What You Need to Know About Omega-3s
Why Feed Omega 3s? In equine nutrition, there is a big push for feeding omega-3s with all sorts of fancy oils on the market. The main underlying metabolic mechanism is that omega 3s are an anti-inflammatory fatty acid. These are required for basic physiological functions and are key components of many tissues and organs. In […]
When to Add Supplements
The Supplement Industry The equine supplement industry is wild! There are an overwhelming number of options, and there seems to be a supplement for just about everything. As a horse owner, it can be challenging to know which ones are worth the money and which simply aren’t. Research has estimated that over 80% of horse […]
All About Water
I have recently had multiple clients ask me about water consumption in relation to equine nutrition. Did you know that water is one of the 6 main nutrient categories according to the NRC, 2007. Therefore, it should not be overlooked. This week’s blog post is going to summarize some interesting research as well as provide […]
Protein Intake & Equine Metabolic Syndrome
This week’s Friday with Finn is the last of the protein series. Instead of discussing a broad topic, this installment will focus on a single publication. The reference is: Loos, C. M. M., Dorsch, S. C., Elzinga, S. E., Brewster-Barnes, T., Vanzant, E. S., Adams, A. A., & Urschel, K. L. (2019). A high protein meal […]
Protein Excess & Deficiency in Horses
In the previous blog post, protein requirements and protein quality was discussed. However, there can be complications when protein requirements are greatly exceeded. This installment of Fridays with Finn will cover both protein deficiency and protein overload in horses. Protein Deficiency Research suggests that protein deficiency in the horse is less common when compared to […]
Protein Requirements in Horses
Defining Protein Protein is one of 6 nutrient classes that horses have a requirement for. It is a major component of body tissues. Along with being a core component of tissues, proteins are also heavily involved in enzymes, hormones, and antibodies. Proteins are long chains of amino acids, there are 21 amino acids that join […]
Soaking Hay to Reduce NSC Content?
Soaking hay is a popular topic in equine nutrition. There are many reasons a horse owner may choose to soak their horse’s hay. Some examples include laminitis, poor dentition, digestion concerns, metabolic disorders, as well as respiratory problems. Today’s blog post will discuss what the research tells us about soaking hay to reduce non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) […]
What is a Balanced Diet?
What is a balanced diet? To have a balanced diet means that all the animal’s nutrient requirements are being met in the correct proportions. There are 6 key nutrient classes that must be accounted for in a horse’s balanced diet. They include carbohydrates, proteins, fats, minerals, vitamins, and water. The requirement for forage should also […]
The Importance of an On-Farm Nutritionist
Keeping a horse in optimal condition is a team effort. A veterinarian, farrier, nutritionist, and trainer all play an important role in the horse’s well-being. Many horse owners use the expertise of a nutritionist to not only ensure that their horse is not deficient in any nutrients but to also improve the ration. This can […]
Hay Nets and Slow Feeders
Horses have evolved to graze for upwards of 16-18 hours per day. Unfortunately, modern management tends to revolve around meal feeding. There is a significant amount of research on how encouraging slow feeding improves equine welfare. This is typically done with a hay net or slow feeder. This article will summarize the research on hay nets […]