Ask The Horse

Maintaining healthy joints in young horses lays the groundwork for long-term soundness and performance. Proper nutrition supports optimal skeletal health and development, while age-appropriate conditioning helps build a resilient musculoskeletal system. Regular checkups give your veterinarian a chance to diagnose and treat joint disease early, helping slow the progression of osteoarthritis and minimize associated pain. During this Ask TheHorse Live podcast, an equine surgeon answers listener questions about young horse joint care. This podcast is brought to you by Dechra. About the Expert: Charlotte Barton, BVetMed, MS, Dipl. ACVS-LA, earned her veterinary degree from the Royal Veterinary College in London and, after completing two internships in the U.S., undertook a surgery residency at Colorado State University, in Fort Collins. After residency Barton stayed on at CSU as a postdoctoral fellow and her research interests include cartilage repair techniques and gene therapy.

Degenerative joint disease, or osteoarthritis (OA), in horses is a common but complicated condition. While there is no cure for OA, working with your veterinarian to correctly diagnose OA, slow its progression, and manage existing joint disease can help maintain your horse’s soundness in the long-term. This episode is brought to you by American Regent Animal Health. Meet the Experts:

Researchers suggest 54% of horses in the U.S. are overweight or obese, putting them at a higher risk of developing other health problems, such as metabolic issues and joint pain. However, horses might become underweight due to gastrointestinal problems, such as gastric ulcers, or chronic health challenges. Regardless of whether a horse is under- or overweight, the underlying cause is usually an imbalance between the supply of energy the horse receives and the energy he expends. The first step in managing your horse’s weight is to determine his body condition score and work with an equine nutritionist to develop a nutrition plan to meet his needs. Tune in to learn how to manage your horse’s weight whether he is over- or underweight. This podcast is brought to you by Purina Animal Nutrition. About the Experts: Patty Graham-Thiers, PhD, has 30 years of experience in higher education equine studies programs. She grew up in Massachusetts and received her BS in animal science from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. She then earned her MS in equine nutrition from the University of Florida and PhD from Virginia Tech in equine nutrition and exercise physiology. She taught at Virginia Intermont College and currently teaches at Emory & Henry University in their Equine Studies Program. Her research focuses on protein and amino acid nutrition of exercising horses, and she also served on the National Academy of Science committee that published the 2007 Nutrient Requirements of Horses 6th edition. Kelly Vineyard, MS, PhD, is a senior nutritionist in equine technical solutions with Purina Animal Nutrition. She consults with veterinarians, professional riders, and horse owners across the United States and is directly involved with new product innovation, research, and technical support at Purina. Vineyard earned her BS in animal and dairy sciences from Auburn University and her MS and PhD in animal sciences from the University of Florida. Her doctorate research focused on the effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on immune function in horses. Vineyard is a frequent lecturer on equine nutrition topics, with expertise in omega-3 fatty acids, immune function, and performance horse nutrition. She is an avid dressage rider and is proud to have earned her USDF bronze and silver medals on an off-track Thoroughbred.

Equine osteoarthritis (OA), or the degeneration of cartilage and bone in a horse’s joint, is a painful condition and the most common reason for lameness in horses. While there is no cure for OA, horse owners and veterinarians can work together to delay onset and slow its progression. Without treatment, OA can result in poor quality of life, early retirement, and even euthanasia if the associated pain is no longer manageable. Two veterinarians answer your questions about preventive equine joint care during this Ask TheHorse podcast. This episode is sponsored by Arthramid Vet. About the Experts: Sarah le Jeune, DVM, CVA, Cert. Vet Chiro, Dipl. ACVS, ACVSMR, focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of lameness and various performance-related musculoskeletal injuries by an integrative whole horse approach. She is the chief of the Equine Integrative Sports Medicine Service at the University of California, Davis, and is also a board-certified equine surgeon and member of the UC Davis Equine Surgery faculty since 2003. She is certified in veterinary acupuncture, veterinary chiropractic and in thermographic imaging. She is the founder and chair of the International Task Force on Laterality in Sport horses. Jennifer Feiner Groon, VMD, is an equine veterinarian with a focus on sports medicine. Graduating from the University of Pennsylvania's School of Veterinary Medicine in 2006, she has since built a successful practice, The Feiner Equine, where she splits her time between Central New Jersey and Wellington, Florida. Groon's career has been marked by a diverse range of experiences. Prior to establishing her own practice, she served as a member of the Hagyard Equine Medical group in Lexington, Kentucky, and an ambulatory veterinarian at MidAtlantic Equine Medical Institute in Ringoes, New Jersey. She served as the Head of Quarantine and a USEF/FEI Veterinary Apprentice at the 2007 Beijing Welcome Games Test Event and the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. She was actively involved with the Area II and Area VIII Eventing Teams during the 2009 FEI Adequan North American Junior and Young Rider Championships. In 2010, she was in charge of the quarantine efforts at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. In her free time, she competes in hunter and jumper disciplines. She loves sharing her passion of everything about animals with her family.

