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Articles ( * = TheHorse.com members only )Date Posted
U.K. Couple Sentenced in Pony Obesity Cruelty Case
A couple in the United Kingdom have become the first horse owners convicted of obesity-related animal cruelty under that country's Animal Welfare Act, said a report from Horse and Hound. The Act stipulates that owners must provide a suitable diet for their animals. Keith and Lynn Hall of Blackpool, England, were charged with animal cruelty ... Read full story
 11/5/2009
Researchers: Soaking Hay Key to Stable Dust Reduction
Horse owners' selection and preparation of their animals' feed has a greater influence on concentrations of dust and endotoxin in the stable than the type of bedding used, researchers recently reported. "Dust and its constituents are important factors in the development of lung disease of horses that can reduce their well-being and ... Read full story
 11/5/2009
Management of Horses with Diarrhea Reviewed for World Equine Vets
Bacteria such as Salmonella or Clostridium can wreak havoc on a horse's gastrointestinal tract, causing massive losses of water, electrolytes, and proteins. The result? Diarrhea. A smelly, watery, life-threatening mess. "In more than 60% of diarrhea cases, we never actually discover the inciting cause and testing for all the possibilities ... Read full story
 10/30/2009
First Fall Frost Brings Flurry of Forage Questions   *
The first frost of the autumn generally brings questions centered around three general topics: Suspected toxicity of frosted alfalfa to grazing animals Post-frost harvest of last alfalfa cutting Toxic prussic acid potential and management of frosted Sudangrass and sorghum-Sudangrass hybrids Is frosted alfalfa toxic? Frost injured alfalfa, ... Read full story
 10/21/2009
Prevent Weight Gain to Minimize Metabolic Changes in Horses   *
Weight gain and obesity in horses should be avoided to prevent insulin resistance, increased insulin and leptin blood levels, and laminitis, and to maintain a healthy metabolic state. To date, "it is unknown whether obesity is the primary cause of or contributes to metabolic abnormalities or whether these abnormalities are inherent characteristics ... Read full story
 10/16/2009
Insulin Resistance: Variation in Blood Test Levels   *
A blood sample is usually a key step in diagnosing a horse as insulin resistant. But a recent study showed that one sample might not give enough information because the horse’s blood sugar and insulin fluctuates daily. "Your veterinarian should probably take at least two samples on different days," recommended Shannon E. Pratt, PhD, of North Carolina ... Read full story
 10/14/2009
Study: Horses' Diets Affect Gastrointestinal Bacteria   *
Horses fed a diet of only forage have greater bacterial stability and fewer "bad" fecal bacteria, such as Streptococcus spp, than horses that are also fed concentrates. This finding, reported by a group of Swedish researchers, provides opportunities for the industry to develop more targeted feeding strategies to support equine health and welfare. "Diets ... Read full story
 10/9/2009
Yea-Sacc 1026 Granted Full EU Authorization for Use in Horses  *
Global animal health and nutrition company Alltech announced it's Yea-Sacc 1026, a live yeast culture based on Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain 1026, has been granted full European Union authorization as a feed additive for horses under Commission Regulation (EC) No. 886/2009. The authorization follows years of extensive scientific research conducted ... Read full story
 10/8/2009
Colic: Diet Can Reduce Enterolith Risk, Review Finds  *
If your horse is at risk for intestinal stones or enteroliths, consider replacing an alfalfa-based diet with grass hay, said Diana M. Hassel, DVM, PhD, of Colorado State University. Hassel and colleagues evaluated two equine diets and water supplies to see their effect on minerals and the pH of the gut. The gastrointestinal tracts of horses with ... Read full story
 9/14/2009
Establishing Pastures and Hayfields: Fall Conditions Ideal   *
Cool temperatures and abundant rainfall create ideal conditions for forage producers to establish or thicken grass pastures and hayfields. "The continuous rainfall this summer was very good for forage growth, and soil moisture levels are ideal across most of the state," said Ray Smith, MS, PhD, forage extension specialist in the University of Kentucky ... Read full story
 9/13/2009
Understanding Beet Pulp as an Equine Feed   *
Beet pulp has been a popular feed for horses for years without many people really knowing why. Beet pulp is a byproduct of the sugar beet industry and is predominant in the upper Midwest, Michigan, and California. Sugar beets look a lot like turnips that have been taking growth hormones--they are very large. The beets are grown and processed not ... Read full story
 9/7/2009
Equine Metabolic Syndrome a Focus of Research  *
The Equine Science Society Symposium (ESS) is a gathering place for researchers involved in all aspects of equine health and well-being. For more than two decades, Kentucky Equine Research (KER) has presented findings from its nutrition and exercise physiology studies. At this year's event, more than 160 studies were presented at this symposium in ... Read full story
 8/25/2009
Exercising Horses: Effects of Eating Endophyte-Infected Tall Fescue   *
Known to withstand drought and high traffic, tall fescue is common forage in the southeastern United States. However, these resistant properties are partly associated with an endophytic fungus that infects the tall fescue plant. While the endophyte might offer benefits to the plant, it produces compounds that can have negative effects on animals. Cattle ... Read full story
 8/14/2009
Horse, Livestock Feed Seized from Kentucky Mill   *
U.S. marshals have seized horse and livestock feed stored under "filthy" conditions at the Bi-County Farm Bureau Cooperative Association Inc. in Florence, Ky., according to a statement released by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Bi-County manufactures feed and stores commercial feeds. "The FDA will not tolerate a company's failure to adequately ... Read full story
 7/20/2009
TheHorse.com en Español: Alimentando Para Competencia  *
This is one of a series of articles translated as part of our partnership with A Caballo, an equine publication based in Mexico, and Jorge Murga, DVM. Keep an eye on TheHorse.com for more Spanish-language resources coming soon. Read this article in English. Preguntas o comentarios en español puede ser enviado a News@TheHorse.com. Alimentar ... Read full story
 7/15/2009
Preventing Equine Gastric Ulcers  *
Tips on how to manage your horse's diet to avoid ulcer development. "This is giving me an ulcer!" These probably are words our horses would utter if they could speak because many performance horses and racehorses develop ulcers due to stress that might not even be apparent to us. A domesticated environment, increased exercise and competition, transport, ... Read full story
 7/1/2009
Researchers Examine Oral Acetate for Equine Exercise Recovery  *
An inaugural study has found that a sodium acetate electrolyte solution given orally with a typical hay and grain meal following exercise enhanced skeletal muscle metabolism to restore depleted glycogen (energy) sources. "Glycogen stored in muscle is the primary energy source for horses undergoing either short-term, high intensity or prolonged submaximal ... Read full story
 6/15/2009
Preventing Metabolic Disorders through Early Nutrition   *
Maternal nutrition and early foal nutrition could impact the development of the organs and systems that control energy metabolism later in life, suggest the authors of a recent research report. "In other species, it has been demonstrated that maternal diet has important implications on the metabolic status of the offspring," explained equine nutritionist ... Read full story
 6/12/2009
Dealing with Disaster: Equine Nutrition in Less-than-Ideal Conditions   *
Horses thrive on routine, and nowhere is this more true than in feed management. After the ideal type and amount of grass, hay, and grain are determined for each individual horse, with attention to that animal's age, body condition, use, and metabolism, it's best to stick to that regimen to maintain health and avoid digestive upsets. Clean water should ... Read full story
 5/26/2009
Water: The Overlooked Nutrient   *
The most important nutrient in the horse's diet is one that is rarely added to feeds: water. Although it is often overlooked in discussions involving equine nutrition, water could be considered the first limiting nutrient of all horses, as they cannot survive for as many days without water as they can without feed. The amount of water required by ... Read full story
 5/17/2009
Hard at Work or Hardly Working? Equine Work Intensity   *
Optimal nutrition of the performance horse hinges foremost on the exercise it performs. Just as the diet of a human bodybuilder is dissimilar to that of a marathon runner, most horses are fed with performance goals in mind. Therefore, accurately assessing the level of work performed by a horse is essential in determining the amount and type of feed ... Read full story
 5/11/2009
Probiotics and Prebiotics  *
Stress, illness, and age can disrupt beneficial microflora in the horse's gastrointestinal tract; here are tips on keeping these microbes healthy. Lately, we have seen commercials that promote striking the balance of "good bugs" in our own gastrointestinal (GI) tracts. Our local grocery likely has a variety of colorfully packaged yogurts boasting ... Read full story
 5/1/2009
Filling a Need? (Supplements)
Do your homework and consider your horse's entire nutritional picture before adding supplements. When was the last time you stepped into a feed room that didn't contain a wide array of buckets, bottles, and tubs of supplements? There might have been a time when horses were fed on hay and oats, but these days we're much more likely to be feeding a ... Read full story
 5/1/2009
Sand Colic in Horses  *
Horses in some management conditions are susceptible to sand ingestion; here's how to avoid sand buildup and resulting complications. Rarely do we see our horses lapping up sand like it's some rare commodity. But inevitably horses end up with burdens of sand in their intestinal tracts from grazing sandy pastures or eating off the ground. In areas ... Read full story
 5/1/2009
Study: Starch Limitation Key for Short-Term Blood Sugar Control  *
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 colleagues from the Institute of Animal Nutrition in Leipzig, Germany. "Controlling post-prandial (post-feeding) sugar and ... Read full story
 4/22/2009
Link Between Equine Diet and Behavior Explored  *
Diet and stable management play a major role in horse behavior, according to researchers from the University of Bristol. "There is a growing body of evidence to suggest that the more you can mimic the almost continuous natural grazing behavior of horses in the wild, the better," said study co-author Becky Hothersall, Phd, a researcher studying Equine ... Read full story
 4/16/2009
Cutting Costs: Ditch Supplements That Are Unnecessary  *
In efforts to save money around the barn, researchers recommend horse owners carefully consider the supplements they're adding to their horses' feed. The researchers behind the 2008 study, "Feeding management practices and supplement use in top-level event horses," said many supplements are not needed, and giving too many can be a waste of money at ... Read full story
 4/13/2009
Ingested Wires Cause Colic, Adhesions   *
When ingested, small wires can wreak havoc in the equine digestive system. They might even cause different segments of the tract to fuse together, leading to painful and usually fatal consequences, according to South African and American researchers who recently published a study on the subject. The four cases discussed in the medical review, which ... Read full story
 4/4/2009
Sign Up, Submit Questions for Upcoming Ulcer Webinar  *
Join TheHorse.com for a free Webinar on "Equine Ulcers: Your Horse At Risk," on Thursday, March 26, at 8 p.m. EDT, sponsored by Merial. A horse's stomach showing extensive lesions. You can sign up for this free Webinar now by visiting TheHorse.com/Webinars. Your registration allows you to watch the video presentation and ask questions live ... Read full story
 3/23/2009
AAEP 2008: Tooth Characteristics and Feed Digestibility   *
Think floating a horse's teeth improves his feed digestion? Think again. At the 2008 American Association of Equine Practitioners convention, held Dec. 6-10 in San Diego, Calif., a study showing that floating doesn't improve feed digestion was presented by James Carmalt, MA, VetMB, MVetSc, Dipl. ABVP, ACVS, associate professor of large animal surgery ... Read full story
 3/16/2009
Breeding the Focus at Alltech's Equine News and Brews Series' First Event   *
Alltech, which bills itself as having "natural solutions to animal nutrition," is sponsoring a series of roundtable discussion forums with speakers addressing cutting-edge issues from reproduction to traceability in the sport horse to the aging horse. The first presentation, held Feb. 26 in Lexington, Ky., featured prominent equine reproduction scientist ... Read full story
 3/10/2009
AAEP 2008: Deworming--To Rotate or Not to Rotate?   *
Rotational deworming--dosing horses with different classes of dewormers in rotation--is often recommended for controlling equine internal parasites. The theory is that by using all of the available effective deworming drug classes, we combine their benefits into a maximally effective program. However, some researchers say rotation isn't a good idea ... Read full story
 3/1/2009
New Fact Sheets Available on TheHorse.com  *
TheHorse.com launched the first in a series of Fact Sheets on Jan. 13 to widespread acclaim. This week we present more Fact Sheets on topics that our readers have indicated are important to them based on searched terms, reader views on that topic, surveys/polls, and personal communications. Following are the newest Fact Sheets now available on TheHorse.com: ... Read full story
 2/2/2009
Barn-O-Matic  *
