Metabolic
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Double-Checking the Nutritional Requirements of a Connemara-Cross
By KER Staff · April 16, 2013How can I be sure my pony mare is receiving optimal nutrition?
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Aged Thoroughbred Mare Needs Weight
By KER Staff · February 26, 2013I’ve tried everything I know to add weight to my aged mare, but it doesn’t seem to be working. Please help!
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Iron: An Important Trace Mineral in Equine Diets
By KER Staff · February 21, 2013For many horsemen, iron is usually one of the first trace minerals considered when contemplating supplementation. Iron is well known for its function in blood, but that is not its only duty within the body.
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Quarter Horse Filly with PSSM and Growth Issues
By KER Staff · February 7, 2013My filly has PSSM and growth issues. Is her current diet optimal?
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Feed to Support the Horse’s Immune System
By KER Staff · January 23, 2013For many horses, the demands of training, performance, travel, and even herd dynamics raise the stress level of everyday routines, putting the immune system under pressure. Feeding with an eye to immune system support can help prevent illness.
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Providing Dietary Protein to Horses
By KER Staff · January 8, 2013Mature horses doing little work need only enough protein to maintain body tissues. Requirements for protein go up as horses are put into an exercise program, and the need increases with the workload because these active horses must build lean muscle tissue.
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Vitamin E and Selenium Status in Horses
By KER Staff · January 3, 2013Vitamin E and selenium both function as antioxidants in the cell and are therefore required by the horse for optimal well-being.
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Feeding, Exercise, and Blood Flow Distribution in Horses
By KER Staff · December 28, 2012A complex relationship exists between the type and amount of feed given, the duration and intensity of work expected of the horse, the impact of feeding on the digestive system, and the impact of exercise on gut function and nutrient digestibility.
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Dietary Energy for Horses
By KER Staff · December 19, 2012Digestible energy refers to the amount of energy in the diet that is absorbed by the horse, and is provided to horses by four different dietary sources: starch, fat, protein, and fiber.
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Feeding a Warmblood Gelding with Shivers
By KER Staff · December 6, 2012What are your recommendations for managing a horse with shivers?
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Horse’s Dam Diagnosed with PSSM, How Do I Treat Her Adult Son?
By KER Staff · November 29, 2012What is the best way to feed my horse that may or may not have PSSM?
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Feeding Horses with Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction
By Drs. Bryan Waldridge and David Pugh · October 26, 2012Feeding horses with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID), also known as equine Cushing's disease, can sometimes be difficult because they are often older, underweight, and may have insulin resistance with or without recurrent laminitis.
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Relationship of Obesity and Diet to Insulin Resistance in Horses
By KER Staff · October 24, 2012A study conducted at the University of Melbourne was designed to investigate changes in insulin sensitivity when equines became obese.
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Young Andalusian with Possible Cushing’s
By KER Staff · October 8, 2012What feed would you recommend for overweight horses with Cushing’s disease and/or insulin resistance?
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Eating Well But Losing Weight: Is This Horse All Right?
By KER Staff · October 1, 2012A horse’s body weight normally fluctuates a little bit due to season, age, health status, parasite load, dental condition, access to pasture, level of exercise, and other factors. If the horse has a good appetite and seems to eat normally but is losing significant amounts of weight, owners have reason to suspect a problem.
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The Effect of Beet Pulp with Added Molasses on Glycemic Response
By KER Staff · September 26, 2012How does molasses in beet pulp affect glycemic response?
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Balancer Pellets for Miniature Donkeys
By KER Staff · September 20, 2012Should I give my three overweight miniature donkeys a balancer pellet to ensure they’re getting proper minerals and vitamins?
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Effect of Adding Soybean Oil to a Horse’s Ration
By KER Staff · September 6, 2012Researchers designed a feeding trial to evaluate whether adding fat to a grain meal would affect glucose and insulin response to feeding when the level of grain intake remained the same.
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Starch Content in Feed
By KER Staff · July 17, 2012How can I tell if a gelding’s feed is providing too many nonstructural carbohydrates for his insulin resistance and associated laminitis?
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Nutritional Management of Equine Metabolic Syndrome
By KER Staff · June 26, 2012Nutritional management of horses with equine metabolic syndrome is important to reduce body fat and decrease the chances of laminitis.
