Thank you for joining the 2024 UGA Horse Owner’s Webinar Series: Applied Equine Nutrition. This webpage will host all of the materials for the course, including recordings, supplemental readings, helpful websites and other resources to help guide your study. Should you need further assistance, have suggestions for a resource that should be added, or have a specific nutrition-related question, please contact Robyn Stewart at rlstew2@uga.edu.
Getting Started:
Consider reviewing the 2023 Basics of Equine Nutrition Course Materials! Our 2023 series covered the following information, which we consider essential to all horse owners. In addition to webinars, we created a workbook if you prefer to read the key concepts from each lecture.
- How to feed horses based on their digestive anatomy and physiology
- Essential nutrients for the horse and how we provide them in the diet
- Nutrition of pasture and fresh forage
- Considerations for selecting hay and use of forage alternatives
- When and how to use commercial feeds and supplements
- How to interpret a feed tag
There were many questions on evaluations about equine health including hooves, dentition, parasites, and vaccinations. Our 2021 UGA Horse Owner’s Webinar Series covered Basic Topics in Equine Health with all of these topics, PLUS sessions on equine first aid and equine welfare and behavior. If you asked about these topics, please review that course at our UGA Horse Owner’s Webinar Series homepage – the 2021 series should be the second blue bar down the screen.
Week #1: Feeding Thin Horses with Dr. Jennie Ivey (University of Tennessee)
Our first session focused on differentiating between starved horses and thin horses, suggested five key questions to use when assessing a thin horse’s situation, and provided some practical advice for refeeding starved horses.
Recording: Feeding Thin Horses | Dr. Jennie Ivey
Evaluation: Thin Horse Evaluation *If you complete all evaluations for the course you’ll be entered to win one of 18 prizes!
Written Materials (waiting on oil cheat sheet from Dr. Ivey):
“Weight Calculating Spreadsheet” This Excel spreadsheet uses the formulas proposed by the University of Minnesota Extension for estimating actual and ideal body weight of horses. Users can download the spreadsheet, enter their horse’s measurements (girth circumference, height, body length, neck circumference), select their horses breed or “type”, and have their horses actual and ideal weight be calculated for them. If you have trouble with the spreadsheet, please contact rlstew2@uga.edu
“Estimating Actual and Ideal Bodyweight of Adult Horses” from the University of Minnesota Extension discusses the formulas referenced in class for determining actual and ideal body weight of horses.
“Evaluating Body Composition of Horses” from Ohio State University Extension. This resource differentiates between the systems discussed in class and provides written explanations of each and how to use them: body weight, body condition score, cresty neck score, and muscle scoring.
“Body Condition Score | The Leading Rein Newsletter” featuring Body Condition Scoring article on pages 3-5, from University of Georgia Extension
Nutrient Requirements of Horses, 6th Ed. this textbook contains all of the recognized, standard nutrient requirements for horses and is used to formulate diets and balance rations for horses. This book also houses the NRC Calculator which can be used for basic balancing of equine diets.
Video Materials:
“Body Condition Scoring | Equine Exchange Lunch & Learn” Presentation discussing what the BCS system is, why it’s important, and what to look for when scoring your horses. Part of the Equine Exchange monthly Lunch and Learn hosted by Robyn Stewart, M.S.
“The Equine Exchange: Forage Alternatives and Supplementation” 40 minute presentation discussing the use of forage alternatives like beet pulp, alfalfa cubes, or hay pellets in the diet including pros and cons of each. Presented for the November, 2022 Equine Exchange Lunch and Learn.
“The Equine Exchange: Feeding for Weight Gain” 40 minute presentation discussing practical methods for increasing caloric density of the horse diet, geared towards feeding healthy but thin horses BCS 4 or higher. Not suitable for BCS 1 or 2 animals.. Presented for the February, 2023 Equine Exchange Lunch and Learn.
