Horse of the Quarter - Shandy
Jo Westwood’s first horse, Shandy, a 15.1hh cob aged 6-7 years was bought in 2003. Shandy seemed healthy enough and as a good do-er, was maintained on minimal feed and hay. However, Shandy’s problems started about two years later when she seized up for the first time and thereafter, it almost became an annual event with her 'tying up' and then spending weeks recovering and slowly coming back into work. Eventually Jo’s vet performed a muscle biopsy which diagnosed Shandy as having Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy (PSSM), which means she cannot tolerate carbohydrates in her diet.
Jo was relieved to finally have a diagnosis and started researching the condition finding information by Beth Valentine and Prof. Pat Harris particularly helpful. She also contacted various equine feed nutritionists and found the Dengie’s nutrition team to be supportive, helpful and knowledgeable. With Dengie’s guidance, Jo received a personalized diet plan for Shandy comprising of Alfa-A Molasses Free with Dengie’s Leisure Vits & Mins supplement.
Jo was also advised to soak Shandy’s hay to remove water-soluble carbs; a regular exercise plan to help prevent glycogen building up in her muscles and not to leave her out for the summer as too much grass is detrimental.
Shandy is now healthy and back in work with no sign of the annual reoccurrence of her ‘tying up’. Jo admits, “Shandy seems high maintenance compared to other horses on our yard but she’s worth it! I now think of her as 'normal' as opposed to a tie-up waiting to happen.”
