Question
My 18-year-old draft gelding was recently diagnosed with PSSM Type 1. We took a closer look at his health when he started having difficulty using his hindquarters, especially when being asked to pick up his hind legs. He is fed a handful of high-fat performance feed. I have read that PSSM horses should be fed more fat, so I was wondering if you had suggestions for adding fat to his diet. My concern with adding fat is that he may become overweight. I plan to continue riding him lightly, as he enjoys working. Can you help?
Answer
Manufacturers list a minimum intake of feed on packaging to ensure that horses consume a sufficient amount to meet the daily recommended requirement of many important nutrients, including several vitamins and minerals. The small amount of feed your gelding consumes daily is not providing sufficient vitamins or minerals. A ration balancer would rectify this shortage, as it is a concentrated source of protein, vitamins, and minerals, designed to be fed at only 1-2 lb (0.45-0.9 kg) per day. Because your gelding is above average height and weight, he may need closer to 2 lb (0.9 kg) per day.
Nutritionists recommend fat supplementation for horses that cannot be managed successfully on a low-NSC diet alone. If you find your gelding doesn’t show improvement after several weeks on this new diet, consider adding fat in the form of stabilized rice bran or vegetable oil. For example, you could start with a half cup (120 ml or 4 oz) of vegetable oil and increase slowly to two cups (480 ml or 16 oz) daily, if needed. Choose an oil that has a desirable ratio of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, such as canola oil.
In addition, you can soak his hay to extract excess sugars. The general guidelines for soaking are complete submergence in cold water for 30-60 minutes or warm water for 10-30 minutes, according to research. Soaking can reduce sugar content by as much as 30-40%. For example, hay with 15% NSC can be soaked to within acceptable levels (10-12%). Do not allow the horse access to the water in which the hay was soaked.
Vitamin E is an important antioxidant involved in neuromuscular function, and research has shown horses with muscle disorders often respond positively to daily supplementation. Natural‐source vitamin E (d‐alpha‐tocopherol) is the best form of vitamin E to offer, especially when compared to synthetic forms (dl‐alpha‐tocopherol). Nano•E is a water‐soluble, natural‐source form of vitamin E that is rapidly available to the horse, providing protection to the muscle. Nano•E can be added at a maintenance dose of 1,500-3,000 (6 ml-12 ml) IU daily. If fat supplementation is added to the diet, Nano•E should be adjusted accordingly. Current recommendations suggest that for every cup of fat fed 600 IU of vitamin E should be supplemented. Nano•E allows targeted antioxidant support, so it can be increased during stressful periods or hard work.
Maintaining electrolyte balance is essential for nerve transmission and muscle contraction. Electrolyte supplementation, in addition to free-choice access to plain salt, helps maintain a normal thirst response and meet basic sodium requirements.
Restore SR provides a time-released source of sodium that allows sustained absorption for maximum replenishment. Classic electrolyte therapy causes spikes in blood electrolyte levels, which stimulate increased excretion. Because of this, horses excrete most electrolytes prior to absorption in the large intestine. With Restore SR, researchers found a way to provide a slow-release electrolyte to ensure sustained maximum absorption in the hindgut. In Australia, look for Restore and Restore Paste.