Like humans, horses can develop allergies to environmental elements such as dust components, mites, molds, medications, shampoos, and food. Some horses might show respiratory signs, while others can develop itchiness or hives. Understanding what causes your horse’s allergies and working with your veterinarian to treat his clinical signs can improve his health and well-being. Two experts answer your questions about managing horses with allergies during our Ask TheHorse Live Q&A. This episode is sponsored by Kinetic Vet. About the Experts: Susan L. White, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVIMJonathan Yardley, DVM

Do you feel like you can’t afford your horse? You’re not alone. Understand how to manage horse expenses to lessen the stress of horse keeping. The cost of horse ownership varies from region to region, but even basic expenses such as feed, bedding, and routine veterinary and farrier care can be very costly. Emergency veterinary expenses can soar depending on the illness or injury. Preparing for routine expenses and potential emergencies by budgeting can help horse owners obtain financial security for costs associated with horse ownership. In this episode of Ask TheHorse Live, two experts join us to answer common questions about budgeting and planning for horse expenses. This podcast is brought to you by CareCredit. About the Experts: Jorge L. Colón, DVM, MBA, is an associate professor of practice in financial and organizational management at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM), in Ithaca, New York, and serves as the director of business education for the Cornell Center for Veterinary Business and Entrepreneurship. He received his BS and DVM from Cornell and his MBA from the College of Business at Colorado State University, in Fort Collins. Colón spent the first 25 years of his professional veterinary career as an equine ambulatory veterinarian in Lexington, Kentucky, concentrating in the areas of equine reproduction, neonatology, radiology, and Thoroughbred sales. He transitioned into academia in 2020, where he is now tasked with the development and implementation of the veterinary business educational curriculum at the Cornell CVM and with the management and administration of the Cornell CVBE Certificate in Veterinary Business and Management. Wendy Krebs, DVM, is a partner at Bend Equine Medical Center in Bend, Oregon. She grew up in Western Oregon, where she participated first in 4-H and later in eventing. She graduated from Oregon State University College of Veterinary Medicine, in Corvallis, in 2002 and performed a yearlong equine internship, followed by a four-year American College of Veterinary Surgeons equine surgery residency. Her practice interests include surgery and performance horse care, as well as comprehensive preventive care. She lives on a small working ranch in Tumalo with her husband, two young children, and a bevy of animals, including nine horses. She enjoys riding her Oldenburg mare, Aria, emergency-schedule permitting.

Osteoarthritis (OA, also known as degenerative joint disease) is characterized by the degeneration of articular cartilage that lines the ends of bones inside a horse’s joints. OA is the No. 1 cause of poor performance in horses and accounts for nearly 60% of all equine lameness cases. Horses of all ages can develop OA, but what can you do to slow its progression or treat this disease? Two experts weigh in to answer your common questions about equine OA. This episode is brought to you by American Regent Animal Health. About the Experts: Steve Adair, MS, DVM, Dipl. ACVS, ACVSMR, earned his veterinary degree from Auburn University, after which he spent two years in private equine practice and completed a surgery residency at the University of Tennessee (UT). He is a professor in the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine at the UT Knoxville and is director of the Equine Performance Medicine and Rehabilitation Center. Besides his board certifications in the American College of Veterinary Surgeons and American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation (charter member of the latter), Adair is certified in animal chiropractic by the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association and is a certified equine rehabilitation practitioner. His primary research areas include equine musculoskeletal conditions, regenerative medicine and equine rehabilitation. Howland M. Mansfield, DVM, CVA, CVMMP, of Summerville, South Carolina, received her DVM from Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine, in Alabama, and completed internships in both general equine medicine and surgery and in advanced equine reproduction. She is certified in both veterinary acupuncture and veterinary medical manipulation. She has practiced along the East Coast over the course of 14 years, in addition to time in Germany providing veterinary care for some of the most elite show horses in Europe. In 2012 Mansfield was named by the South Carolina Horseman’s Council as the Horse Person of the Year for her efforts in equine rescue and in combating animal cruelty. She joined American Regent in 2023 as a technical services veterinarian where she can support the welfare of and improve health care for horses and small animals throughout the U.S.

