Feed Room Chemist: An Equine Nutrition Podcast

By Dr. Jyme Nichols

Dr. Jyme Nichols, equine nutritionist for Bluebonnet Feeds, explores unique cases, debunks popular myths, and breaks down advanced research data. This podcast combines a little fun with a lot of science to provide real-world feeding advice for your horse.

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133 | How to Select Feed

Feed Room Chemist: An Equine Nutrition PodcastFeb 09, 2024

00:00

34:52

140 | Draft Breeds

In this episode, we are going to talk about the basics of owning and feeding a draft horse. These giant, magnificent creatures do require a bit of special consideration when it comes to nutrition and Dr. Jyme explains it all in this episode.

Resources

• Galic et al. (2010): Adipose tissue as an endocrine organ https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mce.2009.08.018

• Kershaw and Flier (2004): Adipose Tissue as an Endocrine Organ https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2004-0395

You can follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowner!

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If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@bluebonnetfeeds.com

Dr. Jyme Nichols is Director of Nutrition for Bluebonnet (formerly Bluebonnet Feeds and Stride Animal Health).

Mar 27, 202528:54

139 | Immune Health

In this episode, Dr. Jyme discusses the importance of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, and how a balanced diet can enhance your horse's natural defenses. Check out this episode for some quick tips to keep your horse resilient against illnesses and allergens.

Resources

• Vitamin E study reference: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/415853

You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowner!

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If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@bluebonnetfeeds.com

Dr. Jyme Nichols is Director of Nutrition for Bluebonnet (formerly Bluebonnet Feeds and Stride Animal Health).

Dec 27, 202424:58

138 | Travel Better Show Better

Today we’re diving into a topic that’s crucial for horse owners: traveling with horses. Whether you’re going to a competition, a recreational ride, or a new home, ensuring your horse’s health and well-being during travel is essential. We’ll cover important dietary and nutritional management tips, how to keep your horse hydrated, ensure they maintain a good appetite, recover quickly, and most importantly, help them stay calm and relaxed during their journey.

Resources

Hydrate + Recover Travel Paste - https://bluebonnetequine.com/travel-paste/

Hydrate + Recover Daily Powder - https://bluebonnetequine.com/hydrate-recover/

Gut Reset Paste - https://bluebonnetequine.com/gut-reset-paste-adr/

Gastro pHix - https://bluebonnetequine.com/gastro-phix/

Engage Focus Paste - https://bluebonnetequine.com/engage-paste/

Amino Edge - https://bluebonnetequine.com/amino-edge-competitive-edge/

Intensify Feed Line - https://bluebonnetequine.com/intensify/

Omega Force - https://bluebonnetequine.com/Intensify-Omega-Force

You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowner!

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If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@bluebonnetfeeds.com

Dr. Jyme Nichols is Director of Nutrition for Bluebonnet (formerly Bluebonnet Feeds and Stride Animal Health).

Nov 22, 202427:34

137 | Postbiotics

You may be familiar with the terms prebiotics and probiotics, but have you ever heard of postbiotics? This episode covers the basics of postbiotics including what they are and how they can be used in the feeding program to support certain biological functions.

Resources

• Health promoting microbial metabolites produced by the gut microbiota after prebiotics metabolism: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2020.109473

• The haybiome…: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0242373

• Functional effects of gut microbiota-derived metabolites in Alzheimers disease: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conb.2023.102730

• The role of probiotics and prebiotics in modulating of the gut-brain axis: https://doi.org/10.3389%2Ffnut.2023.1173660

• Dietary supplement…attenuates exercise-induced stress markers: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34181712/

You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowner!

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If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@bluebonnetfeeds.com

Dr. Jyme Nichols is Director of Nutrition for Bluebonnet (formerly Bluebonnet Feeds and Stride Animal Health).

Oct 04, 202420:57

136 | Vitamin C in Horses

Vitamin C is important for many functions in the body. Horses are capable of making their own vitamin C, yet some researchers suggest it be a beneficial addition to horses under certain conditions. In this episode, Dr. Jyme unpacks what the scientific community knows about vitamin C for horses and when it might be useful in the equine diet.

