Vitamins are defined as a group of complex unrelated fat- and water-soluble organic compounds present in minute amounts in natural foodstuffs (NRC, 2007). There are a variety of B-vitamins, all of which are water-soluble, meaning that excess amounts are excreted through the urine. Not stored in the body. What do B Vitamins do? This group […]
Using a hanging scale to weigh hay.
It is recommended to test your horse’s vitamin E levels once per year. This guides your decision on how much supplemental vitamin E to provide. Keep reading to learn when to add supplemental vitamin E to your horse’s ration. Why is Vitamin E Important? Adequate vitamin E is essential for neuromuscular health. Fresh, healthy, and […]
Equine obesity is a serious welfare issue for many horses. Research has estimated that depending on geographical region, about 30-50% of the domestic equine population is obese. These horses that tend to gain weight readily are often termed ‘easy keepers’, but in my experience, they can be some of the most difficult to manage. As […]
Learning how to manage your horse’s nutrition while travelling can reduce the risk of a variety of health issues. Remember that consistency is key! Keeping The Diet Consistent Travelling with horses can be stressful for everyone involved. The reality is, when travelling with your horse, nutritional management changes often occur. This can increase the risk […]
Meeting a horse’s nutrient requirements is critical to their health. Horse owners should understand the basics of nutritional management, and how to supply adequate nutrient amounts. As a practicing equine nutritionist, I often get questions about nutrient requirements – how are they determined? What are these amounts based on? How a nutrient requirement has been […]
Hay testing is a practice that is fortunately gaining popularity. However, many owners are still confused about how and when to test. Let’s dive into hay testing, and how to better support our horse’s well-being with balanced nutrition. What is A Hay Analysis? A hay analysis involves taking samples of your horse’s hay – often […]
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 […]
Hay, pasture, and concentrates are the primary sources of calories for horses. However, understanding calorie type (e.g., fats vs. carbohydrates) can help you optimize your horse’s nutritional management. Calories for Horses 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? […]
