Equine Nutrition News

New threat to horses' teeth.

Fri, 28 Dec 2007 01:07:41 +0000

A new species of bacteria threatens horses' teeth. Research from Sweden implicates a previously unknown bacterium in the development of tooth decay (caries) in horses.

Insulin and laminitis.

Fri, 28 Dec 2007 01:06:30 +0000

Work at the University of Queensland has shown that prolonged high levels of insulin can induce laminitis..

Does tryptophan calm horses?

Sat, 1 Dec 2007 20:21:01 +0000

Research suggests that a single dose of tryptophan has no calming effect on horses....

Equine Nutrition -Free Teleseminar.

Tue, 24 Jul 2007 00:54:21 +0000

What would you ask an Equine Nutritionist? Nutrition is the basis of all health in any animal, whether a pasture ornament or a high- performance champion.

You now have the opportunity to ask Dr. Eve Finkelstein, Equine Nutritionist, your deepest most burning questions about your best friend's nutritional and diet issues, and hear the answers LIVE on August 1st, 2007 (8pm Eastern, 7pm Central, 6pm Mountain and 5pm Pacific).

Feeding behavior.

Tue, 24 Jul 2007 00:42:57 +0000

When horses are kept in a group, competition for food and the herd social hierarchy conspire to make feeding time a potentially dangerous affair. Which is the safest way to feed groups of yearlings turned out at pasture? A study at Pennsylvania State University investigated how horses responded to three different feeding systems.

Horses choose multiple forages in different locations.

Wed, 25 Apr 2007 22:11:08 +0000

Not only do horses like a choice of forage, it appears they prefer to find their food in different places.

Preference for water bowls.

Thu, 29 Mar 2007 13:03:20 +0000

Given a choice of four different automatic water bowls, horses in a study at Texas A&M University showed a clear preference for drinking from one particular model.

Preference for silage.

Wed, 29 Nov 2006 01:37:04 +0000

Research carried out at the Swedish University of Agricultural Science in Uppsala found that when horses were offered hay, two different haylages and silage, they preferred the silage.

Underlying causes of laminitis.

Fri, 6 Oct 2006 01:08:42 +0000

Recent work has shed light on some of the underlying causes of pasture-associated laminitis. Workers at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, have identified a prelaminitic metabolic syndrome in apparently healthy ponies.

More nutrition research available.

Wed, 23 Aug 2006 22:26:59 +0000

Laminitis, insulin sensitivity, and the influence of nutrition on respiratory health are among the topics covered in the Equine Research Digest published by the Waltham® Equine Studies Group.

Contaminated hay causes colic.

Mon, 27 Feb 2006 23:07:21 +0000

The importance of checking hay to ensure it does not contain poisonous plants was emphasized recently. A group of horses started to show signs of colic after being fed on lucerne hay containing a high proportion of thorn apple (Datura stramonium). One horse died after its stomach ruptured.

Favorite flavors.

Wed, 25 Jan 2006 22:24:47 +0000

Many horses are partial to an occasional mint. But what other flavors would they prefer if they had the choice? A recent study carried out at Southampton University’s Equine Behaviour Centre, by Dr Debbie Goodwin and colleagues, looked at the preference of horses for various different flavors.

Chaff slows eating.

Fri, 2 Dec 2005 23:02:44 +0000

A study confirms that adding chopped straw to concentrate feed makes horses eat it more slowly.

Pasture mineral supplements needed.

Fri, 2 Dec 2005 23:00:30 +0000

Mineral levels in pasture may be insufficient to supply the requirements of growing foals.

Hair analysis for plant toxins.

Fri, 2 Dec 2005 22:58:35 +0000

Hair analysis can identify past exposure to plant toxins such as the pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) found in ragwort, according to Dr Mark Dunnett formerly of the Royal Veterinary College, London..

Variability in pasture nutrient composition.

Sat, 29 Oct 2005 01:12:01 +0000

Growing horses raised only on pasture grasses as the main food, without any supplementary minerals, are at increased risk of developmental orthopedic disease because of the low mineral content...

Variation in nutrient composition of foodstuffs.

Sat, 29 Oct 2005 01:07:07 +0000

To formulate suitable diets for horses, nutritionists need to know the composition of the individual foodstuffs. The danger of relying on standard values was highlighted recently...

Exhaled gases reveal gut activity.

Mon, 24 Oct 2005 01:01:54 +0000

Contrary to popular belief, fermentation of starch and fructan starts before they reach the hind gut of the horse. Research shows that fermentation starts soon after the food leaves the stomach. This may be involved in causing laminitis.

Assessing colostrum quality.

Mon, 24 Oct 2005 00:58:54 +0000

Mares foaling for the third time make the best colostrum donors, according to a recent study. Simple field tests can be used to assess colostrum quality.

Health effects of poor feed hygiene.

Fri, 7 Oct 2005 22:19:14 +0000

Colic, coughing and liver damage were among the most common problems found in horses being fed poor quality feed.

Fructan levels in grass.

Thu, 6 Oct 2005 19:07:14 +0000

Results of a three year study in Germany confirm that fructan levels in the pasture vary throughout the year. Certain species of grass are more likely to accumulate high levels, and so are less suited for inclusion in horse pasture.