By Kentucky Equine Research Staff

Fiber fermentation in the hindgut provides the horse with energy to grow, work, and play. The fiber fraction of a horse’s diet typically comes from pasture or hay, but there are forage alternatives that can help supplement energy, benefit the digestive system, and provide fiber for horses that have trouble chewing traditional forage.

One such forage alternative is beet pulp. According to Kathleen Crandell, Ph.D., a nutritionist at Kentucky Equine Research, “Beet pulp is an energy-rich source of digestible fiber that helps promote a healthy microbial population in the hindgut.”

Beet pulp is a byproduct of the sugar beet industry. Sugar beets are grown and harvested to make sucrose and sugar, and beet pulp is the plant material left over once the sugar has been removed. Because of the processing, beet pulp contains minimal sugar.

“Dried beet pulp products are usually available with or without added molasses. The sugar content of unmolassed beet pulp shreds is less than 10%, making it a safe feed for horses that need a low-sugar diet. Shreds with added molasses contain, on average, less than 15% sugar,” explained Crandell.

Beet pulp is considered a prebiotic, meaning it is beneficial to the millions of microbes in the horse’s hindgut. A robust, well-functioning microbiome contributes to overall health. Despite its prebiotic benefit, beet pulp should never be the sole fiber source of the diet. Beet pulp is low in protein (typically 8-10% crude protein) and rich in calcium but is devoid of vitamins and low in other minerals. While research reported in Nutrient Requirements of Horses, published by the National Research Council, showed that a diet consisting of 45-55% beet pulp had no negative effects on the horses consuming it, beet pulp alone will not provide sufficient nutrients, noted Crandell.

Beet pulp can be used to help underweight horses gain weight, as it provides approximately 1,000 kcals per pound (one quart of dry beet pulp shreds weighs approximately 0.5-0.6 pounds). Byproducts of microbial fermentation of beet pulp in the hindgut include volatile fatty acids, or VFAs, which are absorbed and turned into energy. This energy does not cause a spike in glucose or insulin and is released slowly for a more steady supply. Beet pulp is a common ingredient in commercial grain concentrates because of its energy density and benefit to the microbiome.

Beet pulp can also be used as a top-dressed supplement. Soaking is recommended because beet pulp holds moisture, making it useful for adding water to the digestive system.* Dry shreds will not swell in the throat or stomach when fed appropriately. If feeding beet pulp pellets, soaking is required because of the hardness of the pellet and the significant change in volume once pellets are wet.

Beet pulp has an unfair reputation for causing choke in horses. Choke can be caused by any feedstuff, including forages, that are eaten greedily and swallowed without proper chewing.

In summary, beet pulp is an option for adding energy and promoting digestive health in horses. Contact a KER nutrition advisor for advice on whether beet pulp is right for your horse.

Read more: Benefits of Beet Pulp for Horses

"Work with the nature of the horse" ~ Monty Roberts
In part two of this new online video series, Monty works to put the first halter on Cinder, a wild horse, outside of the gentling chute.

"To blame a horse for anything is like blaming the night for being dark" ~ Monty Roberts

In this online video series, Monty works with a wild horse called Cinder.

Read more: Monty Roberts - Cinder Part 1: Join Up with a Wild Horse (2:04)

In this episode, Dr. Charlie Scoggin and Dr. Maria Schnobrich take you on an in-depth exploration of the commercial opening of the state-of-the-art in vitro fertilization (IVF) lab at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital. They spotlight the groundbreaking techniques shaping the future of equine reproduction, and in particular, they discuss the significance of Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI). Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of the intricate process of ICSI fertilization and its role in overcoming various reproductive challenges in horses. This technology is enhancing success rates and opening new possibilities for horse owners and breeders.

Read more: Inside the In Vitro Fertilization Lab at Rood & Riddle with Dr Charlie Scoggin & Dr Maria...

The following is an excerpt from Life as a Dressage Trainer in Three Countries, by Gunnar Ostergaard, with Pam Stone

With a consistent address, and a string of students and horses to train, I was beginning to settle into my life at Frederiksdal. I felt content and confident in my ability, as all the horses in my training were developing according to my expectations. The apple of my eye was Lotus, a Hanoverian mare imported from Germany. In those days, that was pretty impressive, as it was quite expensive to import horses from Germany. She was a beautiful mare who moved well enough to be competitive in dressage and had the bonus ability of being able to jump.

