Happy Horse Nutrition
Happy Horse Nutrition
Podcast Description
Join Dr. Nerida McGilchrist, a world-renowned equine nutritionist with over 20 years of experience, as she simplifies the science of horse nutrition into actionable insights. Trusted by top trainers and breeders, Nerida combines her passion for data with engaging interviews of leading experts in the field. With her warm, humorous style, she uncovers the latest research and practical tips to optimise your horse's health and performance. Tune in for expert advice that you can apply today!
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The show focuses on equine nutrition, veterinary science, and horse health, with episodes that include discussions on horse feeding practices like forage management and understanding equine digestive systems, alongside insights from leading equine experts.
Join Dr. Nerida McGilchrist, a world-renowned PhD equine nutritionist with over 25 years of experience, as she simplifies the science of horse nutrition into actionable insights. Trusted by top trainers and breeders, Nerida combines her passion for data with engaging interviews of leading experts in the field. With her warm, humorous style, she uncovers the latest research and practical tips to optimise your horse’s health and performance. Tune in for expert advice that you can apply today!
Join PhD equine nutritionist Dr. Nerida as she tackles one of horse owners' most pressing questions: does my horse actually need grain? This comprehensive equine nutrition episode breaks down the science behind horse grain feeding, revealing why most horses don't need grain at all – and the specific cases where they do.
What You'll Learn:
- The ONLY reason to feed grain to horses (it's simpler than you think)
- Which horses should NEVER have grain (insulin dysregulation, PPID, metabolic syndrome)
- How grain feeding can cause laminitis, colic, behavioral issues, and gut dysbiosis
- The ”Absolutely Not, No, Maybe, Yes” framework for determining if YOUR horse needs grain
- Safe grain feeding amounts: maximum limits to prevent hindgut damage
- Why cooked grains are essential (except for oats) and which processing methods work best
- Real-world examples from racehorses, yearlings and broodmares
Key Takeaways: Dr. Nerida reveals her ideal maximum of just 0.5kg grain per 100kg body weight (that's only 2.5kg for a 500kg horse!) and explains why performance actually improves when grain is reduced, not increased. She also busts the myth that overweight, lazy horses need more grain – often it's exactly the opposite.
Perfect for horse owners who want evidence-based nutrition advice without the confusion. Whether you're dealing with a good doer, a hard keeper, or a performance horse, this episode gives you the tools to make informed feeding decisions.
Topics Covered: Horse nutrition, grain feeding, equine gut health, laminitis prevention, insulin resistance, PPID, metabolic syndrome, racehorse feeding, broodmare nutrition, hindgut microbiome, starch digestion, oats vs other grains
Discover and download the MyHappy.Horse app: https://www.myhappy.horse
And ask your nutrition questions 24/7 with Dr Nerida AI: https://www.myhappy.horse/nerida-ai
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review! It really helps us to get grounded, science-based information to horse owners… and it is their horses who benefit the most! ❤️
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