Feed Room Chemist: An Equine Nutrition Podcast

Dr. Nichols shares some personal experiences this week around blister beetles, why you should never feed grass clippings to horses and why you should “raccoon-proof” your feed room. In addition, she offers up the trouble-shooting technique she used to figure out why two of her horses went off feed at the exact same time.  Show Notes: ADR Powder – megadose prebiotic and probiotic supplement th...

Introducing a new supplement, changing grain or starting a new batch of hay all require a little special attention on your part. This episode provides tips for making this process as successful and safe as possible. If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@acbluebonnet.com Dr. Jyme Nichols is Director of Nutrition for Bluebonnet Feeds and Strid...

A listener question spurs a review of the research regarding the use of garlic in horses that suffer from respiratory conditions such as Exercise Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage (EIPH). This episode reviews the scientific literature available regarding the potential dangers of feeding garlic and also the benefits that garlic can have in normal horses when it comes to repelling insects. If you have a...

Choke in horses is not the same kind of emergency as it is in humans. In humans, the food becomes lodged in the trachea which blocks the ability to breathe. In horses, the food becomes lodged in the esophagus which does not restrict breathing. This episode provides tips for preventing choke in horses, and, as a bonus, provides some steps that can be taken when trying to troubleshoot poor coat qual...

Dr. Nichols explains the differences between omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, and then dives deeper into the different kinds of omega-3’s and how to decide which is best for your horse. The four omega 3 fatty acids addressed in this episode are Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and Eicosatetraenoic Acid (ETA). Listen in for a better understanding...

Amino acids are one of the most important components of the horse’s body, yet they are highly overlooked by most horse owners. Dr. Nichols conducted an online webinar on amino acids and this is the audio from that session. If you are interested in watching the webinar rather than just listening, go to strideanimalhealth.com/webinars and choose the recording titled: Amino Acid Support in Horses. Sh...

Horses on grain-free diets, forage-only diets, or those battling serious food allergies can all benefit from an equine diet balancer. Forage alone does not provide proper nutrition to meet the needs of today’s horse. Diet Balancers are a simple, and effective way to ensure your horse is getting the nutrition needed to maintain proper metabolic functions and live a long healthy life, even if you ar...

An ionophore (i·on·o·phore) helps transport ions across cell membranes. They are a common staple in beef cattle and poultry diets because they improve feed efficiency and growth rates. Why do we care? Because they are DEADLY TO HORSES. Horse owners may be unknowingly exposing their horses to ionophores through cross contamination in their horse feeds or accidental exposure on their own properties....

Today is all about Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID), or Cushing’s Disease in horses. Horses with PPID typically have a long hair coat that doesn’t shed in the spring and summer. They may be underweight, have increased drinking and urination, and be dealing with laminitis. Providing adequate medication (as directed by your veterinarian) and a low starch diet are critical to proper manag...

Equine coronavirus and COVID-19 in humans are different diseases. This episode explains the difference between the two and what you can do to keep your horse from contracting equine coronavirus.  If you have more questions about equine coronavirus or other equine diseases, the Equine Disease Communication Center or EDCC is a wealth of knowledge and can provide you with resources and tips for...

Horses can become malnourished or starved for a variety of reasons. If you find yourself in a situation where you are providing care for an undernourished horse this is the episode for you! We talk about Re-Feeding Syndrome and how offering too much nutrition too quickly can cause serious problems for the horse that could ultimately lead to death. This episode provides tips on exactly what to feed...

If I was allowed only one nutritional technology to use for the rest of my life, plasma is it! A plasma supplement can support the gut, lungs, reproductive tract, and even improve stride length and hock range of motion in horses. It is also a natural option shown through research to help prevent gastric ulcers. Ready to learn more? Show Notes: More information on the products mentioned can be foun...

This case study breaks down the feeding program for three very different senior horses – Jesse, a 1200 lb senior horse who needs to maintain current body weight; Stoney The Cow Pony, an 800 lb pony who needs to gain weight; and Johnny Cash, a 250 lb miniature pony that is prone to laminitis and needs to lose some weight.  Show Notes: More information on the products mentioned can be found her...

For senior horses, dental care and specialized nutrition go hand in hand. Senior horses should have dental examinations every 6 to 12 months to check for tooth abnormalities, fractures, impactions, and infections. Just because a horse is chewing forage doesn’t mean he is actually swallowing it – quidding is a common condition where the horse chews the hay into a wad and then spits it out. A horse...

Dr. Nichols hosted a webinar on Leaky Gut Syndrome, so we converted the audio file into a podcast! In this episode she explains what it means when a horse has Leaky Gut Syndrome, and provides tips for horse owners to help identify when their horse might be exhibiting symptoms. In addition, the describes the tools available through nutrition to help build a strong intestinal barrier and prevent lea...

Is your mare taking her prenatal vitamins? What you feed a pregnant mare now will impact the health and soundness of her baby long into his adult life.  With foaling and breeding seasons upon us it’s important to take a critical look at the nutrition program for your pregnant mare and growing foal. Nutrition plays a major role in preventing OCD’s and other orthopedic conditions (along with good ge...

This episode unpacks the mystery around ALFALFA! When and why to feed alfalfa or avoid it.  Have a bleeder? How about a horse with PSSM? Maybe you have a chunky monkey or a hard keeping senior? This episode has the tips you need when it comes to choosing the right kind of forage.   Show Notes: I mention 101 Diet Balancer as a tool for filling the gaps of forage only diets.  Equi-Analytical is THE...