Tag Archives: Inflammation

Tendon and Ligament Care

Posted on September 7, 2019 by

Tendons and ligaments are specialized forms of connective tissue. Tendons connect muscle to bone. Ligaments are anchored only to bone at each end.  Both are composed of interwoven strands of type I collagen protein in a structure much like a … Continue reading →

Posted in Equine Nutrition | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Obesity and Metabolic Problems

Posted on August 31, 2019 by

The vast majority of us are well familiar with how easy it is to gain weight with the wrong foods or simply too much food and how hard it can be to lose it. The same is true for most … Continue reading →

Posted in Equine Nutrition | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Omega-6 Gets a Bum Rap

Posted on February 10, 2019 by

You have probably read more than once that omega-6 fatty acids are inflammatory. I’m sure I’ve been guilty of saying something to that effect myself. The truth is, it’s an over simplification. Flax seeds have the ideal balance of omega-6 … Continue reading →

Posted in Equine Nutrition | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Understanding Fatty Acids

Posted on January 13, 2019 by

Fatty acids are the building blocks of fats in the same way that amino acids are the basic unit of proteins. When picking a fat for your horse, you should be guided by the fatty acid levels. The fat content … Continue reading →

Posted in Equine Nutrition | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Myths and Misconceptions about Insulin Resistance/Metabolic Syndrome

Posted on February 4, 2018 by

It always takes a while for textbooks, veterinary schools and practitioners to catch up with the best published research. Magazines and news feeds often focus on whomever has a better and louder PR network. There are also companies and individuals … Continue reading →

Posted in Equine Nutrition | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Hormonal Laminitis – What It’s Not

Posted on January 21, 2018 by

At the NO Laminitis Conference last year I spent several hours talking about what insulin related laminitis is not. A paper just published in The Veterinary Journal (Patterson-Kane et al) called Paradigm shifts in understanding equine laminitis does the same … Continue reading →

Posted in Equine Nutrition | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Your Horse Needs Inflammation

Posted on December 26, 2017 by

Inflammation is always talked about as something you need to avoid or control.  There is a staggering number of medications, supplements and therapy devices that target inflammation. However, inflammation is an essential part of how your horse’s body functions.                   … Continue reading →

Posted in Equine Nutrition | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Equine Nutrition | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Ancient Art of Poulticing

Posted on January 30, 2017 by

Poultices have been in use as long as horses have been domesticated. In fact, they used to be a very common human remedy as well. Major uses for poultices are: to soothe and cool inflamed or overheated areas  to draw … Continue reading →

Posted in Equine Nutrition | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Hormonal Laminitis is Different

Posted on April 22, 2015 by

There are many causes of laminitis, including dietary overloads, hormonal disruptions, toxic plants, severe intestinal disorders and bacterial infections.  It has been estimated that 80% or more of laminitis cases fall under the category of hormonal/endocrine pathologies but until recently … Continue reading →

Posted in Equine Nutrition | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments