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• Glycemic Index Among Horse Feeds

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · February 2, 2012

  Glycemic 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.

• Assessing the Malnourished Horse

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · January 27, 2012

  When 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.

• The Importance of Magnesium in Horse Diets

  By Dr. Kathleen Crandell · December 29, 2011

  Magnesium 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?

• Is Fit or Fat Best for Breeding Mares?

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · November 22, 2011

  Though every mare should be managed individually with her specific needs in mind, a few general recommendations can be made.

• Ration Balancers for Horses: Just the Basics

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · November 11, 2011

  Balancer pellets pack a punch, with protein content between 25 and 35%, as well as concentrated minerals and vitamins.

• Feeding After the Finish Line

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · October 24, 2011

  Retired 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.

• Feeding Endurance Horses: Competition Day

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · October 20, 2011

  Here’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.

• Feeding Draft Horses

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · October 17, 2011

  A 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.

• Effect of Diet on Insulin Resistance Studied

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · October 6, 2011

  Researchers 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.

• Cresty Necks in Horses: Possible Physical Sign of Metabolic Issue

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · October 4, 2011

  Researchers assign a cresty neck score (CNS) to describe degree of fat deposition and to monitor changes in neck thickness.

• Slowing Feed Intake Might Reduce Insulin Spikes

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · October 3, 2011

  The method by which you deliver your horse’s meals could affect insulin concentrations, and this could be valuable for horses with insulin resistance.

• Autumn Grass Poses Risk for Laminitic Horses

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · September 19, 2011

  Horse 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.

• Muscle Atrophy in Horses

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · September 16, 2011

  When 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.

• Equine Metabolic Syndrome

  By Dr. Bryan Waldridge · September 16, 2011

  The 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.

• Drylots for Horses

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · September 15, 2011

  As understanding of laminitis and metabolic issues increases among horse owners, drylots are becoming more commonplace on farms.

• Supplements for Horses with Equine Metabolic Syndrome Researched

  By Dr. Peter Huntington · September 12, 2011

  Summary of several research studies on magnesium and chromium for horses with equine metabolic syndrome.

• Why Isn’t My Horse Gaining Weight?

  By Dr. Clarissa Brown-Douglas · August 25, 2011

  It seems like your thin horse is constantly eating, but he just doesn’t seem to hold any weight. What might be going on?

• Feeding Warmblood Horses

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · August 16, 2011

  Two important considerations when feeding warmbloods are carefully regulating growth in young horses and maintaining moderate body condition in adults.

• Genetics of Laminitis in Ponies Studied

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · August 12, 2011

  Researchers examined the heritability of grass founder in an inbred herd of Welsh and Dartmoor ponies.

• Feeding Ponies

  By Dr. Clarissa Brown-Douglas · August 4, 2011

  The basic principles of feeding horses can be applied to ponies, but there are a few simple points to consider.

• Horses on Pasture: When to Graze

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · August 4, 2011

  While 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.

• Feeding Old Horses

  By Dr. Joe Pagan · July 25, 2011

  Some old horses can be fed like their middle-aged peers. Others, particularly those with health problems, need special nutritional care.

• Feeding the Older Horse

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · July 8, 2011

  Dietary fiber is the most important consideration when designing a diet for old horses, particularly those with dental problems.

• Managing Equine Metabolic Syndrome

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · June 9, 2011

  Both diet and exercise are included in a management plan for horses with EMS.

• Fulfilling Forage Needs of Equine Metabolic Syndrome

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · June 3, 2011

  Appropriate 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.

• Does Your Horse Really Need A Low-Starch Diet?

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · May 4, 2011

  Low-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?

• Horses Needed for Equine Metabolic Syndrome Study

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · April 25, 2011

  Researchers from several universities are collaborating on a study to investigate the occurrence and genetic pattern of equine metabolic syndrome.

• Supplements for the Endurance Horse

  By Dr. Kathleen Crandell · March 31, 2011

  Supplements may help to fill in the gaps by providing certain nutrients required by the endurance horse.

• Help for Fat Horses

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · March 15, 2011

  If you have an equine that seems to get fat just by breathing, you know it can be hard to manage his diet.