Two experts weigh in on common equine hindgut problems and how you can manage them. Learn more and get your questions answered during the live recording of our podcast. This episode of Ask TheHorse Live is brought to you by Purina. About the Experts: Frank M. Andrews, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVIM Frank M. Andrews, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVIM, is a graduate of Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine in Pullman, Washington, where he received a DVM and MS. After a year in private veterinary practice, he completed an Equine Medicine and Surgery Residency at The Ohio State University. After 20 years on the faculty at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, he is currently LVMA Equine Committee Professor and Head of The Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, as well as the Director of the Equine Health and Sports Performance Program at LSU Vet Med. Dr. Andrews is Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Large Animal Internal Medicine. Dr. Andrews’ has clinical and research interests in gastric ulcers, gastrointestinal disease, and endocrine diseases and is involved in clinical equine practice and has been doing scientific investigation for over 35 years. Mary Beth Gordon, PhD Dr. Mary Beth Gordon is the Senior Director of Equine Technical Innovation for Purina Animal Nutrition (Land O'Lakes, Inc.) with responsibilities to lead and guide the research and technical teams for the horse business group. Her ambitious research team has completed over 350 research protocols at the Purina Animal Nutrition Center, leading to the creation of 18 new products and 20+ reformulated products in the equine market since 2005. This research encompasses exercise physiology, growth and reproduction, and digestive physiology including palatability, intake, and microbiome work. Mary Beth earned her BS in Animal Science from Delaware Valley University and PhD in Animal Science with a specialty in Equine Nutrition and Exercise Physiology from Rutgers University. Her graduate research focused on the effects of exercise on the hormonal regulation of appetite in horses and her work was the first to characterize the appetite stimulating hormone, ghrelin, in equine. She is published in numerous scientific journals including The Veterinary Journal, Equine Veterinary Journal, Journal of Animal Science, Journal of Equine Veterinary Science and Equine Comparative Exercise Physiology. She has also co-authored chapters in textbooks such as Equine Sports Medicine and Surgery. In addition to her work at Purina Animal Nutrition, Mary Beth is active in the horse world as a dressage rider, owning multiple warmbloods that keep her very busy!

Managing skin problems in horses can be challenging, especially in warmer months. Two experts explain how to identify and manage skin problems in your horse and when you involve your veterinarian. This podcast is sponsored by KineticVet. About the Experts: Dr. Susan L. White is the Josiah Meigs Distinguished Professor, Emeritus of Large Animal Medicine at University of Georgia’s College of Veterinary Medicine. White has a long-standing interest in equine dermatology, lectures on the topic extensively nationally and internationally, and maintains an equine dermatology consulting service. Dr. Rosanna Marsella is a veterinary dermatologist and a full Professor at the University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Marsella has a special interest in equine dermatology. She has led the International Committee which has published the Clinical Consensus Guidelines on Equine Allergic Skin Diseases published in 2023. She has also authored a book on equine dermatology which is geared toward equine clinicians that have a special interest in dermatology. She has devoted the last few years working on mechanisms of pruritus in horses and has worked on the identification of alternative treatments to provide relief to itchy horses. She has also tested topical bacteriophages for the treatment of equine pyoderma in the attempt to identify antibiotic free alternative treatments for equine infections. She has published on the trends of antibiotic resistance at her referral institution, the University of Florida. Dr. Marsella is an avid equestrian, rider and owner.

Maintaining joint health is important at all stages of your horse’s life, but he might need special considerations during his senior years. Two experts explain how to keep equine joints healthy and your senior horse sound in the long term. This podcast is sponsored by American Regent Animal Health. About the Experts: Luke Bass, DVM, MS, Dipl. ABVP is an associate professor in Equine Field Service at Colorado State University (CSU). He is board-certified through the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP-Equine) and is certified in equine acupuncture. He served on the American Association of Equine Practitioners board of directors from 2019 to 2021 and will be chair of AAEP’s Educational Programs Committee from 2024 to 2025. Bass leads the Equine Field Service at CSU with three faculty members and two interns focusing on general practice, lameness examinations, dentistry, and emergency care. Howland M. Mansfield, DVM, CVA, CVMMP, of Summerville, South Carolina, received her DVM from Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine, in Alabama, and completed internships in both general equine medicine and surgery and in advanced equine reproduction. She is certified in both veterinary acupuncture and veterinary medical manipulation. She has practiced along the East Coast over the course of 14 years, in addition to time in Germany providing veterinary care for some of the most elite show horses in Europe. In 2012 Mansfield was named by the South Carolina Horseman’s Council as the Horse Person of the Year for her efforts in equine rescue and in combating animal cruelty. She joined American Regent in 2023 as a technical services veterinarian where she can support the welfare of and improve health care for horses and small animals throughout the U.S.

