MalorieSome horses treat pasture like a salad bar. Others? Like it’s poison in disguise. If you own an insulin-resistant, laminitis-prone, or “air fern” type horse, you already know that what looks like harmless green grass can be a metabolic landmine. And it’s not just what they eat — it’s when, where, and how that makes … Read more
Move over, alfalfa. There’s a new legume in town — and it’s not just another pretty pink flower. Sainfoin hay (Onobrychis viciifolia) is making a comeback in equine nutrition for good reason. Once called “holy hay” by 16th-century horsemen, sainfoin was prized for its digestibility, palatability, and health-promoting properties long before bagged feeds and synthetic … Read more
Horses aren’t designed to digest fat the way humans or dogs are. Their entire digestive system evolved on a trickle of coarse, low-fat forage, not a daily dose of liquid oil. Yet somehow, throwing vegetable oil into a feed bucket has become mainstream advice—for weight gain, for coat shine, or for “energy.” Horses Can’t Digest … Read more
Hay matters. And not just “how much” — but what kind, when it was cut, what species it contains, how stressed it was when harvested, and what your horse actually needs based on their metabolic profile. So what makes a hay “good”? So what actually defines a good hay? It depends on your horse. But … Read more
Equine Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy (PSSM or EPSM) is a muscle disease that affects how horses store, create and use energy — particularly glycogen, the storage form of sugar in muscle cells. It’s a leading cause of tying-up episodes, muscle pain, cramps and deterioration, exercise intolerance, poor performance and a feeling that the horse simply “doesn’t … Read more
Draft horses are the gentle giants of the equine world, celebrated for their power, endurance, and loyalty. But with great size comes greater and different nutritional needs. Their slow metabolism, easy-keeper tendencies, and genetic risks like PSSM (PSSM1/PSSM2) mean they require a carefully balanced diet—not just more of everything. These breeds were bred for power, … Read more
Every horse owner has heard it: “Feed hay before grain,” or “Grain first, then hay.” It’s one of those barn aisle debates that never seems to die. Some swear by giving hay first to “take the edge off,” others dish out grain first because their horse demands it with door-banging theatrics. But here’s the reality … Read more
So you’ve tested your hay — excellent. That alone puts you ahead of 99% of horse owners. But now you’re staring at a report full of numbers, percentages, and acronyms like ADF, NDF, and DE. What does it all mean? Which numbers actually matter? And how do you apply them to your horse’s feeding plan? … Read more
Brittle, cracked hooves aren’t just frustrating—they can lead to pain, lameness, and difficulty holding shoes. Good hoof health starts with a balanced diet, good management and proper farrier care. But if you’re looking for a supplement to see if you can expedite the recovery of your horse’s hoof or are looking for a ration balancer that … Read more
Joint health becomes a major concern as horses get older. Years of carrying riders, working, or simply the passage of time can take a toll on their joints, leading to stiffness, discomfort, and less mobility. Many senior horses show early signs of joint discomfort—such as slow warm-ups, stiffness after rest, or subtle changes in stride. … Read more