I am a senior at Sweet Briar College, and am currently working on my senior thesis exercise for the Equine Certificate. My current study is “equine nutrition in the 21st century” and I think my thesis will be the different between American and European (specifically German) feeding systems, and whether one is better than the [...]
Archive for the ‘Nutrition’ Category
Keeping your Horse Sand Colic Free
We will be moving our horses (9 yr G Paint & 6 yr G Quarter Horse) to our property in a little over a month. We will have a new pasture for them to stay in with a horsewire fence. Our pasture is mostly sandy type dirt and we have been told that sandy area [...]
Nutrition for a Pregnant Mare
I have just purchased a QH mare who is due to foal the first part of March. As this is our first foal, what if any supplements would you recommend for the mare at this point in her pregnancy. I am an OB-Gyn Nurse Practitioner and know how important adequate quality intake is for both. [...]
The Truth about Feeding Horses Corn Oil
My horse has a dull coat and could stand to gain some weight, so my trainer suggested adding corn oil to his grain, for extra fat. But I’ve read recently that corn oil actually isn’t that good for horses – is that true? I’m confused! Thanks for your help, JR, Maine
Dear JR,
Adding fat to your [...]
How Much Pasture Do Horses Eat?
Could you tell me how long a horse that gets 2 flakes of hay morning and evening would have to be turned out on good pasture to get the same intake? Thanks! KP, Pennsylvania
Dear KP,
I have a short answer for you and a long answer. I’ll give you the short one first! According to the [...]
Feeding a Pony a Multi-Vitamin Instead of Grain
I have a 6 YO small pony (40″ & about 450 lbs.) and I think she needs to lose weight. She eats Timothy hay and 1/3 Cup of Omolene 100 2X’s a day. I am not certain that this small amount of grain is supplying the nutrition she needs. There is little to no grass [...]
Devil’s Claw and Other Herbs
My horse is on Devil’s Claw Plus to relieve some swelling. I recently heard that Devil’s Claw can cause liver and kidney function to decline. Could you please tell me a little more about this herb as well as some other anti-inflammatory herbs? Do you recommend the use of such herbs? VT, [...]
Dr. Gray’s Featured Article: Silica Supplementation in Horses Shown to be Safe and Effective
This article was originally published at www.TheHorse.com
While beer may be an excellent source of bioavailable silica for humans, a new round of dietary supplements may be a better way to provide horses with this essential trace mineral.
According to the sixth edition of the NRC Nutrient Requirement for Horses, a need for silica [...]
Developmental Orthopedic Disease (from AAEP Ask the Vet)
Question 1:
We have two fillies, both about 9 months old, who have buckled over at the fetlock joint in both rear legs. Our veterinarian examined them and said they do not have physitis at this time but a previous issue may have caused the condition they have now . . . short [...]
Dr. Gray’s Featured Article: Horses Absorb Components of Gelatin, Researchers Find
This article was originally published at www.TheHorse.com
In 2006, a pair of researchers who reviewed the literature on gelatin (hydrolyzed collagen) in humans found that it is absorbed intestinally and accumulates in cartilage. They also reported that supplementing gelatin led to a significant increase in the production of new tissue by cartilage cells. Their conclusion: gelatin [...]
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