Feeding Fats
Fact Sheet
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Not all fats or fatty acids are created equal; some are more beneficial than others for horses.
Article
Spring Horse Feeding Considerations
Consider your horse's diet when helping him make a smooth transition from winter to spring.
Photo by Adam Spradling
Article
Omega Basics: Easy as 1, 2, 3
Fats increase energy density of diets and are necessary to metabolize fat-soluble vitamins.
Photo by The Horse Staff
Article
Spring Horse Feeding Considerations
April 05, 2013
Consider your horse's diet when helping him make a smooth transition from winter to spring.... Read More
Article
Omega Basics: Easy as 1, 2, 3
September 08, 2012
Fats increase energy density of diets and are necessary to metabolize fat-soluble vitamins.... Read More
Article
Psyllium for Glucose and Insulin Control
April 23, 2011
Veterinarians often recommend psyllium for use as a laxative, specifically for clearing sand out of horses' intestines to minimize the chances of sand colic. But new research indicates there might be another use for the phytogenic (plant-based) ... Read More
Article
Evaluating Your Horse's Body Condition
April 20, 2011
Body condition scoring (BCS), an impartial way to evaluate a horse's weight and welfare, is a valuable tool that helps horse owners understand their horses' well-being. It is an important aid that can be used to make sound decisions regarding general... Read More
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Supplementing the Equine Diet with Essential Fatty Acids
March 16, 2011
Research indicates that supplementing essential fatty acids in horses' diets is useful and might be required.... Read More
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Understanding Carbohydrates in Equine Diets
February 04, 2011
When it comes to managing the carbohydrates in a horse's diet, knowing the basics of how horses digest food is half the battle. Laurie Lawrence, PhD, an equine nutritionist from the University of Kentucky's Department of Animal and Food Science who ... Read More
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Endocrine Disease Table Topic (AAEP 2010)
January 27, 2011
One of the Table Topic discussions at the 2010 American Association of Equine Practitioners annual meeting, held Dec. 4-8 in Baltimore, Md., addressed equine endocrine disorders. Moderators and attendees discussed diagnostic testing for equine ... Read More
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Winter Farm Care Checklist
January 01, 2011
Experts share their time-tested steps for cold weather readiness around the barn.... Read More
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Breeding Horse Nutrition
December 01, 2010
Regardless of general feeding guidelines for breeding horses, body condition score (BCS) is the most objective assessment of a horse's fat covering and also the best predictor of reproductive performance or efficiency.... Read More
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Omega-3 Fatty Acids Benefit Sport Horse Health
October 01, 2010
Increasing the amount of omega-3 fatty acid in a horse's diet can positively affect his health and endurance.... Read More
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Focus on Health: The External Horse
August 01, 2010
Maintaining of a horse's hair coat takes a lot of energy, protein, and certain trace elements and minerals. ... Read More
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Analyzing Feed and Forage for Horses
July 01, 2010
Awareness of what your horse is eating can help you determine if his dietary needs are being met and, if not, what can be added to meet those needs. With respect to the nutritional needs of a horse, it is important to know the meaning... Read More
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Feeding the Immune System: Nutrient Support for Horses
May 01, 2010
Both humans and horses must consume nutrients to support all body systems, including the immune system. But how do we know which nutrients support the immune system?... Read More
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Fatty Acid Triheptanoin Comes Up Short for Horses with PSSM
April 03, 2010
Triheptanoin does not appear to be a good fat supplement for polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM) horses.... Read More
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Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Consider the Source
December 02, 2009
The benefits of omega-3 fatty acids for horses are believed to be numerous: decreased inflammation in various tissues, increased immune response, maintenance of healthy membranes, and an upsurge in sperm production, to name just a... Read More
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Study: Starch Limitation Key for Short-Term Blood Sugar Control
April 22, 2009
To better control blood sugar and insulin levels, horse owners are encouraged to limit starch intake in their animals, rather than only supplementing their horse's diet with fats, recommends Ingrid Vervuert, DrMedVet, PhD, and... Read More
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Feeding to Lessen Inflammation
October 31, 2008
At the Purina Equine Veterinary Conference, held Oct. 17-19 in St. Louis, Mo., Karen Davison, PhD, manager of Equine Technical Services for the Horse Business Group of Purina Mills discussed managing inflammation and oxidative stress in horses... Read More
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Don't Guess. Test Your Hay
July 03, 2008
In our effort to 'cover all the bases,' many of us feel we have to supplement with fortified grains in an effort to feel secure that we are providing enough vitamins, minerals and protein in our horses diet. Grain may present an unnecessary amount... Read More
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Feeds and Supplements
March 01, 2008
The key to a good feed program is to start with the proper type of forage for the individual, then (if needed) pick the right concentrate or supplement. Most horse owners try to provid... Read More
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Study Shows Horses Able to Absorb Fatty Acid Supplements
January 22, 2008
Illinois researchers studying the effect of nutritional supplementation with essential fatty acids (EFAs) reported that EFAs are absorbed systemically after oral administration and alter the normal pool of fatty acids in the bloodstream of horses.... Read More
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Fats in Your Horse's Diet (Book Excerpt)
November 20, 2007
Studies have shown that as much as 20% overall fat in the diet is well tolerated by horses, with no ill effects noted. Indeed, fat might well be easier for horses to digest than carbohydrates.... Read More
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Challenges of Feeding High-Performance Horses
April 01, 2007
"A horse that's working hard does have a high energy requirement," says Nielsen. "And when we are trying to get that into a horse, we have to feed him a fair bit of concentrate, meaning grain, of course. In this case, we run the risk of health... Read More
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The Latest on the Omegas (Fats)
August 01, 2006
Glance through nearly any newspaper or magazine, and you're bound to see ads proclaiming the health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids in the human diet. Interest in the topic is keen: Studies in humans and other species have found omega-3 fatty acids... Read More
Article
Latest Nutrition Tools
November 01, 2005
Hot, dry Tucson, Ariz., doesn't conjure up images of equine nutrition research, but leading animal scientists convened there May 31-June 4 to present their latest findings on a variety of equine science topics. The following article highlights... Read More
Article
Drought Stress and Pasture Quality
August 26, 2005
Drought causes pastures to dry up, weeds to flourish, and horses to get thin without supplemental feeding. But there are other things going on in your fields that you need to know about in order to protect your horses from problems such as... Read More
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