Feed Room Chemist: An Equine Nutrition Podcast

**EQUI-SUMMIT REPLAY ** Dr. Jyme Nichols breaks down one of the most misunderstood topics in equine nutrition: low-starch diets. She explains how the term “low starch” is widely used but lacks any true industry definition, leading to confusion among horse owners about what it actually means and when it matters. Throughout her presentation, Dr. Nichols clarifies key concepts like starch, sugar, and...

In this episode, we are going to talk about the basics of owning and feeding a draft horse. These giant, magnificent creatures do require a bit of special consideration when it comes to nutrition and Dr. Jyme explains it all in this episode. Resources • Galic et al. (2010): Adipose tissue as an endocrine organ https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mce.2009.08.018 • Kershaw and Flier (2004): Adipose Tissue as...

In this episode, Dr. Jyme discusses the importance of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, and how a balanced diet can enhance your horse's natural defenses. Check out this episode for some quick tips to keep your horse resilient against illnesses and allergens. Resources • Vitamin E study reference: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/415853 You can now follow @drjyme on Faceb...

Today we’re diving into a topic that’s crucial for horse owners: traveling with horses. Whether you’re going to a competition, a recreational ride, or a new home, ensuring your horse’s health and well-being during travel is essential. We’ll cover important dietary and nutritional management tips, how to keep your horse hydrated, ensure they maintain a good appetite, recover quickly, and most impor...

You may be familiar with the terms prebiotics and probiotics, but have you ever heard of postbiotics? This episode covers the basics of postbiotics including what they are and how they can be used in the feeding program to support certain biological functions. Resources • Health promoting microbial metabolites produced by the gut microbiota after prebiotics metabolism: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fo...

Vitamin C is important for many functions in the body. Horses are capable of making their own vitamin C, yet some researchers suggest it be a beneficial addition to horses under certain conditions. In this episode, Dr. Jyme unpacks what the scientific community knows about vitamin C for horses and when it might be useful in the equine diet. Resources Vitamin C and Immune Function: https://doi.org/...

It’s fly season and there is nothing more irritating than a barn full of flies zapping the energy right out of your horses. This episode covers feed through fly control options and extra management tips to make your horse’s life as fly-free as possible this summer! Resources • Here are some of Dr. Jyme’s favorite fly control options. Dr. Jyme receives no incentive, discount, or kickback from these...

The old saying “no hoof, no horse” couldn’t be more true. If you have ever found yourself in a situation with a horse that had foot issues, you quickly realize there isn’t much you can do with that horse from a work or athletic standpoint, you may be devoting hours/days/weeks/months to helping the horse heal, and sometimes the situation may be career, or even life, ending. This episode sifts throu...

Confused by all the feed choices out there? Inspired by a listener question, Dr. Nichols explains her 8-step process for selecting the brand or line of feed to best fit your needs. Show Notes: Feed Selection Road Map 1. Is the nutritionist qualified? 2. Least Cost vs Locked Formula 3. Ionophore Stance 4. Feeding Rates 5. Trace Mineral Source a. Zinc Methionine Complex b. Copper Lysine Complex c. M...

Stallions can fall into a fairly wide range in terms of dietary needs, so there is no one-size-fits-all program. In this episode, Dr. Jyme describes different things to consider in designing a foundational nutrition program for a stallion and then takes it a step further by considering functional technologies that may help with things like semen quality and libido. Resources • Ultimate Breeding Gu...

If you plan to breed your mare this year, this is your episode! Dr. Jyme explains her pre-breeding checklist and two special functional ingredients you can add to the diet to maximize your chances of an easy conception and healthy baby. References: • Merck Veterinary Manual - https://www.merckvetmanual.com/management-and-nutrition/management-of-reproduction-horses/the-reproductive-cycle-of-horses...

Just because the grass is dormant and covered by a fresh layer of snow doesn’t mean you can forget about laminitis. Winter laminitis can be a concern for horses, especially those predisposed to metabolic conditions. Resources • Winter Laminitis Proceedings 2015 https://www.ecirhorse.org/proceedings-2015.php You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroo...