With happy anticipation, I entered Lotus in my first show since arriving back in Denmark. To be honest, I felt a little cocky. After all, I had been trained in Germany, was doing well in Denmark, and had a talented horse. Convinced that I would win, I rode what I thought was a very good, error-free test, and left the arena with a smile on my face and a pat for the mare.

When the scores were posted, I was gutted. I finished third. At the bottom of the sheet the judges had written, “Rider is sitting crooked.” How could that possibly be? How could I have not felt that? I was mortified, and wished the ground would open up and swallow me whole. It is said that pride goeth before a fall, and it certainly did with me. That day, I wasn’t just served a slice of humble pie, I was given the whole thing.

My self-esteem in tatters, I wandered around the showgrounds to watch the other classes. I had heard of a show-jumping trainer named N.K. Hansen, who had an envious string of wealthy clients, good horses, and skilled riders. I spotted Hansen riding a horse that was notorious for refusing, but with N.K. in the saddle, that was not an option for this horse. I watched him soar over jump after jump.

One of the things that was becoming apparent in Denmark was that I was expected to teach jumping as well as dressage. I had jumped, and competed in jumping—it was required to earn my bereiter certificate—but my focus in Flensburg had been dressage. In Denmark, however, you both jumped and rode dressage.

There was only one thing to do: find a book on it; memorize the details such as distances and combinations, as well as teaching methods; and then try to sound as if I knew what the hell I was talking about. In the end, I absorbed the material, and sounded quite convincing.

While my students weren’t on the road to becoming professional show jumpers, they improved, and our lessons went well. Luckily, these students only jumped once a week, and the indoor wasn’t nearly big enough for advanced jumping!

I enjoyed adding more jumping to my own personal repertoire, even if I didn’t always come home with a ribbon. Lotus, with her abilities in both dressage and jumping, also possessed the frustrating ability to regularly drop a rail somewhere on course, thus earning four faults at competitions.

I finally found success on a Thoroughbred cross named Tonka, who had courage in spades. He was fearless. His owner found Tonka intimidating, which gave me the opportunity to take the horse to a few shows. The one I will never forget was at one of the more impressive venues in North Zealand—the place to be in Denmark, if you wanted to seriously pursue the horse industry—and this competition was for professionals only.

In this particular class, N.K. and I were the last two left in the jump-off, and it seemed we were going to end up with a tie, as the rails had been raised to the highest point possible on the standards. Then some genius had the idea to place beer crates under the standards to raise them higher. Impossible, today, to think that anyone would even dream of allowing such a thing, but perhaps the beer in the crates had all been consumed at the show, so no one cared. In the end Tonka and I cleared the triple bar at 6’ 4” (1.95 meters). It was the first and last time I would jump that high.

Things felt as though they were beginning to snowball in a very good way for me. One particular event that would have a profound effect on my life and career was reacquainting myself with Gunnar Andersen. I contacted him fairly soon after arriving at Frederiksdal. We agreed that Wednesday would suit us both, and so I made the half-hour drive, and found him as affable and approachable as I had remembered.

That first Wednesday turned into a weekly visit, and I truly felt from the beginning that he was taking a special interest, even putting me on his Grand Prix horses, which was heaven on earth. This man, the face of Danish dressage for forty years, seemed to have taken it upon himself to become my mentor.

Gunnar seemingly had no ego; he remained both humble and respectful all the years I knew him. It was never about money with Gunnar —he had no desire to become a businessman, he simply lived his passion, and he was particularly keen on producing hot-blooded Thoroughbreds. While European Warmbloods were making their mark on the competition scene, particularly in Germany, Gunnar remained faithful to his Thoroughbreds, and said that in order to bring home a ribbon, they had to be “twice as good to beat the Germans.” And many were. His list of Thoroughbreds that made the Danish Team was long: Atmospherics, Inferno, Souliman, and C’est Bon.