Resources

Vitamin C and Immune Function: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu9111211

Pulmonary Bioavailability of Ascorbic Acid in an Ascorbate-synthesizing Species, the Horse: https://doi.org/10.1080/1071576031000068627

Supplementation of Ascorbic Acid in Weanling Horses Following Prolonged Transportation: https://doi.org/10.3390/ani2020184

The oxidant/antioxidant equilibrium in horses: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2007.07.033

Rutgers: Are you ‘Stressing Out’ Your Horse?: https://njaes.rutgers.edu/pubs/publication.php?pid=FS656

Effects of intravenous administration of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) on oxidative status in healthy adult horses: https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.16934

You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowner!

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If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@bluebonnetfeeds.com

Dr. Jyme Nichols is Director of Nutrition for Bluebonnet (formerly Bluebonnet Feeds and Stride Animal Health).

Sep 06, 202421:49

135 | Fly Control

It’s fly season and there is nothing more irritating than a barn full of flies zapping the energy right out of your horses. This episode covers feed through fly control options and extra management tips to make your horse’s life as fly-free as possible this summer!

Resources

• Here are some of Dr. Jyme’s favorite fly control options. Dr. Jyme receives no incentive, discount, or kickback from these brands, they are just products she personally uses and loves.

o Bobby G’s Fly Spray (chemical free)

o ShooFly Leggins

o Fly Free Boots

o Spalding Labs Fly Predators

o Starbar Fly Control Products

o Solitude IGR

You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowner!

….

If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@bluebonnetfeeds.com

Dr. Jyme Nichols is Director of Nutrition for Bluebonnet (formerly Bluebonnet Feeds and Stride Animal Health). For more information on these brands or a free virtual nutrition consult from our team just visit bluebonnetfeeds.com/nutrition-consult

Apr 19, 202425:47

134 | Hoof Conditions

The old saying “no hoof, no horse” couldn’t be more true. If you have ever found yourself in a situation with a horse that had foot issues, you quickly realize there isn’t much you can do with that horse from a work or athletic standpoint, you may be devoting hours/days/weeks/months to helping the horse heal, and sometimes the situation may be career, or even life, ending. This episode sifts through many hoof conditions and explains when nutrition may or may not play a role.

Resources

• Common Indicators of Hoof Stress – with Dr. Debra Taylor and Dr. Tracy Turner: https://thehorse.com/190264/horse-hoof-stressors/

• A Field Guide to Hoof Cracks – Equus: https://equusmagazine.com/horse-care/field-guide-hoof-cracks-55256

• Hoof Abscesses - University of Minnesota Extension: https://extension.umn.edu/horse-health/hoof-abscesses

• Laminitis – UC Davis Veterinary Medicine: https://ceh.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/health-topics/laminitis

• Quittor - Merck Veterinary Manual: https://www.merckvetmanual.com/musculoskeletal-system/lameness-in-horses/quittor-in-horses

• Quittor – Butler Professional Farrier School: https://butlerprofessionalfarrierschool.com/archives/2237

• Side bone - Merck Veterinary Manual: https://www.merckvetmanual.com/musculoskeletal-system/lameness-in-horses/sidebone-in-horses

• Navicular disease – Iowa State University: https://www.extension.iastate.edu/equine/navicular-disease-western-pleasure-horses

You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowner!

….

If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@bluebonnetfeeds.com

Dr. Jyme Nichols is Director of Nutrition for Bluebonnet Feeds and Stride Animal Health. For more information on these brands or a free virtual nutrition consult from our team just visit bluebonnetfeeds.com/nutrition-consult

Feb 23, 202424:01

133 | How to Select Feed

Confused by all the feed choices out there? Inspired by a listener question, Dr. Nichols explains her 8-step process for selecting the brand or line of feed to best fit your needs.

Show Notes:

Feed Selection Road Map

1. Is the nutritionist qualified?

2. Least Cost vs Locked Formula

3. Ionophore Stance

4. Feeding Rates

5. Trace Mineral Source

a. Zinc Methionine Complex

b. Copper Lysine Complex

c. Manganese Methionine Complex

6. Amino Acids

7. Bonus Round (supplement replacements)

8. Final Check of Basics (protein, fat, fiber, starch/sugar)

You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowner!

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If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@bluebonnetfeeds.com

Feb 09, 202434:52

132 | Stallion Nutrition

Stallions can fall into a fairly wide range in terms of dietary needs, so there is no one-size-fits-all program. In this episode, Dr. Jyme describes different things to consider in designing a foundational nutrition program for a stallion and then takes it a step further by considering functional technologies that may help with things like semen quality and libido.

