Question
Maguire is my 18-year-old Miniature Horse gelding. I would guess he weighs about 260 lb (118 kg) based on his height of 33 inches. He is in moderately fleshy body condition and needs to lose weight, as he is recovering from laminitis. Maguire is still not completely sound. His diet consists of teff hay. I am trying to determine what I can feed to bump up protein. His coat is not as shiny as it once was, and I suspect that it has something to do with his borderline Cushing’s test results, so I am also looking for a product for his coat and hooves. His insulin levels were off the charts before I discontinued grazing two hours daily. He doesn’t exercise currently.
Answer
According to your description, you are handling Maguire’s diet well, especially given his health problems. I have a few suggestions that might be useful in his management.
Consider having the teff hay tested. If you plan to feed the same hay for several months, then it is worth having it analyzed to determine the amount of starch, sugar, and protein it contains. You will only want to feed hay that is lower than 10% nonstructural carbohydrates (add the starch and WSC values on the forage-testing report). Some studies have shown that teff hay falls well below this threshold in various stages of growth, but forage testing is the gold standard in determining this value, and it will provide peace of mind for you. If your local extension service offers hay testing, it would be best to go through an agent there. Otherwise, there are services like Equi-Analytical that can be used.
When restricting hay, use a slow feeder of some sort so your gelding doesn’t go long periods of time without food, which would place him at risk for gastric ulcers.
Many mature, idle horses consume sufficient protein through their forage. I imagine this is the case for Maguire. However, confirming it with the hay analysis would be ideal. Once ensuring his protein requirements are met, you can add a concentrated source of vitamins and trace minerals, which are missing in his current forage-only diet. A low-calorie micronutrient pellet would be an excellent option for this. When formulated by reputable manufacturers, these products contain highly digestible forms of natural-source vitamins and chelated minerals. In many cases, a small daily serving (e.g., one ounce) will provide what is needed for optimal health. Some micronutrient supplements are highly concentrated with nutrients and contain little else to add unnecessary calories.
To help with the inflammation associated with laminitis and metabolic conditions, I suggest adding a research-proven source of omega-3 fatty acids. Marine-derived sources of EPA and DHA have been found to be more biologically potent than plant-based sources. Omega-3s help reduce inflammatory conditions associated with metabolic conditions as well as improve glucose tolerance. Supplementation with omega-3s will often benefit coat condition, too.
Once Maguire is sound, reintroduce exercise to help with weight loss and to stave off other metabolic concerns. Exercise comes in many forms, including longeing, driving, or purposeful hand-walking. Strive for at least 30 minutes of exercise six or seven days a week of sufficient intensity to elevate heart rate.
