Tag Archives: fat

Feeds for Carb Sensitive Horses and Weight Control

Posted on August 19, 2018 by

By carb I am referring to hydrolyzable carbohydrate digested to glucose in the small intestine. This includes starch and the sugar/ESC (ethanol soluble carbohydrates) fractions on an analysis. These are the carbs that elevated glucose and cause an insulin response. … Continue reading →

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The Benefits of Feeding Flax

Posted on March 4, 2018 by

Even fans of feeding flax may not realize all its benefits.  It’s a very healthful supplemental feed item for horses of all ages, classes and uses. People usually feed flax for its high omega-3 fatty acid content. There are two … Continue reading →

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Supplementing Old Hay

Posted on January 28, 2018 by

It’s the time of year when even last year’s hay isn’t so new anymore and hay is getting hard to find, leading many people to settle for hay that is actually 2 years old. Properly cured hay stores well in … Continue reading →

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The Skinny Older Horse

Posted on November 5, 2017 by

Impending winter weather and loss of good pasture make all owners of thin senior horses anxious.  Some things to consider when a horse is underweight span all age groups, but seniors have additional considerations. Transverse ridges on the chewing surface … Continue reading →

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Matching Feeding to Activity Level

Posted on October 15, 2017 by

Show season is winding down, vacations over, kids back in school, holidays on the horizon and many horses are getting less work as a result.   It’s important to scale back calories, and in some instances type of calories.  It’s equally … Continue reading →

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Is Your Horse Too Fat?

Posted on October 1, 2017 by

We’ve all seen at least one article claiming a high percentage of horses are overweight; even that it’s an epidemic.  While the numbers are true, 40+ years as a veterinarian and a lifetime of observing horses tells me it’s nothing … Continue reading →

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Feeding Yearlings

Posted on July 30, 2017 by

Whether you are prepping for sales and halter classes or trying your best to raise a healthy and sound youngster, careful attention to nutritional needs is a key component.  Yearlings should not be fed like little adults. This handsome devil … Continue reading →

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Understanding Fat and Fatty Acids

Posted on April 30, 2017 by

Fat is much more than a storage form of calories.  The membrane of all cells contains fat. Fatty substances form a waterproof barrier in skin and hooves.  Some classes of hormone are derived from fat/cholesterol.  Some fats help regulate the … Continue reading →

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Speed Up Shedding

Posted on February 20, 2017 by

Wouldn’t it be great if horses just slipped out of their winter coat like a snake shedding its skin?  Unfortunately, at best it’s not even close but there are factors that can slow it down which you should be aware … Continue reading →

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Feeding for Healthy Weatherproof Hooves

Posted on January 9, 2017 by

There is a reason hoof supplements have a sizeable market.  There is also a reason they tend to have the same ingredients.         There is often a strong nutritional component to poor hoof quality The quality and integrity of the … Continue reading →

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