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...
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...
Chasteberry is an herbal supplement that is used to support mood balance and hormone health in female and male horses. The Chastetree berry (Vitex agnus-castus) plant is a shrub that grows in the Mediterranean and parts of Asia. The fruits...
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...
Have you noticed changes in your horse such as weight loss, a dull coat, disinterest in feeding or crib chewing that have resulted in poor performance? Your horse might be experiencing stomach pain, most likely due to gastric ulcers. Equine...
Do you know the dangers of high iron levels in your horse's hay or water? Iron overload is a growing concern among horse owners as more is learned about the harmful effects of having too much of this mineral in...
Selenium (Se) is an antioxidant mineral that is necessary in the horse’s diet. Horses derive selenium by consuming hay or grasses that grow in soils that contain this trace mineral. However, if you live in a region with low selenium...
Given the importance of the hoof, it's important to know that what you feed your horse will have a profound impact on its hoof growth and quality. In this article, we will go over what nutrients your horse needs to...
If you have taken the first steps towards feeding your horse a balanced diet that includes a concentrated mineral and vitamin supplement, there's a chance that your horse may turn its head up when first introduced to it. But don't...
Feeding a quality forage should be the basis of every feeding program. Given the forage portion will account for the large majority of nutrient intake for your horse, isn't it important to understand what is in that forage? By knowing...
Many horse owners do not fully appreciate the significance of providing adequate salt to their equine companion. In terms of cost-to-benefit ratio, it would be hard to think of another nutrient with such a low cost that provides the benefits...
Vitamin E, or alpha-tocopherol, is an essential vitamin that must be obtained through your horse's diet. There are many products sold in the equine supplement industry that contain varying forms of vitamin E that are available, but it is sometimes...
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...
Let's save the boring stats that every article discussing equine gastric ulcers quotes. If you keep your horse in a stall and/or do any level of training and you are still reading this article, there is an extremely [...]
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. [...]
Insulin is a hormone produced by special cells within the pancreas in order to do many important jobs, one of which is the transportation of glucose from the bloodstream into each individual cell. When foods high in [...]
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