Feed & Nutrition

Juliet Getty, hay analysis, horse hay, eqine omega 3, equine omega 6, equine carbohydrates, equine protein, equine minerals, nutrition horse, hay testing, getty equine nutrition, horse's digestive tract, equine digestion, dr. getty's book

Many horses rely entirely on hay for their forage needs. Is hay nutritious? Not very. Hay is dead grass; it no longer contains many of the vitamins, omega 3s and omega 6s it once had as living pasture. It does, however, contain protein, carbohydrates, and minerals, and is a significant source of energy.

horse ulcers, juliet getty, equine ulcers, free choice forage feeding, horse digestion, beet pulp, hindgut microbial population, vitamin b horse

I never stop urging horse owners to “feed your horse like a horse,” for the simple reason that a horse, fed according to his physiology and instincts, will be healthier. Free choice forage feeding is the first line of defense against ulcers, but there is more an owner can do to protect his horse from the pain and stress of this condition.

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Malnourished and poorly cared for horses can be found even in countries of relative wealth such as Canada and the United States. In fact, the problem of neglected horses in these countries has worsened in recent years and reflects the growing number of horses that are no longer wanted or needed, or whose owners are no longer capable of providing care for them, physically or financially.

hay belly, overweight horse, obese horse, juliet getty, overweight horse

Ever been told that your horse has a hay belly and needs to lose weight? Well, relax! He’s not fat, he just has gas! In fact, gas production is normal and healthy. It indicates that your horse is getting enough hay for hindgut microbial fermentation to occur.

 nursing foals, weaning a foal, foal nutrition, mare nutrition, feeding a foal, foal feeding, robin duncan, creep feeding, stall weaning, horse forage, horse hay

Raising a young horse can be both rewarding and challenging. You spent a great deal of time researching stallion prospects for breeding, invested money in stallion fees, and patiently cared for your mare during her eleven month pregnancy.

Ralph Robinson, Mycotoxins Horse Feed, cute mycotoxicosis, Deoxynivalenol, Vomitoxin, Zearalenone, equine brain abnormalities, equine Aflatoxins

Mycotoxins are formed on animal feeds when conditions of moisture and temperature allow the growth of naturally occurring molds. Mycotoxins are poisonous substances produced by molds in order to safeguard their food source (e.g., corn kernel) from a competitor - usually a bacterium.

horse nutrition winter, prepare horse winter, alfalfa winter, equine calories winter, dr juliet getty equine nutrition

Horses enjoy cold weather and the relaxation that winter brings, but it takes more than hay to keep them healthy during the colder months. Optimal nutritional planning will help them enjoy the season and emerge in good condition when spring arrives.

tying up horses, rhabdomyolysis, overexercise horse, horse ailment, Sporadic Exertional Rhabdomylosis, Chronic Recurrent Rhabdomyolysis, Recurrent Exertional Rhabdomyolysis

Tying-up syndrome, or rhabdomyolysis, is a myopathy (a disorder affecting the body’s muscle system) that causes muscle-cell destruction and decreases an affected horse’s performance. Common systems include painful muscle cramping and hardening as well as severe increases in muscle enzymes that can be detected through laboratory testing.

Feeding for Happy Horse Feet

By Lynn Stewart - Many factors can affect hoof quality, including environment, genetics, farrier care, and nutrition. Fortunately, a horse’s nutrition can be easily managed and can have profound effects on hoof strength and structure. The hoof condition of all horses, from young foals to seniors, can be significantly improved simply by ensuring they receive a well-balanced, scientifically sound diet.

Juliet M. Getty, Ph.D., slow-feeding system, equine forage, foundation equine diet, ulcers, colic, behavioural issues, stall vices, gorging, choke, cribbing, laminitis, equine diet, alternative grazer

Forage is the foundation of every equine’s diet and needs to flow steadily through the digestive tract. Gaps without forage can lead to ulcers, colic, behavioural issues, stall vices, gorging, choke, cribbing, and even laminitis. Truly, the only way to avoid these problems is to allow your horse steady access to forage, free-choice, all day and all night.

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