By Juliet M. Getty, Ph.D. Colostrum – you know it as the mare’s first milk. It is a complex fluid, rich in nutrients and immune-regulating compounds, all designed to give the newborn foal the immune support he needs to thrive. Unlike humans, who are born with an initial level of immunity, newborn horses do not benefit from any placental transfer of immunoglobulins; … [Read more...]
Dr. Getty’s Tip: Reduce Risk Of Infection When Traveling
www.GettyEquineNutrition.com March 22, 2016 For many horses, this is the season for traveling to horse shows and events. Considering periodic outbreaks of equine herpes virus (EHV-1) and other infectious diseases, it is critical that your horse be in top physical health before embarking to an unfamiliar area. The foundation of that health is a strong immune system. Added … [Read more...]
Add Serving Of Caution To The Tender Spring Grass
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 17, 2016 www.GettyEquineNutrition.com By Juliet M. Getty, Ph.D. 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 … [Read more...]
What Is Vegetable Oil?
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE www.GettyEquineNutrition.com February 23, 2016 What is “Vegetable” Oil? by Juliet M. Getty, Ph.D. The ingredient list is your most important source of information when evaluating a feed or supplement for your horse. Items within the ingredient list must be presented in a certain order. According to the Association of American Feed Control … [Read more...]
Six Points To Consider Before Using A Calming Supplement
by Juliet M. Getty Ph.D. | Apr 29, 2015 | Travel and competition season is upon us, and “show nerves” are common, even in horses. Agitated, nervous horses that are normally well behaved may benefit from a calming supplement. These products can contain vitamins, or minerals, or herbs, or amino acids. So, which to choose and how best to use them? Before making a decision, … [Read more...]
How To Feed A Severely Neglected Rescue Horse
by Juliet M. Getty Ph.D. | Apr 22, 2015 | When we can offer a safe, caring home to a severely neglected horse, everyone in the horse world cheers. If you have recently adopted a rescue horse, let me first commend you for your actions. Saving a horse that is in desperate need of care and nursing him back to health can be one of the most gratifying experiences a horse … [Read more...]
Dr. Getty’s Tip: Too Much Iron Can Be Detrimental To The Insulin Resistant Horse
by Juliet M. Getty Ph.D. | Mar 26, 2015 | Are you adding a supplement to your horse’s diet that contains iron? You may want to consider changing it if your horse is overweight, diagnosed with insulin resistance, or suffers from equine Cushing’s disease. Studies have shown a direct correlation between iron intake and insulin levels in the blood, making it an important … [Read more...]
Obesity. The Real Cause. The Real Fix.
by Juliet M. Getty Ph.D. | Mar 20, 2015 | Obesity is an epidemic problem with domesticated horses. Although we most easily attribute the problem to overfeeding concentrates combined with too little exercise, the underlying cause is much less apparent. It has to do with the horse’s brain and his response to stress -- a chronic low-grade, inflammatory stress. Stress … [Read more...]
Dr. Getty’s Tip: Calculating With PPM In Two Easy Steps
by Juliet M. Getty Ph.D. | Feb 27, 2015 | The trace mineral content of most feeds and supplements is provided in terms of parts per million (ppm). A ppm is the same as mg/kg (1 mg is a millionth of a kg). To do calculations, you need to convert lb or oz to kg using the following conversions: 1 lb equals 0.454 kg 1 oz equals 0.0284 kg Example #1: Your hay … [Read more...]
Do You Need To Analyze Your Hay?
by Juliet M. Getty Ph.D. | Feb 24, 2015 | Many horses rely entirely on hay for their forage needs. Is hay nutritious? Not very. Hay is dead grass; it no longer contains many of the vitamins, omega 3s and omega 6s it once had as living pasture. It does, however, contain protein, carbohydrates, and minerals, and is a significant source of energy. But does it have enough to … [Read more...]
Dr. Getty Urges: “Don’t Let Your Horse Develop An Ulcer!”
by Juliet M. Getty Ph.D. | Jan 22, 2015 | Dr. Juliet Getty never stops urging horse owners to “feed your horse like a horse,” for the simple reason that a horse, fed according to his physiology and instincts, will be healthier. Dr. Getty often speaks about free choice forage feeding as the first line of defense against ulcers, but there is more an owner can do to protect … [Read more...]
Hemp Seeds Rival Soybeans In Protein Quality
by Juliet M. Getty Ph.D. | Jan 16, 2015 | Soybean meal is the most commonly added protein source in horse feeds. However, increasing numbers of horse owners are shying away from feeding it, most commonly because of allergic reactions. Most soybeans grown in the U.S. have been genetically modified, which is a concern for many. Furthermore, it is difficult to ascertain from … [Read more...]
Your Mare’s Pregnancy: Nutrition For The Final 3 Months
by Juliet M. Getty Ph.D. | Dec 18, 2015 | During the first 8 months of pregnancy, your mare may be fed like any other horse, with a balanced, quality diet. But things are changing rapidly during this last stage of pregnancy: She requires more calories, more protein, more omega 3's, and balanced vitamins and minerals, not only for the unborn foal but also to prepare for … [Read more...]
Added Fat Improves Behavior
February 11, 2016 www.gettyequinenutrition.com Added Fat Improves Behavior by Juliet M. Getty, Ph.D. Diet affects behavior. This makes sense. A well-fed horse is healthy. And a healthy horse feels good. Conversely, a poorly-nourished horse is suffering. A variation in hormone levels, for example, can have a temporary effect on how the horse sees the world. Just as … [Read more...]
