Farm To Stable: An Equine Nutrition Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode, I'll give some general tips for helping a horse gain weight. As winter gives way to spring, it is not unusual for horse owners and managers to notice that an animal has lost weight in the colder months. Also, weight may be needed to support additional training or performance. Whatever the reason, there are few simple things to begin with.

Link to Body Condition Score Card (Texas A&M University): https://vetmed.tamu.edu/files/vetmed/vmth/laminitis/Equine_Body_Condition_Scoring.pdf

Video about how to body condition score a horse: https://youtu.be/bq0ZXnSlsNQ?si=C-FmKaO5c9uCofxq

Link for forage analysis services: https://equi-analytical.com/

Here in North America, the temperatures are slowly getting warmer, and grass is growing faster and faster. For many horses, that means a transition from winter hay to spring pasture. As with anything, such a change requires time to minimize the risk of digestive upset, and should not be done suddenly. This week the discussion focuses on some general tips whether you have lush pastures growing, a small amount of pasture or only a dry lot. Some additional resources are here from:

Penn State University: https://extension.psu.edu/transitioning-horses-to-spring-grazing

University of Guelph: https://ovcpetnutrition.uoguelph.ca/2021/03/11/transitioning-your-horse-from-hay-to-grass-safely-this-spring/

These are quick reads with some easy to follow guidelines for transitioning to spring pasture. Thanks for listening!

Episode Art Photo Graphic from the University of Guelph Factsheet, link posted above.

What does it mean for a horse to be "metabolic?" We'll talk about that this week, particularly the difference between Equine Cushing's Disease and Equine Metabolic Syndrome. I'll give some very general tips to keep in mind for feeding horses with metabolic concerns and explain why. There's a LOT to unpack this week, so get ready for a ton of information!

Colic is a general term for abdominal pain, and colic is the top killer of horses. While there is nothing we can do to prevent colic 100%, there are some dietary and management steps we can take to help reduce the risk. Tune in and

As the temperature drops outside, it is important to ensure that a horse has enough energy to stay warm. Did you know that horses have their own internal heaters? Listen in this week as I discuss how it works, how to properly (and safely) feed your horse to support warmth and of course, dispel a few myths.

In this episode, I'll describe what hay steamers do and how they differ from soaking hay. If you have a horse with respiratory concerns, be sure to listen up! Thanks to Brian in AZ for this listener-suggested topic.

In this episode, we'll talk about one of my favorite groups of horses to work with, seniors! Many people ask the question, "At what age is my horse considered a senior?" and the answer is not so black and white. This week the discussion talks about how horses age as individuals, what differences can arise and some key takeaways for ensuring a healthy diet to support the aging horse. We've only scratched the surface, but it's a fun and easy to follow introduction to thinking about advancing age in horses.

Reading a feed tag can be confusing, especially if you're comparing two products with a similar guaranteed analysis but very different price points. What do the things on the label mean? Listen in for a breakdown of the basics of interpreting a feed tag.

This week we'll talk about blanketing, cold weather and how it can affect a horse's dietary energy needs. With so many options from clipping to not clipping, blankets to no blankets, what's a horse person to do? For some tips and advice, listen in. Of course we'll talk about how nutrition is involved as well.

For some additional reading, check out this Rutgers Cooperative Extension Fact Sheet I co-authored in graduate school with Dr. Carey Williams:

https://njaes.rutgers.edu/pubs/publication.php?pid=FS1081

I had more to say about beet pulp, and clear its name! More facts dropped this week on this super fiber, as well as some interesting tips about vitamin/mineral supplements. We'll also discuss some myths, and of course truths, about carbohydrates (always a hot topic!) Please join me as I bust more myths associated with feeding horses this week!