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Prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of leg lameness

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The Many Faces of Equine Metabolic Syndrome

Unveiling what EMD and ID really look like.

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Post-Foaling Red Flags
HERDA 20 Years Later
Strangles: An Old Disease in a Modern World
Before She Foals: Managing Broodmares
Beneath the Hoof Wall: Soft Tissues Injuries of the Equine Foot

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Forage-Only Diets and The Equine Gut Microbiome

September 28, 2023
Posted by Haylie Kerstetter

Madeline Boast explains why you might need to provide supplements for horses on a forage-only diet to maintain a healthy equine gut microbiome.

Topics: Digestive System, Hay, Media, Nutrition, Nutrition Basics, Podcasts, Supplements

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horses eating hay from feeder — Photo: iStock

A forage-only diet can benefit some horses due to its simplicity and ability to provide a variety of essential nutrients. Madeline Boast, an independent equine nutritionist based in Canada, explains why some horses on a forage-only diet might need additional supplementation to support a healthy equine gut microbiome.

This podcast is an excerpt of our Ask TheHorse Live Q&A, “Maintaining the Equine Gut Microbiome.” Listen to the full recording here.

About the Expert

Madeline Boast

Madeline Boast completed her master’s in Equine Nutrition at the University of Guelph and started an independent nutrition company known as Balanced Bay. She has worked with a variety of equids—from Miniature Ponies to competing Thoroughbreds. Boast designs customized balanced nutrition plans that prioritize equine well-being, both for optimal performance and solving complex nutritional issues and everything between.

Written by:

Haylie Kerstetter

Haylie Kerstetter, Digital Editor, holds a degree in equine studies with a concentration in communications and a minor in social media marketing. She is a Pennsylvania native and, as a horse owner herself, has a passion for helping owners provide the best care for their horses. When she is not writing or in the barn, she is spending time with her dog, Clementine.