Feeding Fats
Fact Sheet
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Not all fats or fatty acids are created equal; some are more beneficial than others for horses.
Article
Spring Horse Feeding Considerations
Consider your horse's diet when helping him make a smooth transition from winter to spring.
Photo by Adam Spradling
Article
Omega Basics: Easy as 1, 2, 3
Fats increase energy density of diets and are necessary to metabolize fat-soluble vitamins.
Photo by The Horse Staff
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Omega-3 Fatty Acids
May 17, 2013
Not all fats or fatty acids are created equal; some are more beneficial than others for horses.... Read More
Article
Spring Horse Feeding Considerations
April 05, 2013
Consider your horse's diet when helping him make a smooth transition from winter to spring.... Read More
Article
Omega Basics: Easy as 1, 2, 3
September 08, 2012
Fats increase energy density of diets and are necessary to metabolize fat-soluble vitamins.... Read More
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Gastrointestinal Health (AAEP Convention 2011)
March 06, 2012
Electrolyte use and gastric emptying and nonstructural carb tolerance in healthy horses are included. ... Read More
Article
Psyllium for Glucose and Insulin Control
April 23, 2011
Veterinarians often recommend psyllium for use as a laxative, specifically for clearing sand out of horses' intestines to minimize the chances of sand colic. But new research indicates there might be another use for the phytogenic (plant-based) ... Read More
Article
Evaluating Your Horse's Body Condition
April 20, 2011
Body condition scoring (BCS), an impartial way to evaluate a horse's weight and welfare, is a valuable tool that helps horse owners understand their horses' well-being. It is an important aid that can be used to make sound decisions regarding general... Read More
Article
Supplementing the Equine Diet with Essential Fatty Acids
March 16, 2011
Research indicates that supplementing essential fatty acids in horses' diets is useful and might be required.... Read More
Article
Understanding Carbohydrates in Equine Diets
February 04, 2011
When it comes to managing the carbohydrates in a horse's diet, knowing the basics of how horses digest food is half the battle. Laurie Lawrence, PhD, an equine nutritionist from the University of Kentucky's Department of Animal and Food Science who ... Read More
Article
Endocrine Disease Table Topic (AAEP 2010)
January 27, 2011
One of the Table Topic discussions at the 2010 American Association of Equine Practitioners annual meeting, held Dec. 4-8 in Baltimore, Md., addressed equine endocrine disorders. Moderators and attendees discussed diagnostic testing for equine ... Read More
Article
Winter Farm Care Checklist
January 01, 2011
Experts share their time-tested steps for cold weather readiness around the barn.... Read More
Article
Breeding Horse Nutrition
December 01, 2010
Regardless of general feeding guidelines for breeding horses, body condition score (BCS) is the most objective assessment of a horse's fat covering and also the best predictor of reproductive performance or efficiency.... Read More
Article
Omega-3 Fatty Acids Benefit Sport Horse Health
October 01, 2010
Increasing the amount of omega-3 fatty acid in a horse's diet can positively affect his health and endurance.... Read More
Article
Focus on Health: The External Horse
August 01, 2010
Maintaining of a horse's hair coat takes a lot of energy, protein, and certain trace elements and minerals. ... Read More
Article
Analyzing Feed and Forage for Horses
July 01, 2010
Awareness of what your horse is eating can help you determine if his dietary needs are being met and, if not, what can be added to meet those needs. With respect to the nutritional needs of a horse, it is important to know the meaning... Read More
Article
Feeding the Immune System: Nutrient Support for Horses
May 01, 2010
Both humans and horses must consume nutrients to support all body systems, including the immune system. But how do we know which nutrients support the immune system?... Read More
Article
Fatty Acid Triheptanoin Comes Up Short for Horses with PSSM
April 03, 2010
Triheptanoin does not appear to be a good fat supplement for polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM) horses.... Read More
Article
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Consider the Source
December 02, 2009
The benefits of omega-3 fatty acids for horses are believed to be numerous: decreased inflammation in various tissues, increased immune response, maintenance of healthy membranes, and an upsurge in sperm production, to name just a... Read More
Article
Study: Starch Limitation Key for Short-Term Blood Sugar Control
April 22, 2009
To better control blood sugar and insulin levels, horse owners are encouraged to limit starch intake in their animals, rather than only supplementing their horse's diet with fats, recommends Ingrid Vervuert, DrMedVet, PhD, and... Read More
Article
Feeding to Lessen Inflammation
October 31, 2008
At the Purina Equine Veterinary Conference, held Oct. 17-19 in St. Louis, Mo., Karen Davison, PhD, manager of Equine Technical Services for the Horse Business Group of Purina Mills discussed managing inflammation and oxidative stress in horses... Read More
Article
Don't Guess. Test Your Hay
July 03, 2008
In our effort to 'cover all the bases,' many of us feel we have to supplement with fortified grains in an effort to feel secure that we are providing enough vitamins, minerals and protein in our horses diet. Grain may present an unnecessary amount... Read More
Article
Feeds and Supplements
March 01, 2008
The key to a good feed program is to start with the proper type of forage for the individual, then (if needed) pick the right concentrate or supplement. Most horse owners try to provid... Read More
Article
Study Shows Horses Able to Absorb Fatty Acid Supplements
January 22, 2008
Illinois researchers studying the effect of nutritional supplementation with essential fatty acids (EFAs) reported that EFAs are absorbed systemically after oral administration and alter the normal pool of fatty acids in the bloodstream of horses.... Read More
Article
Fats in Your Horse's Diet (Book Excerpt)
November 20, 2007
Studies have shown that as much as 20% overall fat in the diet is well tolerated by horses, with no ill effects noted. Indeed, fat might well be easier for horses to digest than carbohydrates.... Read More
Article
Challenges of Feeding High-Performance Horses
April 01, 2007
"A horse that's working hard does have a high energy requirement," says Nielsen. "And when we are trying to get that into a horse, we have to feed him a fair bit of concentrate, meaning grain, of course. In this case, we run the risk of health... Read More
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Latest on the Omegas
August 24, 2006
The question: If omega-3 fatty acids benefit human health, can they provide similar benefits for horses?... Read More
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