The Equine Connection Podcast

Dr. Nicole Rambo and Sarah discuss how hot weather affects horses and whether summer changes their nutritional needs. While heat doesn't usually increase calorie requirements, sweating can significantly increase the need for electrolytes, particularly salt, and for some working horses, potassium and other minerals. They explain how temperature, exercise, appetite, pasture intake, and insect pressure can influence body condition and performance. Practical tips include providing plenty of clean water, free-choice salt, appropriate electrolyte supplementation, and monitoring weight and condition throughout the summer.

You can learn more about these topics by visiting our expertise page HERE

If you have any questions or concerns about your own horse, please contact us HERE

This podcast was brought to you by Tribute Superior Equine Nutrition 

Dr. Nicole Rambo and Heather discuss differences in ration balancers, explaining their ingredients, purpose, and how they compare. With Tribute's products, they note that while Wholesome Blends contains slightly higher NSC (15% vs. 12%) compared to Essential K, the actual sugar and starch difference at recommended feeding rates is small. The conversation highlights the role of ration balancers for easy keepers, the importance of forage quality and intake in managing weight and metabolic health, and the challenges of accurately assessing forage NSC, particularly on pasture. 

You can learn more about these topics by visiting our expertise page HERE

If you have any questions or concerns about your own horse, please contact us HERE

This podcast was brought to you by Tribute Superior Equine Nutrition 

 

Dr. Nicole Rambo and Heather share the case of Heather’s 21-year-old Quarter Horse mare, who was diagnosed with Lyme disease and anaplasmosis after developing depression, limb swelling, and mild neurological signs during peak tick season. They discuss diagnosis, hospitalization, antibiotic treatment, and the nutritional challenges of administering medication to a horse living primarily on pasture. The conversation covers practical feeding strategies during illness, the importance of maintaining forage intake, separating calcium-rich supplements from doxycycline to avoid reduced absorption, and simple ways to improve medication palatability while minimizing unnecessary dietary changes.

You can learn more about these topics by visiting our expertise page HERE

If you have any questions or concerns about your own horse, please contact us HERE

This podcast was brought to you by Tribute Superior Equine Nutrition 

 

Dr. Nicole Rambo and Sarah explore what horse owners should look for nutritionally when choosing a boarding or training barn. They discuss key questions around forage quality and access, feeding schedules, pasture management, turnout policies, grain and supplement flexibility, feed room organization, and hay sourcing. The episode also highlights common red flags including poor body condition, stereotypic behaviors, messy storage, and high boarder turnover, while also encouraging owners to ask questions, observe carefully, and trust their instincts when evaluating a facility.

You can learn more about these topics by visiting our expertise page HERE

If you have any questions or concerns about your own horse, please contact us HERE

This podcast was brought to you by Tribute Superior Equine Nutrition 

 

 

Dr. Nicole Rambo and equine specialist Heather discuss a customer case in which a horse developed new white spots after a feed change, initially suspected to be dapples but identified as “bird catcher spots.” They explain that bird catcher spots are small white flecks on darker-colored horses that can appear, disappear, or multiply, are considered cosmetic and harmless, and are not caused by nutrition. However, depigmentation around the eyes and muzzle can instead be linked to issues like copper deficiency. They also review dapples, noting they require genetic predisposition but tend to be associated with good overall health and quality nutrition. 

You can learn more about these topics by visiting our expertise page HERE

If you have any questions or concerns about your own horse, please contact us HERE

This podcast was brought to you by Tribute Superior Equine Nutrition 

Equine nutritionist Dr. Nicole Rambo & Equine specialist Sarah explore how feeding strategies differ between aerobic horses fueled by fiber and fat, and anaerobic athletes relying more on glycogen from sugar and starch. They discuss discipline-specific nutrition, body condition scoring, and why many sport and pleasure horses thrive on lower-NSC “cool energy” diets with fat and fiber. The episode also covers metabolic risks of over-conditioning, feeding options for reiners versus hunters and trail horses, and the science behind the “second wind” in elite event horses.

You can learn more about these topics by visiting our expertise page HERE

If you have any questions or concerns about your own horse, please contact us HERE

This podcast was brought to you by Tribute Superior Equine Nutrition 

Vitamin E is one of the most discussed nutrients in equine nutrition today. Dr. Nicole Rambo and Heather discuss how much vitamin E your horse actually needs. In this case-study episode, the team breaks down EPM support, vitamin E safety limits, pasture intake, bloodwork interpretation, and the pros and cons of natural versus synthetic vitamin E sources. Listeners are encouraged to reach out to their team of experts for any nutritional advice or suggest a case study for a future episode. 

You can learn more about these topics by visiting our expertise page HERE

If you have any questions or concerns about your own horse, please contact us HERE

This podcast was brought to you by Tribute Superior Equine Nutrition 

In this episode, Dr. Nicole Rambo and Sarah explain how to safely transition horses onto spring pasture while avoiding key nutritional and metabolic risks. Spring grass differs from winter hay by being higher in moisture and often in water-soluble carbohydrates, especially after sunny days and cold nights. Horses prone to metabolic conditions face a higher risk of insulin spikes, meaning strategies like delayed grazing, grazing muzzles, or dry-lot management may be necessary rather than simply limiting time on pasture.  They also discuss a gradual transition combined with careful monitoring and sound pasture management practices, is essential to protect both digestive and metabolic health.

You can learn more about these topics by visiting our expertise page HERE

If you have any questions or concerns about your own horse, please contact us HERE

This podcast was brought to you by Tribute Superior Equine Nutrition 

Dr. Nicole Rambo and equine specialist Heather break down how Tribute’s personalized feeding plans are built, from detailed diet inputs and forage analysis to body condition, workload, and health considerations. They explain why asking the right questions leads to more accurate, long-term outcomes, even if it feels extensive upfront. The episode covers the most common owner questions, including gut health, feed transitions, ration balancers vs concentrates, and managing metabolic horses. They also share insights from 10,000+ cases, revealing key feeding trends, common condition misjudgments, and the most recommended products.

You can learn more about these topics by visiting our expertise page HERE

If you have any questions or concerns about your own horse, please contact us HERE

This podcast was brought to you by Tribute Superior Equine Nutrition 

Dr. Nicole Rambo and equine specialist Sarah discuss how nutrition supports elite horses, comparing racing’s speed demands with eventing’s stamina. They highlight aerobic vs anaerobic energy, modern feeding strategies (fat, fibre, balanced starch, and key nutrients), and the role of nutrition in recovery and injury prevention. They conclude with some quick tips for attending the Kentucky Three-Day Event in Lexington. 

You can learn more about these topics by visiting our expertise page HERE

If you have any questions or concerns about your own horse, please contact us HERE

This podcast was brought to you by Tribute Superior Equine Nutrition