The horse’s gut microbiome is important to digestion, nutrient absorption, ulcer prevention, and overall health, so you need to support it properly. Learn how to cultivate a diverse and healthy gut microbiome in your horse in this episode of Ask TheHorse Live, brought to you by Purina.

Whether your horse has chronic seasonal allergies or occasionally comes in from the field with mysterious hives or rubs from scratching himself on the fence, managing his discomfort can be difficult. He needs a treatment plan, whether short- or long-term, but to create one you need to first understand what is causing the itch. Learn what might be making your horse itchy and how to give him relief. This podcast is brought to you by Kinetic Vet. About the Experts: Susan L. White, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVIM, is the Josiah Meigs Distinguished Professor, Emeritus of Large Animal Medicine at University of Georgia’s College of Veterinary Medicine. White has a long-standing interest in equine dermatology, lectures on the topic extensively nationally and internationally, and maintains an equine dermatology consulting service. Aja Harvey, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, is an associate veterinarian and internal medicine specialist at BW Furlong and Associates in Oldwick, New Jersey. She graduated from Tuskegee University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 2014 and then went on to complete a rotating surgical and medicine internship at Louisiana State University. Afterward, she was accepted to Texas A&M University as one of their large animal internal medicine residents and completed the program in 2018. Her areas of interest are infectious disease, gastrointestinal disorders, neonatal care, neurology, and ultrasound.

Developing a well-rounded and balanced nutrition plan for your competition horse can be challenging. He needs a feed program that meets all his basic nutritional needs while giving him enough energy to keep up with training and showing. Listen in to learn how to determine your horse’s nutritional needs and how to meet them in a safe way. This podcast is brought to you by Purina Animal Nutrition. About the experts: Shannon Pratt-Phillips, PhD, received her Master of Science from the University of Kentucky and her Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Guelph, focusing on equine nutrition and exercise physiology. Pratt-Phillips joined the faculty at North Carolina State University in 2006, where she currently teaches equine nutrition in the Department of Animal Science. She is the director of the Distance Education Animal Science Programs, which includes the Master of Animal Science program, and her field of research focuses on glucose metabolism, insulin resistance, obesity, and laminitis prevention and management in horses. Anna Pesta Dunaway, PhD, is a Nutritionist on the Equine Technical Solutions Team at Purina Animal Nutrition. She is responsible for helping to bring innovative solutions from the research team out to the field. She spends most of her time providing technical consultations and support to the sales team on the East Coast, as well as speaking on equine nutrition at horse owner meetings and professional conferences. Anna earned her BS in Animal Science from Kansas State University and received both her MS and PhD in Animal Nutrition from the University of Nebraska. Her graduate research focused on the use of high fat diets and manipulating the microbial community in the gut. Anna resides in Aiken, SC and is a lifelong equestrian with a special interest in the nutrition and development of the future sport horse.

Horses can show discomfort for a plethora of reasons. Injuries, aging, veterinary procedures, and more can cause pain, and knowing how to manage it is paramount to equine welfare. Join our host, Alexandra Beckstett, as she interviews Dr. Lori Bidwell, of East West Equine Sports Medicine. You'll learn how to tell if your horse might be in pain, discover successful pain management strategies, and how to keep your horse comfortable. This episode of Ask The Horse is sponsored by Zoetis. About the Expert: Lori Bidwell, DVM, Dipl. ACVA, is a 2001 graduate of Michigan State University, a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia, and a certified veterinary acupuncturist. She did her internship at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky, and completed her anesthesia residency at Michigan State University. She was the head of anesthesia at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital and Lexington Equine Surgery and Sports Medicine and has been on faculty at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine and Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine. In 2015 she co-founded East West Equine Sports Medicine, a sports medicine practice that covers veterinary services for hunter/jumper circuits on the West and East Coasts. Bidwell also consults in anesthesia for equine practices, teaches part of a study abroad program in Thailand and South Africa, and speaks and teaches nationally and internationally. Bidwell competes with her horses in the amateur owner jumper divisions.

