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Poor Cherish !

Well, after a week and a half of box rest Cherish is on the mend but still not sound. Got her bloods back today and they explain a lot..she is insulin resistant so that is why she got laminitis despite all my efforts, she is basically so bad that she acts like she has cushings although she hasn't - apparently ! Such a shame as she will have to be on meds now for the rest of her life to regulate it but at least then she can go out grazing over night. Does anyone know about the risks of breeding a mare with this and also if it's hereditory....want to know what to do if that is the case?

Sara Thu, 04/16/2009 - 11:00

So sorry to hear about Cherish!

I don't know the answers to your questions but I bet someone here does. I wonder if it's more common in minis. :?:

lipigirl Thu, 04/16/2009 - 11:34

She's technically a miniature Shetland so yes is very common in them but as I have been lucky enough not to have a laminitic pony before it's all new to me...had one with Navicular a Lipi but never Lami....always been so careful ! Tell you what though she wasn't fat to start off with but now she looks very fit !

Monsterpony Thu, 04/16/2009 - 14:33

Insulin resistance is very common is pony breeds, particularly the shetland-type that adapted to living in harsh climates. They need as much glucose in their blood as they can get when living on sparse forage so they developed the mechanism to resist insulin's effects. This, of course, works against them when high quality, lush feed. That's why ponies are much more likely to founder on pasture than full-sized horses.

lipigirl Thu, 04/16/2009 - 15:06

Thanks MP, yes I know it's more common in the pony breeds and why but I still thought I could prevent it....silly me ! My neighbours used to moan that my ponies were in smaller paddocks and that was cruel...I told them that along with Colic, laminitis was too much of a worry to let them have lots of free grazing....been proved right now.

Trouble is, Cherish was got to be Applause's companion and as he's a stallion, I was hoping to have a foal from him and Cherish before he was gelded...now I'm not sure what to do..which is why I am asking.

Monsterpony Thu, 04/16/2009 - 18:05

It isn't a direct genetic/gene thing so much as a general breed predisposition so any shetland is prone to insulin resistance.

Heather Fri, 04/17/2009 - 06:36

The couple we had that were bred did not produce colostrum to the foals and were spetic at birth, not sure if it was related, but it was suspected. One foal died.

critterkeeper Fri, 04/17/2009 - 10:56

Lipi, I'd consult my vet before breeding them to ensure a healthy foal.

lipigirl Fri, 04/17/2009 - 12:10

CK that's what I am going to do on Monday but was wondering if someone here had the inside track. I may have come up with an answer.....I may swap mini mares with my friend's who are mainly stabled for the summer and get that little mare pregnant and then geld Appy in the Autumn. I don't want Cherish to be ill or to have a dead foal.

rabbitsfizz Sat, 04/18/2009 - 05:58

It is not something I would do....you would need to be very very sure that the drugs she is taking will have no effect on the foal....I would not be worried about the laminitis, I have a mare that goes a bit "footy" in spring every year, and I always have her in foal, but she is not on medication.
If she were I would not breed her.
I know you are in a position to keep the foal, but the world does have plenty of Miniatures and the UK is knee deep in them, in fact, if you really want a foal, you can have one of my colts!!!

lipigirl Sat, 04/18/2009 - 06:36

Thanks for the offer Fizz but I really want an [b]Applause[/b] foal, not to sell to keep. I will speak to the vet and see what she says, it used to be a good practice to keep Lami mares in foal to prevent it but as you said is a different matter when on meds....will keep you posted.

Sara Sat, 04/18/2009 - 10:26

Aw Rabbit, I want a colt of yours! Pack him snugly in a sturdy box and I'll PM you my address. ;)