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  Discussion on Mare with severe EPSM
Author Message
Member:
mientjie

Posted on Sunday, Jun 13, 2010 - 3:30 am:

Hi everyone

As some of you may remember, I have a 8 year old Clydesdale cross mare, Amanda. She has severe EPSM and sadly due to my studies I just don't have the time to give her the exercise that she needs. Also living in South Africa we do not have the special feed that is available overseas.

We have come to the very difficult decision to put Amanda out to veld (pasture) with a herd of Boerperd broodmares. She will be well cared for and will still be stabled in the evening until spring. From then on she will live out 24 hours a day. It truly feels like I'm letting her down, but this seems to be the best option for rather than being stabled and having constant tying-up episodes.

My biggest concern though is that the mares are given concentrates in the evenings and we must decide what they can feed Amanda. She currently gets a bit of Capstone Lifetime Balancer, Speedy Beet and soaked oats 3 times per day. Also she gets vitamins and 500ml Canola Oil per day.

Would it be ok for her to just get some Capstone Lifetime Balancer and Speedy Beet as well as a good supplement? She will not be worked again.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Sunday, Jun 13, 2010 - 8:12 am:

Hello Lee-Ann,
Can you give us the ingredients and analysis of these feedstuffs?

Even with such information it can be difficult to predict what a EPSM horse will tolerate dietary wise. The important thing is that Amanda be monitored for problems and if they occur increase the substitution of oil for rapidly digestible carbs.
DrO
Member:
frances

Posted on Sunday, Jun 13, 2010 - 9:14 am:

What a shame, Lea-Anne. Amanda always looked like a beautiful and talented mare in the photos you posted in the past, and a sweetheart too.

I remember she had to struggle to beat African Horse Sickness (is that what it was called?) too, but came through it.

I'm sure she'll have a happy life turned out with other mares though - and perhaps later on if you have more time and her EPSM has been well controlled, who knows - you might become riding partners again.

All the best.
Member:
lilo

Posted on Sunday, Jun 13, 2010 - 10:18 am:

Hi Lea-Anne,

Just want to wish you and Amanda the best. I know this is hard on you. So, hopefully this is going to turn out to be a good solution.

Lilo
Member:
mientjie

Posted on Sunday, Jun 13, 2010 - 10:20 am:

Thank you for your replies. Here are links to the anaylisis of the feed:
Capstone Lifetime Balancer: https://www.capstonehorsefeed.com/lifetime1.htm
Speedi-Beet: https://www.speedi-beetsa.co.za/index.php?id=23

LL yes it was African Horse Sickness, thankfully she only had a very mild case. Amanda is absolutely amazingly beautiful and so talented, but her talent has gone to waste because of the EPSM. These days even with very light work she gets tying-up and it makes me feel terrible for her. I hope that she will be happy, that is the most important. Thank you so much for your support.
Member:
mrose

Posted on Sunday, Jun 13, 2010 - 11:02 am:

Hi Lea-Anne. I know this is a difficult decission for you and I applaud you for making it and choosing what is best for your horse instead of what you would like for yourself (keeping her in and trying to ride her.) My horses are their happiest when turned out with other horses, regardless of the weather. I'm sure she will be happy and pleased with her full time turnout. As Dr.O and others have said, keep her monitored; who knows, with turnout she may improve. Stranger things have happened. If not, at least you have the peace of mind that comes from knowing you are doing what is in her best interest.

btw, there was a long article in TheHorse magazine on EPSM in the last issue. I don't know if there is anything new as I haven't had time to read it yet, but you might want to read it. I'm pretty sure it can be accessed on line.
Member:
mientjie

Posted on Tuesday, Jun 15, 2010 - 1:19 am:

Hi everyone

Amanda is staying! The guy we where going to send her to, has decided to ask crazy fees that we just can;t afford, it is more than keeping her stabled close to home! To be honest I'm thrilled that she is staying, I've been crying my heart out for days.

Now I must just find a way to keep her moving enough and prevent boredom. Do you have any ideas what I can do with her from the ground?
Member:
cheryl

Posted on Tuesday, Jun 15, 2010 - 9:09 am:

Lea-Anne - there are all sorts of fun things you can do with you horse from the ground. My horse was on vet ordered stall confinement for months - I started clicker training her and we both had a blast - my other horse picked up on the training just from observing. It really is a fun way to interact with a horse. After teaching the initial targeting so the horse gets the idea that the click - or good girl - means yes - you are limited by your imagination only. You will be amazed at what your horse is capable of figuring out. You will need to figure out a treat Amanda can safely eat and then just have fun. I'm glad she is staying with you.
Member:
mrose

Posted on Tuesday, Jun 15, 2010 - 11:50 am:

I have Libby, who can never be ridden again, nor can she be lounged for any amount of time; just hand walking. I found that if I set out poles on the ground, buckets, etc. to make a course of things to walk over, around, through, etc. it turns out to be a lot more fun than just hand walking. Libby follows me, with no lead on, around, over and through everything. I turn it into a game by stopping suddenly, backing up, turning etc. She really enjoys it and I'll bet Amanda will also.

I'm not sure how much Amanda can/should do; but back when I ran/jogged every day I'd sometimes take a horse with me. They enjoyed the "tour" and we'd "talk" while jogging. You need a safe place to do this, of course.

You can also teach her to drive, if she doesn't know how already. There are some good books out on this if you're uncertain how to proceed. Even if she is never hooked up to a cart, the process is interesting and good exercise (for you both!LOL)
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