It’s fly season and there is nothing more irritating than a barn full of flies zapping the energy right out of your horses. This episode covers feed through fly control options and extra management tips to make your horse’s life as fly-free as possible this summer!

Resources

• Here are some of Dr. Jyme’s favorite fly control options. Dr. Jyme receives no incentive, discount, or kickback from these brands, they are just products she personally uses and loves.

o Bobby G’s Fly Spray (chemical free)

o ShooFly Leggins

o Fly Free Boots

o Spalding Labs Fly Predators

o Starbar Fly Control Products

o Solitude IGR

You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowner!

….

If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@bluebonnetfeeds.com

Dr. Jyme Nichols is Director of Nutrition for Bluebonnet (formerly Bluebonnet Feeds and Stride Animal Health). For more information on these brands or a free virtual nutrition consult from our team just visit bluebonnetfeeds.com/nutrition-consult

The old saying “no hoof, no horse” couldn’t be more true. If you have ever found yourself in a situation with a horse that had foot issues, you quickly realize there isn’t much you can do with that horse from a work or athletic standpoint, you may be devoting hours/days/weeks/months to helping the horse heal, and sometimes the situation may be career, or even life, ending. This episode sifts through many hoof conditions and explains when nutrition may or may not play a role.

Resources

• Common Indicators of Hoof Stress – with Dr. Debra Taylor and Dr. Tracy Turner: https://thehorse.com/190264/horse-hoof-stressors/

• A Field Guide to Hoof Cracks – Equus: https://equusmagazine.com/horse-care/field-guide-hoof-cracks-55256

• Hoof Abscesses - University of Minnesota Extension: https://extension.umn.edu/horse-health/hoof-abscesses

• Laminitis – UC Davis Veterinary Medicine: https://ceh.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/health-topics/laminitis

• Quittor - Merck Veterinary Manual: https://www.merckvetmanual.com/musculoskeletal-system/lameness-in-horses/quittor-in-horses

• Quittor – Butler Professional Farrier School: https://butlerprofessionalfarrierschool.com/archives/2237

• Side bone - Merck Veterinary Manual: https://www.merckvetmanual.com/musculoskeletal-system/lameness-in-horses/sidebone-in-horses

• Navicular disease – Iowa State University: https://www.extension.iastate.edu/equine/navicular-disease-western-pleasure-horses

You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowner!

….

If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@bluebonnetfeeds.com

Dr. Jyme Nichols is Director of Nutrition for Bluebonnet Feeds and Stride Animal Health. For more information on these brands or a free virtual nutrition consult from our team just visit bluebonnetfeeds.com/nutrition-consult

Modern feeding practices can have some not so great impacts on our horse’s mouths. In this episode Dr. Jyme explains how current “normal” practices in our horse’s environment can cause unintended consequences for a horse’s dental health.

You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowner!

….

If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@bluebonnetfeeds.com

Dr. Jyme Nichols is Director of Nutrition for Bluebonnet Feeds and Stride Animal Health. For more information on these brands or a free virtual nutrition consult from our team just visit bluebonnetfeeds.com/nutrition-consult

Ever thought of green grass, iron supplements, and zinc as dangerous? Most people have not. This episode explains when normal nutritional components can turn dangerous.

Show Notes:

Feeds proven by Dr. Nichols to be “super-safe" if a horse were to break into the feed room! 😅 (Check out the episode for that inside joke). 

Equilene Pro Care and Intensify Senior Therapy both by Bluebonnet Feeds.

101 Diet balancer – provides balanced trace minerals and vitamins for easy keepers, insulin resistant horses, or those that can’t tolerate extra calorie levels.

Intensify Ex-Factor Low Starch – a low starch, low sugar feed that provides extra calories or energy for horses that are sensitive to sugar levels in the diet.

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If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@acbluebonnet.com

Dr. Jyme Nichols is Director of Nutrition for Bluebonnet Feeds and Stride Animal Health. For more information on these brands or a free virtual nutrition consult from our team just visit bluebonnetfeeds.com/nutrition-consult

Equine nutrition consultant, Lindsay Burer, joins us for our first ever guest episode! Lindsay offers insight on what it is like to be a traveling nutrition consultant with Bluebonnet Feeds and Stride Animal Health, what an owner can expect from a nutrition consultation, and the highs and lows of this kind of career.

Show Notes:

Connect with Lindsay, on Facebook: Lindsay Burer- Equine Nutrition Consultant

facebook.com/lbequinenutrition

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If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@acbluebonnet.com

Dr. Jyme Nichols is Director of Nutrition for Bluebonnet Feeds and Stride Animal Health. For more information on these brands or a free virtual nutrition consult from our team just visit bluebonnetfeeds.com/nutrition-consult

This episode addresses listener questions around wobbler syndrome and how to feed weanlings to 2 year olds.  Dr. Nichols shares her secrets to helping reduce OCDs in a breeding operation.