The latest models of automated waterers and feeders can take some of the work out of horsekeeping, and automatic stall cleaners can even minimize your time wielding a pitchfork! Finding it difficult to schedule enough quality time in the barn these days? Worried that all your other obligations are going to mess with your horse's need for regular ... Read full story
 2/1/2009
AAEP 2008: Safely Increasing Weight in Emaciated Horses  *
Rehabilitating emaciated horses to nutritional health is a challenge--there's a fine line between not getting results and risking the horse's health by introducing too much, too soon. Maria Luke, DVM, discussed one system used to facilitate weight gain in these horses at the 2008 Convention of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, held ... Read full story
 1/31/2009
Managing a Horse on a Tight Budget   *
Most horse owners do not own horses as a business, or with expectations of generating household income from them. Rather, owners are more intent on maximizing the amount of pleasure or involvement per dollar spent. Saving money when it comes to horse ownership is always important, but even more so when the economy is down and people are struggling ... Read full story
 1/24/2009
Easy to Swallow: Readers Share Tips on Giving Medicine  *
More than 1,400 readers of TheHorse.com responded to a poll asking, "What's your favorite "mixer" to encourage horses to consume oral medications?" Results were as follows: Applesauce 29.35% (417) Other 25.76% (366) Molasses 25.26% (359) Grain 19.63% (279) Readers shared what they like to use to encourage their horses to take ... Read full story
 1/22/2009
TheHorse.com Launches Editorial 'Fact Sheet' Series  *
Sometimes it is difficult to find that one short authoritative article that gives the basic information you're looking for on a specific equine topic. Something that gives you a foundation when you are looking for a starting point on which to build knowledge about a problem that has beset your horse. TheHorse.com has the answer: Fact Sheets. A series ... Read full story
 1/21/2009
Horse Health Tips for Extreme Cold Weather
This winter has been unusually cold in some areas, with temperatures well below freezing for many days in a row. This extreme cold weather can be particularly dangerous to animals that live outdoors. The Michigan State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital is reporting an increase in the number of animals presenting with starvation and problems related ... Read full story
 1/14/2009
12 Months of Feeding Tips  *
Here's how to roll with Mother Nature through the seasons, nutritionally speaking. Sometimes it feels as if humans have divorced themselves from the rhythms of nature. Perhaps that's part of the appeal of horses. They seem so much more attuned to the natural world than we are. And when we spend time in their company, we're brought back into an environment ... Read full story
 1/1/2009
Survey Finds Eventers Nutritionally Sound, but Oversupplemented   *
In a survey of leading three-day event riders, researchers found that the majority of riders fed their horses based on research-driven recommendations, but the number of supplements used per horse did raise some eyebrows. During the Jersey Fresh 2006 and 2007 Three-Day Events, researchers interviewed 69 riders, asking such questions as where they ... Read full story
 12/28/2008
Readers Share Their Monthly Supplement Budgets  *
Did you know that more than 27% of readers of TheHorse.com spend more than $50 a month on supplements? While we don't know exactly what supplements they are using, almost 1,400 readers of TheHorse.com responded to a poll asking, "How much do you spend on supplements each month?" Results were as follows: $50+ : 27.73% (388) $1-10 ... Read full story
 12/10/2008
Feeding Horses When Temperatures Drop  *
Winter presents a challenge to horse owners when it comes to feeding their horses. Low temperatures, harsh winds and rain, snow, and ice all contribute to the increasing nutrient requirements a horse has to keep themselves warm and maintain their body weight. Here are a few feeding tips to help horse owners keep their horses happy and healthy this ... Read full story
 11/30/2008
Measuring the Physiologic Response to Nutrition  *
Whether for weight gain or loss, speed or shine, nearly everything we offer our equine animals is given in order to bring about an effect we desire. Stacie Appleton, PhD, and Mike Jerina, BS, presented a demonstration on "Measuring the Physiologic Response to Nutrition" to show how the lab goes about measuring the effect of their feeds, at the Purina ... Read full story
 11/24/2008
Beet Pulp Shortage Continues, Could Repeat   *
Plain shredded beet pulp, a source of digestible fiber for many horses, has been hard to come by this year for a number of East Coast horse owners. Some have wondered when supplies will replenish. While a temporary supply will be available soon, the long-term outlook on beet pulp availability isn't as clear. Burton Feed & Seed in Beaufort, S.C., ... Read full story
 11/14/2008
TheHorse.com Launches Weekly Equine Nutrition E-Newsletter  *
TheHorse.com announces the launch of the most recent addition to its electronic newsletter stable, an informative weekly Equine Nutrition e-newsletter, which is available free to registered users, courtesy of OCD Pellets. To view the inaugural edition of the e-newsletter, visit http://www.thehorse.com/enews/topic/nutrition/10272008.html. To sign ... Read full story
 11/1/2008
7 Tips for Selecting and Feeding a Complete Feed  *
What you should know before you make the switch. When good-quality hay or forage is unavailable, or when the horse can no longer consume hay, horse owners have the option of utilizing what is termed a "complete feed" to replace the forage component of their horses' diet. However, choosing a complete feed and understanding how to feed it can be challenging. ... Read full story
 11/1/2008
Feeding to Lessen Inflammation   *
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 through their diets A horse that stands idle, breathing, eating, and digesting food, is affected by tissue ... Read full story
 10/31/2008
Soy Safety: Depends on the Source, Nutritionists Say   *
Horses have varying protein requirements, depending on stage of life or performance level. Protein, the essential building block for new cellular growth, provides the amino acids necessary for maintaining all normal body functions in a horse, from synthesis and release of hormones to formation and repair of muscle and other soft tissues. Soy has long ... Read full story
 10/27/2008
Tummy Troubles: Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome  *
Visit any show ring, riding arena, or racetrack in North America and the odds are good that many of the equine athletes that you see have equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS). But this condition isn't limited to performance horses: EGUS also affects young foals and many pleasure horses. EGUS describes a variety of clinical symptoms including erosions ... Read full story
 10/26/2008
Horse Owners Look to Save During Economic Crunch   *
The current economic climate and tight credit markets have everyone looking for ways to live more frugally, and horse owners are no exception. "Nervousness about loans and housing is certainly affecting people," said American Horse Council president James Hickey Jr. From industry meetings, Hickey has observed that there is a general concern that ... Read full story
 10/4/2008
Autumn Brings Challenges to Cushing's Diagnosis, Management   *
Autumn's chill does not just mean your horse will grow a longer coat. It can also mean he'll have higher natural levels of the hormone plasma adrenocorticotropin (ACTH), which, in conjunction with other factors, can lead to flare-ups of laminitis. Veterinarians recommend that owners test, monitor, and manage horses with metabolic problems carefully ... Read full story
 9/27/2008
Safety of Nutritional Supplements for Horses Unknown, Researchers Say
Just because a supplement comes in fancy packaging with a tamper-resistant foil seal and promises of efficacy does not necessarily mean that it is safe for your horse. According to the Committee on Examining the Safety of Dietary Supplements for Horses, Dogs, and Cats, sponsored by the Center for Veterinary Medicine of the Food and Drug Administration ... Read full story
 9/14/2008
Possible Beet Pulp Shortage Reported in Eastern U.S.   *
A lack of plain beet pulp in several East Coast feed stores is fueling some speculation that a shortage could be in the works. Beet pulp is a byproduct from the process of extracting simple sugars from sugar beets for the manufacture of table sugar. The pulp, which has 8-10% crude protein and 18% crude fiber, is often used as a livestock feed or ... Read full story
 8/17/2008
Readers Respond: Herbs For Horses  *
More than 1,600 readers of TheHorse.com responded to a poll asking, "Would you consider using herbal supplements, such as aloe vera juice, milk thistle, ginger, etc., in your horse's feed or as a topical application?" Results were as follows: Yes: 73.48% (1,205) Only if my veterinarian or a nutritionist recommended it: 19.45% (319) ... Read full story
 8/14/2008
UK, Kentucky Equine Humane Center to Host Pasture Management Seminar   *
The University of Kentucky's (UK) pasture evaluation program will host a seminar, entitled "Horse Pastures in the Fall: a Perfect Time to Renovate," in conjunction with the Kentucky Equine Humane Center at the Center's facility in Nicholasville, Ky., on Tuesday, Aug. 26, from 5 to 8:30 p.m. The seminar will feature guest speakers from UK who will ... Read full story
 8/8/2008
'Tongue Piercing' in Horses   *
It's not a new fad and probably isn't what you're thinking. Horses sometimes accidentally become wounded by pieces of metal or wire, splinters of wood, or even grass awns that become lodged in their tongue, mouth, or throat as they eat. These and other foreign bodies can cause serious medical problems and great discomfort for a horse within hours or ... Read full story
 8/2/2008
Feeding Frenzy  *
It seems like we've spent a lot of time talking about hay in the past year, but for owners of an animal that should consume 1-2% of its body weight each day in forage (grass, hay, or as part of a "complete" diet), this is becoming a critical and pricey issue. For a 1,000-pound horse you need 10-20 pounds of hay per day. Let's assume that your horse ... Read full story
 8/1/2008
USEF Partners with Succeed Digestive Conditioning Program   *
The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) recently announced a new partnership and multi-year agreement with Succeed, an equine digestive conditioning program, as the "Official Digestive Conditioning Product of the USEF." Succeed Digestive Conditioning Program, a product of Freedom Health LLC, is being supplied to the United States Equestrian ... Read full story
 7/31/2008
TheHorse.com Announces Four New Electronic Newsletters  *
TheHorse.com announces the addition of four new monthly electronic newsletters. These e-newsletters will contain articles, news, video links, tips, and links to downloadable information specific to the topics of nutrition, lameness/laminitis, preventive care, and breeding. Currently TheHorse.com publishes two weekly e-newsletters. The Horse Health ... Read full story
 7/29/2008
ACVIM: Causes and Management of Insulin Resistance and Sensitivity  *
Insulin sensitivity and insulin resistance in horses have become increasingly important areas of research in equine medicine over the past several years, as evidenced by the timely and popular presentations at this year's American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) Forum, held June 4-7 in San Antonio, Texas. Rebecca Carter, a PhD candidate ... Read full story
 7/23/2008
Exotic Tastes: Equine Flavor Preferences  *
Does your horse have a favorite flavor? Eight research horses in England did. Deborah Goodwin, BSc, PhD, research director of Applied Animal Behaviour Programmes at the University of Southampton, set out to discover what flavors horses actually like, compared to what horse owners and product manufacturers think horses like. In Goodwin's first trial, ... Read full story
 7/15/2008
Avoiding Colic Through Management  *
Turnout, diet, and water consumption are critical considerations when avoiding colic. The age-old disease of colic can best by managed be returning the horse--as much as possible--to its natural environment. This means horses should be turned out as often as their schedules and environments allow, and they should be fed rations composed predominantly ... Read full story
 7/1/2008
Researcher Cautions Against High Doses of Vitamin E   *
Vitamin E is the most commonly supplemented antioxidant in horses. It is a fat-soluble vitamin that is also currently employed in the routine treatment of horses with neurological diseases (affecting the brain and spinal cord). In response to "Vitamin E and Horse Health: Myth or Miracle?" equine extension specialist and assistant professor Carey ... Read full story
 6/29/2008
Excerpt from Revised Understanding Equine Nutrition: Vitamin Function
Here's a primer on the function of each of the vitamins important to the horse, beginning with the fat-soluble vitamins. Vitamin A Function: Vitamin A, also called retinol, is important for the maintenance of good vision, particularly at night. It is also an important factor in bone and muscle growth of young horses, in reproduction, and in healthy ... Read full story
 6/21/2008
Parasiticidal Resistance Reported in New Study  *
Kentucky researchers report that roundworms and small strongyles, two common equine intestinal parasites, are developing resistance against most of the commercially available worming products. What's worse, no new drugs against either of these parasites are forthcoming on the market. "Since drug resistance by small strongyles and roundworms has been ... Read full story
 6/19/2008
Readers Respond: Where's the Hay?  *
Almost 1,300 readers of TheHorse.com responded to a poll asking, "Are you having problems getting hay?" Results were as follows: Yes: 32.76% (420) No: 67.24% (862) Readers shared their hay problems in the comments below. Results of weekly polls from TheHorse.com are published in The Horse Health E-Newsletter. Published every week, ... Read full story
 6/19/2008
Vitamin E and Horse Health: Myth or Miracle?
