing. LOL! He did reall well on it. That was two years ago. I wish I could post before and after pictures - he was gorgeous! All filled out and big dapples on his pretty bay coat. Now I'm worried neighbors will call animal control if they see him, and he's getting regular vet care and more food than my other horses. | |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 762
Location: NC | HorseMommyFiveO - 2014-10-24 1:53 PM
Racer4eva - 2014-10-24 12:40 PM
I knew a pony who had foundered 2x, had cushings and insulin resistent. Oh and he was blind in one eye.He was fed bread/bagels by a previous owner as well. He lived till this year and he was about 32 (just passed about a month ago from colic and may have been older) . He was on 1st cut timothy, a handful of triple crown low starch and got cinnamon and pergolide. If he got any cookies it was those low sugar ones or occasionally a alfalfa cube. Was a very happy pony, and he did pony rides(birthday parties) till he passed.
Dont know anything about wheat hay, sorry! we only have timothy, timothy/grass or alfalfa up here.
What is with people feeding bread and bagels to horses?! So so strange. This horse went five years on that diet. And I think it may have contributed to his problems now.
When I brought him home, my vet scratched his head and said well, we know he's an easy keeper and obviously not colic prone. LOL! He wasn't too skinny, surprisingly. I had very little weight to put on him. I didn't want to upset his system with hay after having eaten bread so long so I started him on wheat hay since it seemed like the closest thing. LOL! He did reall well on it. That was two years ago. I wish I could post before and after pictures - he was gorgeous! All filled out and big dapples on his pretty bay coat. Now I'm worried neighbors will call animal control if they see him, and he's getting regular vet care and more food than my other horses.
I dont know why they would. In addition to the bread he was drinking water that ducks/geese/pidgeons were in. People are idiots lol. This pony was in perfect shape although I didnt know him when he was younger.My friend had him about 20yrs and I knew him about 5 of those years. | |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1034
| Racer4eva - 2014-10-24 2:41 PM
HorseMommyFiveO - 2014-10-24 1:53 PM
Racer4eva - 2014-10-24 12:40 PM
I knew a pony who had foundered 2x, had cushings and insulin resistent. Oh and he was blind in one eye.He was fed bread/bagels by a previous owner as well. He lived till this year and he was about 32 (just passed about a month ago from colic and may have been older) . He was on 1st cut timothy, a handful of triple crown low starch and got cinnamon and pergolide. If he got any cookies it was those low sugar ones or occasionally a alfalfa cube. Was a very happy pony, and he did pony rides(birthday parties) till he passed.
Dont know anything about wheat hay, sorry! we only have timothy, timothy/grass or alfalfa up here.
What is with people feeding bread and bagels to horses?! So so strange. This horse went five years on that diet. And I think it may have contributed to his problems now.
When I brought him home, my vet scratched his head and said well, we know he's an easy keeper and obviously not colic prone. LOL! He wasn't too skinny, surprisingly. I had very little weight to put on him. I didn't want to upset his system with hay after having eaten bread so long so I started him on wheat hay since it seemed like the closest thing. LOL! He did reall well on it. That was two years ago. I wish I could post before and after pictures - he was gorgeous! All filled out and big dapples on his pretty bay coat. Now I'm worried neighbors will call animal control if they see him, and he's getting regular vet care and more food than my other horses.
I dont know why they would. In addition to the bread he was drinking water that ducks/geese/pidgeons were in. People are idiots lol. This pony was in perfect shape although I didnt know him when he was younger.My friend had him about 20yrs and I knew him about 5 of those years.
Aww poor pony! This was my niece's awesome barrel horse. She went away to college and he was left with her dad. He treated him like a Holstein on the dairy... :-/
Poor little man has gone from AAA ratings in 13 events and show ring pretty (really, he was a great showmanship, lead line, and pleasure class horse) to looking like death warmed over. | |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 762
Location: NC | HorseMommyFiveO - 2014-10-24 5:17 PM
Racer4eva - 2014-10-24 2:41 PM
HorseMommyFiveO - 2014-10-24 1:53 PM
Racer4eva - 2014-10-24 12:40 PM
I knew a pony who had foundered 2x, had cushings and insulin resistent. Oh and he was blind in one eye.He was fed bread/bagels by a previous owner as well. He lived till this year and he was about 32 (just passed about a month ago from colic and may have been older) . He was on 1st cut timothy, a handful of triple crown low starch and got cinnamon and pergolide. If he got any cookies it was those low sugar ones or occasionally a alfalfa cube. Was a very happy pony, and he did pony rides(birthday parties) till he passed.
Dont know anything about wheat hay, sorry! we only have timothy, timothy/grass or alfalfa up here.
What is with people feeding bread and bagels to horses?! So so strange. This horse went five years on that diet. And I think it may have contributed to his problems now.
When I brought him home, my vet scratched his head and said well, we know he's an easy keeper and obviously not colic prone. LOL! He wasn't too skinny, surprisingly. I had very little weight to put on him. I didn't want to upset his system with hay after having eaten bread so long so I started him on wheat hay since it seemed like the closest thing. LOL! He did reall well on it. That was two years ago. I wish I could post before and after pictures - he was gorgeous! All filled out and big dapples on his pretty bay coat. Now I'm worried neighbors will call animal control if they see him, and he's getting regular vet care and more food than my other horses.
I dont know why they would. In addition to the bread he was drinking water that ducks/geese/pidgeons were in. People are idiots lol. This pony was in perfect shape although I didnt know him when he was younger.My friend had him about 20yrs and I knew him about 5 of those years.
Aww poor pony! This was my niece's awesome barrel horse. She went away to college and he was left with her dad. He treated him like a Holstein on the dairy... :-/
Poor little man has gone from AAA ratings in 13 events and show ring pretty (really, he was a great showmanship, lead line, and pleasure class horse ) to looking like death warmed over.
Aww poor guy!! Well I hope he feels better soon! | |
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