Most of the people in my area feed Purina's Equine Senior but I'm not sure about how that would work with insulin-resistance. I've run into diabetic horses (giving them shots was no fun), but no insulin resistant ones yet.
Ask at your feed store maybe? The feed reps will know their brands inside and out and should be able to tell you which ones are best. Your vet will also probably know a special feed for something like that. Here Southern states makes a couple of comments on what to look for in a feed and recommends a couple of theirs. Good luck with your boy, give him a hug for me!
I normally don't like to push my feeding program, but I have a 22 year old mare with cushings that has a constant battle to keep weight on. My vet and I have worked together and done TONS of research, I've had a nutritionist come out to the farm and do analysis and all.. so I feel like I can chime in on this one
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This is all great advice. I'd add that oil is your friend, especially for older guys with not so great teeth. Oils are pure fat, so it won't affect the IR. Corn oil is ok; we LOVE Uckele's Cocosoya oil, or Rice Bran Oil (though the Cocosoya is more palatable). There are feeding directions on the containers of each, which I've doubled with no ill effects. Certainly, start with a little and work your way up.
The only thing you have to watch with oil is loose stools. We use oil on anyone that needs an extra shine or an extra few pounds, but my Cushings mare and one other older one will get very very loose stool if I go above like 1/4 a cup a day. Just start oil slowly, and increase until you see changes in stool. Generally a good way to gauge what they can handle. :)
Also really find out what the NSC is in the feed you choose. Many feeds that say they are low are really not anywhere near low enough. Nutrena safe choice is around 24% I do believe. BS guarantees theirs is below 10%. Big difference there. I did see a chart on COTH that had the NSC values listed of all the popular feeds. The oil that was suggested will help with his weight a whole lot. Check around for free forage testing places, we have several here, east coast hay is generally low in sugar, not sure where you are.
Just want to add that if this is sudden like you say, teeth would be the first thing I'd want to check, especially when you say he has lost interest in eating.
Triple Crown Senior is guaranteed below 15% NSC and has 10% fat. I switched from Seminole Wellness Senior two months ago and was dumbfounded at the difference in my horses. Everyone has that extra glow they were missing and my hard keepers look amazing. The only thin horses on my property now (other than the two seniors I mentioned above) are two boarders that just arrived last week. They are eating the feed now, so will look great in a little bit. :)
Pick up a good quality low starch complete feed. For some reason, All Stock doesn't sound like a very good candidate. I like Triple Crown's low starch formula, and my vet just recommended Alam for my guy (draft cross, IR).
If memory serves me correct Triple Crowns low starch only has a 4 or 5% fat. The senior has the same starch/sugar content and 10% fat. L/S is a great choice for non-skinny horses though!
but she has mentioned metabolic issues. Senior feed is sweetened with molasses which isn't very good for cushings/IR/EPSM (can't remember exactly what, not enough energy to look) but really, anything would be better than something that any other farm animal can eat.
(and it's 6% fat, 18% fiber...fiber will add weight. Just add oil to the feed for extra fatties)
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http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/EquineCushings/
I found an absolute ton of awesome advice from people on there when I was originally dealing with my horse's repeated founders.
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Ask at your feed store maybe? The feed reps will know their brands inside and out and should be able to tell you which ones are best. Your vet will also probably know a special feed for something like that. Here Southern states makes a couple of comments on what to look for in a feed and recommends a couple of theirs. Good luck with your boy, give him a hug for me!
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(and it's 6% fat, 18% fiber...fiber will add weight. Just add oil to the feed for extra fatties)
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