Show Notes:

Products mentioned in this episode are:

· Intensify Growth & Development by Bluebonnet Feeds

· 101 Diet Balancer by Stride Animal Health

· Ortho Max by Stride Animal Health

· Surge by Stride Animal Health

· Fish Oil Factor by Stride Animal Health

If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@acbluebonnet.com

Dr. Jyme Nichols is Director of Nutrition for Bluebonnet Feeds and Stride Animal Health. For more information on these brands or a free virtual nutrition consult from our team just visit bluebonnetfeeds.com/nutrition-consult

This episode uncovers the benefits of using a metabolic pH balancer in equine athletes for improving hydration, supporting  muscle function, speeding up recovery time, and supporting normal movement of digesta through the intestinal tract. We are also going to address a listener question about anhidrosis in horses.

Show Notes:

Products mentioned in this episode are:

· Turbo Mag BCAA– for helping maintain healthy metabolic pH balance. Now through September 30, 2020, use promo code SIZZLE at checkout for a buy one Turbo Mag BCAA, get the second half off (5 lb pails only). 

If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@acbluebonnet.com

Dr. Jyme Nichols is Director of Nutrition for Bluebonnet Feeds and Stride Animal Health. For more information on these brands or a free virtual nutrition consult from our team just visit bluebonnetfeeds.com/nutrition-consult

This episode hits the high points in the differences between Type 1 and Type 2 PSSM and what you can do to manage these horses and help prevent episodes of tying up, or at the very least lessen their severity.

Show Notes:

Products mentioned in this episode are:

· Moving Up – supplement designed for horses with PSSM

· Turbo Mag BCAA– for helping a horse stay hydrated and maintain healthy metabolic pH balance.

· Intensify Omega Force – high fat, low starch feed for horses that tie up.

· 101 Diet Balancer– a diet balancer for horses that tie up.

If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@acbluebonnet.com

Dr. Jyme Nichols is Director of Nutrition for Bluebonnet Feeds and Stride Animal Health. For more information on these brands or a free virtual nutrition consult from our team just visit bluebonnetfeeds.com/nutrition-consult

This episode uncovers the secrets behind your horse’s manure and offers tips for abnormal situations. After that Dr. Nichols touches on the use of GMO ingredients in horse feeds (CAUTION: personal opinions may be involved), and then wraps it up by explaining why some people worry that flax seed might cause cyanide poisoning in their horse.

Show Notes:

Products mentioned in this episode are:

· Turbo Mag BCAA – for helping a horse stay hydrated and maintain normal healthy bowel movements.

· ADR Paste or Powder – support for the microbial environment in the hind gut, especially for horses with loose stool caused by anxiety, stress, or medications.

· GI Calm – supplement designed for horses battling leaky gut syndrome.

· Intensify Senior Therapy – ideal for horses needing an easy-to-chew few that is high in fiber and low in starch/sugar.

· 101 Diet Balancer– a diet balancer free of GMO ingredients.

If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@acbluebonnet.com

Dr. Jyme Nichols is Director of Nutrition for Bluebonnet Feeds and Stride Animal Health. For more information on these brands or a free virtual nutrition consult from our team just visit bluebonnetfeeds.com/nutrition-consult

This listener question episode digs into nutritional approaches to support: tendon and ligament health, degenerative suspensory ligament desmitis (DSLD), recovery from stifle surgery, and osteochondritis dissecan (OCD) prevention.

Show Notes:

Products mentioned in this episode are:

• Ortho Max – provides the building blocks necessary for tendon-to-bone healing and improving bone fill during critical growth stages.
• Surge– nitric oxide supplement that helps improve nutrient supply to bones, tendons and soft tissue.
• Fish Oil Factor – omega 3 for total body anti-inflammatory support.
• 101 Diet Balancer and NutriMix Plus– both supplements provide the diet balancer effect for providing important trace minerals to growing horses and horses recovering from injury.
• LIFELINE+ Equine® Plasma Supplement for improved joint range of motion and stride length.
• Intensify Growth & Development – feed for broodmares and growing horses.

If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@acbluebonnet.com

Dr. Jyme Nichols is Director of Nutrition for Bluebonnet Feeds and Stride Animal Health. For more information on these brands or a free virtual nutrition consult from our team just visit bluebonnetfeeds.com/nutrition-consult

Need some simple tricks to try for addressing your horse's hoof health? This episode discusses which specific vitamins and minerals have been shown to support healthy hoof wall and also zeros in on management practices which may be holding your horse's hoof health hostage.

Show Notes:

Products mentioned in this episode are:

Fish Oil Factor  – omega 3 fat supplement to help add moisture to dry cracking hooves.

Surge – nitric oxide supplement that helps improve circulation and blood supply to the foot.

101 Diet Balancer and NutriMix Plus – both supplements contain the specific amounts and ratios of biotin, copper, zinc, lysine, and methionine discussed in this episode.

