Kentucky Equine Research

Can the type of haynet change how horses consume forage?

Research evaluating different slow-feeding devices found that haynets did not increase the number of chews per kilogram of hay, but small-hole haynets did increase the amount of time horses spent chewing.

Because horses produce saliva while chewing, increased chewing stimulates saliva production, including bicarbonate, which helps buffer acidity in the stomach.

The study also found differences in consumption patterns between haynet designs, demonstrating that not all slow feeders are created equal.

Explore this post to see what the research found about haynets, chewing duration, and forage consumption.
https://ker.com/equinews/haynet-research-in-horses-something-to-chew-on

What role can omega-3 fatty acids play in managing equine asthma?

At the 28th Equine Health and Nutrition Conference, Laurent Couetil, D.V.M., Ph.D., shared new insights into the origin and management of equine asthma.

Environmental control remains the cornerstone of managing mild equine asthma, particularly reducing exposure to respirable dust. Research has also shown that supplementation with the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA derived from fish oil can reduce airway neutrophilia and improve performance in racehorses with mild asthma.

In one clinical trial, fish oil rich in EPA and DHA resolved airway neutrophilia after four weeks of supplementation, even without reducing dust exposure.

The research is continuing, with current work evaluating omega-3 supplementation in barrel racing Quarter Horses.

Explore the carousel for key takeaways, then visit ker.com/library/nutrition-proceedings and turn to page 47 to read the complete Q&A.

What role can omega-3 fatty acids play in recovery after exercise?

Post-exercise inflammation helps the body respond and adapt to exercise, but too much inflammation following training can cause muscle damage and loss of performance.

Research has shown that DHA supplementation can influence post-exercise inflammation. In a separate Kentucky Equine Research study, horses supplemented with EO-3 had significantly lower GGT levels two and four hours post-exercise compared to control horses. This may have resulted from a reduction in inflammation observed post-exercise in horses fed EO-3.

Omega-3s, antioxidants, and electrolytes may all play a role in supporting recovery from exercise.

Explore the research behind nutritional support for exercise recovery.
https://ker.com/equinews/fish-oil-helps-muscle-adaptation-in-athletic-horses/

Support health with omegas this October!

Inflammation can impact every system in your horse’s body, from joint comfort and respiratory function to coat health and reproductive well-being. This October, we are putting the spotlight on the positive impacts of targeted fatty acids:

This month:
✨SAVE 15% on the Omega-3 collection in the U.S. with code OMEGA326, including these products: EO-3 and ReSolvin EQ.

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Promotion varies between countries. Check out shop.ker.com or shopau.ker.com for more details.

Did you know extended stall rest can affect bone density in as little as two weeks?

When a horse is confined for an extended period following an injury, nutrition should provide appropriate calories to maintain body weight and condition while ensuring requirements for protein, vitamins, and minerals are met.

Extended inactivity can also lead to bone demineralization. Research has shown up to a 15% decrease in bone mineral content after just two weeks of inactivity, with even greater losses after one to two months. DuraPlex provides targeted nutritional support for bone metabolism and healing throughout confinement, while ReSolvin EQ and Nano-E may provide additional anti-inflammatory and antioxidant support.

Learn more about nutritional support during extended stall rest today.

What happens when bone remodeling can't keep pace with the demands of training?

Bone bruises are injuries to the subchondral bone, the layer of bone adjacent to cartilage in weight-bearing joints. They are usually caused by repetitive trauma during racing or training.

While changes in bone are expected in response to training, bones can only repair and strengthen themselves so quickly. Without sufficient time for healing, the remodeling process can be disturbed. Subchondral bone may become thicker and less flexible, and repeated overloading can eventually result in bone bruises and pain. Damage may also occur to corresponding joint cartilage.

Rest and recovery are central to treatment, while nutrition begins with a well-fortified diet that is adjusted appropriately for the horse's reduced workload. Targeted supplementation with bone-building nutrients may also be useful, particularly for young athletes with high calcium demands.

Explore this post to learn how bone bruises develop and what the research suggests for diagnosis, recovery, and nutritional support.

What happens to muscle temperature after your horse stops exercising? The answer may be surprising.

Research at Kentucky Equine Research using thermal-sensing microchips found that muscle temperature declines much more slowly following exercise than originally thought. In fact, muscle temperature continued rising after maximal effort ended, reaching its peak during the early recovery period.

During strenuous exercise, muscle temperatures can reach 105°F or higher. With a simple wand scan, researchers can track temperatures in the pectoral and gluteal muscles and examine how accumulated heat load, weather, fitness, nutrition, sweat production, and cooling methods affect recovery.

Because muscle temperature can continue rising after exercise ends, rapid and effective cooling is essential during recovery.

Triacton® is a triple-action supplement designed to improve bone density and support digestive health in horses.

Triacton supports health in three research-proven ways: increasing bone density for skeletal strength, buffering stomach acid to bolster gastric health and reduce the incidence of ulcers, and moderating the pH of the hindgut to prevent acidosis.

Triacton also:
• Contains BMC™, a novel source of calcium shown to be more highly digestible than other forms of the mineral, including calcium carbonate
• Includes an array of other bone-building nutrients, including magnesium, boron, silicon, iodine, zinc, and manganese, as well as vitamins A, C, D, and K, which are important for bone health
• Includes yeast for further hindgut support and improved fiber digestion
• Supplies chelated minerals for optimal absorption
• Delivers a highly digestible source of minerals and vitamins in an easy-to-feed pellet

Studies conducted at Kentucky Equine Research have demonstrated the positive effects Triacton has on bone density and buffering capacity of the stomach and hindgut.

Learn more about KER Targeted Nutrition products at ker.com.

Do you soak your horse's hay?

Soaking hay can be an effective management tool for horses with respiratory disease or metabolic challenges, but it also changes the nutritional profile of forage.

Research has shown that soaking can reduce nonstructural carbohydrates (NSC) while also affecting mineral content, including phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium. Protein, however, is not significantly affected.

Understanding how soaking changes hay can help you make informed decisions when balancing your horse's diet.

Take a closer look at how soaking changes the nutrient content of hay: https://ker.com/equinews/soaking-changes-nutrient-content-hay/

Soaking Changes Nutrient Content of Hay Horse owners usually soak hay for one of two reasons, to reduce allergens for horses with respiratory disease or to draw out sugar to make it suitable for soluble carbohydrate-sensitive horses. Soaking changes the nutritional profile of forages, most notably in carbohydrate and mineral content.