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Calming Supplements: Do They Work?
Horse owners often turn to calming supplements when their equine partners exhibit signs of nervousness, anxiety, or stress-related behaviors. Whether your horse is reactive to spooking, struggles with trailer loading, becomes tense during competitions, or shows barn or separation anxiety, the question of whether these supplements actually work is more nuanced than a simple yes…
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Vitamin E for Horses
Vitamin E is a critical fat-soluble antioxidant that plays a vital role in maintaining your horse’s immune function, muscle health, and nervous system integrity. For horse owners seeking to optimize their animals’ nutrition and prevent degenerative diseases, understanding vitamin E becomes essential—especially in regions where forage quality varies seasonally. This article provides evidence-based guidance on…
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Best Treats for Horses With Sensitive Stomachs
Horses with sensitive stomachs require careful dietary management, and treat selection is no exception. A horse’s digestive system is uniquely designed for continuous grazing and fermentation of fiber in the cecum and colon, making sudden dietary changes or inappropriate treats potentially dangerous. Digestive upset in horses can range from mild colic to serious impaction or…
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Feeding a Horse With Insulin Resistance
Insulin resistance in horses is an increasingly common metabolic condition that affects how a horse’s body processes glucose and responds to the hormone insulin. When a horse develops insulin resistance, its cells become less responsive to insulin signaling, requiring the pancreas to produce more insulin to maintain blood glucose levels. This creates a cascade of…
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Feeding a Horse in Hard Work
Horses in hard work have dramatically different nutritional needs than sedentary or lightly-ridden horses. Whether your horse is used for racing, jumping, ranch work, or intense training, the energy demands of strenuous exercise require a carefully planned feeding strategy. Without proper nutrition, working horses lose weight, experience fatigue, develop muscle soreness, and become susceptible to…
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Best Immune Boosting Supplements
A strong immune system is the foundation of equine health. Horses face constant exposure to pathogens, environmental stressors, and seasonal challenges that can compromise their ability to fight illness and maintain peak performance. While proper nutrition, regular veterinary care, and good management practices form the backbone of immune health, strategic supplementation can provide targeted support…
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Feeding Horses With Ulcers
Equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) affects up to 60% of performance horses and 30% of leisure horses, making it one of the most common gastrointestinal conditions veterinarians encounter in equine practice. Horses with ulcers often show subtle signs like poor appetite, weight loss, dull coat, or behavioral changes, but the condition is manageable with proper…
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Salt Blocks vs Loose Salt
Proper mineral supplementation is fundamental to equine health, and salt is one of the most essential minerals horses need. Unlike humans, horses cannot regulate their salt intake through taste alone and depend on consistent access to quality salt sources. Horse owners often face a choice between salt blocks and loose salt, each with distinct advantages…
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Oil and Fat Supplements for Horses: When and How to Use Them
Oil and fat supplements have become increasingly important tools in equine nutrition, offering horses concentrated sources of energy and essential fatty acids that support everything from coat quality to joint health. Whether you’re managing a performance horse, breeding mare, or senior companion, understanding the role of dietary fats can help you make informed decisions about…
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Should Horses Eat Beet Pulp?
Beet pulp has become a popular feed supplement for horses, appearing in barns and feed rooms across the country. Whether you’re raising a growing young horse, maintaining a senior with dental issues, or conditioning an athletic performer, you may have wondered whether this ingredient belongs in your horse’s diet. Understanding what beet pulp is, how…