Feeding Senior Horses

Feeding Senior Horses

Author: The Horse: Your Guide to Equine Health Care August 17, 2022 Duration: 1:01:01

Good nutrition and a balanced diet are important for all horses, but do senior horses have special requirements to consider? Join our host, Shoshana Rudski, as she interviews Dr. Shannon Pratt-Phillips, of North Carolina State University, and Dr. Kelly Vineyard, of Purina Animal Nutrition . You’ll learn about the nutritional requirements of senior horses, feeding the older horse with dental issues, how to help your senior gain weight, and much more!

This podcast is sponsored by Purina Animal Nutrition.

About the Experts:
Shannon Pratt-Phillips, PhD, received her Master of Science from the University of Kentucky and her Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Guelph, focusing on equine nutrition and exercise physiology. Pratt-Phillips joined the faculty at North Carolina State University in 2006, where she currently teaches equine nutrition in the Department of Animal Science. She is the director of the Distance Education Animal Science Programs, which includes the Master of Animal Science program, and her field of research focuses on glucose metabolism, insulin resistance, obesity, and laminitis prevention and management in horses.

Kelly Vineyard, MS, PhD, is a Senior Nutritionist, Equine Technical Solutions, with Purina Animal Nutrition. She is responsible for providing expert technical nutrition advice and insights in a variety of areas, including veterinarian and customer nutrition consultation, new product innovation and research, sales and dealer training, and social media activity. Since 2008, Vineyard has been directly involved in the research and development for numerous Purina Horse Feed products and supplements, including the recently patented Purina Equine Senior and Senior Active ActivAge technology. Vineyard earned her BS in Animal and Dairy Sciences from Auburn University and her MS and PhD in Animal Sciences with a focus on Equine Nutrition from the University of Florida. Her doctorate research focused on the effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on immune function in horses, and she received the Innovative Research award from the American Society of Animal Science for this work. Vineyard is a frequent publisher and lecturer on equine nutrition with expertise in omega-3 fatty acids, immune function, and performance horse nutrition. Her published work includes articles in the Journal of Animal Science and the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science and a chapter in the textbook Equine Applied and Clinical Nutrition. She has been involved with horses for most of her life and is a USDF bronze and silver medalist in dressage, earning both with her off-track Thoroughbred, The Roman Knows.


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
Equine Colic 101 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Equine colic refers to abdominal pain rather than a single disease and can arise from many causes, ranging from gas buildup to intestinal impaction. Horses with colic might show subtle signs such as reduced appetite or l…
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As horses age, managing their soundness using a multimodal approach becomes increasingly important. Experts emphasize proactive joint care, appropriate exercise, and routine veterinary evaluations. Regular, low-impact wo…
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Duration: 58:13
Managing a horse diagnosed with metabolic problems means understanding how conditions such as equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) and insulin dysregulation increase the risk of serious complications, including laminitis. Hor…
Choosing the Right Supplement for Your Horse [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:13
Horse owners often feed supplements to address gaps in their horses' diet that forage and concentrates might not meet, such as supporting joint comfort, hoof quality, or muscle recovery. Researchers suggest that suppleme…
Performance Horse Lameness Problems [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:46
Lameness is the most common cause of poor performance in equine athletes, and researchers have shown that many behavioral issues under saddle are caused by physical pain. Proactive treatment strategies can help extend yo…
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Duration: 59:03
Caring for a horse with a long-term illness or injury requires both financial commitment and practical planning. Veterinary bills, medications, specialized feed, and management adjustments can add up quickly, so creating…
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Mare reproductive challenges can range from endometritis to ovarian irregularities such as hemorrhagic anovulatory follicles, ovarian hematomas, and persistent corpora lutea, all of which can disrupt normal cycles and fe…
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Thinking about buying a horse? Whether you’re a first-time buyer or returning to horse ownership after time away, making the right decisions from the start can help ensure a rewarding and financially sustainable experien…
Understanding Hind-Limb Lameness in Horses [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:37
Hind-limb lameness in horses can be challenging for owners to spot and veterinarians to diagnose. It can affect horses of all ages and disciplines. Subtle signs, such as a shortened stride, reluctance to go forward, or t…
Planning for Equine Emergencies [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:11
Planning ahead for equine emergencies can help you avoid delays in care and unexpected expenses, and reviewing your emergency protocol regularly helps protect both your horse’s health and your wallet. In this Ask TheHors…