Resources

• Ultimate Breeding Guide https://strideanimalhealth.com/ultimate-breeding-guide

• Effect of feeding a DHA-enriched nutriceutical on the quality of fresh, cooled and frozen stallion semen: doi 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2004.07.010

• Use of nutraceuticals in the stallion: Effects on semen quality and preservation: doi 10.1111/rda.13934

• Effect of dietary antioxidant supplementation on fresh semen quality in stallion: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2010.12.003

• Oral supplementation with L-carnitine improves stallion fertility: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2016.06.068

• Effect of L-carnitine administration on the seminal characteristics of oligoasthenospermic stallions: doi 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2003.11.018

You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowner!

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If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@bluebonnetfeeds.com

Jan 26, 202424:50

131 | Pre-Breeding Season for Mares

If you plan to breed your mare this year, this is your episode! Dr. Jyme explains her pre-breeding checklist and two special functional ingredients you can add to the diet to maximize your chances of an easy conception and healthy baby.

References:

• Merck Veterinary Manual - https://www.merckvetmanual.com/management-and-nutrition/management-of-reproduction-horses/the-reproductive-cycle-of-horses

• American Association of Equine Practitioners - https://aaep.org/horsehealth/regulating-estrus

You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowner!

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If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@bluebonnetfeeds.com

Jan 12, 202421:58

130 | Winter Laminitis

Just because the grass is dormant and covered by a fresh layer of snow doesn’t mean you can forget about laminitis. Winter laminitis can be a concern for horses, especially those predisposed to metabolic conditions.

Resources

• Winter Laminitis Proceedings 2015 https://www.ecirhorse.org/proceedings-2015.php

You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowner!

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If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@bluebonnetfeeds.com

Dec 08, 202318:04

129 | Biohacking Your Horse

“Biohacking is a powerful concept that equips individuals with diverse tools and strategies, enabling them to take charge of their health like a CEO steering a successful company,” says Dr. Kien Vuu, M.D. Why not use some of these techniques on our horses to optimize their health, performance, and longevity??

Resources:

• [Book] Thrive State: Your Blueprint for Optimal Health, Longevity, and Peak Performance by Dr. Kien Vuu, M.D.

You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowner!

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If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@bluebonnetfeeds.com

Nov 08, 202332:59

128 | Weaning Foals

Weaning can be a stressful time for both mare and foal, but as owners and managers there are things we can do to minimize stress. This episode covers the nutritional aspects of deciding when to wean your foal.

You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowner!

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If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@bluebonnetfeeds.com

Oct 06, 202323:34

127 | Sugar, Fructan, ESC, WSC, NSC

As a follow up to episode 126 “Sweet Temptations” Dr. Jyme digs into the concepts behind evaluating sugar in the diet and how to apply the findings to specific situations.

Resources:

• EquiSUMMIT Registration for on-demand replays of the live event: https://bit.ly/440K6tp

• Review of WSC and ESC of temperate grass pastures: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2022.103866

• Seasonal trends in NSC of cool and warm season grasses: https://doi.org/10.2135/cropsci2013.07.0465

• Pasture NSC and equine laminitis: https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/136.7.2099S

• Effect of dietary fructans on insulin response of ponies predisposed to laminitis: https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.231.9.1365

• Effects of inulin (fructan) on equine fecal bacteria: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2015.11.010

• Effect of feeding glucose, fructose, and inulin on blood glucose and insulin concentrations in normal ponies and those predisposed to laminitis: https://doi.org/10.2527/jas.2011-4236

You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowner!

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If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@bluebonnetfeeds.com

Sep 22, 202331:10

126 | Sweet Temptations [EquiSUMMIT Replay]

Dr. Jyme was a guest presenter at the 2023 EquiSUMMIT. This is a re-play of her presentation covering the nutritional considerations of horses with sugar sensitivities. To view the video replay of this webinar go to: https://bit.ly/440K6tp

You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowner!

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If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@bluebonnetfeeds.com

Sep 08, 202331:13

125 | Impacts of Modern Nutrition on Dental Health

Modern feeding practices can have some not so great impacts on our horse’s mouths. In this episode Dr. Jyme explains how current “normal” practices in our horse’s environment can cause unintended consequences for a horse’s dental health.

