Your horse’s veterinarian or a qualified equine nutritionist will know the questions to ask to gather the information needed to make an informed decision. | Photo: iStock

This, though, is a cautionary tale because now, as always, I see owners seeking nutrition-related advice online, and as I read the responses my heart sinks. The posts start off something like “I have a 15.1-hand Quarter Horse gelding that needs to gain weight, and I’m wondering what I should feed him?” Or, “My 16.2-hand Thoroughbred mare has become tense and jumpy when I ride outside the arena. Is there anything I could feed that would help her be more ridable?”

What typically follows is often 10s if not hundreds of responses: “Feed him senior … feed him some rice bran and beet pulp … feed him more hay … add some soybean meal … feed her oil … feed her beet pulp … feed her A-B-C herbal supplement for mares … feed her X-Y-Z calming supplement … stop feeding her grain,” and the posts go on.

Some of this advice might work. But here’s my problem: The original posts don’t include nearly enough information for responders to be able to provide any sort of informed recommendations. Therefore, much of the advice given is possibly way off-base