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PSSM horses - conditioning Moderators: luluwhit, gotothewhip, cindyt, crossspur, ForumAdmin Jump to page :	Last activity 2015-07-27 6:23 PM 5 replies, 2580 views View previous thread :: View next thread
General Discussion -> Barrel Talk


Fairweather Reg. Jan 2004	Posted 2015-07-26 7:40 AM Subject: PSSM horses - conditioning
Twin Sister to Queen Boobie Posts: 13315 Location: East Tennessee but who knows?!	I had read on the other thread that horses with PSSM hurt if they're not worked every day. I have a gelding that's not been tested but I had suspected because of behavior, his muscles "pop", and he seemed somewhat short strides especially when he's had time off. He was on (regular) Strategy and I upped his fat (rice bran) and I saw a difference in behavior, and somewhat in movement. Then I switched him to Total Equine and he's doing even better. I recently put him on DMG to help with stamina. What I have noticed is that even with just a week off, he seems to lose conditioning much easier than my others and he gets "stiff" (won't round his back/body). Since the feed change, I have noticed an improvement in the stiffness but he does seem to get winded easier than the others. If they can't be worked every day, what's an optimum workout routine for when they are worked? And would lungeing be enough when not ridden and if so how much? Mine are turned out on pasture at night so he does get some movement but is that sufficient for when he's not ridden?
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kwanatha Reg. Dec 2003	Posted 2015-07-26 10:56 AM Subject: RE: PSSM horses - conditioning
Meanest Teacher!!! Posts: 8555 Location: sunny california	I would think this would be the one time a hotwalker would come in handy. you could put them on while cleaning stalls. it would be nice and easy on him and then you could do a little lunging on some days like every other day
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annemarea Reg. May 2006	Posted 2015-07-26 5:40 PM Subject: RE: PSSM horses - conditioning
"Drank the Kool Aid" Posts: 5496 Location: Iowa, LA	That's exactly why I bought a hot walker! I can put them on while doing barn chores or when I'm short on time. At least they are getting some type of movement that way. But basically just always keep in mind to go slow and easy after some time off and slowly build up to how you were riding.
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CarrieH77 Reg. Dec 2005	Posted 2015-07-27 11:35 AM Subject: RE: PSSM horses - conditioning
Expert Posts: 2674 Location: Silver Lake, MN	If I can't ride mine I try to at least lunge her for 15 minutes or so. It's not ideal but schedules do not allow us to ride every day all the time. PSSM horses are challenging but I love my mare and she is worth it. She is turned out 24/7 on a dry lot with a high fat/high magnesium diet is what has worked the best for her. I have been managing it for 6 years now.
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Cowgirl Kat Reg. Aug 2013	Posted 2015-07-27 2:23 PM Subject: RE: PSSM horses - conditioning
Elite Veteran Posts: 999 Location: Sunny So Cal	Definitely a hotwalker or 15 minutes of lunging should help when you don't have time to ride. She also called up THE and they made a PSSM formula for her that she is super pleased with. Just something else to try that may help your horse too.
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winwillows Reg. Jul 2013	Posted 2015-07-27 6:23 PM Subject: RE: PSSM horses - conditioning
Expert Posts: 1695 Location: Willows, CA	Pretty much all of the above. These horses have to move out every day. The point about coming back slow if they have time off is also right. two or three days of slower work for each day off is pretty safe. Keep any concentrate that you feed under 1.5 pounds per feeding.
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