Prioritizing joint health is imperative to your horse’s comfort, both under saddle and in the field. Join our host, Shoshana Rudski, as she interviews Dr. Erica Secor, of Cornell University, and Dr. Julie Settlage, of Boehringer Ingelheim. You'll learn about early signs of joint discomfort, equine osteoarthritis, joint injections, nutritional management of joint disease, and much more! This podcast is sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim Equine Health. About the Experts: Erica Secor, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVS-LA, grew up riding and training horses in Vermont. She completed her undergraduate degree and veterinary school at Cornell University and completed her residency at the University of Illinois. After residency, she worked as a staff surgeon in private practice before returning to Cornell in 2021 for her PhD. She currently studies the immune system’s role in osteoarthritis and is working toward improving diagnostic capabilities and understanding how arthritis varies among individuals, with the goal of identifying how to better tailor osteoarthritis treatment to individual cases. Outside of research, Secor enjoys trail running (there is a lot of time to come up with research ideas during 60-mile trail runs), riding her 24-year-old Morgan horse, Mocha, and hiking with her favorite dog, Annie, and favorite husband, Andrew. Julie Settlage, DVM, MSc Vet Ed, Dipl. ACVS-LA, is a board-certified large animal surgeon with a keen interest in sustainable equine practice. She joined the Boehringer Ingelheim Equine Professional Services team in 2020. Previously, she was the chief of the equine internal medicine and surgery service at Virginia Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, in Blacksburg. Settlage is a member of ACVS, AVMA, VVMA, AAEP, and VAEP and past president of the SWVVMA. Her clinical interests include general surgery and sport horse medicine.

Horses with insulin issues need to be managed carefully to live good-quality lives. Join our host, Shoshana Rudski, as she interviews Dr. Dianne McFarlane, of the University of Florida, and Dr. Vern Dryden, of Bur Oak Veterinary and Podiatry Services. You'll learn about the signs, causes, and treatment of insulin resistance in horses, and science-based steps you can take to combat it. This podcast is sponsored by Wellness Ready. Dianne McFarlane, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM, is a professor and chair of the University of Florida’s Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, in Gainesville. She has studied equine aging and age-related diseases for more than 20 years. She is most recognized for her work in equine endocrine diseases, including pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction and equine metabolic syndrome. McFarlane received her DVM from the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine. She then completed a large animal internship at the University of Georgia, followed by a residency in equine internal medicine at North Carolina State University. McFarlane completed her PhD at the Atlantic Veterinary College, on Prince Edward Island, Canada, where she investigated the cause of equine pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction. Vern Dryden, DVM, CJF, APF, owns Bur Oak Sports Medicine and Lameness, in Lexington, Kentucky, and Wellington, Florida, where he focuses on individualized care for his patients. Dryden is also the co-founder and CMO of Wellness Ready, makers of the Wellness Ready Stall Side Insulin Test. After earning degrees from the University of Arizona and Oklahoma State Farrier School, Dryden completed his veterinary studies at Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine. He frequently lectures both nationally and internationally on podiatry care. At home, Dryden breeds and shows American Quarter Horses.

Good nutrition and a balanced diet are important for all horses, but do senior horses have special requirements to consider? Join our host, Shoshana Rudski, as she interviews Dr. Shannon Pratt-Phillips, of North Carolina State University, and Dr. Kelly Vineyard, of Purina Animal Nutrition . You’ll learn about the nutritional requirements of senior horses, feeding the older horse with dental issues, how to help your senior gain weight, and much more! This podcast is sponsored by Purina Animal Nutrition. About the Experts: Shannon Pratt-Phillips, PhD, received her Master of Science from the University of Kentucky and her Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Guelph, focusing on equine nutrition and exercise physiology. Pratt-Phillips joined the faculty at North Carolina State University in 2006, where she currently teaches equine nutrition in the Department of Animal Science. She is the director of the Distance Education Animal Science Programs, which includes the Master of Animal Science program, and her field of research focuses on glucose metabolism, insulin resistance, obesity, and laminitis prevention and management in horses. Kelly Vineyard, MS, PhD, is a Senior Nutritionist, Equine Technical Solutions, with Purina Animal Nutrition. She is responsible for providing expert technical nutrition advice and insights in a variety of areas, including veterinarian and customer nutrition consultation, new product innovation and research, sales and dealer training, and social media activity. Since 2008, Vineyard has been directly involved in the research and development for numerous Purina Horse Feed products and supplements, including the recently patented Purina Equine Senior and Senior Active ActivAge technology. Vineyard earned her BS in Animal and Dairy Sciences from Auburn University and her MS and PhD in Animal Sciences with a focus on Equine Nutrition from the University of Florida. Her doctorate research focused on the effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on immune function in horses, and she received the Innovative Research award from the American Society of Animal Science for this work. Vineyard is a frequent publisher and lecturer on equine nutrition with expertise in omega-3 fatty acids, immune function, and performance horse nutrition. Her published work includes articles in the Journal of Animal Science and the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science and a chapter in the textbook Equine Applied and Clinical Nutrition. She has been involved with horses for most of her life and is a USDF bronze and silver medalist in dressage, earning both with her off-track Thoroughbred, The Roman Knows.

