The equine digestive tract is a fragile system and the rigors of training often cause disruption of normal function to occur. Gastrointestinal disorders, such as gastric ulcer syndrome, are common among the equine population and are often treated with a variety of pharmacological agents. While we can treat some gastrointestinal disorders with certain drugs, we must also instill good preventive care of the digestive tract so we can lower the incidence of such disorders and help the horse maintain healthy gut function.

At every level of racing, so much time and money are invested in each horse that trainers and owners want to find the extra edge that will help even the most astutely trained and conditioned athlete be more competitive. Manipulation and timing of feeding, feeds, and supplements can alter the physical performance of an individual horse, and an amazing array of performance enhancers or ergogenic aids are available.

Using bran mash as a weekly ‘cleanser’ is a popular tradition among horse owners and stables. The thought behind the weekly bran mash is that it adds bulk to the stool, helps with hydration, is a good source of fiber, and assists digestion. Despite being fed with good intentions, giving a weekly bran mash actually causes a dramatic alteration to the daily ration and can cause a disturbance in the normal population of microorganisms that reside in the hindgut. Here are some myths and facts about bran mash, wheat bran, and when is the correct time to use it.

The obesity crisis no longer applies to humans. More and more nutritionists and veterinarians are seeing an increase in obesity within other species, including equines. Obesity in the equine population can partly be contributed to better quality nutritional products and pasture management, which over the years has made it easier for horses to get fat and stay that way. Another contributing factor is a lack of exercise; many horses get little to no exercise on a daily basis. What are the risks for an overweight horse? Overweight horses are prone to many disorders.

When was the last time you evaluated what your horse is being fed?  The nutritional needs of horses actually change quite frequently, and I always recommend a thorough evaluation of the forage, concentrate and supplements being fed to a horse every four months. Think about it, something has probably changed the nutritional requirements of almost every horse within the last four months.

The energy level of the horse is one of the most commonly analyzed factors of performance. Horses that compete in energy-oriented competitions need the proper amount of fuel to perform at their best. While the main source of energy in feeds for performance horses is carbohydrates, other sources should not be dismissed.

As the summer gets hotter you find yourself with a sweaty horse, but a quick hose down is not all he needs after a good workout. Horse sweat is hypertonic, meaning it contains more mineral salts or electrolytes than water. If electrolytes are depleted from the horse and not quickly replenished, numerous health problems can occur.

Alternative medicines and dietary supplements are quickly growing in popularity among those in the equine industry as a means of treating conditions and illnesses that affect horses. Some of these therapeutic agents have been intensively researched while others have little or no scientific evidence to support their efficacy. However, consistent anecdotal reports on their use in treating musculo-skeletal conditions, pain and behavioral issues as well as enhancing overall well being and performance cannot be ignored.

Horses affected by equine metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, and Cushing’s disease require modification in several areas of management to regain their health. Diligent adherence to dietary, exercise, and therapeutic changes are mandatory to avoid long- term negative and debilitating health effects. We now know that horses with equine metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, and Cushing’s disease do not metabolize starch and sugar like normal horses, and this negatively affects endocrine function. Other major health problems are also associated with the disorders, such as obesity, although not all horses affected by these disorders become grossly overweight. 

The energy or calorie requirement of the horse is one of the most commonly analyzed factors of performance. Horses that compete in energy-oriented competitions need the proper amount of fuel to perform at their best, whether it is racing, eventing, or endurance riding. Often times when the topic of energy sources comes up, carbohydrates are considered the main source of energy. While carbohydrates play an important role in the production of energy, other sources, such as fat, should not be ignored.

From a nutritional standpoint, the most difficult aspect of weaning is preventing a depression in growth rate after the youngster is weaned followed by a rapid acceleration of growth once the weanling has adapted to its new lifestyle. An erratic growth rate can contribute to developmental orthopedic problems. Management procedures such as making sure the foal leads well, stands for the farrier and has had its feet trimmed, is properly vaccinated and dewormed, and is eating well prior to weaning make the process go much easier.

One of the most productive ways of keeping horses warm and supply nutrients is to provide free choice, good quality hay.  The heat of fermentation when the hay is digested by microbes in the horse’s hindgut is the main source of warmth for the horse.

There are a number of myths and misconceptions when it comes to feeding the horse. Many traditional feeding methods have been passed from generation to generation of horsemen, and while some of these methods are still useful, many are outdated and even detrimental to the horse’s nutritional health.

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Over the past several years, testing horses for horse feed allergies has become very popular in veterinary practice. When a horse develops a skin and/or respiratory problem, the feed the horse is eating immediately becomes suspect as a causative agent. What is problematic about this situation is that the horse is limited to all vegetarian dietary ingredients and with the list of possibilities that can be used to make horse feed limited to twenty, it has not been uncommon for the allergy test to come back reporting the horse is allergic to almost all the ingredients in feed. Why is this occurring and what is a better way to test for food allergies?

Vitamins in the horse’s body serve as antioxidants and are necessary for several metabolic processes, often acting as catalysts in biochemical reactions. Unlike minerals, which are inorganic, vitamins are organic compounds that can be classified as either water- or fat-soluble, depending on how they are absorbed and stored within the body.

From time to time all horses can benefit from an immune boost and Beta-Stim™, a novel and unique equine immune supplement, is effective at helping the horse fend off bacterial and viral infection when exposure occurs.

Vitamins are the organic materials that act as catalysts for a variety of reactions that take place within the horse’s body. This means they speed up chemical reactions, enabling them to take place more quickly and efficiently than they would otherwise. If these catalysts are missing, as in a vitamin deficiency, normal body functions can break down and make the horse susceptible to disease. 

When discussing the quality of hay, we often hear the terms “first cutting”, “second cutting”, and “third cutting”. The type of cutting that hay is derived from has often been used as an indicator of quality, but this method of evaluation is not the most accurate. The thought that first cutting hay is not as good as second or third cutting hay may or may not be true; it depends on the factors that make up quality hay.

Ever wonder what precisely is in the feeds formulated for horses? Examination of the feed tag or list of ingredients on the bag can be a daunting task even for the trained professional.

Feeding horses is an art and an ever evolving science and horse breeders, trainers and owners need to progress with the times and embrace how to use nutrition as a tool for longevity in their horses.

Well, the question can be answered several ways, as there is not one particular reason why horses engage in this perfectly natural activity. Horses are supposed to eat a certain amount of dirt on a daily basis.

When developing rations for horses, especially those that are required to perform at the highest level, balance is crucial. From broodmares and young, growing horses to racehorses on the track, nutritional requirements for digestible energy (energy) or calories, protein, vitamins, and minerals must be considered.