The Equine Connection Podcast

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...

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 th...

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 strategie...

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 gu...

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...

Dr. Nicole Rambo and equine specialist Heather cover common spring issues (dull coats, shedding, sweet itch, allergies, and inflammation) and how omega support can help. Fresh grass provides omegas, but levels drop in hay, making supplementation useful. They compare Omega Plus Oil (for calories, skin, and coat) with DHA pellets (for direct anti-inflammatory support). Dr. Rambo mentions recommendat...

Dr. Nicole Rambo and equine specialist Sarah break down common herbal supplements for horses, why they’re used, and where caution is needed. They emphasize starting with the nutrition “pyramid”, with quality forage first, then balanced nutrients before turning to supplements. The episode explores ingredients like raspberry leaf, turmeric, chasteberry, and garlic, highlighting where evidence is lim...

In this special episode of The Equine Connection Podcast, Tribute’s Lexi Hernandez sits down with Taylor Sheridan, the force behind Yellowstone and owner of Bosque Ranch. Taylor shares how his work has helped fuel growth in the Western performance horse industry, along with insights into his breeding program, stallion selection, and vision for the future of the sport. He also discusses the role of...

Dr. Nicole Rambo and Sarah discuss Lyme disease in horses, caused by Borrelia burgdorferi transmitted by black-legged ticks, and its growing prevalence in the U.S. They explain that diagnosis is challenging due to vague, variable signs such as shifting lameness, stiffness, behavioral changes, and occasional neurologic cases, with testing options including ELISA/SNAP and the Cornell Multiplex. Trea...

Dr. Nicole Rambo and equine specialist Heather discuss a case where an allergy panel suggested a horse was allergic to wheat, explaining that true feed allergies in horses are rare and many blood or hair tests are unreliable. They describe how elimination diets followed by ingredient reintroduction are the most reliable way to confirm a feed reaction. The episode also explains why wheat middlings...

Dr. Nicole Rambo and Sarah unpack equine metabolic syndrome (EMS), explaining that it’s not just a disease of overweight “easy keepers” but a form of insulin dysregulation that increases laminitis risk, even in lean or performance horses. They clarify its relationship to PPID and highlight steroid therapies as a common trigger that can temporarily worsen insulin sensitivity. Subtle warning signs,...

Dr. Nicole Rambo and equine specialist Heather review a case study of Leroy, an older toothless horse losing weight and struggling to consume enough long-stem fiber. They explain how toothless horses may appear to graze but often can’t ingest sufficient forage, making soaked forage products and a complete senior feed like Tribute Seniority® Pellet important to maintain fiber intake and body condit...

Dr. Nicole Rambo and Sarah explore bladder stones (uroliths) in horses, an uncommon condition usually made of calcium carbonate that forms around debris in the urinary tract. Signs can be subtle at first (mild colic, attitude or performance changes) but may progress to blood in the urine and painful or frequent urination, with geldings affected more severely than mares. Risk factors include high-a...

In this episode, Dr. Nicole Rambo and equine specialist Heather, focus on transitioning the diet of a mini horse named Goliath. They discuss the importance of a gradual change in feed to ensure digestive health, touching on the need for slow transitions for both concentrates and forages. The case study highlights that Goliath, a slightly overweight mini horse, will be moved to Essential K, a ratio...

In this episode, Dr. Nicole Rambo and Equine Specialist Sarah discuss the science of palatability in horses, exploring what and how horses taste. The conversation touches on how horses have significantly more taste buds than humans, why palatability matters, and how it influences the consumption of feeds, supplements, and medications. They delve into several studies examining horses' flavor prefer...

Dr. Nicole Rambo and  equine specialist Heather focus on managing weight in senior horses during the winter. They discuss a case study of a 28-year-old quarter horse gelding struggling to maintain weight in cold weather. Key points include the importance of evaluating feeding programs, understanding the limitations of certain 'senior' feeds, and exploring practical solutions for better nutrient ab...

In this episode, Dr. Nicole Rambo and Sarah delve into the intriguing topic of enteroliths, or hidden stones, in horses' digestive tracts. They discuss what enteroliths are, how they form, and the nutritional and environmental factors that increase their risk. The hosts highlight the role of high-mineral diets, particularly those rich in alfalfa, and the importance of balanced nutrition and gut mo...