Do you have an allergy-prone horse? Join our host, Shoshana Rudski, as she interviews Dr. Lara Tomich, of Dermatology for Animals. You'll learn about potential causes of allergic reactions, treatment and management options for allergy-prone horses, insect bite hypersensitivity, and much more! This podcast is sponsored by Kinetic Vet. About the Expert: Lara Tomich, DVM, grew up surrounded by horses, dogs, cats, chickens, pigeons, lizards, and fish in Warwick, New York, completed her veterinary degree at Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in 2015. Following graduation she completed a small animal rotating internship at Tufts VETS and a dermatology specialty internship and a dermatology residency at the University of Illinois. Tomich’s interests include creative management of allergic dermatitis, laser surgery, and equine dermatology. She enjoys playing soccer, riding horses, listening to live music, skiing, and cooking in her spare time. Neither she nor her dog, Theodore, enjoy running but occasionally give it another try.

Does alfalfa make horses “hot”? Should they not eat before exercising? Many of our feeding practices are based on tradition, but what’s really best for our horses? Join our host, Michelle Anderson, as she interviews equine nutritionist Dr. Clair Thunes, of Clarity Equine Nutrition, and Dr. Robert Jacobs, of Purina Animal Nutrition. You'll learn about feeding horses alfalfa, beet pulp, and other feedstuffs, tips for feeding metabolic and insulin resistant horses, and much more! This podcast is sponsored by Purina Animal Nutrition. About the Experts: Clair Thunes, PhD, is an equine nutritionist who owns Clarity Equine Nutrition, based in Gilbert, Arizona. She works as a consultant with owners/trainers and veterinarians across the United States and globally to take the guesswork out of feeding horses and provides services to select companies. As a nutritionist she works with all equids, from WEG competitors to Miniature Donkeys and everything in between. Born in England, she earned her undergraduate degree at Edinburgh University, in Scotland, and her master’s and doctorate in nutrition at the University of California, Davis. Growing up, she competed in a wide array of disciplines and was an active member of the U.K. Pony Club. Today, she serves as the district commissioner for the Salt River Pony Club. Robert Jacobs, MS, PhD, is the Equine Innovation Manager at Purina Animal Nutrition. Jacobs and his team conduct innovative research focused on nutrition for horses, including palatability and eating behavior, gastrointestinal physiology, microbiome studies, exercise physiology, and growth and development. They perform their studies at the equine unit of the Purina Animal Nutrition Center in Gray Summit, Missouri, a 300-acre facility home to more than 80 horses ranging in age from newborn to 30. Jacobs earned his BS and MS in Animal Sciences from the University of Florida and continued his studies, completing his PhD in equine reproductive physiology and nutrition at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, where he investigated the role of omega-3 supplementation on the equine uterine environment and early pregnancy in obese, metabolically compromised horses. Research is a passion for Jacobs, but his favorite part of the day includes walking the pastures to check on the horses.

Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) is notoriously difficult for veterinarians to diagnose and equally tricky to treat. But there’s hope as researchers continue to investigate this neurologic disease. Join our host, Michelle Anderson, as she interviews Dr. Sarah Colmer of the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center. You'll learn about EPM, how horses contract it, current diagnostic tests and treatments, and much more! This podcast is sponsored by Kentucky Performance Products. Sarah F. Colmer, VMD, is a third-year resident in large animal internal medicine at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine’s New Bolton Center, in Kennett Square. Following the completion of her residency next month, she will begin a fellowship in large animal neurology at New Bolton Center. She has research interests in neurologic conditions of the horse, particularly degenerative diseases, as well as endocrinology.