An orphan foal is a young horse that cannot nurse their birth mother. Foals may be orphaned for a number of reasons, including the mare’s death or severe illness, rejection of the foal, or the mare’s failure to produce adequate...
Beet pulp is a mainstay of many feeding programs for horses. This highly digestible feed is a good source of soluble fiber that supports hindgut function and helps meet energy requirements. Beet pulp is a by-product of sugar extraction from...
Off-the-track Thoroughbreds (OTTB) can be wonderful companions and athletes, but they do come with their share of breed-specific challenges. After retiring from the racing industry, these horses often require specific care and training to adapt to new disciplines or leisure...
Stallions have unique nutrition and behavioral needs because of their high activity level and potential to become aggressive towards herd mates and humans. Often housed alone, stallions can develop stereotypic behaviours that further complicate their management. Young colts require consistent...
Forage is the most natural and least expensive feed for horses. Feeding a forage-based diet supports natural grazing behavior and optimal gut health in horses. As such, forage should form the basis of your horse’s diet, with supplemental feeds added...
BCAAs (branched-chain amino acids) are muscle-building supplements that have become popular among equine athletes for performance, recovery and fatigue. BCAA include leucine, isoleucine, and valine, and play a crucial role in protein synthesis, muscle growth, and energy production.
Alfalfa is a popular forage choice for horses and an ingredient in many equine feeds. This legume forage can be processed and preserved in many different ways to make it easier to incorporate into the diet. Alfalfa is nutrient-dense and...
A proper grooming routine involves more than just knocking the dirt off your horse's coat before tacking up. A well-groomed horse is a well-cared-for horse. Learning to groom your horse correctly and following a thorough daily grooming routine can significantly...
What does it mean to have a sound horse? The term 'soundness' is used by horse owners to describe how a horse moves. For example, a horse is not sound if they are limping or there is a deviation in...
Fructans are a storage form of carbohydrate and a component of the non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) found in cool-season grasses, such as tall fescue, timothy, orchardgrass, and perennial ryegrass. Fructans are indigestible by horses, passing through the foregut to the hindgut...
Soy is a common ingredient in many equine feeds. Different parts of the soybean can be used to provide protein, energy, and fiber in your horse's diet. Soybeans are popular because of their versatility and affordability. Soy oil is a...
Adding fats and oils to your horse’s diet is a great way to increase calorie supply without relying on grains and high-NSC feeds. Fats can be added to the diets of underweight horses as weight gain supplements. Oils also provide...
Is your horse getting what she needs in her current diet? Does she have health concerns that could be improved through feeding practices? If you own or care for horses, chances are you have asked yourself these questions at some...
Does your horse resist going in the trailer or show signs of stress after being unloaded at your destination? You may need to trailer your horse for many reasons, such as seeing a veterinarian, competing, breeding, or for recreational purposes....
Emaciated horses have a very low body condition score with extensive loss of muscle and fat. These severely underweight horses need to be carefully managed with veterinary care and precise nutrition strategies during their recovery. Reintroducing feed must be done...
Iodine is an essential trace mineral required by horses and all mammals. It is used to make thyroid hormones that control metabolism in all cells of the body. Forages and grains are typically low in iodine because most soils have...
Hyperkalemic periodic paralysis (HYPP) is a genetic condition in horses that affects how their muscles function and respond to signals from the nervous system. These horses have high levels of potassium in the blood and should be fed low potassium...
Vitamins are organic compounds that are essential for all living things. Vitamins have diverse roles within the horse's body, affecting energy metabolism, growth and repair, muscle function, neurological health, immune function and much more. Vitamins function as cofactors for metabolic...
Yeast are single-cell organisms that include over 1,500 unique species found naturally in soil, plants, fruit, and on the skin and in the intestinal tract of mammals. Live yeast are used as probiotic supplements for horses, primarily to improve fibre...
Is your horse getting a balanced range of essential and non-essential amino acids from their feeding program? Your horse needs adequate amino acids in their diet to make proteins. Proteins are complex molecules that are required for almost every physiological...
Lysine, methionine and threonine are known as rate-limiting amino acids that are required in the horse's diet because they cannot be made in the body. Of the 21 amino acids that exist, these three are most commonly deficient in the...
Zinc (Zn) is an essential trace mineral that is required in the horse's diet to support the proper function of many enzymes and proteins. It is involved in antioxidant protection, immune function, protein synthesis, and cellular communication. Zinc is also...
Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, is required in the horse's diet for the production of keratin – the main protein that forms a strong, durable hoof structure. Biotin is most commonly known for supporting hoof growth and quality. It...
Jiaogulan (pronounced Je-ow-gu-laan), also known as Gynostemma pentaphyllum or J-herb is a climbing vine used in horses to support circulation, respiratory health, and muscle function. The leaves of the jiaogulan plant contain active ingredients that increase nitric oxide levels in...
Copper (Cu) is an essential trace mineral that is required in the equine diet to support the proper function of many enzymes in the horse's body. Copper is important for iron metabolism, healthy connective tissue, energy production and antioxidant protection....
Milk thistle extract (Silybum marianum), also known as St. Mary's thistle, is an herbal supplement primarily used to support liver function in horses. Milk thistle seeds and leaves contain many bioactive compounds, collectively referred to as silymarin. Silymarin is a...
Omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fats (PUFAs) that are essential in the horse's diet. Supplementing your horse's feeding program with omega-3 oil can support anti-inflammatory mechanisms in the body and contribute to overall health and well-being. Giving your horse a...
Probiotics are live microbes (bacteria, yeast, fungi and protozoa) that help horses maintain a healthy gut by protecting against "bad" microbes or pathogens. Maintaining a healthy microbiome promotes optimal digestive function and absorption of nutrients and helps support the immune...
Trace minerals are only needed in very small amounts in a horse’s diet. Think milligrams! Despite this, however, the majority of horses still receive too much energy and protein and not enough trace minerals from their diet. Deficiencies in key...
Cushing’s Disease occurs when there is a tumor on the pituitary gland, an organ at the base of the brain. This tumor causes the pituitary gland to over-produce ACTH, a hormone that affects cortisol levels in the body. [...]
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