“Biohacking is a powerful concept that equips individuals with diverse tools and strategies, enabling them to take charge of their health like a CEO steering a successful company,” says Dr. Kien Vuu, M.D. Why not use some of these techniques on our horses to optimize their health, performance, and longevity?? Resources: • [Book] Thrive State: Your Blueprint for Optimal Health, Longevity, and Peak...

Weaning can be a stressful time for both mare and foal, but as owners and managers there are things we can do to minimize stress. This episode covers the nutritional aspects of deciding when to wean your foal. You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowner! …. If you have a topic or question you would like ad...

As a follow up to episode 126 “Sweet Temptations” Dr. Jyme digs into the concepts behind evaluating sugar in the diet and how to apply the findings to specific situations. Resources: • EquiSUMMIT Registration for on-demand replays of the live event: https://bit.ly/440K6tp • Review of WSC and ESC of temperate grass pastures: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2022.103866 • Seasonal trends in NSC of coo...

Dr. Jyme was a guest presenter at the 2023 EquiSUMMIT. This is a re-play of her presentation covering the nutritional considerations of horses with sugar sensitivities. To view the video replay of this webinar go to: https://bit.ly/440K6tp You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowner! …. If you have a topic...

Modern feeding practices can have some not so great impacts on our horse’s mouths. In this episode Dr. Jyme explains how current “normal” practices in our horse’s environment can cause unintended consequences for a horse’s dental health. You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowner! …. If you have a topic o...

There’s a saying as old as time: “No foot, No horse”… but what about “No Mouth, No Horse”? Limitations of the mouth can impact a horse’s attitude, body condition, and performance. This episode addresses some nutritional "work arounds" when a horse has some limitations. You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #emp...

Ever find yourself wondering where the “official” start of the digestive tract is? The answer might not be what you think. This is the first episode a three-part series devoted to uncovering some of the links between equine nutrition and dental health. You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowner! …. If you...

Have you ever wondered about using carnitine as a fat burners for yourself and then somehow your mind drifts over to what that might look like in your horse? Or maybe you have a horse with Insulin Resistance, PSSM2, MFM, or some other disorder and you are searching for ways to open alternative energy pathways for cells in the body? Or maybe, you have a horse that washes out toward the end of your...

Ever wondered if it’s ok to offer your horse a piece of your granola bar? Or curious if there are dangers to feeding a piece of chocolate? This episode covers some of the more common foods that should never enter your horse’s mouth.     Resources: · Chocolate [Caffeine and theobromine]: https://aaep.org/sites/default/files/issues/proceedings-07proceedings-z9100107000087.pdf · Persimmons [phytobezo...

Should you choose first cutting? Second cutting? Third cutting? Does it even matter? This episode uncovers the truth behind the cutting number of hay and why this may not be the best criteria for choosing the best hay for your horse.   You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowner! …. If you have a topic or...

Mares carry and care for some of the most precious cargo. We know their health impacts that of the baby they are caring for, so what do you do if your pregnant mare is dangerously overweight? Resources: · Henneke Body Condition Scoring:   https://vetmed.tamu.edu/files/vetmed/vmth/laminitis/Equine_Body_Condition_Scoring.pdf   You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your fr...

Plasma doesn’t only belong in an IV bag! New technologies allow plasma to be sterilized and dried for use in an oral supplement, and with over 600 published studies across multiple species, there’s no question that it benefits the body. Resources: · Article released by ‘The Horse’ on oral plasma: https://thehorse.com/171523/plasma-in-oral-form-a-game-changer-for-horses/ · Research study - Ulcer Pr...

Not everything you put in your horse’s mouth is considered “nutritional”. This episode explains the components that should be the foundation of a horse’s diet. Do not waste money feeding any kind of supplement if these foundational cornerstones are not in place first! Resources: ·NRC (National Research Council) Nutrient Requirements of Horses 6th Revised Edition. https://tinyurl.com/295w27dw You c...