Hoof Health Program– 30 day program designed to get the maximum rate of hoof and sole growth out of a horse in a short window of time.

If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@acbluebonnet.com

Dr. Jyme Nichols is Director of Nutrition for Bluebonnet Feeds and Stride Animal Health. For more information on these brands or a free virtual nutrition consult from our team just visit bluebonnetfeeds.com/nutrition-consult

It’s case study time again! This particular horse suffers from Lyme Disease and is “running out of gas” during normal workouts. Dr. Nichols walks through her process for evaluating this horse in a virtual nutrition consult and provides recommendations for the owner.

Show Notes:

Products mentioned in this episode are:

Ex-Factor Low Starch – a 10% NSC, extruded feed designed for horses with metabolic conditions and sugar sensitivities.

Intensify Feeds – contains unique probiotic strains that support a healthy microbial population in the gut.

Transform DSI – probiotic containing Kluyveromyces marxianis, Lactobacikkus acidophilus, and Enterococcus faecium.

ADR Paste – megadose probiotic paste.

LIFELINE+- plasma supplement which supports a healthy immune system and normal inflammatory response.

Immune Health Program – a carefully formulated 30 day program containing 3 unique technologies for supporting the immune system.

If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@acbluebonnet.com

Dr. Jyme Nichols is Director of Nutrition for Bluebonnet Feeds and Stride Animal Health. For more information on these brands or a free virtual nutrition consult from our team just visit bluebonnetfeeds.com/nutrition-consult

This listener question episode covers sand colic, black oil sunflower seeds (BOSS), Omgea 3’s and fat for overweight Cushing’s horses, and using seaweed derived calcium vs. calcium carbonate.

Show Notes:

Products mentioned in this episode are:

101 Diet Balancer – a vitamin and mineral supplement for horses.

Fish Oil Factor – an omega 3 supplement that is fed in small amounts.

Equilene Pro Care – a new beet pulp based feed that contains seaweed derived calcium.

If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@acbluebonnet.com

Dr. Jyme Nichols is Director of Nutrition for Bluebonnet Feeds and Stride Animal Health. For more information on these brands or a free virtual nutrition consult from our team just visit bluebonnetfeeds.com/nutrition-consult

There’s a saying as old as time: “No foot, No horse”… but what about “No Mouth, No Horse”? Limitations of the mouth can impact a horse’s attitude, body condition, and performance. This episode addresses some nutritional "work arounds" when a horse has some limitations.

You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowner!

….

If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@bluebonnetfeeds.com

Dr. Jyme Nichols is Director of Nutrition for Bluebonnet Feeds and Stride Animal Health. For more information on these brands or a free virtual nutrition consult from our team just visit bluebonnetfeeds.com/nutrition-consult

Ever heard of iron overload in horses? It’s becoming a popular topic that is causing some people to pull their hair out trying to find a perfectly balanced diet. Unless you have an insulin resistant horse, iron content in the diet might not be worth the worry. Check out this episode to learn why.

Show Notes:

Insulin Resistant horses may benefit from a low starch feed that is balanced in trace mineral content. Intensify Ex-Factor® Low Starch from Bluebonnet Feeds or 101 Diet Balancer from Stride Animal Health are excellent options.

If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@acbluebonnet.com

Dr. Jyme Nichols is Director of Nutrition for Bluebonnet Feeds and Stride Animal Health. For more information on these brands or a free virtual nutrition consult from our team just visit bluebonnetfeeds.com/nutrition-consult

This listener question episode provides some insight around the use of apple cider vinegar in horses. If you have an ulcer prone horse or one with equine metabolic syndrome and/or insulin resistance, this is a must listen!

If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@acbluebonnet.com

Dr. Jyme Nichols is Director of Nutrition for Bluebonnet Feeds and Stride Animal Health. For more information on these brands or a free virtual nutrition consult from our team just visit bluebonnetfeeds.com/nutrition-consult

Ever wondered if a horse can self-regulate their mineral intake? Curious if you can “over-do” by providing minerals in the feed? Ever wonder what the best way is to determine your horse’s nutritional status? This episode covers these questions and explains why blood analysis and hair analysis may not be the best way to determine nutritional status.

If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@acbluebonnet.com

Dr. Jyme Nichols is Director of Nutrition for Bluebonnet Feeds and Stride Animal Health. For more information on these brands or a free virtual nutrition consult from our team just visit bluebonnetfeeds.com/nutrition-consult

This episode dives into the research that has been conducted around saliva production and gastric buffer capacity in horses. It outlines how feeding time impacts your horse’s gastric health and highlights a new ingredient, seaweed derived calcium, that is showing promise not only as a gastric buffer, but also in bone formation, bone density, and can even impact a horse’s startle response.

Show Notes:

· Equilene Pro Care® Beet Pulp based, high fiber feed that contains seaweed derived calcium as a gastric buffer.

