Equine Wellness: Hydrolyzable Carbohydrates and the Metabolic Horse

Hydrolyzable Carbohydrates
Photo Courtesy Kim Roe

By Eleanor M Kellon, VMD and Kathleen M. Gustafson, PhD The only carbohydrate fractions that matter are those that increase insulin. Nonstructural carbohydrates (NSC), non-fiber carbohydrates (NFC), ethanol soluble carbohydrates (ESC), water soluble carbohydrates (WSC)—it all really comes down to hydrolyzable carbohydrates for metabolically challenged horses.  Hydrolyzable carbohydrates (HC) are …

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An Equine Methionine Crisis is Brewing

I’ve written about soil, sulfur and Methionine deficiency often.  But everything I see says it’s getting worse. Methionine is an essential amino acid, meaning horses must get it from their diet. It is critical in protein synthesis since many proteins start with methionine and without it synthesis will stop. Methionine …

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Spring Skin Health

There are many wonderful things about spring — but trying to keep your horse clean and his skin healthy isn’t one of them. The list of seasonal challenges includes: Plenty of rain Mud everywhere Remnants of the winter coat trapping dirt, moisture, and sweat Insect irritation Long coats, warm days, …

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Chasteberry for Horses

Fruit’s Extract Historically Used to Stabilize Hormonal Function By Dr. Eleanor Kellon   Chaste tree berry (CTB), or simply chasteberry, has a long traditional history of use helping balance hormonal systems in both males and females. While both sexes have different levels of hormones produced by the sex organs, the …

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