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Carbohydrates in Equine Nutrition
By KER Staff · June 21, 2012There are a number of different types of carbohydrates in horse feed, and they vary considerably as to how well horses digest and utilize each one.
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What to Feed a Laminitic, Insulin-Resistant Pony
By KER Staff · June 15, 2012What can I feed my laminitic, insulin-resistant pony mare?
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Insulin Resistance and Fertility in a Mare
By KER Staff · May 28, 2012I have a mare with insulin resistance, and I am having trouble getting her in foal. What can I do?
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Keep an Eye on Calcium Balance
By KER Staff · May 15, 2012Although extreme calcium imbalances are seen less today than in the past, the introduction of foreign subtropical grasses has meant that horse owners have another danger spot to look out for when investigating potential horse pastures.
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The Effects of Glucosamine on Glucose Metabolism
By KER Staff · April 12, 2012Glucosamine is a commonly used supplement for osteoarthritis in both humans and horses. Does administration of oral glucosamine, such as that found in joint supplements, affect glucose metabolism?
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The Use of Psyllium for Insulin Resistance
By KER Staff · March 27, 2012In the horse world, psyllium is the product of choice to prevent sand colic, but little else in known about its usefulness. However, physicians often recommended psyllium for humans with diabetes because it moderates glucose response and insulin release. Because the focus of psyllium use in horses centers around its use in sand colic, little is known about its effect on insulin sensitivity.
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Carbohydrate Digestibility in Horses
By KER Staff · March 21, 2012Carbohydrates are a key source of energy for horses, but feeding them must be done thoughtfully as flooding the gastrointestinal tract may result in health risks such as hindgut acidosis, colic, and laminitis.
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Homemade Diet for PSSM Mare
By KER Staff · March 7, 2012Is there a homemade diet I can make for my mare diagnosed with PSSM?
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Glycemic Index Among Horse Feeds
By KER Staff · February 2, 2012Glycemic index is a system used to rank carbohydrates based on their effect on blood glucose levels. The system compares available carbohydrates in individual feedstuffs, providing a numerical, evidence-based index of the level of glucose in the blood after a meal.
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Assessing the Malnourished Horse
By KER Staff · January 27, 2012When a malnourished horse is presented for nutritional rehabilitation, the person who is caring for the horse should make a full assessment of the horse’s condition.
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The Importance of Magnesium in Horse Diets
By KER Staff · December 29, 2011Magnesium is a vital macromineral, and it is becoming increasingly recommended by veterinarians for various treatments in the horse. So why do horses require magnesium, and how does it fit for therapeutic use?
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Feeding Beet Pulp Pellets
By KER Staff · December 21, 2011Can you tell me the best way to feed beet pulp, especially if shredded is not available?
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Is Fit or Fat Best for Breeding Mares?
By KER Staff · November 22, 2011Though every mare should be managed individually with her specific needs in mind, a few general recommendations can be made.
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Ration Balancers for Horses: Just the Basics
By KER Staff · November 11, 2011Balancer pellets pack a punch, with protein content between 25 and 35%, as well as concentrated minerals and vitamins.
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Hay Databases with Sugar Content
By KER Staff · November 7, 2011Is there a resource that compares all grasses and legumes commonly fed in the U.S., complete with nutritional values and glycemic indexes?
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Saddlebred with History of Laminitis Needs More Energy
By KER Staff · October 25, 2011My 16-year-old American Saddlebred had an episode of laminitis a year ago. I want him to have more energy but not be out of control. What can I do?
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Feeding After the Finish Line
By KER Staff · October 24, 2011Retired racehorses can present some nutritional challenges to their new owners. While no single approach will be the magic solution for every horse, some general guidelines can help your recently retired athlete flourish.
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Feeding Endurance Horses: Competition Day
By KER Staff · October 20, 2011Here’s how to plan your endurance ride competition day so that your horse has the best chance, from a nutritional management standpoint, of giving you his maximal performance when the time comes.
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Feeding Draft Horses
By KER Staff · October 17, 2011A common nutritional problem encountered in easy-keeping drafts is undersupplementation of key nutrients in their diets. If they are on a low-grain or forage-only diet, they are likely receiving inadequate quantities of vitamins, minerals, and possibly protein.
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Effect of Diet on Insulin Resistance Studied
By KER Staff · October 6, 2011Researchers hypothesized that a base diet of oat hay would improve insulin sensitivity compared to a diet that would produce a more marked insulin response due to the addition of glucose.