Vitamin E, widely referred to as the Wonder Supplement, might indeed live up to its reputation. According to a recent study, healthy adult horses fed vitamin E had higher concentrations of the vitamin in both blood and cerebrospinal fluid than control horses, indicating that vitamin E crosses the blood-brain-barrier and might be an important component ... Read full story
 6/15/2008
Excerpt from Revised Understanding Equine Nutrition: Energy and Carbs  *
If forages provide the "maintenance" energy horses need for the workings of everyday life--grazing, sleeping, wandering from pasture to pasture, maintaining internal temperature--then cereal grains are the turbo-charged portion of the diet. Their main function is to provide higher concentrations of energy, in the form of carbohydrates and starches, ... Read full story
 6/4/2008
Brain Dysfunction in Cribbing Horses Gives Researchers Something to Chew On  *
In the first study of its kind, researchers from the United Kingdom have discovered that cribbing horses learn differently than horses that don't crib. Cribbing is a stereotypy in which a horse grasps an object between his incisor teeth and inhales air into the esophagus while emitting an audible grunting noise. It is the most common stereotypy among ... Read full story
 6/3/2008
Got Grit? Hay Type and Pasture Key to Decreasing Risk of Enterolithiasis  *
Too much alfalfa, too little oat and grass hay, and limited access to pasture grazing are important factors that put California horses at risk for developing enterolithiasis (intestinal stones). Enteroliths are composed of a crystalline mineral that forms one or more concretions in various regions of the colon. Enteroliths have the potential to cause ... Read full story
 6/2/2008
Feeding Minis  *
Minis require special diets for sustaining health. Horses of any size have a fabulous appeal for animal lovers, and none more so than the Miniature breeds, fondly referred to as "Minis." Because of their cuteness, it is easy for an owner to treat them with a bit too much tender care, especially when it comes to feeding. Minis are smart and endearing, ... Read full story
 6/1/2008
Do Tapeworms Cause Colic? Age-Old Question Remains Unanswered  *
Further complicating the debate regarding whether or not the equine tapeworm Anoplocephala perfoliata causes colic in horses, Canadian researchers did not find evidence of a significant association between A. perfoliata infection and the colics seen on a day-to-day basis by veterinarians. This is in contrast to previously published studies that have ... Read full story
 5/9/2008
Gastrointestinal Disease and Carbohydrate Nutrition in Horses  *
How is feeding carbohydrates related to gastrointestinal (GI) disease? Ray Geor, BVSc, MVSc, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM , professor, Paul Mellon Distinguished Chair, and director of research at Virginia Tech's Middleburg Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Middleburg, Va. began his discussion of this topic at the 2007 American Association of Equine ... Read full story
 5/5/2008
Horse Feed Recall Affects East Coast  *
Horse feed dealers are the key to identifying if there's a potential problem with recently purchased Purina feed, according to Land O'Lakes spokesperson Lydia Botham. Land O'Lakes Purina Feed LLC recently announced a recall of certain horse feed products manufactured at three East Coast facilities. The products might contain an ingredient with an ... Read full story
 5/5/2008
Colic and Equine Enteroliths: Rock Bottom  *
Colic, or abdominal pain, is a common ailment in horses. More than 70 causes can trigger colic, including gas distention, food impactions, intestinal tract spasms, and intestinal displacement or twists. One of the more exotic forms is colic caused by enteroliths, or stone-like formations that form in a horse's digestive tract. Enterolith stones are ... Read full story
 5/2/2008
Fiber in Hay: What's the Magic Number?   *
Horses evolved to eat a lot of fiber, spending up to 17 hours a day grazing various forage plants. But not all fiber is created equal, especially when it comes to hay. Hay carries a few challenges compared to living forages. One, compared to fresh forage, dry hay lacks the moisture needed to move fiber along the digestive tract. Unlimited access ... Read full story
 5/1/2008
Understanding Feeds for the Busy Owner  *
Providing a complete and balanced diet does not need to be complicated or a drain on time, energy, or finances. Feeding horses can be a daunting and time-consuming task, particularly if owners attempt to optimize and maximize their horse's diet by unnecessarily introducing concentrates, vitamins, or other supplements. But providing a complete diet ... Read full story
 5/1/2008
Prepare for a Reduced Hay Crop in 2008   *
The USDA has released several crop reports that indicate the number of hay acres will be down in 2008. The department also reported that the existing hay supply is lower than previous years. This information, combined with higher input costs (fuel, fertilizer, land rent) and higher grain prices (corn, soybean, wheat), will likely lead to increased ... Read full story
 4/22/2008
Feeding Senior Horses  *
A horse that is kept healthy and disease-free in its younger years has the potential to live well into its 20s and 30s, stated David Pugh, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACT, ACVN, of Fort Dodge Animal Health in his presentation on feeding the geriatric horse at the 2007 American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention, held Dec. 1-5 in Orlando, Fla. In the ... Read full story
 4/20/2008
Providing Nutritional Support to Sick Neonatal Foals   *
Harold McKenzie III, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVIM, assistant professor in equine medicine at the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center in Leesburg, Va., discussed the challenge of providing nutritional support to sick neonatal foals in his presentation at the 2007 American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention, held Dec. 1-5 in Orlando, Fla. Many ... Read full story
 4/18/2008
Broodmare Nutrition Horse Course Now Available  *
The second installment of TheHorse.com's Horse Course series, "Broodmare Nutrition," is now available online at TheHorse.com/HorseCourses When creating a feeding program for broodmares, it's important to remember that the mare is eating for two; you must consider the nutritional requirements of the foal, in addition to those of the mare. In TheHorse.com's ... Read full story
 4/15/2008
Investigating Horse Poisoning   *
When an owner suspects that a horse might have eaten something poisonous, the veterinarian is generally the first person he or she calls. In addition to treating any health problems, that veterinarian is uniquely suited to investigate the cause of the problem as well, said Bob Wright, BSc (Agr), DVM, of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and ... Read full story
 4/13/2008
Feeding Horses Recovering From Colic   *
Nutritional support of horses following a bout of colic is important, especially for hospitalized horses following colic surgery, noted Ray Geor, BVSc, MVSc, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM, professor, Paul Mellon Distinguished Chair, and director of Virginia Tech's Middleburg Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Middleburg, Va. Geor discussed the topic ... Read full story
 4/12/2008
Risk Factors for Gastric Ulcers in Thoroughbreds   *
Up to 86% of Australian Thoroughbred racehorses have been reported to have gastric ulcers. Many factors can contribute to ulcers, and researchers at Murdoch University set out to determine which ones were the most significant for this population. Guy Lester, BVMS, PhD, associate professor of large animal medicine at Murdoch University, presented the ... Read full story
 4/9/2008
AAEP Launching Equine Dentistry Campaign   *
Because proper dental care is vital to a horse's overall health, the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) is launching a campaign to promote the need for horses to receive a thorough oral examination at least once a year. Designed to reach horse owners, the campaign will kick off in April and run through 2008. It is important to ... Read full story
 4/7/2008
Feeding Horses with Endocrine Disorders   *
Nicholas Frank, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM, associate professor of large animal clinical sciences at the University of Tennessee, spoke about equine endocrine disorders that are the most manageable by dietary control. There are two main endocrine disorders to address: equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) and equine Cushing's disease (ECD or pituitary pars intermedia ... Read full story
 4/5/2008
Clearing Sand From the Gut   *
Sand colic due to an accumulation of sand in the intestines accounts for up to 30% of all colics, often causing weight loss and chronic diarrhea. Psyllium has often been recommended as a laxative for clearing sand out of the intestines, although previous research results have been mixed as to its effectiveness. Allen Landes, DVM, of Equine Medical ... Read full story
 4/3/2008
Commentary: Working With Your Veterinarian  *
"Please help! My 10-year-old Quarter Horse has been down in the pasture for two days and won't get up. What should I do?" "A week ago I saw my horse bitten by a skunk in broad daylight. I dressed the wounds, but after searching the internet, I'm concerned about rabies. Should I vaccinate him?" To an equine practitioner, these sound like typical ... Read full story
 4/3/2008
Alfalfa Hay Reduces Ulcer Severity  *
If your horse has ulcers, giving him GastroGard (omeprazole) isn't the only thing you can do to help reduce the severity of the problem. At the 2007 American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention, held Dec. 1-5 in Orlando, Fla., Noah Cohen, VMD, PhD, MPH, Dipl. ACVIM, professor of equine medicine at Texas A&M University, discussed a study ... Read full story
 4/2/2008
Giving Omeprazole Intravenously  *
In the past few years, we've been hearing how many more horses have gastric ulcers than we used to think. We also know that oral omeprazole paste (GastroGard, manufactured by Merial Limited, Decatur, Ga.) effectively treats and prevents ulcers. But what about horses that can't take an oral paste (such as those with gastric reflux)? How do you manage ... Read full story
 3/27/2008
75 Horses Affected by Neurologic Disorder; Mycotoxins Suspected  *
Toxic food sources are one likely explanation for recurrent cases of hind limb polyneuropathy in horses throughout Norway, according to research published in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine in February. Seventy-five horses located on 27 different premises throughout the country were evaluated between 1995 and 2004 for hind leg weakness, ... Read full story
 3/6/2008
Feeds and Supplements  *
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 provide the best diets for their horses, yet there's often a difference between what they think the animals need and what they actually need, and there are also some ... Read full story
 3/1/2008
Foals', Mares' Nutritional Needs Change Over Time, Milk Study Says  *
The nutritional needs of mares and foals in the first six months following birth are becoming better understood following recent scientific and mathematical research in Portugal. New curve graphs of mares' milk generated from milking samples show the variations in levels of protein, fat, and lactose in the first 180 days of lactation. Total milk ... Read full story
 2/24/2008
Mineral Oil, Psyllium Combination Effective for Sand Clearance in New Study  *
Mineral oil, a traditional equine laxative, clears sand from the equine intestine more effectively when used in conjunction with psyllium, according to new research from the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, in Austria. These results are especially important for horse owners in geographical areas where the incidence of sand colic is high. In ... Read full story
 2/8/2008
Working With a Nutritionist  *
Using a qualified equine nutritionist can help you manage your horses to live and work better. Feeding horses properly is an art and a science. Sometimes it helps to work with a nutritionist to find out which grains best complement available forages, to design the best diet for a broodmare or a performance horse, or to resolve a nutritional problem. ... Read full story
 2/1/2008
Cold Weather Nutrition
Cold and inclement weather conditions present special challenges for the horse. Whether a horse is turned out or exercised regularly, you need to be focused on the nutritional requirements of your fuzzy, four-legged friend. Horses are naturally well-adapted to thrive in frigid weather if they have the basics of adequate calorie intake, palatable water, ... Read full story
 2/1/2008
Study Shows Horses Able to Absorb Fatty Acid Supplements  *
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. Administration of EFAs, including the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docohexaenoic ... Read full story
 1/22/2008
FDA Dietary Supplement Rule Not Applicable to Veterinary Products   *
Scientific studies performed over the past decade have demonstrated the widespread availability of poor quality and potentially unsafe dietary supplements for both human and animal consumption. These include supplements that: Do not contain the type or amount of ingredient listed on the manufacturer's label; Recommend subtherapeutic dosages; ... Read full story
 12/26/2007
Study: Prebiotics Might Help Prevent Digestive Upset  *
Prebiotics, such as short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides, are specially fermented compounds that alter the composition and/or activity of gastrointestinal bacteria and microflora to ameliorate the health of the host. Until now, only a limited amount of research on the effect of prebiotics in horses has been performed, despite the fact that horses are ... Read full story
 11/19/2007
Readers Respond: Mold? Geh!  *
More than 1,300 readers of TheHorse.com responded to a poll asking, "Have you dealt with mold in your horses' feed or hay before?" Results were as follows: Yes, in both: 46.80% (637) Yes, in hay: 38.80% (528) Yes, in grain: 3.82% (52) No, thankfully! 10.58% (144) Many readers commented that they prefer to be safe rather than sorry when it ... Read full story
 10/31/2007
Carb Testing Program for Horse Feed and Hay Introduced   *
When it comes to horses, what does "low carb" mean? Lower than what? "There are several analytical procedures that measure sugar, and each one measures a slightly different fraction," said Kathryn Watts, owner of Rocky Mountain Research & Consulting, Inc. and Safergrass.org. "Samples analyzed by different testing labs may not provide a fair comparison ... Read full story
 10/30/2007
Ethanol to Take a Bite out of Equine Food Supplies?   *
When the time came for Jamie Clifton to stockpile horse feed for the winter at Volunteer Equine Advocates, she found grain prices up and hay expensive and in tight supply. Now, she said, she's wondering how high horse feed commodity prices can go, and how her organization can meet the resulting demands on financial resources. Clifton is not alone. ... Read full story
 9/6/2007
