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
Hi Tracey,
Rice is similar to wheat in its nutritional value, and white rice is like feeding white bread to a horse. From a biochemical perspective, the result is sugar, since starch is digested down to glucose.
So, bottom line -- feeding white rice is very similar to just feeding sugar cubes. It provides carbohydrates, but it is essentially an empty calorie, without much vitamin/mineral content. Brown rice, of course, is a whole grain, and does have the benefit of the germ as well as the bran layer, which has added nutrients.
So, if the horse has plenty of good quality grass hay and/or pasture, adding a small amount of white rice to the diet will simply add some calories to the diet. But, in terms on nutrition, it is a very, very poor choice, indeed.
And, it's important to note that too large a meal of rice (or any cereal grain) can increase the risk of laminitis. So caution needs to be in place.
Hope this is helpful!
Happy Holidays! 
Dr. Getty 
Where are you from? Bayfield, CO