Ask the Nutritionist: Dr. Getty's Forum for Equine Nutrition
Welcome to my forum.
Here you will find more than 6 years of questions and my answers. It is searchable and offers a great deal of information.
Currently, I am discontinuing new questions. This may change in the future, but in the meantime, please know that It has been a true pleasure serving you.
Take a look at my Nutrition Library and Tips of the Month for a variety of answers on selected topics. Be sure to sign up for my monthly e-newsletter, Forage for Thought.
I also have a growing number of recordings on "Teleseminars on Nutrition Topics that Concern You" as well as the new, Spotlight on Equine Nutrition Series -- printed versions of favorite teleseminars.
And finally, look for my articles in a variety of local publications and online newsletters, as well as the Horse Journal, where I am the Contributing Nutrition Editor.
All the best,
Dr. Getty
Dr. Getty, Are the feed companies feeding us too much fat? Is so much fat in the diet causing upset stomachs and ulcers? I fed oats, grass/alfalfa hay for many years with no problems!
Like your site,
K. Williams 
Hi Kasey,
Many feed companies are adding fat to the diets because they are removing starch and need to supply a different source of calories. This is not a problem –horses tolerate fat quite well and it has not been a cause of digestive problems. But, a horse’s diet should be mostly from forages – hays and grasses – this is what keeps their digestive systems in good form.
Since your horses perform and have additional calorie needs, it is necessary to add another source. Oats, in moderation, or a fat source will work. Not all fat sources are good for horses, however. That’s another big story, so I won’t get into that here.
What feed are you offering? Perhaps I could be more specific about its benefits and/or drawbacks if I knew its ingredients.
Dr. Getty