You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowner!

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If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@bluebonnetfeeds.com

Aug 25, 202329:23

124 | Nutrition for Physically Limited Mouths

There’s a saying as old as time: “No foot, No horse”… but what about “No Mouth, No Horse”? Limitations of the mouth can impact a horse’s attitude, body condition, and performance. This episode addresses some nutritional "work arounds" when a horse has some limitations.

You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowner!

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If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@bluebonnetfeeds.com

Aug 11, 202326:28

123 | How Dental Care Impacts Digestive Health

Ever find yourself wondering where the “official” start of the digestive tract is? The answer might not be what you think. This is the first episode a three-part series devoted to uncovering some of the links between equine nutrition and dental health.

You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowner!

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If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@bluebonnetfeeds.com.

Jul 28, 202324:02

122 | Carnitine for Horses

Have you ever wondered about using carnitine as a fat burners for yourself and then somehow your mind drifts over to what that might look like in your horse? Or maybe you have a horse with Insulin Resistance, PSSM2, MFM, or some other disorder and you are searching for ways to open alternative energy pathways for cells in the body? Or maybe, you have a horse that washes out toward the end of your run and you are trying to figure out how to help them maintain stamina. Well, you are in luck today as I’m going to dig into a cool little amino acid derivative called carnitine.

Resources:

· Carnitine Fact Sheet by National Institutes of Health: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Carnitine-HealthProfessional/

· The Role of l-Carnitine in Mitochondria, Prevention of Metabolic Inflexibility and Disease Initiation: doi: 10.3390/ijms23052717

· Mitochondrial Learning Tool – London Health Sciences Centre: https://www.lhsc.on.ca/medical-genetics-program-of-southwestern-ontario/mitochondrial-learning-tool-homepage

· The effects of L-carnitine supplementation on glycemic markers in adults: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36704801/

You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowner!

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If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@bluebonnetfeeds.com

Jul 14, 202318:14

121 | Human Foods to NEVER Feed Your Horse

Ever wondered if it’s ok to offer your horse a piece of your granola bar? Or curious if there are dangers to feeding a piece of chocolate? This episode covers some of the more common foods that should never enter your horse’s mouth.

Resources:

· Chocolate [Caffeine and theobromine]: https://aaep.org/sites/default/files/issues/proceedings-07proceedings-z9100107000087.pdf

· Persimmons [phytobezoars]: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21985354/

· Avocado poisoning: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36122667/

· Potatoes, Horse Nettles [solanine]: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/solanum-carolinense/ ; https://www.horsedvm.com/poisonous/potato

You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowner!

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If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@bluebonnetfeeds.com

Jun 30, 202317:51

120 | Best Hay Cutting

Should you choose first cutting? Second cutting? Third cutting? Does it even matter? This episode uncovers the truth behind the cutting number of hay and why this may not be the best criteria for choosing the best hay for your horse.

You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowner!

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If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@bluebonnetfeeds.com

Jun 16, 202322:13

119 | Overweight Broodmares

Mares carry and care for some of the most precious cargo. We know their health impacts that of the baby they are caring for, so what do you do if your pregnant mare is dangerously overweight?

Resources:

· Henneke Body Condition Scoring: https://vetmed.tamu.edu/files/vetmed/vmth/laminitis/Equine_Body_Condition_Scoring.pdf

You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowner!

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If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@bluebonnetfeeds.com

Jun 02, 202326:26

118 | Plasma Supplements

Plasma doesn’t only belong in an IV bag! New technologies allow plasma to be sterilized and dried for use in an oral supplement, and with over 600 published studies across multiple species, there’s no question that it benefits the body.

Resources:

· Article released by ‘The Horse’ on oral plasma: https://thehorse.com/171523/plasma-in-oral-form-a-game-changer-for-horses/

· Research study - Ulcer Prevention with Oral Plasma: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2016.05.003

· Research study – Oral plasma on peripartum mares and their foals: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2016.01.019

· Research study – Oral plasma on gait kinematics: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2015.03.087

· Reserach study – Oral plasma remains effective after high temperature pelleting: https://doi.org/10.2527/jas.2005-722

You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowner!

