I got a huge crash course in IR study when we rescued a bunch of starving minis from KY. The little stud had a broken crest and I was over joyed when he started gaining weight the neck started coming back up, then kept going up and up along with huge fatty deposits on his shoulders and back. We had the vet out for routine shots and coggins, she took one look at him and asked had I tested him for IR. We ran the bloodwork that day and came up positive. He was a horribly aggressive little shit, very mean and hateful to handle. We did soem readign and adjusted hs diet and it was like an instant gelding he had such an attitude change.

I was fortunate in the fact that he has never foundered, he just grows hoof like crazy and requires a trim every three weeks. He does get to go out on grass a good bit, but only at night and he's brought up before the sun hits the grass in the morning, which is a PITA. Flax is a "good" fat that is not high sugar or starch and provides the needed omegas that are not normally found in processed grains. If you have to feed grain, the Seminole is FABULOUS. I love the fixed formula, and the added herbs help a bunch. I use the Calm and Cool only becasue we do show this horse.

He gets 1 cup of Calm and Cool with 1/2 cup soaked beet pulp (no Molassas) with 1 reasspoon ground flax, and 1/2 teasspoon of Metamucil along with 1 0z daily of Quiessense. He goes out from midnight til 4am, and when in his stall or dry lot, has access to free choice timothy hay. It is important that they do not go through "fasting " periods, as their glucose drops during those times and spikes really high when they are fed.

I found this old pic of my boy before I got him, and it's obvious he's battled this for a while. It's a wonder I didn't kill him trying to feed him back up to weight...

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Over the winter, still a dip there, but certianly getting better...

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Side without mane view...

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And what he looked like when we got him...

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And this was the one that made my vet say let's test him...

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