If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@acbluebonnet.com

Dr. Jyme Nichols is Director of Nutrition for Bluebonnet Feeds and Stride Animal Health. For more information on these brands or a free virtual nutrition consult from our team just visit bluebonnetfeeds.com/nutrition-consult

This listener question episode provides a full explanation of non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) and a “how to” lesson for calculating a total diet NSC content for your horse. In addition, Dr. Nichols addresses when it is and isn’t necessary to soak beet pulp and pelleted feeds. Don't forget to join the LIVE Webcast or show up in person for Dr. Nichols' session at the Built Ford Tough Arena in Expo Square, Tulsa, Oklahoma on Thursday June 25, 2020 at Noon Central Time. The focus will be Barrel Horse Nutrition. 

Live Webcast link: http://horsesportsnetwork.com/Events/View/255/2020/Bonus-Race-Finals-at-the-Built-Ford-Tough-Livestock-Complex-at-Expo-Square-Tulsa-OK-June-24-28-2020 

Show Notes:

For a complete listing of starch and sugar contents of all Bluebonnet Feeds equine feeds go to https://bluebonnetfeeds.com/content/equine/nsc-equine.pdf

If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@acbluebonnet.com

Dr. Jyme Nichols is Director of Nutrition for Bluebonnet Feeds and Stride Animal Health. For more information on these brands or a free virtual nutrition consult from our team just visit bluebonnetfeeds.com/nutrition-consult

Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (EPM) is a potentially devastating neurologic disease in horses caused by the parasite Sarcocystis neruona. Early detection and medical intervention is key to helping horses recover. This episode outlines the signs of EPM and uncovers nutritional aspects for prevention and support of horses who have contracted the disease.

Show Notes:

Episode 13 goes in depth on omega 3 anti-inflammatory support, and Episode 6 provides in depth explanation on the benefits of plasma. Supplements to support horses with EPM include:

Vitamin E/C – antioxidant with both forms of natural Vitamin E (d-alpha-tocopherol and d-gamma-tocopherol).

Fish Oil Factor – potent anti-inflammatory containing omega 3’s from fish oil on a flax seed and rice bran base.

Rewind®– potent omega 3 anti-inflammatory from the New Zealand Green Lipped Mussel.

LIFELINE®+ Equine – oral plasma that supports epithelial tight junctions which helps prevent horses from contracting EPM and serves as immune system support for horses that do have EPM.

If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@acbluebonnet.com

Dr. Jyme Nichols is Director of Nutrition for Bluebonnet Feeds and Stride Animal Health. For more information on these brands or a free virtual nutrition consult from our team just visit bluebonnetfeeds.com/nutrition-consult

Omeprazole is a drug commonly used to treat and prevent gastric ulcers in horses. This episode discusses pros and cons of omeprazole use in horses, and two drug-free alternatives that are showing promise for preventing gastric ulcers in horses. Show Notes: Episode 6 goes into much more detail on plasma and it’s benefits to a horse. LIFELINE®+ Equine – plasma supplement proved to prevent gastric ulcers in horses. Equilene® Pro Care – beet pulp based feed that contains plasma and seaweed-derived calcium for ulcer prevention. Turbo Mag BCAA - metabolic pH balancer to keep horses hydrated while traveling. If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@acbluebonnet.com Dr. Jyme Nichols is Director of Nutrition for Bluebonnet Feeds and Stride Animal Health. For more information on these brands or a free virtual nutrition consult from our team just visit bluebonnetfeeds.com/nutrition-consult

There is a lot that goes into developing a good topline in your horse. Good nutrition helps but there is a lot more to it! This episode explains what steps you should take to determine why your horse may have a less-than-ideal topline.

Show Notes:

Episode 12 provides an in-depth review of amino acids, or you can watch the webinarvideo on Stride Animal Health’s YouTube channel.

Competitive Edge– Amino acid supplement for horses.

If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@acbluebonnet.com

Dr. Jyme Nichols is Director of Nutrition for Bluebonnet Feeds and Stride Animal Health. For more information on these brands or a free virtual nutrition consult from our team just visit bluebonnetfeeds.com/nutrition-consult

EVERYONE wants a horse with a long mane and tail! While your horse is limited by their own genetics, there are things you can do from a nutritional standpoint to maximize “what his mama gave him”. This episode covers two listener questions around mane and tail growth and molasses content in feeds and how to decipher what the true sugar content is.

Show Notes:

Episode 13 covers Omega 3’s in depth.

NutriMix Plus – nutrition for mane and tail growth.

Fish Oil Factor – nutrition for mane and tail growth.

Equilene Pro Care – reference feed for listener question about molasses content.

If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@acbluebonnet.com

Dr. Jyme Nichols is Director of Nutrition for Bluebonnet Feeds and Stride Animal Health. For more information on these brands or a free virtual nutrition consult from our team just visit bluebonnetfeeds.com/nutrition-consult

Dr. Nichols shares some personal experiences this week around blister beetles, why you should never feed grass clippings to horses and why you should “raccoon-proof” your feed room. In addition, she offers up the trouble-shooting technique she used to figure out why two of her horses went off feed at the exact same time. 

