Trainers, owners, and researchers have long pondered the effects of a large heart (one that is naturally occurring and not a result of disease), and have even attempted to use heart size as a predictor of athletic ability.
The question: If omega-3 fatty acids benefit human health, can they provide similar benefits for horses? Although there have been only a handful of omega-3 studies for the horse, here’s what we do know, and what researchers are hoping to find out.
Glance through nearly any newspaper or magazine, and you’re bound to see ads proclaiming the health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids in the human diet. Interest in the topic is keen: Studies in humans and other species have found omega-3 fatty acids
A Canadian study evaluating oral equine glucosamine supplements found glucosamine levels didn’t always meet product label claims. Additionally, based on dosing recommendations and actual glucosamine content, the recommended maintenance dosage (1
Some horses present special challenges, such as being too thin, too fat, or sick. Some horses are finicky and are hard to keep weight on, especially when working. The first option is to increase the feed’s energy density by adding grain or fat to the
As the result of a recent quality systems audit, the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) has conferred an “A” rating and Quality Seal on Platinum Performance, Inc. The NASC is an industry group dedicated to protecting and enhancing the
A balanced vitamin supplement may best provide the additional needed vitamins. However, once again, it is important not to overestimate the intensity of exercise and competition your horse performs so that you do not oversupplement with potentially h
Hot, dry Tucson, Ariz., doesn’t conjure up images of equine nutrition research, but leading animal scientists convened there May 31-June 4 to present their latest findings on a variety of equine science topics. The following article highlights
Study results indicate horses with equine lower motor disease (EMND) had an increased glucose metabolism rate.
Managing and caring for a persistently underweight horse can be difficult and frustrating for the owner and/or caretaker.
Drought causes pastures to dry up, weeds to flourish, and horses to get thin without supplemental feeding. But there are other things going on in your fields that you need to know about in order to protect your horses from problems such as
In the past several years there has been an explosion of supplements marketed as protecting and maintaining joint health.
Oregon implemented a provisional equine feed label law on June 1 that would allow feed manufacturers to add non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) to the list of nutrient requirements already found on feed bags in that state. Adding NSC to the feed
It probably comes as no surprise that a horse taking on the rigors of a 100-mile endurance race or a three-day event might need a different diet from one that ambles the trails around home or carries a child through the occasional weekend show. The
Arthritis is a problem, but often a manageable one. A combination of management practices, which might include oral joint supplements, will be your best chance of making your horse more comfortable.
SmartPak Equine announced May 23 that it has received a 2005 Innovation Award from the Smaller Business Association of New England. SmartPak, best known for offering custom-packed nutritional supplements in its patented SmartPak packaging, is th
Stay on top of the most recent Horse Health news with
