The majority of laminitis cases are caused by endocrine disorders (IR and PPID). In horses with IR, PPID or both, the cause of laminitis is hyperinsulinemia (elevated blood insulin—and if insulin is not under control, they should not be eating oats). For example, if you have a horse with elevated insulin who has recovered from […]
Why Fiber First In BEET-E-BITES Treats? The type of fiber your horse consumes in the pasture or from his hay allowance is the most important part of his daily diet. Significant fiber intake from good quality fresh and dried grasses (hay or hay cubes) is the cornerstone of a healthy horse. But did you know—adding […]
When you feed hay without the benefit of a hay analysis you are feeding an unknown. It is well established that hays across the country, around the world in fact, vary widely in protein, digestibility, mineral levels and mineral balance. The advent of vitamin and mineral supplemented feeds, and later “balancers”, was a very positive […]
Typically, grain and concentrate type of rations are higher in sugar and starch than forages. When horses are on a ration or diet that has a high sugar and starch content, it can have dramatic effects on the digestive physiology such as: There is less chewing, less saliva produced, more acidic contents in the stomach […]
All natural, low sugar, sugar-free, made with human grade ingredients, Sounds delicious, but what does it really mean? Carbohydrate sensitive horses (IR, Cushing’s, EMS, PSSM) horses need to be on “sugar-restricted” diets, and their diets must be closely monitored to avoid issues with laminitis, so labels just stating that they are low sugar, lower sugar, […]
When it comes to caring for insulin-resistant (IR) horses, diet plays a very important role in managing insulin levels and preventing associated diseases such laminitis. Insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia are key features of equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) and can also occur in horses with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (or equine Cushing’s disease). These animals […]
Glycemic index is a number assigned to a type of grain,hay, or product indicating the rate of carbohydrate absorption after consumption of that dietary component A concentrated feed or treats that are rich in grain(oats, corn, barley) and molasses, have a high glycemic index, while various types of hay and other fibrous feeds have the lowest glycemic response. Why […]
And why is it important? Starch is a complex chain of sugar molecules. Within the plant, it is the energy storehouse, and is found in high levels in grains. Starches are considered nonstructural carbohydrates because they are found in the cell wall. Fiber, on the other hand, is considered a structural carbohydrate because it lends […]
We first met Vicky when she was donated to the public, county-owned lesson program in Northern New Jersey where both my daughter and I ride and work (barn staff and instructor, respectively). I’ve been riding and teaching there for more than 22 years, and Tory has been riding there since she first became old enough […]
The new bandwagon for feeding Insulin Resistant horses seems to be free choice hay feeding. The rationale to this thinking is that horses who are deprived of food access are being fed unnaturally, and this is a stressor that causes excessive cortisol release, causing laminitis. From personal experience, we found our own horses, fed free choice, gained approximately 50-75 pounds […]
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