Show Notes:

ADR Powder – megadose prebiotic and probiotic supplement that Dr. Nichols uses to help regain appetite in horses. It is especially helpful for horses that are stressed from a new environment, on antibiotics, or being given NSAIDs (i.e. bute, banamine).

If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@acbluebonnet.com

Dr. Jyme Nichols is Director of Nutrition for Bluebonnet Feeds and Stride Animal Health. For more information on these brands or a free virtual nutrition consult from our team just visit bluebonnetfeeds.com/nutrition-consult

Ever find yourself wondering where the “official” start of the digestive tract is? The answer might not be what you think. This is the first episode a three-part series devoted to uncovering some of the links between equine nutrition and dental health.

You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowner!

….

If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@bluebonnetfeeds.com.

Dr. Jyme Nichols is Director of Nutrition for Bluebonnet Feeds and Stride Animal Health. For more information on these brands or a free virtual nutrition consult from our team just visit bluebonnetfeeds.com/nutrition-consult

Introducing a new supplement, changing grain or starting a new batch of hay all require a little special attention on your part. This episode provides tips for making this process as successful and safe as possible.

If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@acbluebonnet.com

Dr. Jyme Nichols is Director of Nutrition for Bluebonnet Feeds and Stride Animal Health. For more information on these brands or a free virtual nutrition consult from our team just visit bluebonnetfeeds.com/nutrition-consult

A listener question spurs a review of the research regarding the use of garlic in horses that suffer from respiratory conditions such as Exercise Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage (EIPH). This episode reviews the scientific literature available regarding the potential dangers of feeding garlic and also the benefits that garlic can have in normal horses when it comes to repelling insects.

If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@acbluebonnet.com

Dr. Jyme Nichols is Director of Nutrition for Bluebonnet Feeds and Stride Animal Health. For more information on these brands or a free virtual nutrition consult from our team just visit bluebonnetfeeds.com/nutrition-consult

Choke in horses is not the same kind of emergency as it is in humans. In humans, the food becomes lodged in the trachea which blocks the ability to breathe. In horses, the food becomes lodged in the esophagus which does not restrict breathing. This episode provides tips for preventing choke in horses, and, as a bonus, provides some steps that can be taken when trying to troubleshoot poor coat quality in horses.

Show Notes:

For more info on Cushing’s Disease refer to episode 9.

Nutritional products mentioned in this episode:

· Fish Oil Factor – 30% Fat supplement with omega 3’s

· Shine– 99% fat supplement in liquid form

If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@acbluebonnet.com

Dr. Jyme Nichols is Director of Nutrition for Bluebonnet Feeds and Stride Animal Health. For more information on these brands or a free virtual nutrition consult from our team just visit bluebonnetfeeds.com/nutrition-consult

Dr. Nichols explains the differences between omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, and then dives deeper into the different kinds of omega-3’s and how to decide which is best for your horse. The four omega 3 fatty acids addressed in this episode are Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and Eicosatetraenoic Acid (ETA). Listen in for a better understanding of when to apply each to your horse's diet and why marine-sourced omega-3's are a better option for providing anti-inflammatory support. 

Show Notes:

Nutritional products mentioned in this episode:

· Fish Oil Factor (EPA & DHA from Fish Oil on a Flax Seed and Rice Bran base)

· Rewind(ETA from New Zealand Green Lipped Mussel)

If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@acbluebonnet.com

Dr. Jyme Nichols is Director of Nutrition for Bluebonnet Feeds and Stride Animal Health. For more information on these brands or a free virtual nutrition consult from our team just visit bluebonnetfeeds.com/nutrition-consult

Amino acids are one of the most important components of the horse’s body, yet they are highly overlooked by most horse owners. Dr. Nichols conducted an online webinar on amino acids and this is the audio from that session. If you are interested in watching the webinar rather than just listening, go to strideanimalhealth.com/webinars and choose the recording titled: Amino Acid Support in Horses.

Show Notes:

Nutritional products mentioned in this episode:

· Competitive Edge – pelleted amino acid and protein supplement

Dr. Jyme Nichols is Director of Nutrition for Bluebonnet Feeds and Stride Animal Health. For more information on these brands or a free virtual nutrition consult from our team just click here!

Horses on grain-free diets, forage-only diets, or those battling serious food allergies can all benefit from an equine diet balancer. Forage alone does not provide proper nutrition to meet the needs of today’s horse. Diet Balancers are a simple, and effective way to ensure your horse is getting the nutrition needed to maintain proper metabolic functions and live a long healthy life, even if you are trying to go “grain-free”.