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If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@bluebonnetfeeds.com

May 19, 202332:33

117 | Foundational Nutrition

Not everything you put in your horse’s mouth is considered “nutritional”. This episode explains the components that should be the foundation of a horse’s diet. Do not waste money feeding any kind of supplement if these foundational cornerstones are not in place first!

Resources:

·NRC (National Research Council) Nutrient Requirements of Horses 6th Revised Edition. https://tinyurl.com/295w27dw

You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowner!

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If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@bluebonnetfeeds.com

May 05, 202326:00

116 | Collagen

Collagen is a booming topic in the human health, beauty, and wellness world. As the most abundant protein in the body, it begs the question from some horse owners – should I be supplementing my horse with collagen? If so, how much, what type, and how do I know which collagen supplement is best? Resources: • The 2 apps mentioned for my tactical mini goals: Spiritual wellness >> The Bible Recap (reading in chronological order); Physical wellness >> 1st Phorm (macros tracking with an advisor). • Collagen improves nail health in humans: https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.12393 • Review paper on collagen for osteoarthritis: https://doi.org/10.1185/030079906X148373 • Collagen supplementation to horses with OA: https://doi.org/10.1111/jpn.12863 You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowner! …. If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@bluebonnetfeeds.com Dr. Jyme Nichols is Director of Nutrition for Bluebonnet Feeds and Stride Animal Health. For more information on these brands or a free virtual nutrition consult from our team just visit bluebonnetfeeds.com/nutrition-consult

Apr 21, 202329:43

115 | Muscle Myopathies (PSSM 1 & 2, MFM, RER)

Who knew the good old term “tying up” could have so many meanings? This episode digs into some different muscle myopathies (i.e. PSSM 1, PSSM 2, RER, and MFM) and provides tips for how we can tweak the diet and manage a horse for the best outcome.

Resources:

• (ER) Exertional Rhabdomyolysis: https://cvm.msu.edu/research/faculty-research/comparative-medical-genetics/valberg-laboratory/exertional-rhabdomyolysis

• (RER) Recurrent Exertional Rhabdomyolysis: https://cvm.msu.edu/research/faculty-research/comparative-medical-genetics/valberg-laboratory/recurrent-exertional-rhabdomyolysis

• (PSSM 1) Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy 1: https://cvm.msu.edu/research/faculty-research/comparative-medical-genetics/valberg-laboratory/type-1-polysaccharide-storage-myopathy

• (PSSM 2) Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy 2: https://cvm.msu.edu/research/faculty-research/comparative-medical-genetics/valberg-laboratory/type-2-polysaccharide-storage-myopathy

• (MFM) Myofibrillar Myopathy: https://cvm.msu.edu/research/faculty-research/comparative-medical-genetics/valberg-laboratory/myofibrillar-myopathy

You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowner!

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If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@bluebonnetfeeds.com

Apr 07, 202352:06

114 | Help! I Need Hay!

Who else is cutting it wayyyy too close on their winter hay supply?? This episode provides some tips, tricks, and “watch-outs” for sourcing hay during tough times, plus a “how to guide” for planning how much hay you need when you do go buy.

You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowner!

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If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@acbluebonnet.com

Mar 17, 202329:51

113 | Influencing DNA: Epigenetics

Did you know your horse’s DNA is influenced by his food and environment? And your horse’s DNA is influenced by food and external factors that his parents and grandparents experienced! This episode is mind blowing… let’s dive in!

Additional Resources:

· Ancestral Ghosts in Your Genome: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1Pf5S8Nbfk

· Epigenetic Echos of Your Mother’s Diet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32t098-z-mY

· Epigenetic Transformation – You Are What Your Grandparents Ate: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Udlz7CMLuLQ

You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowner!

….

If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@acbluebonnet.com

Dr. Jyme Nichols is Director of Nutrition for Bluebonnet Feeds and Stride Animal Health. For more information on these brands or a free virtual nutrition consult from our team just visit bluebonnetfeeds.com/nutrition-consult

Mar 03, 202328:34

112 | Cold Snap Feeding Tips

The country is an icicle right now, temperatures have plummeted and horses are in cold-weather shock. Here are a few things you can do to reduce cold weather stress in your horses.

