Editor’s note: This article is part of TheHorse.com’s ongoing coverage of topics presented at the 2012 Alltech Symposium, held May 21-23 in Lexington, Ky.

While some genetic disorders require very specialized management or even euthanasia, others can be managed at least partially via nutrition. During a presentation at the 2012 Alltech Symposium, held May 21-23 in Lexington, Ky., one researcher gave an inside look at how diet can help control some genetic problems.

"Equine practice has recently embraced nutrigenomics, in which a horse’s nutritional requirements are tailored to its individual genetic make-up," explained Stephanie Valberg, DVM, PhD, director of the University of Minnesota Equine Center. She discussed two disorders that can be managed nutritionally–polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM) and hyperkalemic periodic paralysis (HYPP)–with attendees