Show Notes:

Nutritional products mentioned in this episode:

· 101 Diet Balancer – pelleted, full spectrum diet balancer including probiotics

· Nutrimix Plus – powdered, 100 mg/dose of biotin for hoof support

· Boost ‘Em – pelleted, 30% protein diet balancer safe for all animal species.

· Competitive Edge – pelleted amino acid and protein supplement

Dr. Jyme Nichols is Director of Nutrition for Bluebonnet Feeds and Stride Animal Health. For more information on these brands or a free virtual nutrition consult from our team just click here!

An ionophore (i·on·o·phore) helps transport ions across cell membranes. They are a common staple in beef cattle and poultry diets because they improve feed efficiency and growth rates. Why do we care? Because they are DEADLY TO HORSES.

Horse owners may be unknowingly exposing their horses to ionophores through cross contamination in their horse feeds or accidental exposure on their own properties. This is a topic that every horse owner needs to understand.

· Ionophore-FREE feed mills do not allow ionophores on their property, period. No chance of accidental contamination. Bluebonnet Feeds and Stride Animal Health use ionophore-FREE facilities.

· Ionophore-Safe feed mills do manufacture feeds containing ionophores, but run flushes between those feed and the horse feeds. This can lead to accidental cross-contamination or human error which can result in a life-threatening situation for your horse.

Dr. Jyme Nichols is Director of Nutrition for Bluebonnet Feeds and Stride Animal Health. For a free virtual nutrition consult from our team visit: https://bluebonnetfeeds.com/nutrition-consult/ 

Today is all about Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID), or Cushing’s Disease in horses. Horses with PPID typically have a long hair coat that doesn’t shed in the spring and summer. They may be underweight, have increased drinking and urination, and be dealing with laminitis. Providing adequate medication (as directed by your veterinarian) and a low starch diet are critical to proper management. Listen to the episode to learn more!

Show Notes:

Author’s pick on nutritional products to support a horse with Cushing’s Syndrome

· Intensify® Ex-Factor® Low Starch – 10% NSC, high fat, extruded feed.

· Intensify® Senior Therapy® – 12% NSC, High fat, high fiber, pelleted feed.

Dr. Jyme Nichols is Director of Nutrition for Bluebonnet Feeds and Stride Animal Health. For more information on these brands or a free virtual nutrition consult just click here!

Equine coronavirus and COVID-19 in humans are different diseases. This episode explains the difference between the two and what you can do to keep your horse from contracting equine coronavirus. 

If you have more questions about equine coronavirus or other equine diseases, the Equine Disease Communication Center or EDCC is a wealth of knowledge and can provide you with resources and tips for preventing and managing disease in horses. Just visit their website at www.equinediseasecc.org/biosecurity 

Horses can become malnourished or starved for a variety of reasons. If you find yourself in a situation where you are providing care for an undernourished horse this is the episode for you! We talk about Re-Feeding Syndrome and how offering too much nutrition too quickly can cause serious problems for the horse that could ultimately lead to death. This episode provides tips on exactly what to feed, how often and how much.

Show Notes:

Author’s pick on products mentioned in this episode

· ADR Paste - Probiotic Paste to be used in the first 30 days.

· ADR Powder – Probiotic powder to be used after 30 days.

· Equilene Pro Care® Beet Pulp based, high fiber feed.

· Intensify® Senior Therapy® – High fiber feed with built in digestive support.

Dr. Jyme Nichols is Director of Nutrition for Bluebonnet Feeds and Stride Animal Health. For more information on these brands or a free virtual nutrition consult just click here!

Have you ever wondered about using carnitine as a fat burners for yourself and then somehow your mind drifts over to what that might look like in your horse? Or maybe you have a horse with Insulin Resistance, PSSM2, MFM, or some other disorder and you are searching for ways to open alternative energy pathways for cells in the body? Or maybe, you have a horse that washes out toward the end of your run and you are trying to figure out how to help them maintain stamina. Well, you are in luck today as I’m going to dig into a cool little amino acid derivative called carnitine.  

Resources:

·  Carnitine Fact Sheet by National Institutes of Health: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Carnitine-HealthProfessional/

·   The Role of l-Carnitine in Mitochondria, Prevention of Metabolic Inflexibility and Disease Initiation: doi: 10.3390/ijms23052717

·   Mitochondrial Learning Tool – London Health Sciences Centre: https://www.lhsc.on.ca/medical-genetics-program-of-southwestern-ontario/mitochondrial-learning-tool-homepage

·  The effects of L-carnitine supplementation on glycemic markers in adults: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36704801/

 

You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowner!

….

 

If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@bluebonnetfeeds.com

 

Dr. Jyme Nichols is Director of Nutrition for Bluebonnet Feeds and Stride Animal Health. For more information on these brands or a free virtual nutrition consult from our team just visit bluebonnetfeeds.com/nutrition-consult

If I was allowed only one nutritional technology to use for the rest of my life, plasma is it! A plasma supplement can support the gut, lungs, reproductive tract, and even improve stride length and hock range of motion in horses. It is also a natural option shown through research to help prevent gastric ulcers. Ready to learn more?

