The Equine Connection Podcast

Dr. Nicole Rambo and Heather explore lupins, a key ingredient in Tribute’s new Equilibrium line. They explain how commercially grown sweet lupins differ from wild varieties and provide protein with very little sugar or starch. The discussion covers lupins as a non-soy protein option, comparisons with soybean meal, and their use in Australia and Europe. They also discuss equine research, limited U....

Dr. Nicole Rambo and Sarah  explain when, why and how much fat to feed horses for energy and weight gain. They compare common fat sources, including oils, rice bran and omega-oil fats, and discuss palatability and digestion. Learn why forage should remain the foundation and why checking your feed’s existing fat content matters before adding supplements. They also explore what to investigate when a...

Why do some horses insist on dunking their hay in water before eating it?  Dr. Nicole Rambo and Sarah explore this curious behavior and whether it's simply a preference or a sign of an underlying health issue. From dental problems and possible gastric discomfort to the messy consequences of dirty water buckets, they discuss when horse owners should be concerned. Learn practical strategies for mana...

Dr. Nicole Rambo and Heather explain how to assess body condition and topline, confirm what your horse is actually being fed, and test hay rather than assuming its quality is the same as last year. They discuss managing easy keepers early and helping thin horses gain weight before colder weather raises their energy needs. They also share a case where a change in hay called for a more calorie-dense...

Dr. Nicole Rambo and Sarah discuss Tribute’s new Equilibrium range for metabolic and digestive support. Its four products—a ration balancer, senior feed, forage blend, and treats—contain 9.5% or less sugar and starch. They compare the balancer and senior feed with Essential K and Seniority, highlighting lower NSC levels and targeted nutritional support. They also explain how Equilibrium Forage can...

Dr. Nicole Rambo and Heather explain why pasture sugar can become a hidden risk during the fall, especially for horses with insulin dysregulation or a history of laminitis. Although sugar is often lowest in the early morning, cool nights, drought, poor growth and other conditions can cause it to remain dangerously high. They also explain why short, brown or frost-damaged grass is not necessarily s...

Dr. Nicole Rambo and Sarah talk all about cribbing, which is a common horse behavior that is often linked to stress and may become an addictive coping habit. In this episode, they explain how cribbing differs from wood chewing and clear up myths about ulcers, “sucking air,” and horses copying each other. They also look at possible links to genetics, gut bacteria, and certain types of colic. Finall...

Dr. Nicole Rambo and Heather share an update on Chicago, Heather’s Quarter Horse–Brabant cross, as he begins light training at two. Bred for a future mounted patrol role, Chicago is growing quickly but remains an easy keeper, so the priority is supporting development without excess calories. Heather explains his current plan: Essential K ration balancer, careful pasture management, and Constant Co...

 Dr. Nicole Rambo and Sarah explain how to safely help horses gain or lose significant weight. They discuss measuring forage and feed accurately, setting realistic timelines, and using weight tapes, photos, and body condition scoring to track progress. For thin horses, the focus is high-quality forage and balanced fat-and-fiber nutrition; for overweight horses, it is carefully managed forage and a...

Dr. Nicole Rambo and Heather introduce Tribute Superior Equine Nutrition’s Equilibrium line, a four-product range developed through nearly five years of research into nutrition for horses with metabolic concerns. With a balancer, senior feed, unfortified forage blend and treats, every product contains 9.5% or less combined sugar and starch and is formulated without soy or alfalfa. They explain how...

Dr. Nicole Rambo and Sarah explore how pasture and stall board shape a horse’s forage access, nutrition, and daily management. They compare grass versus hay, continual grazing versus meal feeding, and the greater ability to tailor individual diets on stall board. The conversation covers common risks, including seasonal pasture shifts, overgrazing, uneven group feeding, choke, and changing hay lots...

Dr. Nicole Rambo and equine specialist Heather explain how to accurately measure horse feed for personalized feeding plans. Terms like “one scoop” or “four cups” can be misleading because containers vary in size and feeds differ in density. They caution that one quart does not necessarily equal one pound, especially across pelleted, textured, and extruded feeds. For consistency, weigh one scoop wi...

Dr. Nicole Rambo and Sarah explore common summer horse health challenges and practical management strategies. They discuss effective fly control, skin conditions such as sweet itch and hives, and the value of cleanliness, physical barriers and omega fatty acids. They also share tips for protecting hoof health, reducing respiratory irritation from heat, pollen, dust and smoke, and managing seasonal...

Dr. Nichol Rambo and Heather explain what to do when your horse’s usual feed is unavailable. They discuss when similar formulas may be safely swapped, why most feed transitions should be gradual, and how to compare alternatives based on fiber, fat, and sugar and starch, not protein alone. They also share practical steps for finding stock and managing horses with digestive, metabolic, or other heal...

Dr. Nicole Rambo and Sarah share research-backed strategies for cooling horses in hot, humid weather. They explain why continuous cold-water application over large muscle groups is the most effective method, why ice water is safe, and when sweat-scraping may help. They also discuss immediate access to drinking water, alternatives when hosing is unavailable, and how temperature, heart rate, and res...

Dr. Nicole Rambo and equine specialist Heather answer common questions about weaning foals and supporting healthy growth. They discuss introducing creep feed before weaning, avoiding growth spurts, balancing key nutrients, choosing the right feeds for different forage types, and monitoring body condition to keep young horses on track. You can learn more about these topics by visiting our expertise...

Dr. Nicole Rambo and Sarah explain equine anhidrosis, a condition that prevents horses from cooling themselves properly. Learn the warning signs, when to call your veterinarian, how to safely cool an overheated horse, and practical nutrition and management strategies to help keep horses safe during hot weather. A must-listen for anyone caring for horses in the summer. You can learn more about thes...

Dr. Nicole Rambo and Heather answer a customer question about feeding a horse with sarcoids, explaining what they are, what causes them, and the treatment options available. They discuss why management varies from horse to horse and why veterinary guidance is essential. From a nutrition perspective, they emphasize that no diet or supplement can cure or prevent sarcoids, but a balanced diet can sup...

Dr. Nicole Rambo and Sarah discuss the critical role of electrolytes—minerals such as sodium, chloride, potassium, calcium, and magnesium—in supporting hydration, performance, and recovery in horses. They explain how heavy sweating can lead to significant electrolyte losses, causing subtle signs such as reduced performance, soreness, poor recovery, and decreased appetite or thirst. The episode cov...

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 pressu...

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...

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....

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, ster...

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 nutri...

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 episo...