Additional Resources:

· Increase Hay Intake for Winter: https://www.extension.iastate.edu/equine/increase-hay-intake-winter

· Winter Water Consumption from AAEP: https://aaep.org/horsehealth/winter-water-consumption

· Horses may be at risk of colic in cold weather: https://extension.psu.edu/horses-may-be-at-risk-of-colic-in-cold-weather

You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowner!

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If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@acbluebonnet.com

Dec 23, 202224:21

111 | Metabolic Horses (EMS)

Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) is a condition that is gaining awareness among horse owners as researchers uncover more information on the associated risk factors, signs and symptoms. The nutritional program is one critical piece of successfully managing an EMS horse.

Additional Resources:

· Equine Metabolic Syndrome: A Complex Disease Influenced by Genetics and the Environment (2015) http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2015.03.004

· Equine Metabolic Syndrome (2011) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cveq.2010.12.004

· Equine Metabolic Syndrome Consensus Statement (2010) https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1939-1676.2010.0503.x

· Equine Metabolic Syndrome [Review] (2009) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2009.04.183

You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowner!

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If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@acbluebonnet.com

Dec 10, 202235:24

110 | Overweight Horses

Who likes their horse fat? Most of us, right? Well, fat is not healthy and it can lead to some serious problems. This episode explains how to determine if your horse is too fat, why it may be dangerous, and how you can safely bring your horse back to an appropriate body condition.

Additional Resources:

● Ellis & Hollands (2002). Use of height-specific weigh tapes to estimate the bodyweight of horses. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12046788/

● NRC – Determining your horse’s calorie needs: http://nrc88.nas.edu/nrh/

● Calculations for determining body weight:

BW, kg = [Heart Girth (cm)^2 x length (cm)] / 11,880

BW, lb = [Heart Girth (in)^2 x length (in)] / 330

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If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@acbluebonnet.com

Nov 18, 202226:43

109 | Hair Analysis NOT Reliable

Horse hair analysis (HHA) is gaining popularity as purported tool to assess the diet, but research reports hair analysis is NOT a reliable tool for assessing mineral intake in horses.

Additional Resources:

Commercial hair analysis in horses: A tool to assess mineral intake?, Journal of Equine Veterinary Science (2022), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2022.104145
Hair analysis as an indicator of nutritional status, Journal of Equine Veterinary Science (2001),https://doi.org/10.1016/S0737-0806(01)70122-0
Hair analysis as an indicator of mineral status of livestock, Journal of Animal Science (1987), https://doi.org/10.2527/jas1987.6561753x

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If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@acbluebonnet.com

Nov 04, 202214:18

108 | Cribbing & Wood Chewing

The behaviors of cribbing and wood chewing are developed by a percentage of domestic horses. Dr. Nichols talks about what these behaviors are and how to prevent them.

Additional Resources:

· 2010 - Crib-biting in horses: a review. Applied Animal Behavior Science 12: 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2010.07.002

· 2018 - Potential role for selenium in the pathophysiology of crib-biting behavior in horses https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2017.10.003

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If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@acbluebonnet.com

Oct 14, 202223:41

107 | Purchasing a Weanling

You just found the perfect prospect and are thinking about purchasing a weanling. This episode provides the details on how to care for the nutritional needs of your new horse.

Additional Resources:

· Developmental Orthopaedic Diseases in Foals (2010) doi:10.9775/kvfd.2010.2206

· Oklahoma State University Extension AFS-3978 (2020), Weaning and Management of Weanling Horses

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If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@acbluebonnet.com

Sep 30, 202239:45

106 | Don't Fast Ulcer Horses Overnight!!

Faulty theory?? Should be fasted overnight and not administered a meal until 90 minutes after dosing with omeprazole?? There has been is a misunderstanding!!! Listen to this episode!

Studies referenced:

Hypothesis Article: Sykes (2019) https://beva.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/eve.12894

Study: Sykes (2017) https://beva.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/evj.12630

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If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@acbluebonnet.com

Sep 09, 202216:53

105 | FFWS

Ah the complex and complicated problem of poopy butt…. More formally known as free fecal water syndrome. Check out this episode to learn more about this annoying situation and what you may be able to do to help.

Products mentioned in this episode include: TurboMag BCAA, Travel Paste, Equilene Pro Care, GI Calm, LIFELINE+, Gastro pHix, ADR Powder.

You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowner!

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If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@acbluebonnet.com

Aug 26, 202238:42

104 | Protein % Doesn't Matter

I don’t care about your protein percent! This episode explains why crude protein is a [virtually] useless number in horse nutrition.