Show Notes:

More information on the products mentioned can be found here:

· LIFELINE+ Equine® Plasma Supplement

· Equilene Pro Care® Beet Pulp based feed with Plasma

Dr. Jyme Nichols is Director of Nutrition for Bluebonnet Feeds and Stride Animal Health. For more information on these brands or a free virtual nutrition consult just click here!

This case study breaks down the feeding program for three very different senior horses – Jesse, a 1200 lb senior horse who needs to maintain current body weight; Stoney The Cow Pony, an 800 lb pony who needs to gain weight; and Johnny Cash, a 250 lb miniature pony that is prone to laminitis and needs to lose some weight. 

Show Notes:

More information on the products mentioned can be found here:

· Intensify Senior Therapy

· Element Mineral

Dr. Jyme Nichols is Director of Nutrition for Bluebonnet Feeds and Stride Animal Health. For more information on these brands or a free virtual nutrition consult just click here!

For senior horses, dental care and specialized nutrition go hand in hand. Senior horses should have dental examinations every 6 to 12 months to check for tooth abnormalities, fractures, impactions, and infections. Just because a horse is chewing forage doesn’t mean he is actually swallowing it – quidding is a common condition where the horse chews the hay into a wad and then spits it out. A horse that quids is not receiving adequate nutrition so alternative feeds must be provided. Check out this episode to learn more!

Show Notes:

More information on the products mentioned can be found here:

· Intensify Senior Therapy

· Horseman’s Elite Senior Care

· 101 Diet Balancer

· Nutrimix Plus

Dr. Jyme Nichols is Director of Nutrition for Bluebonnet Feeds and Stride Animal Health. For more information on these brands or a free virtual nutrition consult just click here!

Dr. Nichols hosted a webinar on Leaky Gut Syndrome, so we converted the audio file into a podcast! In this episode she explains what it means when a horse has Leaky Gut Syndrome, and provides tips for horse owners to help identify when their horse might be exhibiting symptoms. In addition, the describes the tools available through nutrition to help build a strong intestinal barrier and prevent leaky gut from occurring. Show Notes: More information on the products discussed can be found by clicking the names below: · LIFELINE+ Equine® (plasma) · GI Calm for Leaky Gut (butyric acid, microbial support, zinc) · 101 Diet Balancer(zinc methionine complex) · Intensify® Feeds (beta-glucans, zinc methionine complex, microbial support) · Equilene® Feeds (zinc methionine complex) · NEW FEED Equilene® Pro Care® (plasma, butyric acid, zinc methionine complex, microbial support) Dr. Jyme Nichols is Director of Nutrition for Bluebonnet Feeds and Stride Animal Health. For more information on these brands or a free virtual nutrition consult please contact us!

Is your mare taking her prenatal vitamins? What you feed a pregnant mare now will impact the health and soundness of her baby long into his adult life.  With foaling and breeding seasons upon us it’s important to take a critical look at the nutrition program for your pregnant mare and growing foal. Nutrition plays a major role in preventing OCD’s and other orthopedic conditions (along with good genetics, proper management, and avoiding physical trauma). Show Notes: Formulated by PhD Equine nutritionists, Intensify Growth & Development (pellet) and Horseman’s Elite Mare & Foal (large pellet) are designed to meet the needs discussed in this episode. Stride Animal Health’s, 101 Diet Balancer and Competitive Edge Amino Acid Supplement, are excellent tools for filling the gaps of forage only diets, oats, and custom mixed rations. Equi-Analytical is THE PLACE to go for forage analyses! Dr. Jyme Nichols is Director of Nutrition for Bluebonnet Feeds and Stride Animal Health. For more information on these brands or a free virtual nutrition consult please contact us!

This episode unpacks the mystery around ALFALFA! When and why to feed alfalfa or avoid it.  Have a bleeder? How about a horse with PSSM? Maybe you have a chunky monkey or a hard keeping senior? This episode has the tips you need when it comes to choosing the right kind of forage.   Show Notes: I mention 101 Diet Balancer as a tool for filling the gaps of forage only diets.  Equi-Analytical is THE PLACE to go for forage analyses!  Dr. Jyme Nichols is Director of Nutrition for Bluebonnet Feeds and Stride Animal Health. For more information on these brands or a free virtual nutrition consult please contact us!

Ever wondered if it’s ok to offer your horse a piece of your granola bar? Or curious if there are dangers to feeding a piece of chocolate? This episode covers some of the more common foods that should never enter your horse’s mouth.  

 

Resources:

· Chocolate [Caffeine and theobromine]: https://aaep.org/sites/default/files/issues/proceedings-07proceedings-z9100107000087.pdf

· Persimmons [phytobezoars]: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21985354/

· Avocado poisoning: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36122667/

· Potatoes, Horse Nettles [solanine]: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/solanum-carolinense/ ; https://www.horsedvm.com/poisonous/potato

 You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowner!

