In the second video discussing the horse’s digestive system we focus on the horse’s stomach. The stomach has become more and more of a focal point in recent years as the incidence of gastric ulcers, particularly in racing and performance horses, has continued to rise. A combination of stress and infrequent feeding are the primary causes that we understand have increased this problem and there a lot of products in the marketplace that erroneously claim to be “ulcer” products. I also talk about the beginning of the digestive process that occurs in the stomach where the initial breakdown of feed occurs prior to entering the small intestine.

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In the first of a series of videos discussing the digestive system I wanted to present a big picture viewpoint of the various elements in the horse’s digestive tract explaining a little bit about how they work and the important features and challenges that are present. In subsequent videos we will be breaking this analysis down to the individual components the stomach, small intestine and large intestine.

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Fly Season!!!!!! Yes, it is here.  Every year I read articles and blogs about what to do to protect your horses from flies so I thought I would list a few of the hints I found to be the most helpful. In our 24 horse training barn we see horses of all types, ages, breeds which also goes to say they all have different types of skin sensitivities, allergies, tolerances, etc….

Spring is almost upon us in most of the country, so it’s time to revisit that critical topic: spring grazing.

Transitioning a horse from hay to pasture must be handled with care; this point is non-negotiable. For every horse, a gradual change from hay to grass is required to allow the digestive system to adapt, but for the insulin-resistant horse, grazing time and duration can make the difference between soundness and a disabling condition like laminitis. This time of year can be a test of patience for horse—and owner. The horse may be pawing at the gate to get to the first taste of tender spring grass, yet the owner must pay close attention to making the transition safe and healthful. Continue reading →

Beauty is more than skin deep.   Your horse’s skin and coat form an important protective barrier against bacteria and infections. One of the key elements to support skin cell health and produce a “show ring shine” is feeding a high quality, stabilized flax meal high in essential fatty acids (EFAs). The horse’s body does not produce EFAs, such as Omega 3s and Omega 6s,  so they must be supplemented through the diet. Flax meal contains one of the highest concentrations of EFAs with the correct ratio of Omega 3 to Omega 6 and is important for various metabolic processes especially the regulation of inflammatory markers.

Grand Coat™ is the quickest way to give your horse the “WOW” factor….. Continue reading →