Farm To Stable: An Equine Nutrition Podcast

by Dr. Nettie Liburt

Welcome to Farm To Stable: An equine nutrition podcast. Here you will find practical, science-based facts from a professional PhD equine nutritionist, and some surprise guests along the way. I aim to help horse owners navigate the many questions and common concerns about feeding horses. Resources, links and other useful information will be provided based on show topics. If there are topics you'd like to hear about, contact m ... 

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Education
Life Sciences

Podcast episodes

  • Season 2

  • Tips for Helping a Horse Gain Weight

    Tips for Helping a Horse Gain Weight

    S02 E14
    14:45

    In this episode, I'll give some general tips for helping a horse gain weight. As winter gives way to spring, it is not unusual for horse owners and managers to notice that an animal has lost weight in the colder months. Also, weight may be needed to support additional training or performance. Whatever the reason, there are few simple things to begin with. Link to Body Condition Score Card (Texas A&M University): https://vetmed.tamu.edu/files/vetmed/vmth/laminitis/Equine_Body_Condition_Scoring.pdf Video about how to body condition score a horse: https://youtu.be/bq0ZXnSlsNQ?si=C-FmKaO5c9uCofxq Link for forage analysis services: https://equi-analytical.com/

  • Tips for Transitioning Onto Spring Pasture

    Tips for Transitioning Onto Spring Pasture

    S02 E13
    15:07

    Here in North America, the temperatures are slowly getting warmer, and grass is growing faster and faster. For many horses, that means a transition from winter hay to spring pasture. As with anything, such a change requires time to minimize the risk of digestive upset, and should not be done suddenly. This week the discussion focuses on some general tips whether you have lush pastures growing, a small amount of pasture or only a dry lot. Some additional resources are here from: Penn State University: https://extension.psu.edu/transitioning-horses-to-spring-grazing University of Guelph: https://ovcpetnutrition.uoguelph.ca/2021/03/11/transitioning-your-horse-from-hay-to-grass-safely-this-spring/ These are quick reads with some easy to follow guidelines for transitioning to spring pasture. Thanks for listening! Episode Art Photo Graphic from the University of Guelph Factsheet, link posted above.

  • Nutrition and Mobility - Supplement Review

    Nutrition and Mobility - Supplement Review

    S02 E12
    17:04

    Diet can have an influence on a horse's soundness and mobility. There are seemingly endless amounts of products on the market claiming to support movement, but do they work? In most cases the research is limited. Individual horses may respond differently to each supplement, so as long as a product is safe, it can be a matter of trial end error. Don't forget the importance of a balanced diet to lay the foundations for optimum performance. That includes maintaining a healthy body condition. Here is an excellent video produced by TheHorse.com, that features Dr. Bob Coleman of the University of Kentucky describing how to body condition score (BCS) a horse. The link is: https://youtu.be/bq0ZXnSlsNQ?si=NlQJAZRkGrjB6KRj I highly recommend watching this and getting familiar with BCS! We're getting into the available science (as always) this week, so listen in and see what we know (and what we don't!)

  • Basic Foal and Stallion Nutrition

    Basic Foal and Stallion Nutrition

    S02 E11
    19:15

    Following up to last week's podcast all about the broodmare, this week the focus is the foal and stallion. The growing foal has tremendous nutrient needs, often much higher than that of a high performance horse! Healthy growth takes a careful balance of exercise, energy, protein, vitamins and minerals. Some general feeding examples will be discussed. We won't forget about the stallion, of course, but from a nutritional point of view, he's probably the easiest to feed! Episode Photo Art: Pixabay

  • Broodmare Basic Nutrition

    Broodmare Basic Nutrition

    S02 E10
    17:21

    It's foaling season here in North America, and the nutrition of the broodmare is key for a healthy foal. A pregnant mare's nutritional needs are not static, and they do change throughout pregnancy and lactation. For example, a mare in the first month of lactation has about double the calorie needs compared to maintenance! Protein needs almost triple, and that also means amino acids increase too. Vital nutrients need to be balanced and carefully changed to address the mare's needs at each stage of pregnancy to ensure the foal has the best foundation for proper development in utero and growth when born. Listen in for some general guidelines! Episode Photo Art: Soledad Lorieto/Upsplash.