I lived for Wednesdays—I couldn’t get enough. One Wednesday was particularly memorable. There was a terrific snowstorm, and I crawled along the road in my Beetle. I nearly turned around three times, as the snow was above the hubcaps and the wipers were doing little to keep the flakes from freezing across the windshield. When I finally limped into the parking area, I got out of my car, trudged through the snow, and shoved open the massive barn door, blinking as my eyes adjusted from the blinding snow to the low light of the indoor. Before me was Gunnar, puffing away on the pipe in his mouth and performing the most exquisite piaffe I had ever seen. The gleaming white of Talisman’s coat, as bright as the snow that swirled around me outside, was filigreed by the morning light now streaming in...It was like watching a movie: horse and rider framed in the doorway, moving from piaffe into passage and back into piaffe—classically correct and utterly breathtaking. With his trademark droll humor, he glanced over at me and remarked nonchalantly, “Huh, didn’t think you’d make it.”

That this man would take me beneath his wing and give me the opportunity to ride all those horses...horses that he had trained and competed with renowned success. Gunnar was unbelievably generous with his knowledge, and never made a big deal out of handing me the reins of one of these international Grand Prix horses saying, as if offering a little kid a pony ride at a fair, “Here, you can try a ride on this one.”

These were halcyon days. I was receiving training I could have only dreamt about with Gunnar, establishing a steady business for myself, and developing a social life.

This excerpt from Life as a Dressage Trainer in Three Country is reprinted with permission from Trafalgar Square Books. To order a copy in print or audio, go to: TrafalgarBooks.com

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By Juliet M. Getty, Ph.D.

A smooth, strong topline is a definitive sign of health. Your horse’s back musculature not only looks good but is important for his ability to support his spine and joints.

If the topline is diminished, it is important to assess its cause. Some possible reasons include:

• Multiple pregnancies
• Poor saddle fit
• Ridden at too early an age
• Lameness
• Too much time in a stall – not enough movement
• Weakened abdominal muscles
• Muscle-related diseases such a polysaccharide storage myopathy (PSSM) and exertional rhabdomyolysis (ER)
• Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID), commonly called Cushing’s disease
• Weight loss diets that restrict forage
• Aging
• Low quality nutrition

While each of the above points can be discussed at length, emphasis will be on the last four bullet points since they are influenced by your horse’s diet.

Why does PPID cause muscle loss?

One of the first physical characteristics of this disease is a decline in topline muscle mass.[i] Cortisol is a catabolic hormone, meaning it causes muscle weakness and wasting. Because of the excessive production of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and hence, cortisol, the muscles will break down or atrophy, and so you will see a characteristic swaying of the back.

Losing weight by limited forage intake will make matters worse[ii]

Reducing caloric intake and burning more calories helps your horse’s body use the energy he is storing. But there is a component to weight loss that has nothing to do with calories – it has to do with hormones. Hormones, such as cortisol and insulin, dictate to your horse’s body how much fat he will store; these hormones are keenly sensitive to stress.

If you are seeking help for your overweight horse, you may be getting advice that is unsuitable for your horse’s long-term health. If eating less means taking away hay or pasture, then it is contradictory to what your horse needs. Yes, do take away fattening cereal grains and sugars, but never, never, never restrict forage.[iii] Why? Because restricting forage is the most stressful thing you can do to your horse.[iv]

Restricting forage results in loss of muscle mass.[v] You will see weight loss, but much of it is due to a reduction in the longissimus dorsi muscle that runs along the topline.[vi]

Aging[vii]

The body changes with age, along with reduced muscle mass[viii] for several possible reasons:

• Saliva and digestive enzyme production diminish. This can result in poorly digested feed. Combined with possible poor dentition, and your horse may not be getting the calories and nutrients he requires.

• Stressors can impact the hindgut microbiome. Stress due to bodily aches and pains, and possible changes in pecking order within a herd can influence the microbiome’s health and ability to digest fiber for calories.

• Insulin resistance. Many horses develop metabolic conditions with age that manifest themselves as insulin resistance. In this situation, the tissues do not get enough glucose, leading them to rely on muscle for glucose production.

