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
Maintaining the Equine Gut Microbiome [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:43
The horse’s gut microbiome is important to digestion, nutrient absorption, ulcer prevention, and overall health, so you need to support it properly. Learn how to cultivate a diverse and healthy gut microbiome in your hor…
Managing the Itchy Horse [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:01
Whether your horse has chronic seasonal allergies or occasionally comes in from the field with mysterious hives or rubs from scratching himself on the fence, managing his discomfort can be difficult. He needs a treatment…
Creating a Nutrition Plan for the Competition Horse [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:31
Developing a well-rounded and balanced nutrition plan for your competition horse can be challenging. He needs a feed program that meets all his basic nutritional needs while giving him enough energy to keep up with train…
Equine Pain and Discomfort [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:09
Horses can show discomfort for a plethora of reasons. Injuries, aging, veterinary procedures, and more can cause pain, and knowing how to manage it is paramount to equine welfare. Join our host, Alexandra Beckstett, as s…
Equine Joint Health [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:59
Prioritizing joint health is imperative to your horse’s comfort, both under saddle and in the field. Join our host, Shoshana Rudski, as she interviews Dr. Erica Secor, of Cornell University, and Dr. Julie Settlage, of Bo…
Understanding Equine Insulin Resistance [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:04
Horses with insulin issues need to be managed carefully to live good-quality lives. Join our host, Shoshana Rudski, as she interviews Dr. Dianne McFarlane, of the University of Florida, and Dr. Vern Dryden, of Bur Oak Ve…
Managing Your Horse's Allergies [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:43
Do you have an allergy-prone horse? Join our host, Shoshana Rudski, as she interviews Dr. Lara Tomich, of Dermatology for Animals. You'll learn about potential causes of allergic reactions, treatment and management optio…
Myths and Misconceptions About Equine Nutrition [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:57
Does alfalfa make horses “hot”? Should they not eat before exercising? Many of our feeding practices are based on tradition, but what’s really best for our horses? Join our host, Michelle Anderson, as she interviews equi…
EPM: Help For Your Horse [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:24
Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) is notoriously difficult for veterinarians to diagnose and equally tricky to treat. But there’s hope as researchers continue to investigate this neurologic disease. Join our host,…
Equine Gastric Issues and Digestive Health [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:52
An upset digestive system can lead to bigger problems, ranging from gastric ulcers to colitis to colic. Join our host, Michelle Anderson, as she interviews Dr. Alicia Long of the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton C…