Week #2: Feeding Overweight Horses with Dr. Caitlin Quinn, DVM (University of Georgia Veterinary School)
Our second session focused on feeding overweight and obese horses, including discussion of equine metabolic syndrome, practical feeding and exercise advice for overweight and metabolic horses, and recommendations for medical management options.
Recording: Feeding Overweight and EMS Horses with Dr. Caitlin Quinn
PowerPoint Slides: Slide Deck – Feeding Overweight and EMS Horses
Evaluation: Overweight Horse Evaluation *If you complete all evaluations for the course you’ll be entered to win one of 18 prizes!
Written Materials:
“How to Assign A Cresty Neck Score” paper discusses what the CNS system is and how to use it to evaluate horse condition.
Review of Literature on Insulin Dysregulation this scientific research paper discusses what insulin dysregulation is, how it functions, prevention, and treatment. It is a great resource for developing better understanding of insulin dysregulated horses.
“Weight Calculating Spreadsheet” This Excel spreadsheet uses the formulas proposed by the University of Minnesota Extension for estimating actual and ideal body weight of horses. Users can download the spreadsheet, enter their horse’s measurements (girth circumference, height, body length, neck circumference), select their horses breed or “type”, and have their horses actual and ideal weight be calculated for them. If you have trouble with the spreadsheet, please contact rlstew2@uga.edu
“Estimating Actual and Ideal Bodyweight of Adult Horses” from the University of Minnesota Extension discusses the formulas referenced in class for determining actual and ideal body weight of horses.
“Evaluating Body Composition of Horses” from Ohio State University Extension. This resource differentiates between the systems discussed in class and provides written explanations of each and how to use them: body weight, body condition score, cresty neck score, and muscle scoring.
Week #3: Feeding Senior Horses with Dr. Amanda Adams (University of Kentucky)
Week three focused on characteristics and considerations for caring for senior horses and feeding specific cases based on body conditions and comorbidities.
Recording: Feeding Senior Horses with Dr. Amanda Adams
Evaluation: Senior Horse Evaluation *If you complete all evaluations for the course you’ll be entered to win one of 18 prizes!
Adams Lab at UK: Senior Horse Health.com
Written Materials:
Senior Horse Published Research is a compilation of peer-reviewed, published research on senior horse care and management. All of the studies Dr. Adams references can be found on this page. If you need help accessing some of these resources in paid journals, please let us know.
“Evaluating Body Composition of Horses” from Ohio State University Extension. This resource includes information on the Muscle Atrophy Scoring System (MASS) discussed in class.
Muscle Atrophy Scoring System (MASS) scientific research article.
“Muscle Loss Atrophy Scoring System for Horses Introduced” article by Kentucky Equine Research discussing the MASS system.
Week #4: Feeding Performance Horses with Dr. Holly Spooner (Cargill/Nutrena)
This week, we discussed the role of energy and energy sources for performance horses as well as practical application for modifying the diet of a performance horse.
Recording: Feeding Performance Horses with Dr. Spooner
PowerPoint Slides: Not available – contact Dr. Spooner with specific questions at holly_spooner@cargill.com
Evaluation: Performance Horse Evaluation *If you complete all evaluations for the course you’ll be entered to win one of 18 prizes!
Written Materials:
Nutrient Requirements of Horses, 6th Ed. this textbook contains all of the recognized, standard nutrient requirements for horses and is used to formulate diets and balance rations for horses. This book also houses the NRC Calculator which can be used for basic balancing of equine diets.
The Mad Barn Feed Database contains information on many feeds you may consider using in your horses diet. This may provide a good starting point, but unfortunately, not all values are correct, so I recommend contacting companies directly with questions about their products.
“Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy” similar to the above from the University of Minnesota Extension, this article provides a simple explanation of PSSM and how to manage it with feed and exercise.
“Hyperkalemic periodic paralysis (HYPP) in horses” from the University of Minnesota Extension discusses the HYPP disorder and suggests management techniques for affected horses.
Video Materials:
“Deciphering Equine Supplements” webinar given as part of the 2022 UGA Horse Owner’s Webinar Series. This presentation covers common reasons for adding supplements, a framework for determining if your horse needs supplements, how to look for research on ingredients, and common classes of supplements on the market.