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If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@acbluebonnet.com

Aug 12, 202227:25

103 | Allergy Testing Horses

How accurate are serum allergy tests? Do you really need to use an elimination diet or buy allergy shots for your horse? This episode is likely to take you by surprise!

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Show Notes:

· Study in HORSES shows serum allergy tests are unreliable in 59 allergens tested: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetimm.2007.08.007

· Study concludes serum allergy testing is not a reliable screening tool for food allergy in healthy EQUIDS: https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.12369

· Study in DOGS showing only 28% agreement between serum and intradermal testing among 487 reactions. Blocking anti-CCD IgE improved the agreement to a moderate level of 59%: https://doi.org/10.1111/vde.12742

· Study evaluated 4 allergy tests in HORSES and found that none of them could reliably differentiate between controls and asthma-affected horses. There was also no agreement among the results of the 4 different allergy tests: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2021.103433

· Invitro allergy tests compared to intradermal testing in HORSES with RAO: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetimm.2008.09.021

Jul 29, 202223:08

102 | Equine Microbiome (Webinar Audio)

The microbiome is the second brain of the horse, meaning it is responsible for far more than just digesting forage! Catch the audio replay of Dr. Nichol’s talk from the 2022 EquiSUMMIT virtual conference.

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Show Notes:

· Watch the full webinar with slides by registering at www.attendequisummit.com

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If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@acbluebonnet.com

Jul 01, 202228:37

101 | Alfalfa (Replay)

Continuing on with the forage series, this episode recaps what we learned about alfalfa in the pilot episode of Feed Room Chemist. *Replay of episode 1.

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Show Notes:

101 Diet Balancer - a tool for filling the gaps of forage only diets.
Equi-Analytical - THE PLACE to go for forage analyses!

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If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@acbluebonnet.com

Jun 24, 202222:56

100 | Tall Fescue

Continuing on with the hay series, this episode explains the cool season grass called Fescue and its implications in the horse’s diet.

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Show Notes:

· Scientific name for tall fescue: Festuca arundinacea

· Managing Fescue for horses by University of Arkansas: https://www.uaex.uada.edu/publications/pdf/FSA-3042.pdf

· Resource by AAEP on endophyte infected fescue: https://aaep.org/issue/fescue-horses-diet-minimizing-risk-your-horses-health

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If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@acbluebonnet.com

Jun 17, 202221:37

99 | Orchardgrass

Continuing on with the hay series, this episode explains the cool season grass called Orchardgrass and its implications in the horse’s diet.

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Show Notes:

· Scientific name for orchardgrass: Dactylis glomerata.

· 101 Diet Balancer: recommended to balance the vitamin and mineral gaps of orchardgrass.

· The Effect of Soaking on Carbohydrate Removal and Dry Matter Loss in Orchardgrass and Alfalfa Hays: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2011.11.009

· Seasonal and Diurnal Variation in Simple Sugar and Fructan Composition of Orchardgrass Pasture and Hay in the Piedmont Region of the United States: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2011.03.004

· Horse Preference, Forage Yield, and Species Persistence of 12 Perennial Cool-Season Grass Mixtures Under Horse Grazing: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2015.10.003

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If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@acbluebonnet.com

Jun 10, 202228:48

98 | Does Bermudagrass Cause Colic?

Raise your hand if you have ever heard bermudagrass causes colic…. Dr. Jyme digs into this common misconception and explains all you need to know about feeding bermudagrass hay.

You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowner!

Show Notes:

· EquiSUMMIT Registration: www.attendequisummit.com

· Teff = Eragrostis tef

· Bermudagrass = Cynodon dactylon

· Forage Testing: www.equi-analytical.com

· University of Florida Extension Article, Tifton 85 vs Coastal: https://extadmin.ifas.ufl.edu/media/extadminifasufledu/cflag/image/docs/fl-equine-institute/2007/CoastalvsT-85.pdf

· Feeding practices associated with colic in horses: https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.2001.219.1419

· Factors associated with development of ileal impaction in horses with surgical colic: 78 cases (1986-2000): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12358048/

· Hydration supplement: Turbo Mag BCAA https://strideanimalhealth.com/turbo-mag-bcaa/

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If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@acbluebonnet.com

May 27, 202227:08

97 | Is Teff Hay Low Carb?