Scientific Review Reports Pros and Cons of Equine Herbal Supplements  *
According to a recent scientific review, there is only limited evidence supporting the administration of herbal supplements in horses, despite their widespread use in the industry. Further, adverse events associated with herbal supplementation are an under-recognized and potentially serious issue. Carey A. Williams, PhD, and Emily D. Lamprecht from ... Read full story
 8/20/2007
Motion Capture Confirms: Horses Chew Different Feeds in Different Ways  *
Horses eating a diet consisting mostly of pellets or grain could require more dental maintenance than horses eating predominantly hay or pasture grasses, according to researchers at Michigan State University who used motion capture techniques to track the movement of horses' jaws. The results of their study showed that horses use slower, larger movements ... Read full story
 7/31/2007
Insulin Resistance: Hold the Grain, Please  *
Management of insulin resistance might lower the risk of laminitis, and one of the cornerstones of management is diet. “Think of these horses as being in a prediabetic state,” said Nicholas Frank, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM, associate professor of large animal clinical sciences at the University of Tennessee, at the 2006 AAEP Convention. “They need to exercise ... Read full story
 7/12/2007
Down the Hatch: Feeding System for Horses Unwilling or Unable to Eat  *
Veterinarians at Oregon State University developed a method to get valuable calories into anorexic horses or those unable to eat normally. The process employs a couple of buckets, pelleted complete feed, water, tubing, and a bilge pump. For horses with mouth or throat injuries, this method can be used to provide the horse's complete daily ration ... Read full story
 7/11/2007
Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy  *
Stephanie Valberg, DVM, PhD, professor of large animal medicine and director of the University of Minnesota's Equine Center discussed PSSM at the AAEP Convention 2006. The disorder causes muscle pain, stiffness, and cramping, and some horses demonstrate exercise intolerance, poor performance, muscle weakness, atrophy, or related behavioral changes. ... Read full story
 7/9/2007
Excerpt from Revised Understanding Equine Nutrition: Fiber  *
Equine Nutrition What are the nutritional needs of your horse? Misconceptions abound about how much food horses actually require to remain healthy and perform their designated jobs. Understanding Equine Nutrition (Revised Edition) helps horse owners sift through all the ingredients and decide on the best nutritional plan for their horse. The ... Read full story
 7/4/2007
Adipobiology (The Study of Fat in the Body): An Emerging Field  *
What exactly does stored fat do to a horse's body? It wreaks serious havoc on at least 11 vital body functions. Nat Messer, DVM, Dipl. ABVP, an associate professor of equine medicine and surgery at the University of Missouri (UM), presented a compelling discussion at the 2006 AAEP Convention of the relatively new field of adipobiology--the study of ... Read full story
 7/2/2007
Excerpt from Revised Understanding Equine Nutrition: Protein  *
Equine Nutrition What are the nutritional needs of your horse? Misconceptions abound about how much food horses actually require to remain healthy and perform their designated jobs. Understanding Equine Nutrition (Revised Edition) helps horse owners sift through all the ingredients and decide on the best nutritional plan for their horse. The ... Read full story
 5/30/2007
Equine Metabolic Syndrome and the Easy Keeper   *
If your horse gains weight eating air, founders on grass every spring, and has a cresty neck, he could be insulin resistant. Insulin resistance is part of an equine health issue called Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS). Equine Metabolic Syndrome is defined as a condition of: 1) obesity and/or patchy fat accumulation, 2) insulin resistance, and 3) chronic ... Read full story
 5/5/2007
Changing Carbohydrate Evaluations in Animal Diets  *
Nutritionists are doing away with "nonstructural carbohydrates" in favor of more specific measures. If you own a horse with laminitis or a metabolic problem such as insulin resistance or Cushing's disease, chances are you've heard recommendations to minimize his intake of nonstructural carbohydrates (NSC). However, many nutritionists and feed analysts ... Read full story
 4/15/2007
Food for Thought: Digestive Health  *
A favorite pastime of humans and horses alike is to eat. Our world view of eating revolves around fundamental expectations of the types of food we eat, how these foods make us feel, and how different foods are processed through our bodies. Unlike our human intestinal constitution, the horse has a unique intestinal structure and function for processing ... Read full story
 4/1/2007
AAEP Convention 2006: Medicine  *
Uplifting Applications for UC Davis Large Animal Lift John Madigan, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVIM, professor of medicine and epidemiology and section chief of equine medicine at the University of California, Davis, developed the UC Davis Large Animal Lift (LAL) with colleagues over the last several years. He reported on the lift's applications and success ... Read full story
 3/1/2007
Hay Alternatives for Horses  *
Adverse summer grass growing or harvesting conditions or excessively long, cold winter weather can make it difficult to find or afford horse hay. These problems might tempt horse owners to feed their horses an all-concentrate diet. However, horse owners should remember a diet without roughage can be detrimental to the horse. A constant fiber source ... Read full story
 2/8/2007
SmartPak Serves 100 Millionth Supplement  *
SmartPak Equine has announced that they have served their 100 millionth supplement in customized daily-dose SmartPaks. In celebration of this milestone, SmartPak is awarding a free year's supply of supplements in SmartPaks to the customer whose order contained the 100 millionth supplement served, Ellen Sullivan-Phillips, the manager of a training ... Read full story
 2/8/2007
New Developments in Stallion Nutrition  *
Name a part of your horse you'd like to enhance--anything from his coat or hooves to his stamina--and there's likely a supplement for it. Marketed alongside the products that improve joint function and breathing ability, there are supplements advertised to help improve stallion breeding performance. According to Steven Brinsko, DVM, MS, PhD, Dipl. ... Read full story
 2/1/2007
Sugars and Starches  *
The American public often is obsessed with fad diets and weight loss. Through the years, there have been diets for all occasions. For a time, the Atkins diet took the country by storm, with the low-carb diet taking center stage, and producers developing products ranging from cooking oil to beer, touting the low level of carbohydrates in their respective ... Read full story
 1/1/2007
Eating Like the Joneses  *
The majority of horses consume some sort of feed concentrate everyday, and most of that feed comes out of bags, according to a recent industry survey conducted by the USDA. More than 90% of equine operations reported feeding some sort of grain concentrate or energy source other than hay and pasture forage during the previous 12 months. Horses in ... Read full story
 12/4/2006
SmartPak to Offer Farrier's Formula  *
Life Data Labs and SmartPak Equine have announced that they have entered into a partnership to make Farrier's Formula available in SmartPaks. Farrier's Formula is the original hoof supplement, and has been shown effective in university studies as well as Life Data's own extensive research. "Farrier's Formula has been our most widely requested hoof ... Read full story
 12/2/2006
ACVIM 2006: New Nutrition Software  *
Researchers have completed the new National Research Council (NRC) report that describes nutritional requirements of the horse. The report is expected to be released this fall to update the previous publication, which was distributed in 1989. This new information will be used to predict the daily nutrient requirements of horses in various physiologic ... Read full story
 9/14/2006
Hay for the Laminitic Horse
Q: Is there a particular type of grass hay that is better than others as a long-term part of the maintenance diet for a horse prone to laminitis? Sue, via e-mail A: If a horse has a history of chronic laminitis, my first concern would be addressing the metabolic issues contributing to the problem, usually obesity and/or pituitary ... Read full story
 9/1/2006
The Latest Elixir--Wellness  *
In today's world, horse owners are overwhelmed with information available about how to feed their horses. Every month, dozens of articles appear in magazines and on the Web that advocate a wide range of nutritional solutions for every problem facing the horse, and the marketplace is full of feeds and supplements designed for this problem or that challenge. ... Read full story
 8/1/2006
Feeding to Prevent and Control Disease  *
Horse owners often search for a magic feedstuff that will enable horses to go farther, run faster, be healthier, and move sounder. Often, a variety of oral supplements are added to the diet, with unknown results. Some feed additives can cause more harm than good, or, at the very least, put a large hole in your wallet. In many cases, performance improvements ... Read full story
 8/1/2006
What's the Scoop?  *
With hundreds of equine nutritional supplements on the market, it's hard to know exactly which one your horse might need, if any at all. While not every horse requires supplements, they can be beneficial in specific circumstances. According to Paul Siciliano, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Animal Sciences at Colorado State University, ... Read full story
 8/1/2006
Veterinarians Investigate Toxicity Deaths  *
Twenty-seven horses have died in what appears to be an accidental poisoning at a Brazos County, Texas boarding barn, reports The Bryan-College Station Eagle, a local newspaper. Preliminary reports suggest that the horses' feed might have been contaminated with a highly toxic substance. Necropsies are being performed on the dead, while 18 others exhibiting ... Read full story
 7/20/2006
The Sands of Time  *
Perhaps the thought of sand conjures up images of tropical beaches, azure waters, and pure relaxation. But tie that word to colic and you have anything but an idyllic scene. Sand colic, like other variations on the colic theme, can cause anything from mild discomfort to death. Knowing what to look for, understanding treatment recommendations, and putting ... Read full story
 7/1/2006
Weather Extremes  *
A record hurricane season and drought conditions throughout the United States last year hammered home the message that horse owners need to be prepared for the effects of extreme weather conditions. The immediate effects of these conditions are usually visible in the form of increased feed prices, but there are many other underlying effects that are ... Read full story
 6/1/2006
Alltech Delivers the Nutrigenomic Promise in Equine Nutrition  *
The 1,550 delegates from 71 different countries who attended Alltech's 22nd International Feed Industry Symposium were challenged by "new realities" in equine nutrition. Those present at the annual three-day Symposium, which was held April 23-26 in Lexington, Ky., were presented with the emerging new sciences of glycomics, which involves the metabolic ... Read full story
 5/19/2006
Progressive Nutrition to Offer Equine Nutritionist Blog  *
Progressive Nutrition has launched a new web site featuring the Equine Nutritionist Blog. Blogging is one of the newest tools in high-tech web marketing, now available to the horse community. The Equine Nutritionist Blog offers consumers an opportunity to communicate directly with the world renowned nutritionist, Don Kapper. The Equine Nutritionist ... Read full story
 3/17/2006
Book Excerpt: Feeding the Problem Horse  *
Editor's Note: This is an excerpt from Care and Management of Horses by Heather Smith Thomas. This book is available from www.ExclusivelyEquine.com. Some horses present special challenges, such as being too thin, too fat, or sick. Some horses are finicky and are hard to keep weight on, especially when working. The first option is to increase the feed's ... Read full story
 3/8/2006
Benefits of Bran Mash   *
During the frosty, bone-chilling days of winter, you retreat to the comfort of your cozy fireside chair and experience the inner warmth that only a mug of hot chocolate can afford. With each delicious sip, you wonder if you could provide something as equally fulfilling for you horse...something warm and delightful. There is a special treat that your ... Read full story
 1/1/2006
Equine Winter Nutrition
Come the days of long shadows, when the sun lies low in the sky, jeweled leaves crumble and fade away, and the wind's crispness hints of the cold, gray days on the way. The pasture dies down. It's time to start getting extra fuel into your horses. Unless you live where temperatures are warm year-round, they need extra energy to stay warm through the ... Read full story
 12/1/2005
Book Excerpt: Laminitis  *
Editor's Note: This is an excerpt from Understanding Equine Preventive Medicine by Bradford G. Bentz, VMD. This book is available from www.ExclusivelyEquine.com. Maintaining health and comfort of horses that have been diagnosed with laminitis can be a large undertaking, but it is imperative in order to maximize the overall quality of life for these ... Read full story
 11/16/2005
Sun Cured/Dehydrated Alfalfa   *
In 2005, feed regulatory officials were informed that sun-cured alfalfa products might be used in products labeled as dehydrated alfalfa, thereby substituting a product of possibly inferior nutritional quality to unsuspecting consumers. This prompted an investigation into the distinction between sun-cured and dehydrated alfalfa products, and whether ... Read full story
 11/1/2005
Latest Nutrition Tools   *
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 the equine nutrition portion of the 2005 Equine Science Society Symposium. Fat Supplementation "Not all ... Read full story
 11/1/2005
The Underweight Horse  *
Editor's Note: This is from Understanding Equine Preventive Medicine by author and veterinarian Bradford G. Bentz, VMD. The book is available from www.ExclusivelyEquine.com. Managing and caring for a persistently underweight horse can be difficult and frustrating for the owner and/or caretaker. A number of factors can be involved or contribute ... Read full story
 9/6/2005
Getting an Equine Nutritionist Consultation  *
Sure, it makes sense that the owners of high-end performance horses and blue-blood broodmares find the services offered by equine nutritionists useful. Anything that can give these horses an edge or help them reach their maximum potential is ultimately a revenue-booster. But what about the horse owners who compete on the B and C circuits, or the weekend ... Read full story
 9/1/2005
Drought Stress and Pasture Quality  *
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 laminitis, colic, diarrhea, and toxic weeds. The problem isn't over when the rains come; conversely, the much-needed, ... Read full story
 8/26/2005
General Feeding Principles  *
