After water, fibre is the most important component of the equine diet. When insufficient fibre is fed, it has been shown to lead to hindgut acidosis, gastric ulcers and stereotypic behaviours (e.g., cribbing). Most owners understand that it is critical for horses to have ample access to forage to meet their fibre requirement, whether it […]
Forage alone will not meet a horse’s vitamin and mineral requirements. Whether a horse is on hay or pasture, a supplemental source of minerals is required to adequately meet their nutrient requirements. There are two main type of products that are used to add vitamin and mineral content to a diet, ration balancers and vitamin/mineral […]
It is important to remember that what we know about equine nutrition is continually evolving as new research is published. An unfortunate pattern in the industry is the rise in equine obesity and metabolic disorders. Understanding how to optimally manage these horses is critical to their longevity and well-being. This article will cover the up-to-date […]
Do you know how many calories your horse should be consuming in a day? Or if your hay has a high, or low-calorie content? Have you ever tried to modify behaviour with dietary changes? There is so much to think about when it comes to calories in the equine diet. Understanding the different types and […]
Digestible energy content of the diet, also referred to as the calorie content, is in my opinion, one of the most overlooked aspects of equine nutrition. Many horse owners will focus in on the protein percentage of their feed, or the sugar content of the hay, however, calories are rarely discussed. Adequate weight management is […]
As the colder weather approaches, I have an influx of inquiries for senior horse consultations. Owners always want to do what is best for their horse, so it can be concerning when your beloved horse is under-conditioned as we head into the winter months. Defining a Senior Horse At what age is a horse considered […]
If you follow the educational content that Balanced Bay publishes, you have likely heard the importance of hay testing stressed many times. Hay is often the majority of what a horse consumes, so it only makes sense to know what the nutritional value is! It is common that when horse owners receive their hay analysis […]
Vitamins are an essential aspect of balanced nutrition. They are involved in a plethora of body processes and are important for regular body function. There are two main categories of vitamins that horses require: fat-soluble vitamins which include E, D, A and K and water-soluble which include B and C. Please note that there are […]
Iron is an essential trace mineral for horses, meaning that it is required in the diet in small amounts. These minerals are required in mg/kg or parts per million (ppm) as opposed to grams. Iron plays a critical role in a variety of body processes, most notably is the role that it plays in oxygen […]
Hay season can be a stressful time for many, from the farmers harvesting it, to the horse owners purchasing it. With the variety of variables that influence the nutritional quality and safety, there are many considerations to be made. During this time of year, I receive tons of questions about new hay. Is it safe […]
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