In this episode, we are going to talk about the basics of owning and feeding a draft horse. These giant, magnificent creatures do require a bit of special consideration when it comes to nutrition and Dr. Jyme explains it all in this episode. Resources • Galic et al. (2010): Adipose tissue as an endocrine organ https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mce.2009.08.018 • Kershaw and Flier (2004): Adipose Tissue as an Endocrine Organ https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2004-0395 You can follow @drjyme on Facebook and Insta...
Mar 27, 2025•29 min•Season 8Ep. 140
In this episode, Dr. Jyme discusses the importance of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, and how a balanced diet can enhance your horse's natural defenses. Check out this episode for some quick tips to keep your horse resilient against illnesses and allergens. Resources • Vitamin E study reference: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/415853 You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowne...
Dec 27, 2024•25 min•Season 7Ep. 139
Today we’re diving into a topic that’s crucial for horse owners: traveling with horses. Whether you’re going to a competition, a recreational ride, or a new home, ensuring your horse’s health and well-being during travel is essential. We’ll cover important dietary and nutritional management tips, how to keep your horse hydrated, ensure they maintain a good appetite, recover quickly, and most importantly, help them stay calm and relaxed during their journey. Resources Hydrate + Recover Travel Pas...
Nov 22, 2024•28 min•Season 7Ep. 138
You may be familiar with the terms prebiotics and probiotics, but have you ever heard of postbiotics? This episode covers the basics of postbiotics including what they are and how they can be used in the feeding program to support certain biological functions. Resources • Health promoting microbial metabolites produced by the gut microbiota after prebiotics metabolism: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2020.109473 • The haybiome…: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0242373 • Functional effects...
Oct 04, 2024•21 min•Season 7Ep. 137
Vitamin C is important for many functions in the body. Horses are capable of making their own vitamin C, yet some researchers suggest it be a beneficial addition to horses under certain conditions. In this episode, Dr. Jyme unpacks what the scientific community knows about vitamin C for horses and when it might be useful in the equine diet. Resources Vitamin C and Immune Function: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu9111211 Pulmonary Bioavailability of Ascorbic Acid in an Ascorbate-synthesizing Species, t...
Sep 06, 2024•22 min•Season 7Ep. 136
It’s fly season and there is nothing more irritating than a barn full of flies zapping the energy right out of your horses. This episode covers feed through fly control options and extra management tips to make your horse’s life as fly-free as possible this summer! Resources • Here are some of Dr. Jyme’s favorite fly control options. Dr. Jyme receives no incentive, discount, or kickback from these brands, they are just products she personally uses and loves. o Bobby G’s Fly Spray (chemical free)...
Apr 19, 2024•26 min•Season 6Ep. 135
The old saying “no hoof, no horse” couldn’t be more true. If you have ever found yourself in a situation with a horse that had foot issues, you quickly realize there isn’t much you can do with that horse from a work or athletic standpoint, you may be devoting hours/days/weeks/months to helping the horse heal, and sometimes the situation may be career, or even life, ending. This episode sifts through many hoof conditions and explains when nutrition may or may not play a role. Resources • Common I...
Feb 23, 2024•24 min•Season 6Ep. 134
Confused by all the feed choices out there? Inspired by a listener question, Dr. Nichols explains her 8-step process for selecting the brand or line of feed to best fit your needs. Show Notes: Feed Selection Road Map 1. Is the nutritionist qualified? 2. Least Cost vs Locked Formula 3. Ionophore Stance 4. Feeding Rates 5. Trace Mineral Source a. Zinc Methionine Complex b. Copper Lysine Complex c. Manganese Methionine Complex 6. Amino Acids 7. Bonus Round (supplement replacements) 8. Final Check o...
Feb 09, 2024•35 min•Season 6Ep. 133
Stallions can fall into a fairly wide range in terms of dietary needs, so there is no one-size-fits-all program. In this episode, Dr. Jyme describes different things to consider in designing a foundational nutrition program for a stallion and then takes it a step further by considering functional technologies that may help with things like semen quality and libido. Resources • Ultimate Breeding Guide https://strideanimalhealth.com/ultimate-breeding-guide • Effect of feeding a DHA-enriched nutric...
Jan 26, 2024•25 min•Season 6Ep. 132
If you plan to breed your mare this year, this is your episode! Dr. Jyme explains her pre-breeding checklist and two special functional ingredients you can add to the diet to maximize your chances of an easy conception and healthy baby. References: • Merck Veterinary Manual - https://www.merckvetmanual.com/management-and-nutrition/management-of-reproduction-horses/the-reproductive-cycle-of-horses • American Association of Equine Practitioners - https://aaep.org/horsehealth/regulating-estrus You ...
Jan 12, 2024•22 min•Season 6Ep. 131
Just because the grass is dormant and covered by a fresh layer of snow doesn’t mean you can forget about laminitis. Winter laminitis can be a concern for horses, especially those predisposed to metabolic conditions. Resources • Winter Laminitis Proceedings 2015 https://www.ecirhorse.org/proceedings-2015.php You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowner! …. If you have a topic or question you would like add...
Dec 08, 2023•18 min•Season 5Ep. 130
“Biohacking is a powerful concept that equips individuals with diverse tools and strategies, enabling them to take charge of their health like a CEO steering a successful company,” says Dr. Kien Vuu, M.D. Why not use some of these techniques on our horses to optimize their health, performance, and longevity?? Resources: • [Book] Thrive State: Your Blueprint for Optimal Health, Longevity, and Peak Performance by Dr. Kien Vuu, M.D. You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram ! Please tell...