Week #5: Feeding Metabolic and Insulin Dysregulated Horses with Dr. Kylee Duberstein (University of Georgia)
This week, we discussed the mechanisms behind insulin dysregulation and equine metabolic disorders as well as strategies for managing their nutrition programs.
Recording: Feeding Insulin Dysregulated Horses with Dr. Duberstein
PowerPoint Slides: Feeding ID Horses Slides
Evaluation: Metabolic/ID Horses Evaluation *If you complete all evaluations for the course you’ll be entered to win one of 18 prizes!
Written Materials:
“Non-structural Carbohydrates and Equine Warm-season Grass Pastures” from Rutgers University. This publication discusses carbohydrate content of pasture forages and suggests management protocols for metabolic and insulin dysregulation horses.
“Understanding Sugar and Nonstructural Carbohydrates in Equine Pasture and Hay” from Oregon State University, discusses factors influences pasture and hay carbohydrate content and suggestions for managing NSC levels in horse diets.
“OMEGA 3 FOR HORSES: WHAT, WHY, HOW?” from FeedXL discusses omega 3 fatty acids and the current approach to supplementation. Be mindful, this resource is from a private, for-profit entity, not part of the Cooperative Extension network. However, they provide a comprehensive overview of what omega 3 and 6 fatty acids are, why they’re important, and what we currently know about horse requirements and supplementation.
“Research Review – Purina Omega Match Ahiflower Oil” from Purina Animal Nutrition. This resource discusses one of the private research studies conducted by Purina looking at Ahiflower oil as a supplemental source of Omega 3 fatty acids. Essentially, they did find changes in blood fatty acid content while consuming the Ahiflower oil. However, the study does not address whether those changes in blood fatty acids actually affect or physiologically benefit the horse.
Video Materials:
“Equine Forage Education Videos” from the University of Georgia discusses all things forage. From digestive anatomy to hay sampling, reading hay test results, quality issues in hay, pasture management, and more, this series is a great option to learn more about forages for horses in the Southeast.
Week #6: Feeding Donkeys and Mules with Dr. Erin Goodrich (Cornell University)
While donkeys and mules are in the Equidae family, they have distinct physiological differences from horses. Dr. Erin Goodrich discussed some of these differences as well as applied feeding strategies for these unique equines!
Recording: Feeding Mules and Donkeys with Dr. Erin Goodrich
Powerpoint Slides: Basics of Donkey and Mule Nutrition.pdf
Evaluation: Donkey and Mules Evaluation *If you complete all evaluations for the course you’ll be entered to win one of 18 prizes!
Written Materials:
“Donkey Care Handbook” from the Donkey Sanctuary covers a broad spectrum of topics including environmental management, feeding, handling and behavior, health, welfare, and other topics.
“Poisonous Plants and Trees” from The Donkey Sanctuary. This resource has fact sheets of safe and unsafe browse options for donkeys and mules. Please contact your local veterinarian or Extension agent for further assistance on determining safe browse options if needed.
“Donkey Body Condition Scoring Chart” from the Donkey Sanctuary. This one-page document reviews the 5 point body condition scoring that we use for determining donkey fat cover. Remember, donkeys should be a 3 on this scale!
“Donkey Weight Estimator” from the Donkey Sanctuary. This document requires you measure the heartgirth and height of your donkey and use the tool to estimate the animals weight. Knowing donkey weight is critical for determining the proper feeding rate of forage and vitamins and minerals, as well as dosage of dewormers and other drugs.
“Example Diets: For the Mature, Pregnant, and Lactating Donkey” from the Donkey Sanctuary, presents sample diets for donkeys of different ages and classes including total feed amounts. Be mindful, these recommendations are presented in kg, not lbs.
Video Materials:
“The Donkey Sanctuary Webinars” recorded webinars presented by the UK Donkey Sanctuary covering everything from laminitis, donkey hoof care, dentition, health, and more.