The Equine Connection Podcast

Understanding and Managing Equine Gastric Ulcers

In this episode of the Equine Connection podcast, hosts Kim Brown and Dr. Nicole Rambo delve into the topic of equine health, specifically focusing on equine gastric ulcers. They discuss the different types of gastric ulcers that affect horses, how to identify signs of ulcers, and the various risk factors. The conversation covers early research focused on squamous disease, revealing that ulcers could occur in horses living in various conditions, from high-stress racing to tranquil pastures. They highlight the significance of management factors in mitigating ulcer risk, including forage availability, meal size, and stress reduction. Towards the end, they tease the next episode, promising to go deeper into the prevention and treatment of equine gastric ulcers.

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

Importance of Pre and Probiotics to Horses

The introduction of pre- and probiotics to equine diets has provided multiple benefits to horses from all around the world. In this week's podcast, we focus on what exactly prebiotics are and how they work. Then we discuss probiotics, what they are and how they also work. The bottom line is, synergistically working together, pre- and probiotics help improve the digestive health of our horses. Thus, we talk about some of the research that has gone into these products, how they are currently being fed to our horses, and then also outline the benefits. 

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

 

How Nutrition Can Impact a Horse's Hooves

It has always been said, "No Hoof, No Horse." We, as owners, are always caring for and concerned with our horse's hooves. While there are many factors that influence hoof health, nutrition plays a vital role. This week, we discuss this more in detail. First, we briefly touch on how hooves grow and what can impact their growth. We then discuss vital nutrients and how they help our horse's feet. Finally, we touch upon which nutrients to focus on and how a balanced diet can improve growth and function.

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

Approaches to Feeding Hard Keepers

The term "hard" keeper is used quite frequently by horse owners. Thus, in this week's podcast, we focus solely on the hard keeper and what that means as a horse owner. Hard keepers are horses that have difficulty in maintaining weight (body condition). We discuss some of the signs and how to identify if your horse is a hard keeper. We also chat about certain horse types that tend to be harder keepers. After discussing some concerns with hard keepers, we then offer some tips and advice on how best to approach your feeding plan for your hard keeper. 

As mentioned in the podcast, we were listed as a Top 10 Horse Podcast on FeedSpot. You can access the list HERE

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

Why Horses Eat Manure

Horse owners may be alarmed when witnessing a horse start to eat either its own manure, or even manure from another horse. Typically, this is seen in foals and other young horses, and we talk about why they may exhibit this behavior. There is even some evidence that manure eating is beneficial to young horses, and we briefly touch upon that. Then, we switch the discussion of what to do when this behavior is observed in adult horses. Owners should be aware of the underlying causes of why an adult horse may begin to eat manure, and then we give some management tips on how to alleviate these causes. We also talk about some of the health concerns with horses that eat manure and what you can do to protect your horse. 

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

Feeding the PSSM Type 1 Horse

Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy (PSSM) is a genetic disease affecting many breeds of horses. There are two identified types of PSSM: PSSM Type 1 and PSSM Type 2. In this week's podcast, we focus in on PSSM Type 1. During the podcast, we discuss what PSSM is and how Type 1 is identifiable in horses. We address which horses are at risk of this genetic disease and what it means to their health. Diet is a major factor in reducing the severity of PSSM and thus, we give tips on how best to manage them. We also talk about other ways owners can help reduce the severity of this disease. The bottom line is, with careful management, PSSM horses can and do live healthy and happy lives. 

PSSM does differ from another common genetic disorder, Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis (HYPP), which we covered in another podcast episode that can be found HERE

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

How Horses Digest Their Feed

Horses are unique amongst many other large herbivores, like cattle, sheep, and even deer. Rather, horses and their cousins (donkeys, zebras and other equids), are part of a smaller group known as "hindgut" fermenters. This week, we discuss the horse's digestive tract. We start at the teeth and go all the way through, giving highlights to each structure and what makes horses so unique. This is important, as it makes understanding all the many recommendations given to owners regarding equine nutrition easier to understand.

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

The Truth About Bran Mash for Horses

In days gone by, it was not uncommon to warm up some water and mix it with some bran to make a nice, warm mash for your horse. Many believed it helped warm their horses during a cold winter's night. Others believed a bran mash had a nice laxative effect and aided their horse's digestion. In this week's podcast, we highlight why feeding bran or making a bran mash may not be such a good idea for your horse. We highlight what exactly bran is, what nutrients it has and why it may be a bad idea, even as a treat. We offer other alternatives that are better and healthier treats for your horse and how you can help them better during those cold winter nights. 

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

Feeding the Broodmare

This week we focus on the broodmare and discuss why she requires special care and attention. Broodmares are especially interesting because they go through so many tremendous changes through gestation and then immediately following parturition. During gestation, broodmares require careful management as they provide critical nutrients to the foal.

We specially focus on why owners need to be careful on what they are feeding as it has major implications on offspring wellbeing. Then once she has given birth, her nutritional demands dramatically increase as she shifts to lactation. Therefore, we discuss feeding strategies on how to help her through post pregnancy and support her as she provides important milk for her foal. Finally, as the goal for most broodmare operations is to get the mare rebred and pregnant for the following year, we highlight some important considerations for owners to consider. 

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

Is Your Horse Experiencing Hay Belly?

You may have heard the term "hay belly" used to describe a horse that looks obese, but isn't. Many do not quite know what hay belly really is. Thus, in this week's podcast we talk about hay belly and tell you exactly what this condition is and how to identify it. We then go on to describe which types of horses may be prone to experiencing hay belly and what the underlying causes are. Prevention is the best cure, so we give some tips on how to avoid this condition. We then finish off the podcast giving advice on how to alleviate hay belly if your horse is experiencing it. 

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