….

 

If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@bluebonnetfeeds.com

Dr. Jyme Nichols is Director of Nutrition for Bluebonnet Feeds and Stride Animal Health. For more information on these brands or a free virtual nutrition consult from our team just visit bluebonnetfeeds.com/nutrition-consult

Should you choose first cutting? Second cutting? Third cutting? Does it even matter? This episode uncovers the truth behind the cutting number of hay and why this may not be the best criteria for choosing the best hay for your horse.  

You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowner!

….

If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@bluebonnetfeeds.com

Dr. Jyme Nichols is Director of Nutrition for Bluebonnet Feeds and Stride Animal Health. For more information on these brands or a free virtual nutrition consult from our team just visit bluebonnetfeeds.com/nutrition-consult

Mares carry and care for some of the most precious cargo. We know their health impacts that of the baby they are caring for, so what do you do if your pregnant mare is dangerously overweight?

Resources:

· Henneke Body Condition Scoring:  https://vetmed.tamu.edu/files/vetmed/vmth/laminitis/Equine_Body_Condition_Scoring.pdf

 

You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowner!

….

If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@bluebonnetfeeds.com

Dr. Jyme Nichols is Director of Nutrition for Bluebonnet Feeds and Stride Animal Health. For more information on these brands or a free virtual nutrition consult from our team just visit bluebonnetfeeds.com/nutrition-consult

Plasma doesn’t only belong in an IV bag! New technologies allow plasma to be sterilized and dried for use in an oral supplement, and with over 600 published studies across multiple species, there’s no question that it benefits the body.

Resources:

· Article released by ‘The Horse’ on oral plasma: https://thehorse.com/171523/plasma-in-oral-form-a-game-changer-for-horses/

· Research study - Ulcer Prevention with Oral Plasma: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2016.05.003

· Research study – Oral plasma on peripartum mares and their foals: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2016.01.019

· Research study – Oral plasma on gait kinematics: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2015.03.087

· Reserach study – Oral plasma remains effective after high temperature pelleting: https://doi.org/10.2527/jas.2005-722

 You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowner!

….

If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@bluebonnetfeeds.com

Dr. Jyme Nichols is Director of Nutrition for Bluebonnet Feeds and Stride Animal Health. For more information on these brands or a free virtual nutrition consult from our team just visit bluebonnetfeeds.com/nutrition-consult

Not everything you put in your horse’s mouth is considered “nutritional”. This episode explains the components that should be the foundation of a horse’s diet. Do not waste money feeding any kind of supplement if these foundational cornerstones are not in place first!

Resources:

·NRC (National Research Council) Nutrient Requirements of Horses 6th Revised Edition. https://tinyurl.com/295w27dw

You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowner!

….

If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@bluebonnetfeeds.com

Dr. Jyme Nichols is Director of Nutrition for Bluebonnet Feeds and Stride Animal Health. For more information on these brands or a free virtual nutrition consult from our team just visit bluebonnetfeeds.com/nutrition-consult

Collagen is a booming topic in the human health, beauty, and wellness world. As the most abundant protein in the body, it begs the question from some horse owners – should I be supplementing my horse with collagen? If so, how much, what type, and how do I know which collagen supplement is best? Resources: • The 2 apps mentioned for my tactical mini goals: Spiritual wellness >> The Bible Recap (reading in chronological order); Physical wellness >> 1st Phorm (macros tracking with an advisor). • Collagen improves nail health in humans: https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.12393 • Review paper on collagen for osteoarthritis: https://doi.org/10.1185/030079906X148373 • Collagen supplementation to horses with OA: https://doi.org/10.1111/jpn.12863 You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowner! …. If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@bluebonnetfeeds.com Dr. Jyme Nichols is Director of Nutrition for Bluebonnet Feeds and Stride Animal Health. For more information on these brands or a free virtual nutrition consult from our team just visit bluebonnetfeeds.com/nutrition-consult

Confused by all the feed choices out there? Inspired by a listener question, Dr. Nichols explains her 8-step process for selecting the brand or line of feed to best fit your needs.

Show Notes:

Feed Selection Road Map

1. Is the nutritionist qualified?

2. Least Cost vs Locked Formula

3. Ionophore Stance

4. Feeding Rates

5. Trace Mineral Source

a. Zinc Methionine Complex

b. Copper Lysine Complex

c. Manganese Methionine Complex

6. Amino Acids

7. Bonus Round (supplement replacements)

8. Final Check of Basics (protein, fat, fiber, starch/sugar)

You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowner!

….

If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@bluebonnetfeeds.com

Dr. Jyme Nichols is Director of Nutrition for Bluebonnet Feeds and Stride Animal Health. For more information on these brands or a free virtual nutrition consult from our team just visit bluebonnetfeeds.com/nutrition-consult