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Cresty Necks in Horses: Possible Physical Sign of Metabolic Issue
By KER Staff · October 4, 2011Researchers assign a cresty neck score (CNS) to describe degree of fat deposition and to monitor changes in neck thickness.
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Slowing Feed Intake Might Reduce Insulin Spikes
By KER Staff · October 3, 2011The method by which you deliver your horse’s meals could affect insulin concentrations, and this could be valuable for horses with insulin resistance.
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Autumn Grass Poses Risk for Laminitic Horses
By KER Staff · September 19, 2011Horse owners know to be cautious when allowing horses access to lush green pasture in the spring. But that tired-looking autumn grass can be just as dangerous for some animals at risk of laminitis.
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Muscle Atrophy in Horses
By KER Staff · September 16, 2011When muscle atrophy occurs, the primary concerns to a horse owner are whether the muscle will regenerate and how to treat the horse to help it recover.
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Equine Metabolic Syndrome
By KER Staff · September 16, 2011The syndrome was first described in 2002 and has many similarities to a comparable condition in humans. For years, veterinarians had recognized that obese young horses were at risk of developing laminitis but only fairly recently has this association been further investigated.
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Drylots for Horses
By KER Staff · September 15, 2011As understanding of laminitis and metabolic issues increases among horse owners, drylots are becoming more commonplace on farms.
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Supplements for Horses with Equine Metabolic Syndrome Researched
By KER Staff · September 12, 2011Summary of several research studies on magnesium and chromium for horses with equine metabolic syndrome.
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Why Isn’t My Horse Gaining Weight?
By KER Staff · August 25, 2011It seems like your thin horse is constantly eating, but he just doesn’t seem to hold any weight. What might be going on?
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Feeding Warmblood Horses
By KER Staff · August 16, 2011Two important considerations when feeding warmbloods are carefully regulating growth in young horses and maintaining moderate body condition in adults.
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Genetics of Laminitis in Ponies Studied
By KER Staff · August 12, 2011Researchers examined the heritability of grass founder in an inbred herd of Welsh and Dartmoor ponies.
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Feeding Ponies
By KER Staff · August 4, 2011The basic principles of feeding horses can be applied to ponies, but there are a few simple points to consider.
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Horses on Pasture: When to Graze
By KER Staff · August 4, 2011While many horses can still graze day after day without developing problems, some classes of horses should have limited pasture access to avoid the serious metabolic upsets triggered by consumption of the sugars in fresh grass.
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Feeding Old Horses
By KER Staff · July 25, 2011Some old horses can be fed like their middle-aged peers. Others, particularly those with health problems, need special nutritional care.
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Feeding the Older Horse
By KER Staff · July 8, 2011Dietary fiber is the most important consideration when designing a diet for old horses, particularly those with dental problems.
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Managing Equine Metabolic Syndrome
By KER Staff · June 9, 2011Both diet and exercise are included in a management plan for horses with EMS.
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Fulfilling Forage Needs of Equine Metabolic Syndrome
By KER Staff · June 3, 2011Appropriate forages must be selected for horses diagnosed with a metabolic problem. Forages low in nonstructural carbohydrates are typically the best choices for this subset of horses.
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Does Your Horse Really Need A Low-Starch Diet?
By KER Staff · May 4, 2011Low-starch feeds are not appropriate for every horse. Certain groups of horses require starch for optimal performance, so what lies behind the current low-starch craze?
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Iodine Supplementation in a Broodmare with Hypothyroidism
By KER Staff · May 3, 2011<p> Is it safe to give a broodmare supplemental iodine such as kelp or seaweed?</p>
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Horses Needed for Equine Metabolic Syndrome Study
By KER Staff · April 25, 2011Researchers from several universities are collaborating on a study to investigate the occurrence and genetic pattern of equine metabolic syndrome.
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Supplements for the Endurance Horse
By KER Staff · March 31, 2011Supplements may help to fill in the gaps by providing certain nutrients required by the endurance horse.
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Laminitis in Miniature Donkeys
By KER Staff · March 23, 2011<p> How prone are miniature donkeys to laminitis?</p>
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Help for Fat Horses
By KER Staff · March 15, 2011If you have an equine that seems to get fat just by breathing, you know it can be hard to manage his diet.
