Equine Using Digestible Energy to Compare Commercial Feed Products An important measure of a horse feed’s value is its energy content. Energy content or energy density determines how much feed must be fed to meet the horse’s
Equine Q&A with PHN: Bran Q: What are the benefits and drawbacks of feeding wheat bran mash to horses? A: A wheat bran mash can consist of several ingredients. The ingredients most often included are
Equine Developing an Ideal Topline The shape of a horse's back can vary greatly from horse to horse. The topline of the horse includes the muscles over the withers, back, loin (or coupling), and croup.
Equine Chelated Minerals Minerals are vital to health. They are the building blocks that make up muscles, tissues, and bones. They also are important components of many life-supporting systems and activities, and they
Equine Esophageal Obstruction, “Choke” Have you ever been to a restaurant and choked on your food? This experience causes panic since you are unable to talk or breathe. Food has become trapped in your
Equine Omega 3 & 6 Fatty Acids for Horses Advertisements for both human and animal health focus on the use of Omega-3 supplements, usually containing flaxseed meal, vegetable oil, or fish oil. Studies in humans have found many health
Equine Hay 101: Matching the Right Forage with your Horse's Nutrient Needs Forage (fiber) from pasture and/or hay is the predominant ingredient in the diet for most horses. The digestive system of a horse requires forage to function properly. Horses that
Equine Q&A with PHN: Hay Q: Does hay lose its nutritional value while in storage? A: Hay begins to lose its nutritional value at the time of cutting and continues to lose nutrients both while
Nutrients & Ingredients Vitamin E: Synthetic or Natural? Vitamin E (tocopherol) is an important fat-soluble vitamin that plays several roles in the body. Its most important role is as an antioxidant that works closely with its partners Selenium
Nutrients & Ingredients Fiber Utilization in Horses It is widely known that forage is the most important part of any horse's diet. Many of the nutrients in forages must be released from the plant material via digestion
Weight Management Chronic Weight Loss in Horses Weight loss is simply a result of more calories being used by the body than are being consumed. There are several potential causes of chronic weight loss in horses. These
Nutrients & Ingredients Simple Protein Calculations We often compare feeds by percent protein, but what does this mean in the diet?
Equine Liver Disorder in Horses The liver is an organ that performs numerous functions, including metabolizing carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. It also breaks down and excretes many potentially toxic compounds. The liver has a large
Nutrients & Ingredients Probiotics and Prebiotics: What and Why? Horses have a unique digestive system. The front portion of the digestive system, the stomach and small intestine, utilize enzyme digestion to break down food material. The back portion of
Equine Feeding Horses in Cold Temperatures Several environmental conditions affect horses in the winter: Horses decrease feed intake in cold AND windy weather – seek shelter Snow accumulation greater than 3 inches covers grass, decreases intake of
Equine Forage: How Much Do I Need to Feed Over the Winter? Forage is critical for horses especially during the winter months. As the microbes in the hindgut breakdown fiber to create energy they also create heat which can serve to help