Editor's Note: This is from Understanding Equine Preventive Medicine by author and veterinarian Bradford G. Bentz, VMD. The book is available from www.ExclusivelyEquine.com. A complete review of equine nutrition is beyond the scope of this text; however, some basic principles that relate to preventive medicine are worth mentioning. It is always advisable ... Read full story
 8/16/2005
Feed Label Laws  *
Oregon implemented a provisional equine feed label law on June 1 that would allow feed manufacturers to add non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) to the list of nutrient requirements already found on feed bags in that state. Adding NSC to the feed label would assist owners when choosing feed for horses that have metabolic problems or laminitis and cannot ... Read full story
 8/3/2005
Product Name Dispute  *
Platinum Performance Inc., a California manufacturer of nutritional products for horses, companion animals, and humans, has asked a U.S. District Court for a preliminary injunction against Farnam Companies Inc. to prevent Farnam's use of the names "Platform" and "Platform Performance" on its new line of equine products. According to Platinum Performance, ... Read full story
 6/17/2005
NASC and Federal Regulators Discuss Product Label and Manufacturing Standards  *
Members of the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) met recently in San Diego with federal regulators from the FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) and representatives from the American Association of Feed Control Officials to discuss product label guidelines and manufacturing standards. Members, some from as far away as the United Kingdom, ... Read full story
 6/1/2005
Probiotics: Worth the Price?   *
Probiotics have been used by people for at least a century to promote good health. Hard scientific evidence has proven that probiotics can be beneficial to humans. As it so often does, the horse world saw this good thing and adapted it to equine uses. But there's one difference: Solid research proving probiotics' worth to horses is missing, even though ... Read full story
 5/1/2005
Farnam/Purina Partner on New Feeding Program   *
On March 7, Farnam and Purina announced they were partners in the manufacturing and promotion of a new line of feeds and supplements. The line was created to avoid over-supplementation while delivering state-of-the-art nutrition to horses of all ages and uses. The line, called Platform, was to be available by late April. The feeds and supplements ... Read full story
 5/1/2005
USEF Names Kentucky Equine Research as Official Equine Nutritionist  *
The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) is pleased to name one of the world's foremost equine nutrition specialists as the Federation's Official Equine Nutritionist. Kentucky Equine Research (KER), based in Versailles, Ky., boasts more than 15 years of innovative research in the field and now brings its vast reservoir of information to the Federation ... Read full story
 3/17/2005
Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity in Horses
Equine nutritionists and wise horse owners have long known that obesity in horses is not a good thing. The obese horse often is incapable of performing even moderate tasks without becoming exhausted and, as a result, placing itself in danger of injury. Now researchers are adding still another dimension to these concerns. That dimension involves laminitis ... Read full story
 3/3/2005
Feeding Sick Horses   *
When you're feeling under the weather, sometimes all you want is a nice, hot bowl of chicken soup. Other times, you might hunger for a full-course meal of roast beef, mashed potatoes, and steaming green beans. Even a mild injury that keeps you planted on the couch instead of sweating at the gym might change the way you think about food, urging you ... Read full story
 3/3/2005
Nutrition During Stall Rest
I purchased a 3-year-old Thoroughbred gelding with a fractured knee. My veterinarian put him on lay-up for an additional four months of stall rest (he has already had two months) with hand walking twice a day. Then, after additional X rays, he is to be turned out to pasture for another eight months before he can begin any training. I am concerned about ... Read full story
 1/1/2005
Immunity Through Nutrition   *
If your performance horse does well on a balanced diet, can he do better with some extra, immune-boosting nutrients? What about young horses and aging horses, ill horses and healthy horses, working horses and lightly ridden horses? For sure, studies show that extra amounts of certain nutrients benefit the immune system--but not in every case. Some ... Read full story
 1/1/2005
Dangers of Vitamin E  *
Studies have recently found that people taking high-dose vitamin E supplements daily had an increased risk of dying, but equine nutritionists say we shouldn’t extrapolate that to horses. Study lead author and internist Edgar R. Miller III, MD, PhD, associate professor of medicine at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, says, "Our study ... Read full story
 12/6/2004
New Supplement Targets Digestive Tract Health  *
A new product has been designed to counteract the effects of stress and support the health of the entire equine digestive tract. SUCCEED is a new supplement, introduced by Freedom Health, that the company says has been shown to be safe for all ages and types of horses, including foals and pregnant mares has been released. Many horses undergo various ... Read full story
 12/1/2004
Nutritional Link to Equine Behavior  *
Today's equine management practices can be a recipe for disaster. For a horse, stall life and two meals a day might be like living in a prison, and that lifestyle might contribute to delinquencies and health problems in horses. "These meals often contain a large soluble carbohydrate component and a low fiber component which allow the horse to consume ... Read full story
 12/1/2004
My Horse Will Eat/Drink...  *
Although numerous books on equine nutrition list forages and concentrates as the primary food items for horses to eat, they don't usually mention the "human" foods horses also like to consume. Even though horses are primarily forage eaters, many also seem to like candy, soft drinks, potato chips, and even meat. Yet the more important question to ... Read full story
 12/1/2004
Vitamin E for Better Health  *
Nonenzymatic antioxidants, such as vitamin E, are critically important to protect horses from tissue damage and disease, and they might enhance immunity during these processes. However, the form of vitamin E your horse obtains determines the benefit he will receive, and whether or not you are spending your money wisely. The best utilized source of ... Read full story
 11/22/2004
Feeding in Winter  *
Editor's Note: This excerpt is from Chapter 7 of Care & Management of Horses by Heather Smith Thomas. The book is available from www.ExclusivelyEquine.com . A horse's nutrient requirements increase with cold weather; he needs more calories to generate heat to keep warm. Mature horses in good condition usually don't need grain, however, if they ... Read full story
 11/16/2004
Revising Equine Nutrient Requirements  *
At the 2004 Kentucky Equine Nutrition Conference for Feed Manufacturers, held Oct. 18-19 in Lexington, Ky., there was a strong focus on the upcoming revision of the National Research Council's (NRC) publication Nutrient Requirements of Horses, used by many as the Bible of equine nutrition. Last published in 1989, this text is currently slated for re-publication ... Read full story
 10/27/2004
Feeding the Problem Horse  *
Editor's Note: This excerpt is from Chapter 3 of Care & Management of Horses by Heather Smith Thomas. The book is available from www.ExclusivelyEquine.com. Some horses present special challenges, such as being too thin, too fat, or sick. Some horses are finicky and are hard to keep weight on, especially when working. The first option is to increase ... Read full story
 10/19/2004
Feeding the Finicky Eater  *
Some horses present special challenges in feeding, especially if they won't eat enough to maintain proper body weight. Sometimes a lactating broodmare, a horse in hard training or steady work, or a horse recovering from illness or injury just won't eat enough, and the horse owner must find ways to tempt the horse to eat more, or use feeds that are ... Read full story
 10/1/2004
Feeding Horses: Art, Science, or Both?
When feeding horses, two seemingly opposing aspects hold true: It's a little bit of art, and a little bit of science. On one hand, tradition reigns supreme when it comes to horse feeding. Many techniques have been passed down from generation to generation and, in some cases, remain in place despite new knowledge based on scientific research. On the ... Read full story
 10/1/2004
Feeding the Cushingoid Horse
Can you provide more information on feeding the Cushing's horse? My dressage horse has Cushing's and is on cyproheptadine and Thyro-L, grass hay, and a quarter-cup of 10% sweet feed. I am worried he is not getting the essential vitamins. Anita The truly Cushingoid horse is glucose intolerant/ hyperinsulinemic (glucose concentrations ... Read full story
 10/1/2004
Basic Concepts in Nutrition   *
The options and opinions on what to feed your horse are numerous. My goal in this article is to review the differences between the "simple-stomached" creatures (such as ourselves, dogs, cats, etc.) and the horse. In addition, we will take a look at how domestication has impacted the horse's digestive system and subsequently how that impacts their general ... Read full story
 9/1/2004
Feeding Horses With Laminitis  *
What do you feed a horse with laminitis? Nothing, plus a bit of hay is a common diet. Does it work? Yes, and no. Expert opinions and modern research are showing that, in some cases, nothing might be the wrong answer when it comes to feedstuffs, and that simple flake of hay might not be as harmless as you think. This article isn't going to be about ... Read full story
 8/1/2004
The Australian Take on Laminitis  *
The second most-common killer of our horses after colic is laminitis. The disease is a crisis, and it is often chronic and life-altering. It can be caused by illness unrelated to the foot, such as a retained placenta or grain overload. It can be caused by trauma to the foot. It can be caused by bearing too much weight when another limb is injured. ... Read full story
 8/1/2004
Strange Tastes Poll Answers  *
Last week we asked you what was the weirdest thing your horse(s) ever ate or drank. Aside from the votes listed below, we also got quite a few write-in answers that might surprise you. Enjoy! Votes: Beer 25.05% (126) Chips/crackers 18.49% (93) Hardware (nail, wire, etc.) 1.19% (6) Burgers/sandwiches 19.28% (97) Candy 19.68% (99) ... Read full story
 7/20/2004
Good/Bad Effects of Antioxidants
In a society that is trying to slow the aging process, free radicals and antioxidants are terms that are regularly tossed around. One might not realize their importance in horses, but researchers continue to pursue the details of how and why the antioxidants vitamin E and selenium are so crucial to horses. Oxidation is a metabolic process that transforms ... Read full story
 7/1/2004
Processed Feeds 101   *
Perhaps you've never thought about why your horse's grain looks the way it does, whether it's a molasses-bathed mix of cracked corn and crimped oats, alfalfa-enriched pellets, or chunky nuggets. If you're like most modern humans, you're accustomed to buying prepared and processed foods for yourself--from fast food meals on the fly to the pre-made soups ... Read full story
 6/1/2004
Feeding HYPP Horses   *
Horses with hyperkalemic periodic paralysis (HYPP) need careful dietary management to reduce or eliminate its characteristic muscle dysfunction attacks. While diet won't eliminate all signs, it can make an affected horse more comfortable and useful, and even save his life. HYPP is a genetic muscle disorder tracing back to the Quarter Horse stallion ... Read full story
 5/1/2004
Building Blocks?   *
They come in various colors and sizes. Some weigh 50 pounds, others a pound or less. But how do we know which salt and/or mineral block to place before our animals? Should we offer all of them and let the horses choose? Can a horse actually get enough salt and minerals from a rock-hard block to meet his needs? Shouldn't we simply buy feed that already ... Read full story
 5/1/2004
Million Dollar Jury Award in Equitrol Lawsuit; Farnam Plans Appeal  *
(Updated Story) A jury awarded $1,007,500 to plaintiffs who alleged in a lawsuit that Farnam's Equitrol, a feed-through fly control product, was defectively designed and caused harm to their Thoroughbred and Warmblood sport horses. Farnam countered with a press release stating that it is appealing the decision and believes that the court decision is ... Read full story
 4/14/2004
Equitrol Lawsuit  *
A jury has returned a verdict of $1,007,500 to plaintiffs alleging in a lawsuit that Farnam's product Equitrol, a feed-through fly control product, was defectively designed and caused harm to their horses; Farnam has countered with a press release stating that it is appealing the decision and believes that the court decision is incorrect on legal and ... Read full story
 4/7/2004
Obesity and Cushing's Disease   *
Cushing's disease has been around for a long time in people, horses, and other animals. For years, theories and information concerning the affliction all centered on one source for the problem--tumors of the pituitary gland, which is located at the base of the brain. In the case of horses, it was generally felt that benign tumors in the intermediate ... Read full story
 4/1/2004
When Horses Need Less Carbs   *
Have you ever wondered why some horses are tractable part of the time, but hard to control or "hot" other times? Or why some foals have skeletal problems when everything possible was done to provide nothing but the best feed and care? Or why some performance horses tie up (azoturia) periodically? While still controversial in the world of equine nutrition, ... Read full story
 4/1/2004
Nutritional Series Kicks Off in Lexington, Ky.  *
In the first of a new series of nutritional talks sponsored by Buckeye Nutrition, 30 veterinarians from Lexington, Ky., and surrounding areas attended a dinner and a presentation on Feb. 11. Kent Thompson, PhD, Buckeye Nutrition's Director of Equine Nutrition, discussed properly feeding the athletic horse. Thompson has also been an assistant professor ... Read full story
 3/17/2004
Diseases of Dietary Origin  *
The axiom, "You are what you eat" does have relevance to horses with regard to health and well-being. Although horses have evolved to eat plant material, not all plants are safe to eat. Some food substances directly exert toxic effects, while others grow fungi that do so. Availability and type of food are important issues to intestinal health and nutritional ... Read full story
 3/1/2004
The Grass is Not Always Greener   *
The word "horse" conjures up images of graceful, powerful animals roaming across miles of rolling hills, periodically stopping to graze on lush, green grass. In reality, such scenes are rare; these days, many horses live without grazing at all. Equine nutritionist and veterinarian Susan Garlinghouse, DVM, MSc, of Wellington, Colo., says ... Read full story
 3/1/2004
Oranges for Treats?
