Hi, Leigh,
I've noticed your posts about your ponies. I seem to vaguely remember your
saying
that they were Welsh ponies? Just curious. I have a 20 year old Welsh pony
mare
who is also hypo thyroid and obese - very healthy otherwise though. We raised
one
foal out of her and I'm seriously thinking about breeding her again this
spring,
before she gets any older. I didn't feed her much of anything special when
she
was pregnant, as she was just too fat. She and the foal were both very
healthy
and she had no foaling problems. I keep her on Thyro-L and nursing seems to
help
keep her wait in check. I also have an Arab mare who is hypo thyroid, and she
will actually drop quite a bit of weight, while nursing her foals. I make
sure
she has access to free choice pasture and feed her a supplement called
"Northwest
Mare & Foal" that my vet has had a hand in putting together. I can't feed
either
of these mares grain, so the supplement does a great job of providing
nutrients,
without the grain. Maybe you have something similar where you're at?
Personally, I guess as long as she's in good shape and good health and her
diet is
as balanced as possible, I wouldn't worry about the foal's nutrition. After
all,
you said her previous foals were just fine. I'm a lot of help, huh? <g>
Take care,
Tina Balderston
Leigh331@aol.com wrote:
> For all the trained folks, experienced folks, and nutritional buffs out in
> ridecamp land....I've got a question that I've been wanting to ask....I have
a
> pregnant, hypothyroid, very fat pony. She is due April 1 (her 3rd foal). I
> have been wondering how to properly manage the increased nutritional needs
due
> to pregnancy balanceing this with the need to avoid her putting on any more
> weight. I feed her about 1/2 cup of 10% sweet feed, 1 tbsp Clovite
vitamins,
> Strongid C, her Thyroid meds, about 2 cups beet pulp (dry measure), Oat hay
> with Alfalfa cubes (several cubes only). I wonder about her having enough
> good food and vitamins/minerals with the tiny amount she is being fed. The
> total volume of feed, vit/meds, alfalfa and beet pulp equal about 5-6 cups
at
> each of two feedings per day. She is turned out during the day on bermuda
> pasture, but doesn't really graze much at all. Note: her previous foals
were
> born healthy and energetic. Any comments? I really worry about her.
> Thanks
> Leigh
> PS I added the beet pulp so she would think she's getting something, without
> it, her feeding looks tiny!