Thanks for having us @swanriverhorsetrials ! Well done to Skye and ‘Judaroo Love Bug’ on winning the T&R EVAJ65, and a big thank you to Harpa who placed 4th for the lovely thank you message and photo of she and ‘Demi’ - it looks like Demi will enjoy some Equi-Restore and Lupin Fibre Boost.

Well done to the organisers and all riders in our class.
#eventing #horseriding #horses

Equine nutritionist Jill Davies answers your questions on laminitis. Thank you to everyone who submitted a question for Jill, we couldn`t answer them all but here are three FAQs...

? What is the best way to prevent laminitis flare-ups? - Annie

"In short? Managing insulin starts with the whole diet.

When cells become insulin resistant, the pancreas may produce more insulin. Excessively high insulin levels can weaken the sensitive lamellae of the hoof, potentially causing laminitis.

Prevention involves managing total calorie intake, NSC% (sugars and starch) in both forage and hard feeds, forage quality and quantity (1.5-2% BWt/day), BCS, CNS and insulin testing.

WA pasture suitability varies with grass species, weather and weeds. Grazing muzzles may help on suitable pastures, but some horses and ponies require complete grass restriction while maintaining adequate forage, movement and social contact.

A forage-based diet must also be nutritionally balanced, providing high-quality protein, essential amino acids, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, zinc, iodine, selenium, and sodium (salt). Vitamins A & E also need attention. Hay drying and storage reduce beta-carotene (which horses convert into vitamin A) and naturally occurring vitamin E, an important antioxidant that supports muscle function, immune health, and protection against cellular damage.

Regular vet monitoring of insulin concentrations, together with appropriate management of HAL (Hyperinsulinemia-Associated Laminitis)/EMS or PPID where present, helps assess whether the management programme is working. Once a horse is sound and has vet approval, appropriate exercise can also help improve insulin sensitivity and support a healthy BCS. Horses experiencing active laminitis should not be exercised."

Continued in comments...

#laminitis #horsehealth #horsenutrition #horsefeed

Oh the Royal, what a show! Our team riders were out in force, and it was a great event for the Dagostinos. Clara came away with Reserve Champion Small Show Pony and a big win in her Rider class, and young Harvey rode so well in such a big atmosphere, and placed 4th in his rider class too - we love Mike’s proud-dad smile.

Some fabulous achievements for the Oakford team, well done.

📷 Thank you to @bm_photography_perth

#showhorse #fuelledbytandr #sponsoredriders

Laminitis Week - Day 2 - Do you know these early warning signs?
While prevention is key, early detection can make a huge difference to your horse or pony`s chance of recovery.

Heat in their feet:
Temperature increases in the hoof can occur hours before the first signs of lameness. Check them regularly for signs of prolonged heat i.e. for a few hours.

A bounding digital pulse:
A horse`s digital pulse should normally be faint or difficult to feel. Laminitic horses have a digital pulse that is `bounding` or quite strong. Get to know what their normal digital pulse feels like now, so you can notice any changes.

Shifting, leaning or lameness:
Horses and ponies can start to show signs of discomfort in their feet, by shifting their resting legs often, not shifting at all, or rocking back to take the pressure off their front feet. It`s vital to know how your horse stands normally, so that you can pick up when they are acting differently.

What should you do?
Consult your vet immediately!

Prevention is essential. If you have a laminitis-prone horse or pony, you need to be managing their grazing and feeding program carefully to reduce the risk of a laminitis attack.

#horsehealth #laminitisweek #laminitis #horsecare #ponycare #horsenutrition

Laminitis week day 1 - Your quick start guide to laminitis. Do you know some of these laminitis basics? It’s not just a hoof problem, it’s a whole body issue and has three different types grouped by cause. Our take home message about laminitis for today:

Laminitis is a secondary issue, that occurs as a consequence of a bigger issue somewhere else in the body.

Next, we’ll be diving deeper into Endocrinopathic laminitis, why insulin matters and how feed and grazing management is essential.

#laminitis #horsenutrition #horsecare