Return to Website

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 

 



Ask the Nutritionist: Dr. Getty's Forum for Equine Nutrition
This Forum is Locked
Author
Comment
Feeding for potential EMS

Hi Dr Getty - I have a 15 yr old Qtr/Morgan who is slightly overweight, easy keeper, and cresty neck. Has been tested for EMS. Glucose - 80 Insulin - 130 with conversion=18.7 micro/ml(<15)=suspicious of EMS. I have him on Triple Crown Lite 1 cup 2X/day, MVP D-Carb, Horseshine - 1/2 cup/day, 1 handful of TCL safe starch 2X/day, and plenty of first cut hay. Is this an appropriate diet for preventive management?
Thank you for your time!
Gina McManus

Where are you from? CT

How did you locate this forum? Word of mouth

Re: Feeding for potential EMS

Hello Gina,

Thank you for writing. I have a couple of suggestions.

First, switch from Omega Horseshine to Nutra Flax since the Omega Horsehine product contains oats -- this is not appropriate for an insulin resistant horse.

Second, you may be overfeeding. All your horse needs is all the grass hay he wants (restricting forage will keep him overweight due to the hormonal response that an empty stomach creates). Have your hay tested, if possible, to make sure it is not too high in sugar and starch (%Non-structural carbohydrates). You can feed the TC Lite as a carrier for your MVP D-Carb Balance supplement, along with Nutra Flax. But he truly doesn't require the additional calories, so the least amount you can get use to get him to eat his supplements, the better.

I also recommend some additional magnesium, since the DCarb Balance provides 2600 mg of magnesium, which may not be enough. Provide an additional 5,000 mg of magnesium oxide (no need for additional chromium since that is in the DCarb).

All the best,

Dr. Getty
Author of Feed Your Horse Like A Horse

Gina McManus
Hi Dr Getty - I have a 15 yr old Qtr/Morgan who is slightly overweight, easy keeper, and cresty neck. Has been tested for EMS. Glucose - 80 Insulin - 130 with conversion=18.7 micro/ml(<15)=suspicious of EMS. I have him on Triple Crown Lite 1 cup 2X/day, MVP D-Carb, Horseshine - 1/2 cup/day, 1 handful of TCL safe starch 2X/day, and plenty of first cut hay. Is this an appropriate diet for preventive management?
Thank you for your time!
Gina McManus

Where are you from? Bayfield, CO