Category Archives: Feeding Management

Horse Feed: More Than Just Percentages

Horse owners frequently compare feeds based primarily on the information on the feed tag or supporting data from web sites.  While this is a quick comparison to make, it may not always be the best comparison.  Why, you ask? Well, what is …

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Posted in Feed Costs, Feeding Management, Horse Nutrition, Supplements
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Unbalancing a Balanced Horse Feed Diet

I was helping a colleague do a horse nutrition training seminar the other day and the question came up “Is it okay to supplement a commercial feed?” Specifically, this person was feeding half oats and half SafeChoice to her horse. …

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Posted in Changing Horse Feed, Feeding Management, Horse Feed, Horse Nutrition
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When Should I Feed a Complete Horse Feed?

A complete feed is a fortified grain/forage mix that is formulated with high quality fiber sources to raise the total percent fiber in the feed, so that reduced hay feeding can be done safely. Some fiber sources in complete feeds include …

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Posted in Changing Horse Feed, Feeding Management, Hay/Pasture, Senior Horses
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Managing The Horse With Cushing’s

The vet has diagnosed it and the reality begins to sink in – your horse has Cushing’s disease. Now what?  Cushing’s is an endocrine disease caused by a tumor on the pituitary gland that is most often seen in older horses and ponies. …

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Posted in Care and Management, Diseases and Disorders, Feeding Management, Horse Feed, Horse Nutrition, Senior Horses
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Feeding “George”: A Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy (PSSM) Horse

Previously, I introduced you to George, my ‘Heinz-57’ PSSM positive horse.  Though his test results came back positive for Type 1 PSSM, his diagnosis does not mean his athletic career is over. With some diligence and routine, George is able …

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Posted in Care and Management, Changing Horse Feed, Diseases and Disorders, Feeding Management, Horse Feed, Starches & Carbohydrates
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Meet “George”: A Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy (PSSM) Horse

I’m proud to introduce you to George, a “Heinz-57” draft cross, and my current equine partner.  He is the result of a ½ Thoroughbred, ½ Percheron (dam) x ½ Hanoverian, ½ Paint horse (sire). I’ve had the privilege of knowing …

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Posted in Care and Management, Diseases and Disorders, Feeding Management
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B-Vitamins in Horse Diets

Water soluble vitamins, which are the b-vitamins such a niacin, thiamine, folic acid, and many others, are excreted from the body on a daily basis in the urine.  B-complex vitamins play an important part in allowing horses to metabolize the nutrients …

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Posted in Feeding Management, Horse Feed, Horse Nutrition
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Feeding Tips for Stall Rest

Regardless of the diagnosis, when stall rest is on the treatment list, adjusting your feeding program to match your horse’s lack of activity can improve the experience for both you and your horse. Whether recovering from an injury, surgery, or other, …

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Posted in Care and Management, Changing Horse Feed, Feeding Management, Horse Feed, How To
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Using Hay Replacers for Horses

When times of severe draught or other weather phenomenon result in poor quality or availability of pastures and hay, horse owners often turn to complete feeds (i.e. feeds that contain a full diet of roughage, protein, vitamins, minerals, and other …

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Posted in Feed Costs, Feeding Management, Hay/Pasture, Weather-Related Feeding
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Vitamin K in Horse Diets

Vitamin K is one of the fat-soluble vitamins, meaning it can be stored up in the body. The main function of this vitamin is for blood clotting to occur, which we all know is critical to our accident-prone horses! The …

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Posted in Feeding Management, Horse Feed, Horse Nutrition
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