Can horses eat oranges? I just bought a 4-year-old gelding who apparently loves oranges, but I don't want to feed them to him if his digestive system can't handle the citric acid. The young girl who had him fed him an appalling amount of junk food, including Pepsi, Cheetos, candy bars, etc. She also fed him oranges, which seem innocuous enough, but ... Read full story
 3/1/2004
Purina Mills Horse Owner's Workshops Across America   *
Purina Mills officials recently announced plans to roll out Purina Mills Horse Owner's Workshops (HOW), which will give horse enthusiasts across the country the opportunity to hear about the latest in equine nutrition, veterinary care, and training tips from expert clinicians. The workshops, hosted by local Purina dealers, will feature speakers from ... Read full story
 3/1/2004
Nutrient Requirements of the Foot  *
"The hoof is a truly dynamic architecture, and its nutrient supply is critical for its strength and function," said Connie Swenson, PhD, research nutritionist with Zinpro Corporation, at the Second International Equine Conference on Laminitis and Diseases of the Foot (held Nov. 10-11 in West Palm Beach, Fla.). "It bears the physical demands of weight ... Read full story
 2/23/2004
AAEP 2003: Nutritional Considerations for Athletic Horses  *
“Few will dispute that nutrition is important for optimizing athletic performance in horses,” began Ray Geor, BVSc, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM, at the AAEP Horseman’s Day. “However, there tends to be less agreement among horsemen, nutritionists, and veterinarians regarding the most important nutritional consideration for athletic horses.” He said the main consideration ... Read full story
 2/17/2004
AAEP 2003: Geriatric Nutrition  *
David Pugh, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACT, ACVN, a professor at Auburn University, spoke at the AAEP’s Horseman’s Day on Geriatric Nutrition. He said a geriatric is a horse over 20 years of age. “Just like us when we age, horses have problems,” said Pugh. “Horses’ intestines, eyes, and so on wear out. Because of the care people are providing, the potential exists ... Read full story
 2/3/2004
Feeding the Masses (Managing Multiple Horses Part 2)  *
Day after day, dollar after dollar, much of the cost and labor in horsekeeping is seeing that your horse gets the proper kind and amount of nutrition for his individual needs. Offer too much or over-supplement and you're throwing money away at best. Skimp on feed quality or quantity and you potentially imperil your horse's health. It's important to ... Read full story
 2/1/2004
AAEP 2003: Milne Lecture--The Equine Stomach  *
Every year one of the highlights of the American Association of Equine Practitioners' convention is the Milne Lecture, named for past president and distinguished life member Frank J. Milne. Each year a different speaker is chosen and honored with an award. This year the presenter was Alfred Merritt, DVM, MS, of the University of Florida, who spoke ... Read full story
 1/31/2004
Purina Mills to Host Nation's Largest Horse Owner Educational Event, In Towns Across America  *
Officials for Purina Mills Horse Business Group announced plans to roll out their largest horse event of the year. The Purina Mills Horse Owner’s Workshop will give horse enthusiasts in markets across the country the opportunity to hear about the latest in equine nutrition, veterinary care, and training tips, from expert clinicians. The Workshops ... Read full story
 1/9/2004
The Role of Antioxidants   *
Oxidation is a process the body uses for normal energy production and immune function. This is part of the process that enables the body to transform nutrients such as carbohydrates, fats, and proteins into energy. During oxidation (the "burning" of fuels), a few unstable oxygen molecules called free radicals or reactive oxygen species are formed. ... Read full story
 1/1/2004
Cutting Down on Carbohydrates   *
In an attempt to avoid the rich diets that can worsen obesity and laminitis in insulin-resistant horses (those said to be suffering from peripheral Cushing's disease), many owners feed hay instead of lush pasture or grain. However, Kathryn Watts, BS, director of research for Rocky Mountain Research and Consulting, has found that some hay isn't safe ... Read full story
 1/1/2004
No Grass, No Horse  *
Research published in Nature shows that climate changes and the highly specialized digestive system of the wild horse Equus ferus might have contributed to its extinction in North America. COURTESY MARIE GILBERTINSTITUTE OF ARCTIC BIOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA FAIRBANKS Guthrie's findings were based on measurements and radiocarbon dating ... Read full story
 1/1/2004
Cutting Down on Carbs (For Your Horse)  *
In an attempt to avoid the rich diets that can worsen obesity and laminitis in insulin-resistant horses (those said to be suffering from peripheral Cushing's disease), many owners feed hay instead of lush pasture or grain. However, Kathryn Watts, BS, director of research for Rocky Mountain Research and Consulting, has found that some hay isn't a safe ... Read full story
 11/17/2003
Purina Conference for Veterinarians  *
Nearly 250 veterinarians from across the country attended a continuing education conference sponsored by Purina Mills. A full day was spent touring the LongView Research Facility where Purina Mills conducts feed research for all types of animals, including horses. Besides researching and developing horse feeds, which on average takes five years for ... Read full story
 10/8/2003
Managing the Mob for Meals   *
When feeding horses at pasture or in large paddocks, it can often be a challenge to make sure each horse gets his share of the feed, while reducing waste and feed contamination. Management is the key to successfully feeding horses in a group setting, minimizing social stress and nutritional problems. Pete Gibbs, PhD, Dipl. ACAN, professor and extension ... Read full story
 10/1/2003
Deciphering Nutraceutical Labels   *
Did you ever go to the tack store and try to figure out the exact amounts per serving of each ingredient contained in some of the nutraceutical products? It can be an important issue if your horse's joint supplement, vitamin supplement, and food product contain duplicate vitamins and minerals, some of which can be harmful if given in excess doses. ... Read full story
 8/1/2003
Does Fat Really Impact Digestion of Fiber?   *
Dietary fats are important components of performance horses' diets because they are calorie-dense and energy-rich. Previous studies have shown, however, that diets high in soybean oil interfere with fiber digestion in trotters. It is unclear whether feeding poorly digestible carbohydrates, like cornstarch, compounds this problem by overloading the ... Read full story
 7/1/2003
Supplementing Enzymes in the Equine Diet
Researchers have discovered that supplementing enzymes could help digestion of starch in the equine small intestine. "With dietary enzyme supplementation and enhanced small intestinal starch digestion, the feeding of cereal grains to horses will become a more efficient and safer practice than it has been in the past," said Nerida Richards, PhD, of ... Read full story
 6/25/2003
Dietary Clues to Tying-Up   *
Recurrent exertional rhabdomyolysis (RER, a type of tying-up) is an inherited disorder in Thoroughbreds. Research suggests that RER involves an abnormality in the regulation of calcium in muscle cells. High-grain diets have been implicated as triggers of acute episodes, perhaps because of their influence on calcium balance. Research in cattle has ... Read full story
 6/20/2003
Intravenous Nutrition for Colicky Horses   *
Horses which survive an episode of severe colic can be temporarily unable to eat. Anorexia, nasal regurgitation, and ileus (lack of bowel movement) prevent oral feeding. After several days of malnutrition, the horse's ability to heal is impaired. Humans who are unable to eat normally are fed intravenously; this method is known as parenteral nutrition ... Read full story
 4/1/2003
Camping With Your Horse   *
Whether it is the increased stress of daily life or the baby-boomer generation wanting to experience the roots of their pioneer forefathers, more and more people are setting out to see the country from horseback. As a result, equestrian campgrounds have multiplied throughout the country and the design of horse trailers has changed drastically to cater ... Read full story
 4/1/2003
Alltech Symposium Offers Solutions to the Equine Industry  *
"Identifying and Solving Semen Quality Problems in Stallions" is just one of the many talks to be given at Alltech’s 19th International Feed Industry Symposium in Lexington, Kentucky, May 11-14. This issue will be addressed in the Equine Symposium hosted for equine veterinarians, feed company nutritionists, horse farm managers and horse owners. The ... Read full story
 3/17/2003
Comfrey Enforcement Event to Begin March 3  *
The Association of American Feed Control Officials, Inc. (AAFCO) has recommended a nationwide enforcement event for comfrey in animal feeds to begin on March 3, 2003. At the AAFCO Annual Meeting in August 2002, AAFCO announced that comfrey, determined to be a health and safety concern in animals, is recommended for removal from all animal feeds. This ... Read full story
 2/13/2003
AAEP 2002: Recent Developments in Equine Nutrition  *
A lot has happened in the field of equine research in the last five years. Ginger Rich, PhD, of Rich Equine Nutritional Consulting in Eads, Tenn.; and Leslie Breuer, PhD, of LH Breuer and Associates, updated veterinarians and others who attended the Current Concepts in Equine Nutrition in-depth session at the 2002 American Association of Equine Practitioners’ ... Read full story
 2/4/2003
Gimmick or Good Groceries?   *
The energy density in a performance horse's diet traditionally has been increased by adding grains such as oats, barley, or corn. However, most of the energy in grain is in the form of starch, and it is now recognized that excessive consumption of starch by horses can increase the risk of digestive upsets (e.g., colic) and some forms of exertional ... Read full story
 2/1/2003
Internal Combustion   *
Horses can be amazingly hardy. On a below-freezing day, your horse can stay warm and snug. So warm, in fact, that if you put your bare hands into his coat, you can actually warm them up. It's hard to imagine how a horse can keep himself comfortable when you are bundled up in so many layers it looks as if you could mount an expedition to the Arctic ... Read full story
 1/1/2003
AAEP 2002: Feeding the Geriatric Horse  *
With more and more horses reaching geriatric status (over 20 years of age), it’s important to understand how their nutritional needs might change. Diets should be adjusted if necessary to help old-timers live long and healthy lives. David Pugh, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACT, Dipl. ACVN (nutrition), professor at Auburn University, presented “Feeding the Geriatric ... Read full story
 12/19/2002
Frozen Feed?
