Feeding Performance Horses

Feeding Performance Horses

Author: The Horse: Your Guide to Equine Health Care August 13, 2021 Duration: 1:06:04

Is your horse getting the nutrition he needs to reach his athletic potential? Are you looking to build his topline or increase his stamina? Join our host, Michelle Anderson, as she interviews Dr. Marty Adams, of Cargill Animal Health & Nutrition, and Dr. Clair Thunes, of Clarity Equine Nutrition. You'll learn about the nutritional needs of performance horses, protein and amino acid requirements, energy content in equine diets, and much more! 

This episode is sponsored by ProElite. 

Marty Adams, PhD, ARPAS, is a technical services equine nutritionist for Cargill Animal Health & Nutrition. Cargill owns and manufactures Nutrena Horse Feeds, including SafeChoice, ProForce, Empower and Triumph brands, as well as Legends, ProElite and Progressive Nutrition Horse Feeds and Supplements. He was formerly the equine nutritionist and horse feed manager for Southern States Cooperative. Adams also served as an assistant/associate professor at Louisiana Tech University after graduate school, and then was the equine nutritionist for Seminole Feed before taking the position at Southern States. Adams has two bachelor’s degrees from Missouri State University and earned his master’s and doctorate degrees from the University of Missouri (Animal Science/Equine Specialty). American Registry of Professional Animal Science) certification.

Clair Thunes, PhD, is an independent equine nutrition consultant who owns Clarity Equine Nutrition, based in Arizona. She works with owners/trainers and veterinarians across the United States and globally to take the guesswork out of feeding horses. Born in England, she earned her undergraduate degree at Edinburgh University, in Scotland, and her master’s and doctorate in nutrition at the University of California, Davis. Growing up, she competed in a wide array of disciplines and was an active member of the United Kingdom Pony Club. Today, she serves as the regional supervisor for the Sierra Pacific region of the United States Pony Clubs. As a nutritionist she works with all horses, from WEG competitors to Miniature Donkeys and everything in between. 


Ever find yourself puzzling over a subtle change in your horse's behavior or wishing you had a clearer understanding of that latest veterinary study? Ask The Horse brings those conversations directly to you, transforming complex equine health topics into accessible, actionable knowledge. Each episode features recorded live sessions where seasoned horse owners pose their real-world questions to a rotating panel of top veterinarians and specialists. You'll hear discussions that range from everyday hoof care and nutrition management to explanations of emerging therapies and diagnostic techniques. The format captures the spontaneous, insightful dialogue that happens when curious minds meet expert experience, all without the filter of a script. This podcast, presented by The Horse: Your Guide to Equine Health Care, serves as a trusted resource for anyone invested in the wellbeing of their horse, whether you're a weekend trail rider or a competitive professional. It’s like having a front-row seat to a continuous learning community, where the shared goal is simply better care. Tune in to gain a deeper confidence in your decisions and to hear the nuanced, practical advice that can make a tangible difference in your daily routine with horses.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 150

Ask The Horse
Podcast Episodes
Conditioning Horses for Peak Performance [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:48
Do you have the winter blues? Spring is on the way—we promise! Now is a great time to start planning your horse’s fitness program. Whether you’re headed to horse shows or trail rides, join us to learn how to get your hor…
Winter Horse and Barn Care [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:54
Cold weather presents special challenges when it comes to managing horses. Learn about keeping your horses healthy and barn safe during the winter months.
An Introduction to Equitation Science [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:20
Join two internationally acclaimed equitation science researchers to find out how this growing field of study can improve equine welfare, as well as you and your horse’s relationship.
Common-Sense Equine Nutrition [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:27
Do all the supplements, concentrates, and forages on the market have you confused about what’s best to feed your horse? Learn what your horse really needs to eat from equine nutritionist and consultant, Dr. Clair Thunes.
A Whole-Horse Approach to Managing Joint Disease [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:58
Joint disease causes lameness, impedes training, creates behavioral issues, and can end a horse’s riding career. From hoof care and nutrition to medical and supportive care, learn how to keep your horse comfortable and s…
Equine MRI [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:48
Learn why magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) considered the “gold standard” for diagnosing equine lamenesses and get your questions answered about how MRI can help your horses during this live event.
Helping Horses with Heaves [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:27
Recurrent airway obstruction (RAO, once known as chronic obstructive pulmonary dysfunction, or COPD) can stop an otherwise healthy athletic horse in his tracks. Learn how to help a horse suffering from heaves in this liv…