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
Hello Lucy,
She may be insulin resistant, in which case, you will want to eliminate all grain, pelleted feeds that are grain-based, and all sweetened feeds, from her diet. This also includes treats that are high in sugar such as carrots and apples.
Instead, offer her high quality grass hay plus Lucerne hay or haylage (as long as it is not sweetened with molasses). She will need a combination of these two types of hay to provide her with high quality protein.
In addition, she should have a good multiple vitamin/mineral supplement that supplies adequate minerals, as you described, and vitamins to promote antioxidant activity, circulation, and energy production.
And finally, give her a probiotic every day. This is a supplement that contains microbes or microbial enzymes that boost the health of the bacteria that live in her digestive tract.
Keep me posted on her progress!
All the best,
Dr. Getty