Q: I live in northeastern Ohio, and it gets pretty cold here at times. My question is: Have you heard of horses getting colic from frozen sweet feeds? I have had horses for the past 40 years and have yet to come upon this happening, but have a friend who is quite certain that this can happen. Any suggestions? I have mixed oats with my feed at times ... Read full story
 12/1/2002
Nutrition and Reproduction  *
"Sex is truly a luxury in the body--you've got to be productive before you can be reproductive," began David Pugh, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACT, Dipl. ACVN, a professor of reproduction at Auburn University, in his presentation, "Nutrition and Its Effects on Reproduction" at the Hagyard-Davidson-McGee Bluegrass Equine Reproduction Symposium Oct. 23-26, 2002, ... Read full story
 11/11/2002
The Body's Building Blocks   *
Like a structure made of tinker toys, protein is composed of smaller pieces--the amino acids. These can be rearranged to form the different types of protein-based tissues in the body. Protein is one of the basic nutrient elements of the equine diet, along with fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals, and it is necessary to the life and well-being ... Read full story
 11/1/2002
Purina Veterinary Conference  *
Only 20 miles from downtown St. Louis, Mo., is a 1,200-acre research farm owned by the nutrition company Purina Mills. On Oct. 3-5, 140-plus veterinarians and another 50 Purina Mills representatives gathered to tour that research facility and hear speakers lecture on various topics during the Purina Mills Veterinary Nutritional Conference. Three of ... Read full story
 10/16/2002
Testing Supplement Efficacy  *
How do you know if something, anything from a car to a blender to a vitamin supplement, works? You test it in a manner consistent with the way it’s going to be used, using specific, relevant measures of performance, and evaluate it according to those parameters. Unfortunately, many equine nutritional and performance-enhancing supplements did not ... Read full story
 10/10/2002
Fall Deworming  *
Fall is approaching rapidly and brings with it such predictable events as raking leaves, Thanksgiving dinner, and weekend football. Autumn also heralds changes in parasite activity that are equally predictable. However, just as the environmental effects of autumn differ throughout North America (scarlet maples in Vermont vs. green magnolias in Savannah), ... Read full story
 10/1/2002
Probiotics and Yeast Cultures
My personal experience has been very positive in using probiotics and yeast in the equine diet. My question is about the best formulation of the products. Does using only yeast culture with no bacteria diminish the effects? Which bacteria are beneficial, and which are just "cosmetics" that aren't necessary? What is the minimum number of these organisms ... Read full story
 10/1/2002
Comfrey Targeted for Enforcement Action  *
The Enforcement Strategy for Marketed Ingredients (ESMI) Working Group of the Association of Animal Feed Control Officers (AAFCO) cited an increasing number of unapproved or undefined ingredients appearing in animal feed and pet food as well as "growing concerns about consumer protection, protection of animal health, and food safety" as the reason ... Read full story
 9/26/2002
Safety and Horse Snacks  *
Over the past 20 years, horse treats have come a long way. Horse owners have seen the treats they feed to horses evolve from the traditional apple or carrot to baked, heavily formulated "cookies" and snacks. But are these treats any better for your horse than the traditional fruits and vegetables? Are we as horse owners doing the right thing for our ... Read full story
 8/1/2002
Ten Tips for Feeding Horses  *
Feeding horses can take up a great deal of time and money. Yet the subject is often not given the attention it deserves. Maximize the forage in your horse’s diet. Horses need to have a minimum amount of forage in their diet. However, for many recreation horses that are not overly active, a diet of good quality hay or pasture can provide a large ... Read full story
 6/26/2002
Therapeutic Riding Programs Garner Industry Support  *
At over 670 riding centers, more than 30,000 individuals with mental or physical disabilities find recreation, challenge and a sense of independence thanks to Equine Assisted Activities backed by the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA). Pfizer Animal Health recently donated $400,000 of the company's daily equine parasite preventive, ... Read full story
 6/11/2002
MSM and Inflammation  *
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), a white, tasteless crystalline powder, is already a favored supplement in the horse industry. Years before any scientific evidence supported its use, it had earned a reputation for helping alleviate many of the symptoms of muscle soreness and arthritis in horses. As researchers began to examine MSM more closely, it appeared ... Read full story
 6/5/2002
What's In The Bag?   *
Is the data on that tag stitched to the feed bag effective for predicting the performance of the feed? While there are some limitations, the data are useful not only for evaluation, but also to help decide which feed to buy. Furthermore, the feed company must meet the guarantees on the feed tag or face fines. In fact, testing of guaranteed feeds ... Read full story
 6/1/2002
National Animal Supplement Council Submits Proposal  *
The supplement manufacturing industry has submitted a proposal to federal regulatory agencies that includes provisions for establishing common industry standards for manufacturing processes, allowing focus toward finished product safety through an adverse event reporting system, and limiting unsubstantiated labeling claims. These standards are now ... Read full story
 5/17/2002
Ridding Sand From the Diet   *
In specific regions of the United States, one of the most commonly encountered forms of colic is "sand colic." This is not solely a problem in geographic areas with obviously sandy environments. Anywhere there is sand, decomposed granite, or gravel, "sand colic" can develop. Some farm owners spread sand or road base over their paddocks or arenas to ... Read full story
 5/1/2002
Feeding Practices and Colic   *
There are multiple causes of colic, some of which are related to diet, stabling conditions, and activity level. Colic is painful for the horse, expensive to treat (especially if it requires surgery), and hard to predict. Determining which contributing factors for colic are most problematic would greatly assist in its prevention. Thus, Texas A&M ... Read full story
 5/1/2002
Restricting Grazing  *
There are some food needs that just can't be argued against: 1) Humans need popcorn plus a cola at the movies; 2) Women need chocolate anytime; 3) Horses need forage at all times. While these combinations aren't equal in terms of supplying nutritional value, we know as humans that life certainly can be more satisfying when we have our treats. And we ... Read full story
 4/1/2002
Hoofcare Education at Bluegrass Laminitis Symposium  *
One of the most common comments at the 15th annual Bluegrass Laminitis Symposium in Louisville, Ky., Jan. 21-23, 2002, was that if farriers or veterinarians don't have a passion for working on laminitic horses, they shouldn't take the cases. Horse owners know that a laminitic horse is a high-maintenance case in terms of treatment and convalescent care, ... Read full story
 4/1/2002
Sample Letter to Legislators Concerning Supplements Available  *
A member of The Horse’s Editorial Advisory Board has offered this sample letter for horse owners and members of the horse industry who oppose the impending crackdown on animal nutritional supplements. (See http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=3397 and http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=3398 to learn more about this topic.) Suggested ... Read full story
 3/25/2002
Supplements Facing Federal Regulation, Ban  *
There are some regulatory rumblings that could change the way all of us feed and take care of our horses every day. Unless the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved an ingredient for use in an animal feed or supplement product, it is illegal. The law is as simple as that. There are several ways companies can have non-food ingredients such ... Read full story
 3/21/2002
Regulation of Equine Supplements  *
The following is an in-depth explanation of the supplement regulation issue. For a condensed version, visit http://www.TheHorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=3397. For nearly six years, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has looked at many animal nutritional supplements as illegal. In April 1996, the Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) published a ... Read full story
 3/21/2002
Nutrition and Hoof Growth  *
At the 15th annual Bluegrass Laminitis Symposium January 21-23, Edgar A. Ott, PhD, of the Department of Animal Sciences at the University of Florida, presented a review of the literature and research conducted at the University of Florida with E. L Johnson, PhD (which he completed with Johnson, also of the University of Florida) that focused on nutritional ... Read full story
 2/20/2002
Links to the Future  *
"Go with your strengths, and collaborate as effectively as possible." Those were the two baseline rules that Bill Moyer, DVM, head of the Department of Large Animal Medicine & Surgery at Texas A&M's College of Veterinary Medicine, and Bryan Johnson, PhD, head of the Department of Animal Science in Texas A&M's College of Agriculture and ... Read full story
 2/1/2002
AAEP Convention 2001: General Medicine   *
Hormone Responses to Feeds Joe Pagan, PhD, owner of Kentucky Equine Research in Versailles, Ky., discussed glycemic response in growing horses as an indicator of developmental orthopedic disease. He said looking at diet and skeletal disease was nothing new--a study done at The Ohio State University (presented at the 1985 AAEP convention) changed ... Read full story
 2/1/2002
AAEP Convention 2001: Horseman's Day  *
More than 350 horse owners turned out to hear six speakers at the second annual Horseman's Day, held in conjunction with the annual AAEP convention. In almost every case, those in attendance were still raising their hands with questions when moderator Eleanor Green, DVM, Dean of the vet school at the University of Florida, was forced to halt the discussion ... Read full story
 2/1/2002
Does Feeding Affect Behavior?   *
Next time you visit your local feed and tack store, peruse the horse supplement section. Chances are you will find at least one that claims to have a "calming" effect on horses. Whether or not these supplements live up to these claims is debatable, but what is clear is that behavioral problems are of prime concern to owners, and they are more than ... Read full story
 1/1/2002
Matching Diet to Activity Level  *
When it comes to extracting the maximum effort out of your performance horse, there is no doubting the importance of a sound feeding program. He needs a balanced diet to replenish fuel reserves, repair tissue, and provide a foundation for training and competing successfully. All too often there is a tendency for us to focus on the latest and greatest ... Read full story
 12/1/2001
General Medicine: A Review of Probiotics  *
The definition of probiotics was refined in 1998 to “living microorganisms, which upon ingestion in certain numbers, exert health effects beyond inherent basic nutrition.” Probiotics have been increasing in popularity due to their ability to reduce the use of antibiotics, their degree of safety, and an increase in the public’s desire for more natural ... Read full story
 11/27/2001
When Your Horse Thinks He's a Termite...
