Horses have evolved over millions of years as roaming grazing animals, and they have specialized digestive tracts adapted to digest and utilize diets containing high levels of plant fiber. They are capable of eating and processing large quantities of forage to meet their nutrient demands. In an attempt to maximise growth or productivity, horses are […]

The aim of this study was to gather information on feeding practices and to identify nutrient imbalances of racehorses in Turkey. A total of 134 racehorses who visited the Turkish Jockey Club Racecourse Equine Hospital in Istanbul were referred for professional nutritional advice in 2013. Each horse was examined, and body weight (BW), body condition […]

Large investments in horses are made in China annually, but the wastage rate due to poor performance, slow growth, suboptimal body condition, colic, lameness, infertility, and other disease is high. Ten key issues related to nutrition and feeding horses in China have been identified as possible contributors to this wastage. These issues include lack of […]

Most Australian horses rely on pasture for some of their nutrient intake, and many are just on pasture without supplementary feed for some part of the year. To determine the nutrient intake of horses on pasture for comparison with recommended daily allowances, nutritionists need to know not only the pasture intake but also the nutrient […]

Most Australian horses rely on pasture for some of their nutrient intake, and many are just on pasture without supplementary feed for some part of the year. To determine the nutrient intake of horses on pasture for comparison with recommended daily allowances, nutritionists need to know not only the pasture intake but also the nutrient […]

Bone density and strength are important for the long-term health and soundness of performance horses.  Marine-derived calcium mineral complexes have been shown to improve bone density and strength in laboratory animals and humans. This study evaluated the effect of a supplement containing marine-derived calcium (Triacton™) (TA) on bone density in Thoroughbred racehorses.  Thirteen horses (average […]

Mesquita, V., Pagan, J., Valberg, S., Waldridge, B. and Whitehouse, C. (2014), Effect of Non-Structural Carbohydrate, Fat and Fiber Intake on Glycogen Repletion Following Intense Exercise. Equine Veterinary Journal, 46: 33. (International Conference on Equine Exercise Physiology 2014) Muscle glycogen is a potentially limiting substrate for horses during intense exercise. Low-starch, high-fat concentrates have become popular […]

Assembled by the nutritionists and veterinarians at Kentucky Equine Research (KER), this easy-to-use guide includes practical feeding and management strategies for young horses and breeding stock, including foals, orphan foals, weanlings, yearlings, two-year-olds, gestating and lactating mares, and stallions.  

Assembled by the nutritionists and veterinarians at Kentucky Equine Research (KER), this easy-to-use guide includes practical feeding and management recommendations for the following diseases: Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) Equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) Exertional rhabdomyolysis (RER) Polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM) Malignant hyperthermia (MH) Hyperkalemic periodic paralysis (HYPP)

How can you tell whether your horse is too thin, too heavy, or in just the right body condition? This free downloadable chart prepared by Kentucky Equine Research uses pictures and directions to guide horse owners through the easy steps to match their horses to body condition scores from 1 (poor) to 9 (extremely fat).