Low carb hay, ever heard of it? How about Teff hay, does that ring a bell? Researchers are looking for ways to replace cool season grass hays with warm season hays to help lower the sugar content in the horse’s diet. Teff is one possible solution, but it all comes down to how it is grown.

You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowner!

Show Notes:

· EquiSUMMIT Registration: www.attendequisummit.com

· Certification Program for Growing Low Carb Teff Hay: https://www.oncourseequinenutrition.com/lowcarbhorsehayproject

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If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@acbluebonnet.com

May 20, 202231:06

96 | Heat Stress Dr. Kopp, Part 2

Veterinarian, Dr. Ken Kopp, joins Dr. Nichols for a 2-part episode on heat stress in horses. If you missed part 1 (episode 95) stop, and go start there!

You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowner!

Show Notes:

· Register for 2022 EquiSUMMIT: http://attendequisummit.com/

· Article by The Horse: When the rider is hot, the horse is hotter.

· Travel Paste: https://strideanimalhealth.com/travel-paste/ - to encourage drinking, cellular hydration, muscle fatigue, and support the immune system.

· Butyric Acid: Research on Protective Effects of Butyric Acid and Zinc on Equine Intestinal Cell Function Under Hypoxic Conditions, https://tinyurl.com/4supan6f

· Chromium: https://bluebonnetfeeds.com/chromium/

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If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@acbluebonnet.com

May 13, 202225:22

95 | Heat Stress Dr. Kopp, Part 1

Veterinarian, Dr. Ken Kopp, joins Dr. Nichols for a 2-part episode on heat stress in horses. There are all kinds of goodies in this one! Stay tuned for part 2 (episode 96) next week.

You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowner!

Show Notes:

· Register for 2022 EquiSUMMIT: http://attendequisummit.com/

· Article by The Horse: When the rider is hot, the horse is hotter.

· Travel Paste: https://strideanimalhealth.com/travel-paste/ - to encourage drinking, cellular hydration, muscle fatigue, and support the immune system.

· Butyric Acid: Research on Protective Effects of Butyric Acid and Zinc on Equine Intestinal Cell Function Under Hypoxic Conditions, https://tinyurl.com/4supan6f

· Chromium: https://bluebonnetfeeds.com/chromium/

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If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@acbluebonnet.com

May 06, 202236:41

94 | Spirulina, Silicon, Zeolite & Poop Eating

Dr. Nichols covers four listener questions around topics of spirulina for allergies, silicon and zeolite for bone health, and what do to if you find your horse eating his own poop!

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Show Notes:

· Spirulina research references:

o https://swww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3136577/

o https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/jmf.2005.8.27

· Silicon research references:

o https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2658806/

o O’Connor CI, Nielsen BD, Woodward AD, et al. Mineral balance in horses fed two supplemental silicon sources. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl). 2008 Apr;92(2):173-81.

o Spooner HA, Nielsen BD, Turner KK, et al. Mineral balance in horses fed sodium zeolite. 7th International Conference on Equine Exercise Physiology, 26-31 August 2006, Fontainebleau, France.

o Nielsen BD, et al. Training distance to failure in young racing quarter horses fed sodium zeolite A. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 1993. 13(10):562-567. AND Proc. 13th ENPS p.5

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If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@acbluebonnet.com

Apr 22, 202227:14

93 | Fodder

Dr. Nichols explains fodder in terms of horse nutrition, when it might be a good fit, and when it might not.

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If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@acbluebonnet.com

Apr 08, 202222:44

92 | Spring Pasture Transitions

Learn how to transition your horses off of hay and onto grass, along with other helpful tips this spring season.

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Show Notes:

Fish Oil Factor - https://strideanimalhealth.com/fish-oil-factor/

Vitamin E/C - https://strideanimalhealth.com/vitamin-e-c/

Forms of trace minerals to look for in ingredients list: zinc methionine complex, copper lysine complex, manganese methionine complex.

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If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@acbluebonnet.com

Apr 01, 202229:53

91 | Lignin Sulfonate – Dangerous or Not?

Is lignin sulfonate really a bad ingredient? Have you heard you should avoid it? That might not be necessary, and this episode will explain why!

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If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@acbluebonnet.com

Mar 18, 202216:05