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Kentucky Equine Research continually conducts studies at its 150-acre research facility. Some of these results are presented at industry conferences or shared in peer-reviewed journals. Review some of our findings from the past 30 years below.
February 18, 2021

Changes in Red Blood Cell Fatty Acid Composition in Exercised Thoroughbred Horses Supplemented with Either KER EO-3 or Flax Oil for a Two-Month Period

The present study clearly demonstrates that daily intake of EPA and DHA from KER EO-3™ significantly increases RBC membrane EPA and DHA but that a similar amount of omega-3 in the form of ALA from flax (linseed) oil does not.  


November 10, 2020

Growth and Development of Thoroughbred Horses

Research into the growth and development of Thoroughbreds managed on commercial breeding farms is reviewed in this paper. Because horses are not meat-producing animals, less research has been performed quantifying growth, muscle, and bone development than with other production animals. However, variations in growth and development are linked with both value and wastage in young […]


December 05, 2013

Nutritional Management of Horses on a Breeding Farm

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.  


January 01, 2009

Nutrition Of The Mare Influences Growth And Development Of The Foal

Lawrence, L. A. 2009. Nutrition of the mare influences growth and development of the foal. Washington Thoroughbred. 63,1:34-35.


January 01, 2008

Principles Of Sound Growth

Few animals are as precocious as the horse. Within 20 minutes of birth a foal may stand and within hours can be ready to run at speeds no human athlete will ever achieve.


January 01, 2007

Nutrition Of The Dam Influences Growth And Development Of The Foal

A 1996 Kentucky Equine Research (KER) study monitored the incidence of developmental orthopedic disease (Pagan and Jackson, 1996).


January 01, 2007

Nutritional Management of Mares – The Foundation of a Strong Skeleton

Nutritional Management of Mares – The Foundation of a Strong Skeleton PJ Huntington, E Owens, K Crandell and JD Pagan NZ Eq Vet Pract Dec 2007 p 14 – 35


January 01, 2006

Body Weight and Condition of Kentucky Thoroughbred Mares and Their Foals as Influenced by Month of Foaling and Season

Several studies have assessed the effect of birth month and season on foal body weight; however, none of these studies evaluated the effect of season on changes in body weight or body condition in the lactating mare. Thoroughbred mares (n=3,909) and their foals were weighed monthly to assess the influence of month of foaling, season, […]


January 01, 2005

The Pituitary And Testicular Responses To Gnrh Challenge Between 4 And 14 Months Of Age In Thoroughbred Colts Born In Spring And Autumn

Gonadotropin releasing-hormone analogue (buserelin) challenges were carried out every 8 weeks from 4 to 14 months of age on thoroughbred colts born in the spring (n = 6) or autumn (n = 5) to define the onset of puberty.


January 01, 2002

Prediction Of Foaling Using Mammary Secretion Constituents

AIMS: To test published models for predicting time of foaling using data derived from prepartum mammary secretions and to develop a new model based on concentrations of mammary secretion constituents that accurately predicts time of foaling in Thoroughbred mares.


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