• Reluctance to move. Loss of muscle tone is inevitable if the horse is retired and no longer has the same level of physical activity. Degenerative joint conditions can also make your horse less eager to exercise.

How many pounds of protein does a horse require?

On average, an adult horse at maintenance will benefit from 1.4 lbs (636 grams) of protein per day.[ix] Horses who exercise moderately require more (2 to 2.15 lbs per day; 908 to 976 grams per day). To put this into perspective, consider your horse consuming 20 lbs of hay with 10% crude protein content - providing 2 lbs of protein per day. This would appear to be sufficient, but the “quality factor” needs to be considered.

Forage protein quality

If your horse gets only one variety of forage, whether fresh pasture grasses, or hay, the protein quality will be low. Adding alfalfa or mixed grasses will definitely improve the protein profile. The more forage variety, the better.

Crude protein is not a measure of quality.[x] It merely tells you how much nitrogen is in the feed. To be of high quality, there needs to be sufficient essential amino acids in the proper proportion so the horse can produce proteins throughout the body.

What protein sources can you consider for topline improvement?

By adding other sources of protein, the amino acids from forages can be better utilized and fewer of them will go to waste.[xi] Some good examples:

SEEDS

• Hemp seed meal- 22 grams of protein in 1/2 cup. Hemp seed meal is high in excellent quality protein (33%) and lower in fat than the hearts (10%).[xii]
• Hemp seed hearts - 29 grams of protein in 1/2 cup. Hemp seed hearts are even more concentrated in protein, and their quality is the best source of plant protein.[xiii] Highly palatable.
• Chia seeds- 9 grams of protein in 1/4 cup. Chia seeds are excellent to include in all horses’ diets because of their protein content, but more importantly, because of their perfectly proportioned essential fatty acid content.[xiv]
• Flax seeds (ground)- 10 grams of protein in 1/2 cup. Like chia, with an essential fatty acid proportion that mimics the omega 3 to omega 6 ratio found in fresh pasture grasses.[xv]
• Pumpkin seeds – shell removed- 37 grams of protein in 1/2 cup. Highly concentrated source of protein and digestive enzymes. The fat content is mainly omega 6 -linoleic acid (LA) which can be inflammatory if omega 3s are not also added to the diet.
• Black oil sunflower seeds with the shell- 5 grams of protein in 1/2 cup. Mostly fiber. High LA content makes them inflammatory if omega 3s are not also added to the diet.

LEGUMES

• Soybean meal- 27 grams of protein in 1/2 cup. GMO Soy is not advisable.[xvi],[xvii],[xviii],[xix] Organic soy is excellent in quality.
• Split peas- 24 grams of protein in 1/2 cup. Can add water to soften but horses enjoy crunchy texture. High in lysine.
• Pea protein isolate- 30 grams of protein in 1/2 cup. More concentrated in protein that the split peas.
• Lupins- 25 grams of protein in 1/2 cup. Similar to peas, they are often added to horse feed, especially in Australia.

ANIMAL PRODUCTS

• Whey protein isolate- 40 grams of protein in 1/2 cup. High quality protein from milk. Whey concentrate can contain lactose; therefore, choose the isolate.
• Colostrum- 18 grams of protein in 1/4 cup. This is an excellent superfood.[xx] It provides insulin-like growth factors (IGF) which promote optimum muscle growth during exercise.[xxi] Also beneficial for aging horses who may be becoming more frail.
• Collagen- 28 grams of protein in 1/4 cup. Contributes to joint and muscle strength.

OTHER

• Copra meal- 22 grams of protein in 1/2 cup. This is coconut meal. Its protein is not high in quality[xxii] with a relatively poor level of lysine and other essential amino acids. When mixed with other protein sources, it helps boost the overall amino acid profile. Contains coconut oil, which is devoid of essential fatty acids.[xxiii]

Other nutrients for muscle mass development

Spirulina. This is a type of blue-green algae. It has been touted as a good food for muscle building, but it is relatively low in lysine and methionine. But when added to the diet that contains other sources of proteins, it can contribute to a healthy amino acid pool. Its main benefit is for immune support, particularly insect-related allergies.

