A performance horse’s diet must supply all the energy to remain at his best. But achieving that can be easier said than done. Here’s what to remember.
You should understand several factors—including age and use of the horse, season, species of pasture grass, pasture management practices, and grazing time available—to best utilize pasture as a part of your horse’s nutritional program.
Learn about equine metabolic syndrome and its relationship to laminitis, recognizing and managing at-risk horses to prevent laminitis, and more with Dr. Raymond Geor of Michigan State University.
When feeding horses, two seemingly opposing aspects hold true: It’s a little bit of art, and a little bit of science. On one hand, tradition reigns supreme when it comes to horse feeding. Many techniques have been passed down from generation to
Marketing claims regarding the virtues of fat in equine diets are plentiful. Statements such as “Added dietary fat for improved performance,” “Increased stamina,” “Calm energy,” or “Improved coat and hoof condition” abound. Indeed, at times it i
Few dispute that nutrition is important for athletic performance in racehorses. However, I’d wager that there is much less agreement among horse owners, nutritionists, and veterinarians when asked to expound upon the “nitty gritty” of what works
Many of you are familiar with the respiratory condition known as “heaves,” also termed recurrent airway obstruction (RAO). Primarily caused by chronic exposure to dusts and molds in hay and bedding, heaves can cripple the function of a horse’s
Is your horse a “hard keeper?” If so, you are well aware of how difficult it is to maintain adequate or desirable body condition in this type of horse. The reality is that no two horses are the same when it comes to the amount of feed (and numbe
There seems to be little doubt that musculoskeletal injury–including injury to bones, joints, tendons, and ligaments–is a major problem for Thoroughbred racehorses. This impression has been borne out by studies of “wastage” in the racing
In human nutrition, carbohydrates or “carbs” have a bit of a bad name these days. A quick trip through the local book store or over the Internet leads us to believe that dietary carbohydrates are the source of all evil. When weight loss is the
Skeletal injuries–those involving bones and joints–are a major concern for all athletic horses. The usual outcome of these injuries is a lameness problem that hampers a horse’s training and competition program or, in some cases, is so severe
For horses engaged in regular conditioning and competition, an important consideration for overall health and fitness is the speed of recovery following hard workouts and competition exercise. A bout of exercise burns body fuel, results in loss
For a horse to perform well as an athlete, all body systems must be in good working order. When one or more systems “breaks down,” the horse is no longer able to perform up to his potential, and the owner, rider, and trainer will likely notice a
Regardless of whether your horse is used for high-level competition or weekend trail riding, it’s important that he be fit for the task. “Fitness” is a rather vague expression, but in general terms it can be defined as the ability to complete th
Last month, this column covered some of the basics in developing a physical conditioning program (see “Getting Your Horse in Shape” in the February 2002 issue of The Horse, article Quick Find #3263 at www.TheHorse.com). The
As spring approaches, visions of green grass, budding trees, and active wildlife might seem just around the corner for some. But for many of us, spring is but a dream, for we must endure a few more weeks of cold, snow, and ice-covered terrain.
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