BAEN Message Board: diet and environment

[ Post a Response | BAEN Message Board ]

diet and environment

Posted by Dr Thunes on 7/1/2009, 9:57 pm, in reply to "The Reality of Living with HYPP ???"
75.209.187.205

Is your horse heterozygous (HN or NH) or homozygous (HH) for HYPP? Heterozygous horses are less severely effected but a seizure looks the same in either.

Diet and management are key with these horses as potassium levels MUST be kept low ideally between 0.6-1.5% potassium in the diet according to UCD who have a lot of experience with this condition. I believe they identified the original case. Several small meals are preferable to large meals.

This means feeding tested hay and in probably straight grains if they are needed. It also means that being in a boarding facility where you can guarantee the care required will be key. Stress will also trigger episodes so minimizing environmental stress such as shipping, insuring plenty of water etc are also important.

Exercise is important and these horses do better if not stabled. First instinct is to not ride these horses for obvious safety reasons. However I had a good friend whose horse was epileptic and that horse would seize and once they had it well managed he went on to many years under saddle without a problem. So I would not rule out riding but would discuss the reality with your vet.

If you need help evaluating whether your current diet and management are appropriate I would be happy to help in any way can.

Clair