Equine Diet Analysis.

The Importance of Comprehensive Equine Nutrition

Extensive research has been conducted on feeding horses, with much of it being accurate and applicable. However, some information needs to be combined with other data to be truly useful. Traditional diet analysis offered by nutritionists has limitations, as much of the advice is based on feeding experiments in other species to establish minimum feeding standards.

These standards often do not consider factors such as weather, climate, individual requirements, and veterinary clinical conditions. The minimum requirement is calculated to prevent clinical signs of deficiencies. Equine clinical nutrition goes beyond these minimum recommended intakes and standard feeding guides, incorporating recent veterinary and scientific studies, the effects of growth, clinical conditions, performance problems, and the current diet.

The Role of Diet Analysis

Horses suffering from colic, especially if recurrent, should have their history and diet reviewed and analyzed. For overweight horses, inducing weight loss is necessary to promote a return to insulin sensitivity and reduce the risk of sub-clinical and clinical laminitis. Alterations to the diet and feeding management should begin with a full diet analysis to support veterinary medical management. Diet analysis is the only way to determine total daily nutrient intake, set realistic goals, and manage weight loss.

Beyond Computer Calculations

Computer calculations alone do not reflect the complexity of nutritional requirements for a wide range of veterinary clinical conditions. Many nutritional recommendations change as new research expands our knowledge. While estimates of an individual horse’s requirements can be found in feeding guides, clinically applicable and best practice nutritional advice requires veterinary knowledge and understanding.

Horses That Benefit from In-Depth Dietary Analysis

Horses that benefit from in-depth dietary analysis include pregnant mares and growing horses, as well as those at risk for or affected by veterinary clinical conditions such as: Arthritis, Behavioral issues, Body composition concerns, Colic, Convalescence, Cushing’s disease (PPID), Dental conditions, Developmental orthopedic diseases (DOD), Diarrhea, EGUS (Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome), Endocrine problems, EPSM (Equine Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy), Injuries, Insulin resistance (IR), Lack of muscle and topline, Laminitis, Orphan foals, Poor hoof quality, Performance problems, PSSM (Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy), Post-surgery recovery, Tying-up (RER - Recurrent Exertional Rhabdomyolysis) and Skin conditions.

The Need for Veterinary Expertise

To be clinically applicable and meet best practice standards, nutritional advice requires veterinary knowledge and an understanding of biochemistry, epigenetics, physiology, pathophysiology, and the clinical assessment of health, growth, performance, and veterinary conditions.

By integrating comprehensive diet analysis and veterinary expertise, you can ensure your horse receives the best possible nutritional care tailored to their specific needs.