• Fit to be Tied: Part Three

  By Drs. Peter Huntington and Stephanie Valberg · March 9, 2011

  Polysaccharide storage myopathy is a glycogen (muscle sugar) storage disorder that is characterized by the accumulation of an abnormal polysaccharide in muscle.

• Fit to be Tied: Part Two

  By Drs. Peter Huntington and Stephanie Valberg · March 7, 2011

  In the second part of a three-part series, another form of tying-up, recurrent exertional rhabdomyolysis (RER) is discussed in detail.

• Fit to be Tied: Part One

  By Drs. Peter Huntington and Stephanie Valberg · March 2, 2011

  Tying-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.

• Body Condition Scoring

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · February 9, 2011

  Keeping a horse at its optimum body condition will help to ensure the horse can perform the work that is asked of it.

• Horse Weight Loss: Environmental Factors

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · February 8, 2011

  Numerous causes can account for a horse's inability to maintain weight aside from not consuming sufficient calories.

• Horse Weight Often Underestimated

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · February 4, 2011

  A 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.

• Feeding to Avoid Laminitis

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · January 24, 2011

  One of the simplest ways to help manage metabolic diseases in horses is through dietary manipulation.

• Assessing Energy Balance

  By Dr. Laurie Lawrence · January 20, 2011

  Knowing a horse's body weight doesn't tell us if that is the best body weight for that horse

• Free Equine Metabolic Syndrome Webinar Jan. 25

  By Press Release · January 19, 2011

  Equine 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?

• Insulin Resistance in Horses

  By Dr. Bryan Waldridge · December 20, 2010

  Insulin resistance (IR) is defined as reduced sensitivity to insulin that results in increased insulin release and/or decreased activity of insulin.

• A Pony is Every Inch an Equine

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · December 1, 2010

  Although 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.

• Obesity is Dangerous

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · November 30, 2010

  Obesity in horses is a dangerous condition that can be linked to a variety of health problems.

• Bulking Up

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · June 20, 2010

  Increasing 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.

• Weight Calculation

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · February 15, 2010

  Don't know how much your horse weighs? Here's a formula from Equus that may give you a rough idea.

• Diagnosing Equine Metabolic Syndrome

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · January 21, 2010

  Most 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.

• Equine Metabolism Woes

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · September 15, 2009

  EMS is one of several disorders affecting horses that is either triggered or aggravated by excessive starch and sugar intake.

• Body Condition of Sport Horses

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · October 25, 2008

  Equine 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.

• Turning Your Horse Out to Pasture

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · October 21, 2008

  It's worthwhile to cater to the horse's nature by making turnout part of his daily schedule.

• Putting the Brakes on Horse Weight Gain

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · September 16, 2008

  Every horseman has seen, at one time or another, the telltale signs of a thin horse.

• Relieving Metabolic Problems

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · September 15, 2008

  Knowing what to feed, and in what amount, is often the key to overcoming metabolic disorders.

• Revisit Feeding Strategies as Horses Age

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · November 10, 2007

  The 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.

• Questions about Insulin Resistance

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · October 25, 2007

  Insulin 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.

• Overweight Horses Face Multiple Health Risks

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · October 21, 2007

  In 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.

• Keeping Tabs on Carbs in Equine Diets

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · November 17, 2005

  Can'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.

• Refeeding the Starved Horse

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · October 26, 2005

  A 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.

• Gear Up For Warm Weather

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · November 2, 2004

  As 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.

• Optimal Body Condition Scores for Breeding Mares

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · November 4, 2003

  Evaluating 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.

• Nutrition for Horses with Metabolic Disorders

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · January 10, 2002

  Proper 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.

• Putting Weight on a Skinny Horse

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · November 3, 2000

  Some horses are metabolically inclined to be hard keepers while others have medical, psychological or environmental reasons for having difficulty in maintaining weight.

• Why Is This Horse So Skinny?

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · November 3, 2000

  Insufficient 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.

• Nutritionist Q&A: Fats

  By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · September 15, 1998

  Do 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?