Exploring the Secret to Equine Wellness: The Essential Role of Low-Starch, Low-Sugar Diets Having shared the 101 of low starch, low sugar feeds, Jeanne van der Veen, equine nutritionist for Sentinel Horse Feeds and Kristyn Sturken, equine product manager for Sentinel Horse Feeds, are sharing what horses can actually benefit from this type of nutrition plan. Q: What types of horses can benefit from a low starch and/or low sugar diet?   “Many horses can benefit from eating a low starch and low sugar diet, but not all horses require this type of diet or even should be fed this type ..read more

Thanks to the internet, horse owners have access to more information about equine nutrition than ever before. Yet, some stubborn misconceptions about feeding persist. To help you ensure your horse’s diet is formulated based on up-to-date and accurate information, we are laying to rest seven of the most common horse-feeding myths. Armed with the truth, you can better identify misinformation you may come across online. Then you can do the best by your horse when mealtime rolls around.  Myth #1: Horses must be fed at the same time every day. You don’t have to worry if you’re late delivering ..read more

Whether it’s just a few mouthfuls of feed sitting in the bottom of your horse’s bucket or a whole ration untouched, discovering that your horse has suddenly lost his appetite is troubling—and it should be. A horse doesn’t refuse to eat without a reason, and that reason could be serious and even life-threatening. If your horse has lost his appetite and is showing any signs of illness or distress—such as a fever, discolored gums or elevated heart rate—it’s cause for an immediate call to your veterinarian. Likewise, if you notice half-chewed feed or other evidence of tooth or oral issues, arrange ..read more

The What, Who, Why and When of feeding Lower Starch, Lower Sugar, Lower Non-Structural Carbohydrates (NSC) feed to your horse.   We sat down with Jeanne van der Veen, equine nutritionist for Sentinel Horse Feeds and Kristyn Sturken, equine product manager for Sentinel Horse Feeds to get the scoop on low starch, low sugar and low NSC feeds, what horses need these feeds and how they can be used as part of a balanced feeding program.   Q: There has been a lot of hype around low starch and low sugar feeds. Is it all worth it? And what is considered low starch, low sugar or ..read more

Our horses love getting their feed, but unfortunately, it can bring out the worst in them. Mealtime misbehavior takes many forms, from pinned-ear squealing to incessant wall-kicking. More than just annoying, these behaviors pose management challenges and can even be dangerous! In this edition of EQUUS Extra, we show you how to teach your horse mealtime manners. Whether he’s dominant, insecure or simply anxious about his next meal, we’ve got strategies that work. PLUS: Feeding a herd outdoors, preventing laminitis and more! FEATURED IN THIS EDITION: Encouraging proper conduct When environment ..read more

Question: My horse constantly licks the ground at one spot in his paddock. As far as I can tell, the area is just the clay-like soil we have in this area. I’ve had people tell me he’s looking for some particular nutrient his diet is missing, but he’s on a well-regarded commercial feed and gets lots of grass in spring and summer and hay in winter. He also has a salt block. Other people have told me that it’s a stereotypy like cribbing, but he doesn’t seem stressed out to me and he doesn’t have any other bad habits. The dirt patch is in the middle of the field, so it would be hard to fence off ..read more

Your horse’s nutritional needs are not likely to change much as he ages, unless his activity level or health status do. But it’s still important to pay attention to the basics. Horses of any age need ready access to clean fresh water and salt—either free choice or a block—you’ll also need to keep a close eye out for weight losses or gains, changes in condition and other signs that a dietary adjustment is needed. Of course, you’ll want to consult your veterinarian or an equine nutritionist before making any major changes in your horse’s diet, but in the meantime here are three feed options that ..read more

Your horse’s nutritional needs are not likely to change much as he ages, unless his activity level or health status do. But it’s still important to pay attention to the basics. Horses of any age need ready access to clean fresh water and salt—either free choice or a block—you’ll also need to keep a close eye out for weight losses or gains, changes in condition and other signs that a dietary adjustment is needed. Of course, you’ll want to consult your veterinarian or an equine nutritionist before making any major changes in your horse’s diet, but in the meantime here are three feed options that ..read more

A horse’s gastrointestinal (gut) health begins with not only what he is fed, but how and when he is fed. This is where it pays to follow certain “best practices” that help mimic the diet and routine that Mother Nature intended: • Beef up the turnout: A pasture-kept horse will almost never colic because his digestive system is designed for near-continuous grazing. When fitted with grazing muzzles, horses at risk for laminitis or obesity can also benefit from generous pasture time because they will still be moving around, interacting with others, and eating small amounts frequentl ..read more

Thanks to the internet, horse owners have access to more information about equine nutrition than ever before. Yet, some stubborn misconceptions about feeding persist. To help you ensure your horse’s diet is formulated based on up-to-date and accurate information, we are laying to rest seven of the most common horse-feeding myths. Armed with the truth, you can better identify misinformation you may come across online. Then you can do the best by your horse when mealtime rolls around.  Myth #1: Horses must be fed at the same time every day. You don’t have to worry if you’re late delivering ..read more