Q: Is chewing pressure-treated wood (the green-tinged wood) dangerous for horses? Catherine Q: Our horses have started eating our fences and tree bark quite frequently this year. They run on pasture, get 10% sweet feed once a day, and have salt blocks all over the pasture. Are they missing a supplement or vitamin? Sherrie A: Wood chewing ... Read full story
 11/1/2001
How Does Your Horse Score?  *
Keeping a close eye on your horse's body condition and weight is perhaps the best way to gauge the effectiveness of a feeding program. We all want our horses to be in tip-top shape, well-muscled, and neither too fat nor too thin. The problem? Just what is the ideal body condition (and weight) for a horse, and how can body condition be reliably assessed? ... Read full story
 11/1/2001
New MRLS Theory Suggested   *
The examination of mycotoxins, wild cherry trees, molds, cyanide, odd climatic conditions, and unusually heavy caterpillar infestation has led to one more possible theory to how mare reproductive loss syndrome was triggered this spring. The “hybrid” theory suggests a blend of caterpillars, molds, and the right moment during gestation might have caused ... Read full story
 10/12/2001
How to Read a Feed Label  *
How long has it been since you really looked at the content of your horse's concentrate feed? If you're like many of us, you probably stand in line at the feed store, ask for "three bags of the 12%," heave the feed into the back of your truck, and drive on home without as much as a second glance at the ingredients or the nutrition in that ration. It's ... Read full story
 10/10/2001
Advances In Equine Nutrition: KER conference 1998  *
The nutrition conference for feed manufacturers presented by Kentucky Equine Research (KER) of Versailles, Ky., attracted more than 200 delegates involved in research and feed manufacturing from the United States, Europe, Australia, Brazil, Canada, and other countries around the world. Several world renowned speakers, plus graduate students from universities ... Read full story
 10/5/2001
Modified Munchies: Genetically Altered Feeds  *
It's the end of another long day. The stalls have been mucked, the horses fed, the barn swept, and the lights turned out. Now you're finally able to relax on the couch, put your feet up, and watch some TV. Flipping channels, you land on CNN, where the news anchor is describing in solemn tones an unearthly scenario: Hundreds of protesters, some dressed ... Read full story
 10/1/2001
Extruded Feeds  *
The first time you saw extruded feed, you probably thought, "Ick. Dog food!" The nondescript brown lumps do look a lot like your hound's kibble, or some sort of uninspired version of Cocoa Puffs, and in fact they're made by the same process--but as horse feeds go, they're actually quite unique. Those puffed-up nuggets of grain can slow down your horse's ... Read full story
 9/13/2001
Big Appetites In Big Horses (Drafts)  *
Nothing says sheer power like a draft horse. Nothing else exudes such strength with such a mild-mannered attitude. To watch these gentle giants in action is to get a sense of our own history and the invaluable role horses played, and continue to play. Today, far from fading away, the draft breeds--Clydesdales and Shires, Percherons and Belgians (not ... Read full story
 9/13/2001
Nutrition 101  *
You don't need to be a novice to be confused about the subject of equine nutrition. Many long-time horse owners have never dabbled in the mysteries of feeding because their horses always were kept at boarding stables or managed by someone else. With all the confusing advertisements and conflicting information available on feed, it's no wonder so many ... Read full story
 9/12/2001
From Start To Finish  *
This month we deal with an important nutrition fundamental--how the horse digests feed and makes use of the nutrients he eats. Although it is not necessary for you to become bogged down in the intricacies of equine digestive physiology, a basic understanding of how the horse digests feed is necessary for the selection of appropriate diets and feeding ... Read full story
 8/1/2001
Equine Nutrition Education  *
A wide variety of equine nutritional topics was covered at the fourth annual Alltech Equine School April 25-28 in Lexington, Ky., sponsored by Alltech, a feed ingredient company in Nicholasville, Ky. Among the speakers was Harold Hintz, BS, PhD, Professor of Animal Sciences at Cornell University. He discussed possible directions of study for the next ... Read full story
 7/1/2001
Promote the Coat  *
Your horse's coat isn't looking as good as it should. Your neighbor attributes her horse's fantastic coat to a supplement she's been using--but then, this is the same neighbor who swears by a lose-fat-while-you-sleep supplement for herself. With a myriad of tempting advertisements for equine nutritional supplements, each promising to improve health ... Read full story
 5/1/2001
Travel Diets: Take it With You  *
Over the past couple of years, a great deal has been written about the effects of transportation (by road or air) on horses. Hopefully you have taken the time to read these articles and now have a heightened awareness of the potential stresses placed on the horse during transportation. Potential stress factors include the removal of a horse from its ... Read full story
 4/1/2001
Quality Control  *
Life Data Labs, the producer of Farrier's Formula and other equine nutrition products, recently became one of the first equine nutrition manufacturers to receive International Organization for Standard-ization (ISO) 9001 certification for animal nutrition products. The company says this recognition raises the standard of equine nutrition product manufacturing ... Read full story
 3/1/2001
Weanlings for Education and Profit  *
A research group at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, has found a unique way to perform multiple research projects where humans, horses, and the university benefit. In fall of 1999, Sarah Ralston, VMD, PhD, Dipl. ACVN, Associate Professor in the University's Animal Science Department traveled to North Dakota to select 10 Quarter Horse/draft ... Read full story
 3/1/2001
Conference Combines Disease And Nutrition  *
Recent developments in equine disease and nutrition will mesh to become the focus of the eleventh annual Nutrition Conference for Feed Manufacturers April 30-May 1, 2001 in Lexington, Ky. Sponsored by Kentucky Equine Research, Inc. (KER), the conference will concentrate on nutrition in disease process and recovery. “The role of diet in the development ... Read full story
 2/9/2001
Shaping Up Your Overweight Horse  *
When preparing a horse for athletic events and sporting activities, whatever the discipline or level of difficulty, an important consideration is finding the horse's "ideal" body weight. This concept is well recognized in human athletics. For weight-bearing competitive sports like racewalking, running, and cross-country skiing, the amount of energy ... Read full story
 2/1/2001
At Home On The Range: Dude Horses  *
While many of our horses do some kind of work for a living, the work usually consists of a couple of hours a day, three to five days a week. Many of our horses are ridden far less than that, and we don't really think of them as "working" for their living as did horses of yesteryear. But there are horses out there which do put in a full day, whether ... Read full story
 2/1/2001
AAEP Reports  *
The 2001 annual convention of the American Association of Equine Practitioners served up a banquet of information for veterinarians and horse owners. One full day was devoted to owner education, featuring veterinarians speaking on a variety of topics. Veterinarians enjoyed one day of committees and forums on various topics, followed by three full days ... Read full story
 1/1/2001
Feeding The Feet  *
Hoof supplements are big business. It only takes a cursory glance around any tack shop or feed store to realize that they're everywhere. They've got catchy names and labels, and lists of ingredients as long as your arm, all purported to help your horse grow tougher, shinier, more durable hooves. Poor hoof quality is a complaint common to the owners ... Read full story
 9/1/2000
Good Nursing: Feeding Sick Horses  *
Blossom is a sorry sight. Suffering from the symptoms of strangles--fever, a snotty nose, and depression--she's been standing with her head in one corner of her isolation stall for hours now, barely moving. What's worse, her morning grain is untouched, and her hay has become part of her bedding, largely un-eaten. Never a plump mare, she seems to have ... Read full story
 8/1/2000
Incredible Edibles: Horse Treats  *
I confess. I'm an incurable treat-giver. Despite all those stern warnings from the riding instructors of my youth--that I would teach my horses to bite, and probably lose a finger in the process--I've long made a habit of slipping them a little nibble of something special, as a greeting, a consolation, or a congratulations for a job well done. In the ... Read full story
 4/1/2000
Total Parenteral Nutrition  *
Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) frequently is used to provide adequate nutrition intravenously in small animals and humans, and it is becoming more commonly used in horses and foals when feeding via the gastrointestinal tract is impractical, inadequate, ill-advised, or impossible. The term parenteral means administration by means other than orally. ... Read full story
 2/1/2000
The Contented Colon  *
If you have a veterinary textbook somewhere on your shelves, chances are you've seen one of those photos of a sick horse's innards-miles and miles of wet, purplish loops of intestine, spilling out in all directions. The poor equine posing for that photo had no doubt expired by the time the flash went off, and chances are he only ended up being an intestinal ... Read full story
 1/1/2000
Hay FAQ  *
Ask any Average Joe on the street what a horse eats, and chances are he’ll answer, ‘hay.’ Even those who’ve never picked a foot or mucked a stall recognize that fibrous dried forage as the foundation of a horse’s diet. Given that, it’s surprising how little respect hay gets. Perhaps it’s not as sexy as a bag of high-powered grain or a bucket of space-age ... Read full story
 12/1/1999
Fuel For Two  *
The athletic partnership between horse and rider is a truly remarkable one. Nowhere else in the long history of civilization do you see two individuals from two entirely different species working so closely or so equally. Ancient myths of centaurs seem to come true when horse and rider work as one—and when it happens, it feels as if we aren’t so very ... Read full story
 11/1/1999
Just Ruminating  *
Ever had your feed store deliver a bag of cattle feed to your farm by mistake? If you opened that bag, you probably noticed, on first inspection, that the mix inside looked a whole lot like the sweet feed you thought you’d ordered. Corn, barley, oats, molasses—all the basic ingredients are the same, and even the protein level might not differ that ... Read full story
 9/1/1999
Ration Balancing Made Easy  *
Don't panic. That's probably the most helpful thing I can say about calculating the balance of nutrients in your horse's diet. Most people are perfectly comfortable speaking about calcium or vitamin E levels in the abstract sense, but when it comes to sitting down with a calculator and actually figuring out how much of each nutrient your horse's current ... Read full story
 7/1/1999
Feeding Beet Pulp
Q: I've been told I should feed beet pulp to help put weight on my skinny Thoroughbred. But I'm worried about the stories I've heard about beet pulp expanding in the horse's stomach and causing colic -- or worse! Is beet pulp a good addition to my horse's diet, and if so, how can I feed it safely? A: Beet pulp is the fibrous material left over ... Read full story
 5/1/1999
Pasture Management Tips to Minimize Carbohydrate Content   *
Carbohydrate research done on forages, though not specific on carbohydrate type, has provided information on pasture management that owners can use to manage their horses' intake of carbohydrates. This is particularly of interest to owners with laminitic and/or Cushingoid horses. Kathryn Watts of Rocky Mountain Research and Consulting, a leading equine ... Read full story
 4/24/1999
Book On Over 10,000 Plants Released  *
A new book covering 10,000 of the world's economically important plants greatly expands upon an out-of-date, out-of-print reference long popular with botanists, other scientists, teachers, and others. The new 784-page volume is World Economic Plants: A Standard Reference. It stems from Agricultural Handbook 505, published in 1977 by the U.S. Department ... Read full story
 4/16/1999
UF Researcher, New Techniques Help Reconstruct Ancient Diets   *
Out of the mouths of long-dead animals come stories of vanished landscapes, ancient weather and the way the creatures lived and died. With a unique combination of two scientific techniques, University of Florida paleontologist Bruce MacFadden and colleagues analyzed fossilized horse teeth to see what the animals ate, and in doing so reconstructed ... Read full story
 2/19/1999
When Should You Supplement?  *
Look around any barn and you'll see the evidence. Do you know a feed room that doesn't have a collection of jugs and buckets, pails and little plastic scoops, pellets and powders in a rainbow of colors? The ingredients range from high-tech chemical formulas, to "all natural" mixtures of herbs. And their presence next to the bags of grain and bales ... Read full story
 2/1/1999
Stormy Weather  *
Brace yourselves, folks. Old Man Winter's on his way again, and that means horsekeeping is about to get a good deal less pleasant. Between the snow, the ice, the mud, and the howling winds, you and your horse are going to have a lot to contend with. ANNE M. EBERHARDT Many farmers place round bales of hay outside in paddocks for their horses' ... Read full story
 12/1/1998
New Book On Equine Nutrition Now Available   *
The Blood-Horse, Inc., has published a new title in its Horse Health Care Library series, entitled, Understanding Equine Nutrition: Your Guide to Horse Health Care and Management. Written by Karen Briggs, the illustrated, 168-page book outlines the horse's nutritional needs, and the role of protein, fiber, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins and minerals ... Read full story
 7/24/1998
The Movable Feast  *
Alas not only are horses dedicated herbivores but the average horse trailer doesn't fit that easily into a fast-food drive-thru. Other solutions must be sought. If you travel with your horse in tow whether it's to the local Sunday morning gymkhana or all the way up the Alaska Highway you need to address his dietary needs. Doing so isn't difficult fortunately--but ... Read full story
 4/1/1998
Nutrition Books To Aid Veterinarians In Advising Clients   *
The Veterinarian's Practical Reference to Equine Nutrition, produced for the American Association of Equine Practitioners by Purina Mills, Inc., is a complete text providing information on how to feed horses in a number of lifestyle situations, from the athletic horse to one recovering from surgery. Its companion book, Basic Equine Nutrition and its ... Read full story
 1/9/1998
Cooking Supper: Bran Mash  *
If there is anything as fragrant and tempting as a bran mash, redolent with molasses and apples, a horse doesn't know what it might be. Many an owner has been caught licking the spoon before dishing out that warm concoction to a barn full of horses nickering in anticipation. It's a scene from a cold winter's night, almost straight from a Christmas ... Read full story
 1/1/1998
Fiber Facts  *
Grazing is a full-time job for horses. Given their druthers, they'd graze for 12 hours or more every day, their broad, flat teeth and sideways chewing motions making short work of the tough, stemmy grasses and weeds they favor. Like all true herbivores, horses get most of their daily energy requirements from eating plant fibers. Yet, ironically, horses ... Read full story
 12/1/1997
The Power of Protein  *
Of all the components of your horse's diet, protein is probably the most misunderstood. Long assumed to be an energy source, protein actually has quite a different function--it provides amino acids. Amino acids are the building blocks of bones, muscles, and virtually all of the body's soft tissues, for growth and repair. This makes protein an essential ... Read full story
 11/1/1997
Buying and Storing Feeds  *
Feed is a major expenditure for any horse owner, and we all want it to be money well spent--both in terms of nutrition and quality. Getting the best value often means buying and storing feed in bulk. But unless that's done properly, you might find you lose a major portion of your investment to mold, insect infestation, or water damage, any of which ... Read full story
 10/1/1997
Pelleted Feeds: Packaged Nutrition  *
They look like rabbit food, and the technology that made those bunny pellets a complete diet now is used regularly to make feeds for horses. Granted, pelleted feeds don't usually exude the tempting aroma that most molasses-laced sweet feeds have, but they more than make up for that in terms of convenience and digestibility. Furthermore, feed mills ... Read full story
 10/1/1997
Nutrition Primer  *
Many common terms come from the long experience of man with horse, and some perhaps should be applied to the modern experience of raising horses. One of them, where feeds are concerned, might be "penny wise and pound foolish." Kenneth Kopp, DVM, manager of horse feed at the Central Atlantic cooperative Southern States Inc., said a serious mistake ... Read full story
 7/1/1996




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