Tag Archives: starch

Diet and Laminitis – No Link to Fructan

Posted on September 3, 2020 by Dr. Kellon

Horses and ponies, donkeys and mules, may develop laminitis on diets based on either hay or pasture. The cause isn’t fructan.  It isn’t hind gut acidosis.  Here’s the science. The AAEP’s Laminitis Working Group did a four year study with … Continue reading →

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Is Acorn Toxicity in Horses Real?

Posted on November 9, 2019 by Dr. Kellon

Squirrels aren’t the only ones hoovering up the Fall crop of acorns. Horses love them too. A yummy treat courtesy of Mother Nature – or are they harmful? Many people report their horses regularly indulge in acorns in the Fall … Continue reading →

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Insulin Problems – Forget about NSC

Posted on October 2, 2019 by Dr. Kellon

Hay or pasture is a major component of any horse’s diet, and is likely to be virtually the complete diet in animals that are obese.  Since insulin resistance is often part of the reason why a horse or pony becomes … Continue reading →

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Pasture Associated Laminitis

Posted on April 9, 2019 by Dr. Kellon

Everyone loves Spring, but as a horse owner you may be anxious about the possibility of pasture associated laminitis [PAL] if you let your horse graze those tantalizing luscious new growths of pasture. How great is the risk?  Can you … Continue reading →

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Treats

Posted on October 14, 2018 by Dr. Kellon

There are many behavioral and safety reasons not to give your horse treats but for those who can’t resist, this is for you.  If you must give treats, at least do no harm. This feral horse skull shows remarkably clean … Continue reading →

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The Benefits of Feeding Flax

Posted on March 4, 2018 by Dr. Kellon

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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No Quick Fix for Laminitis Risk

Posted on May 29, 2017 by Dr. Kellon

It’s perfectly natural to want a silver bullet that will instantly remove the threat of devastating health problems like laminitis but it’s just not that simple.          The classical laminitis stance is something you never want to see. The latest … Continue reading →

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Myth Busting

Posted on May 18, 2017 by Dr. Kellon

It’s easy for opinions or hypotheses that are repeated often enough to eventually morph into what passes as a fact and from there to a myth that’s difficult to eradicate. These are three commonly repeated, but wrong, horse feeding myths. … Continue reading →

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The Pros and Cons of Bran Mash

Posted on January 2, 2015 by Dr. Kellon

Warm bran mashes have a very long history of use in equine feeding, especially in winter, but lately have come under attack.  Is this the yummy comfort food it has been claimed to be, or actually potentially harmful?  As is … Continue reading →

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