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Fit to be Tied: Part Three
By KER Staff · March 9, 2011Polysaccharide storage myopathy is a glycogen (muscle sugar) storage disorder that is characterized by the accumulation of an abnormal polysaccharide in muscle.
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Fit to be Tied: Part Two
By KER Staff · March 7, 2011In the second part of a three-part series, another form of tying-up, recurrent exertional rhabdomyolysis (RER) is discussed in detail.
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Fit to be Tied: Part One
By KER Staff · March 2, 2011Tying-up is a generic term commonly used to describe muscle disease in performance horses. Other terms often used interchangeably with tyingup include exertional rhabdomyolysis, azoturia, and Monday morning sickness.
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Body Condition Scoring
By KER Staff · February 9, 2011Keeping a horse at its optimum body condition will help to ensure the horse can perform the work that is asked of it.
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Horse Weight Loss: Environmental Factors
By KER Staff · February 8, 2011Numerous causes can account for a horse's inability to maintain weight aside from not consuming sufficient calories.
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Horse Weight Often Underestimated
By KER Staff · February 4, 2011A horse's weight is an important statistic for horse owners, managers, and veterinarians to know when formulating a diet or medication dosage for the animal.
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Feeding to Avoid Laminitis
By KER Staff · January 24, 2011One of the simplest ways to help manage metabolic diseases in horses is through dietary manipulation.
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Assessing Energy Balance
By KER Staff · January 20, 2011Knowing a horse's body weight doesn't tell us if that is the best body weight for that horse
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Free Equine Metabolic Syndrome Webinar Jan. 25
By KER Staff · January 19, 2011Equine metabolic syndrome refers to a condition in which an inappropriate insulin reaction occurs after a horse consumes carbohydrate-rich hay or feed. So how do you feed these horses without setting them up for a crisis?
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Equine Nutritionist Q&A: Slimming Down a Cresty Neck
By KER Staff · January 17, 2011<p> How can I slim down my horse's cresty neck?</p>
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Roping Horses Tying-Up on Forage Pellets with Added Corn
By KER Staff · January 11, 2011<p> What can I feed my roping horses that are tying-up?</p>
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Insulin Resistance in Horses
By KER Staff · December 20, 2010Insulin resistance (IR) is defined as reduced sensitivity to insulin that results in increased insulin release and/or decreased activity of insulin.
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PSSM in a Belgian Gelding: Enough Fat?
By KER Staff · December 15, 2010<p> Is he getting sufficient fat to help his PSSM or should I add more fat in the form of corn oil?</p>
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A Pony is Every Inch an Equine
By KER Staff · December 1, 2010Although an exact definition may be elusive, most people know a pony when they see one. What comes to mind is an animal that is smaller and often somewhat more heavy-bodied for its size than a horse.
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Obesity is Dangerous
By KER Staff · November 30, 2010Obesity in horses is a dangerous condition that can be linked to a variety of health problems.
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Bulking Up
By KER Staff · June 20, 2010Increasing the body mass of horses through weight gain is a particularly timely topic because more horses are turning up in rescue situations and a clear understanding of weight gain and changes in body condition are warranted.
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Weight Calculation
By KER Staff · February 15, 2010Don't know how much your horse weighs? Here's a formula from Equus that may give you a rough idea.
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Equine Nutritionist Q&A: Prevent Tying Up in Horses
By KER Staff · January 24, 2010<p> Is there anything you can feed that would prevent or greatly reduce the risk of tying up, and are there any feeding regimes that could cause tying up?</p>
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Equine Nutritionist Q&A: Nutrients without Calories
By KER Staff · January 24, 2010<p> Can you suggest a feed or supplement that I can give my horse so I can be sure she's getting all the vitamins and minerals she needs?</p>
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Diagnosing Equine Metabolic Syndrome
By KER Staff · January 21, 2010Most horses affected with equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) are overweight and have abnormal fat deposits that include a cresty neck, fat around the tailhead that makes the tail look inset into the body, and fat pads around the shoulder, sheath, or udder.
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Equine Nutrition Q&A: Adding Weight Without Laminitis
By KER Staff · January 21, 2010<p> Are there other ways to put weight on my gelding without risking laminitis?</p>
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Equine Nutritionist Q&A: Low-Starch Feeds
By KER Staff · October 27, 2009<p> Does my horse need a low-starch feed?</p>
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Equine Metabolism Woes
By KER Staff · September 15, 2009EMS is one of several disorders affecting horses that is either triggered or aggravated by excessive starch and sugar intake.