Amino acid supplements. Many preparations offer three of more of the 10 essential amino acids, typically lysine, methionine, and threonine, since these three have been studied the most. The branched chain amino acids -- leucine, isoleucine, and valine, are essential amino acids that are found in high concentrations within muscle cells.

Vitamin B6. Pyridoxine (vitamin B6) is required for protein synthesis. Since the microbial population in the hindgut can produce this vitamin, its supplementation is generally not necessary. However, an aging or stressed horse may experience a decline in B vitamins. B6 in particular, increases the gene expression of factors that promote the growth and repair of skeletal muscle.[xxiv] Supplementing B6 to horses hasn’t been studied extensively but providing 30 to 70 mg per day may be beneficial in the short term.[xxv]

Gamma oryzanol. A plant sterol that has an anabolic (building) effect on muscle mass. Found in low concentration in rice bran oil, it is better to choose an extract. It stimulates muscle development in exercised horses.[xxvi] It is not beneficial however, for sedentary animals.

Bottom line

The horse relies on a diet that is sufficient in quality protein to maintain a healthy, strong topline. By feeding several protein sources, you can provide your horse’s body with an ample essential amino acid pool from which body proteins can be produced. Since pasture grasses and hays often do not provide enough amino acid variety, it is worth adding high-protein whole foods to boost the overall value of the diet.

This article originally appeared on Getty Equine Nutrition and is published here with permission.

Find more informative articles in our section on Health & Education.

Read more: Topline Loss - How Nutrition Can Help

Monty Roberts shares horse training ideas for horse lovers who want to educate themselves on the behavior and needs of horses. Find out more at montyroberts.com

Read more: Ask Monty: Why is my horse aggressive at feeding time? (1:22)

By Kentucky Equine Research Staff

Acknowledging the importance of treating chronic pain caused by osteoarthritis in horses, a team of veterinary scientists recently developed a novel tool called the “Equine Brief Pain Inventory” or EBPI.* With this tool, horse owners monitor chronic pain in their horses so they can identify discomfort caused by osteoarthritis, gauge response to treatment, and recognize when treatment modifications may be indicated.

“Chronic pain from cartilage damage, heat, and joint swelling due to osteoarthritis result in lameness, decreased mobility, and loss of normal function. Further, uncontrolled pain negatively affects the quality of life and welfare of a horse,” explained Kathleen Crandell, Ph.D., a nutritionist for Kentucky Equine Research. “When the amount of discomfort an animal appears to be feeling goes unrecognized by the caretaker, chances are it will be left untreated by a veterinarian.”

Currently, veterinarians manage arthritis using a multimodal treatment approach typically involving nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) including phenylbutazone or bute, regenerative therapies such as IRAP (interleukin-1 receptor agonist protein) and PRP (platelet-rich plasma), and oral joint health supplements. Kentucky Equine Research offers several research-based supplements to prevent or manage horses with osteoarthritis, such as Synovate HA.

“Horse owners consistently see their own horses and are best able to detect changes in behavior, movement, and facial expressions that indicate pain. However, as prey animals, horses tend to hide signs of discomfort to avoid attracting the attention of predators. As a result, signs of chronic pain may be overlooked by owners. This is particularly true for a condition such as osteoarthritis that may have wax-wane pain presentation,” Crandell said.

Using established strategies, researchers developed an EBPI specific to horses with osteoarthritis, mirroring closely ones that are used in human and canine patients. This tool involved a 15-question survey that polled owners about their horses’ posture, movement, facial expressions, and behavior. Owners circled a number from 0 to 10 based on the score that best describes their horses.

After extensive development, 25 owners or caretakers of horses with osteoarthritis tested the EBPI. Most of this pilot group (over 84%) found the questionnaire easy to complete and useful. The EBPI took less than five minutes to finish and had a readability suitable for 11- and 12-year-olds.

“Using this tool, owners can play a more proactive role in identifying pain so that a management plan can be created with the veterinarian. It will also allow caretakers to continuously monitor horses to address when their pain management strategy needs tweaking or updating.”

Read more: New Tool Recognizes Pain in Horses with Osteoarthritis