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Body Condition of Sport Horses
By KER Staff · October 25, 2008Equine nutritionists and researchers are uncovering interesting trends related to body condition and metabolic conditions, some of which directly relate to whether certain sport horses are as susceptible to metabolic conditions as horses that are exercised from time to time or not at all.
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Turning Your Horse Out to Pasture
By KER Staff · October 21, 2008It's worthwhile to cater to the horse's nature by making turnout part of his daily schedule.
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Putting the Brakes on Horse Weight Gain
By KER Staff · September 16, 2008Every horseman has seen, at one time or another, the telltale signs of a thin horse.
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Relieving Metabolic Problems
By KER Staff · September 15, 2008Knowing what to feed, and in what amount, is often the key to overcoming metabolic disorders.
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Revisit Feeding Strategies as Horses Age
By KER Staff · November 10, 2007The care and management of old horses has been the focus of much scrutiny of late. The reason is obvious: horses are living much longer than they once did, and horsemen needed to know how to offer appropriate care.
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Questions about Insulin Resistance
By KER Staff · October 25, 2007Insulin resistance occurs when the cells become less sensitive to insulin, thereby limiting the uptake of glucose. When this occurs, more and more insulin is required to move glucose out of the bloodstream and into cells. When insulin resistance is severe enough, glucose accumulates in the blood, thus limiting the availability of energy to cells.
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Overweight Horses Face Multiple Health Risks
By KER Staff · October 21, 2007In a recent study conducted by the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine (VMRCVM) and the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences at Virginia Tech, 300 horses were examined between June and August of 2006. Of these, more than half (51%) were determined to be overweight or obese.
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Keeping Tabs on Carbs in Equine Diets
By KER Staff · November 17, 2005Can't live with them, can't live without them. Humans have been inundated with the supposed evils of carbohydrates. But what contributions-good or bad-do carbohydrates make to the equine diet? Must horsemen be mindful of counting carbs in their horses' diets? As with most topics in equine nutrition, the question cannot be answered with a simple yes or no.
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Refeeding the Starved Horse
By KER Staff · October 26, 2005A sound nutritional plan, along with careful attention from a handler, veterinarian, and farrier, can save many starved horses. Recovery may take several months, and during this time each horse must be evaluated and treated on an individual basis.
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Gear Up For Warm Weather
By KER Staff · November 2, 2004As the grass brightens from brown to green, the nutrient content of the plant changes considerably. Horses will undoubtedly relish the newfound forage, but care must be taken to allow only the amount of grazing time necessary to sustain optimal body weight. If horses are allowed unchecked access to spring grass, they can quickly become overweight. The perils of obesity include decreased stamina and a greater likelihood for unsoundness.
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Optimal Body Condition Scores for Breeding Mares
By KER Staff · November 4, 2003Evaluating the body condition of pregnant mares may become more difficult during late gestation, as the combined weight of the fetus and amniotic fluid may pull the skin tightly over the vertebral column and ribcage. Therefore, it's best to place emphasis on other key areas: along the withers, behind the shoulder, and around the tailhead.
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Nutrition for Horses with Metabolic Disorders
By KER Staff · January 10, 2002Proper nutrition is extremely important in managing horses with metabolic disorders. Regulating the amount and type of feed, with special attention to carbohydrates, allows many horses to show minimal disease signs, maintain healthy body condition, stay comfortable, and safely perform exercise.
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Putting Weight on a Skinny Horse
By KER Staff · November 3, 2000Some horses are metabolically inclined to be hard keepers while others have medical, psychological or environmental reasons for having difficulty in maintaining weight.
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Why Is This Horse So Skinny?
By KER Staff · November 3, 2000Insufficient caloric intake is the primary cause of failure to maintain sufficient body condition in horses. A variety of reasons may account for caloric deficiency. Some are easy to pinpoint and simple to address, such as parasite loads or teeth problems. Others are impossible to diagnose without euthanizing the horse and performing a necropsy. Physical problems of the digestive tract account for many of these problems, but there may be psychological and environmental reasons as well.
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Nutritionist Q&A: Fats
By KER Staff · September 15, 1998Do we have adequate research and understanding of what the impact of high-fat diets might be to their metabolism or to their overall physical development?
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