Nov 08, 2023•33 min•Season 5Ep. 129
Weaning can be a stressful time for both mare and foal, but as owners and managers there are things we can do to minimize stress. This episode covers the nutritional aspects of deciding when to wean your foal. You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowner! …. If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email [email protected] Dr. Jyme Nichols is Director of Nu...
Oct 06, 2023•24 min•Season 5Ep. 128
As a follow up to episode 126 “Sweet Temptations” Dr. Jyme digs into the concepts behind evaluating sugar in the diet and how to apply the findings to specific situations. Resources: • EquiSUMMIT Registration for on-demand replays of the live event: https://bit.ly/440K6tp • Review of WSC and ESC of temperate grass pastures: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2022.103866 • Seasonal trends in NSC of cool and warm season grasses: https://doi.org/10.2135/cropsci2013.07.0465 • Pasture NSC and equine lami...
Sep 22, 2023•31 min•Season 5Ep. 127
Dr. Jyme was a guest presenter at the 2023 EquiSUMMIT. This is a re-play of her presentation covering the nutritional considerations of horses with sugar sensitivities. To view the video replay of this webinar go to: https://bit.ly/440K6tp You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowner! …. If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email [email protected] Dr. ...
Sep 08, 2023•31 min•Season 5Ep. 126
Modern feeding practices can have some not so great impacts on our horse’s mouths. In this episode Dr. Jyme explains how current “normal” practices in our horse’s environment can cause unintended consequences for a horse’s dental health. You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowner! …. If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email [email protected] Dr. Jy...
Aug 25, 2023•29 min•Season 5Ep. 125
There’s a saying as old as time: “No foot, No horse”… but what about “No Mouth, No Horse”? Limitations of the mouth can impact a horse’s attitude, body condition, and performance. This episode addresses some nutritional "work arounds" when a horse has some limitations. You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowner! …. If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email...
Aug 11, 2023•26 min•Season 5Ep. 124
Ever find yourself wondering where the “official” start of the digestive tract is? The answer might not be what you think. This is the first episode a three-part series devoted to uncovering some of the links between equine nutrition and dental health. You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowner! …. If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@bluebonnetf...
Jul 28, 2023•24 min•Season 5Ep. 123
Have you ever wondered about using carnitine as a fat burners for yourself and then somehow your mind drifts over to what that might look like in your horse? Or maybe you have a horse with Insulin Resistance, PSSM2, MFM, or some other disorder and you are searching for ways to open alternative energy pathways for cells in the body? Or maybe, you have a horse that washes out toward the end of your run and you are trying to figure out how to help them maintain stamina. Well, you are in luck today ...
Jul 14, 2023•18 min•Season 5Ep. 122
Ever wondered if it’s ok to offer your horse a piece of your granola bar? Or curious if there are dangers to feeding a piece of chocolate? This episode covers some of the more common foods that should never enter your horse’s mouth. Resources: · Chocolate [Caffeine and theobromine]: https://aaep.org/sites/default/files/issues/proceedings-07proceedings-z9100107000087.pdf · Persimmons [phytobezoars]: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21985354/ · Avocado poisoning: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/361...
Jun 30, 2023•18 min•Season 5Ep. 121
Should you choose first cutting? Second cutting? Third cutting? Does it even matter? This episode uncovers the truth behind the cutting number of hay and why this may not be the best criteria for choosing the best hay for your horse. You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowner! …. If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email [email protected] Dr. Jyme N...
Jun 16, 2023•22 min•Season 5Ep. 120
Mares carry and care for some of the most precious cargo. We know their health impacts that of the baby they are caring for, so what do you do if your pregnant mare is dangerously overweight? Resources: · Henneke Body Condition Scoring: https://vetmed.tamu.edu/files/vetmed/vmth/laminitis/Equine_Body_Condition_Scoring.pdf You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowner! …. If you have a topic or question you ...
Jun 02, 2023•26 min•Season 5Ep. 119
Plasma doesn’t only belong in an IV bag! New technologies allow plasma to be sterilized and dried for use in an oral supplement, and with over 600 published studies across multiple species, there’s no question that it benefits the body. Resources: · Article released by ‘The Horse’ on oral plasma: https://thehorse.com/171523/plasma-in-oral-form-a-game-changer-for-horses/ · Research study - Ulcer Prevention with Oral Plasma: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2016.05.003 · Research study – Oral plasma...
May 19, 2023•33 min•Season 5Ep. 118
Not everything you put in your horse’s mouth is considered “nutritional”. This episode explains the components that should be the foundation of a horse’s diet. Do not waste money feeding any kind of supplement if these foundational cornerstones are not in place first! Resources: ·NRC (National Research Council) Nutrient Requirements of Horses 6th Revised Edition. https://tinyurl.com/295w27dw You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has m...
May 05, 2023•26 min•Season 5Ep. 117
Collagen is a booming topic in the human health, beauty, and wellness world. As the most abundant protein in the body, it begs the question from some horse owners – should I be supplementing my horse with collagen? If so, how much, what type, and how do I know which collagen supplement is best? Resources: • The 2 apps mentioned for my tactical mini goals: Spiritual wellness >> The Bible Recap (reading in chronological order); Physical wellness >> 1st Phorm (macros tracking with an ad...
Apr 21, 2023•30 min•Season 5Ep. 116
Who knew the good old term “tying up” could have so many meanings? This episode digs into some different muscle myopathies (i.e. PSSM 1, PSSM 2, RER, and MFM) and provides tips for how we can tweak the diet and manage a horse for the best outcome. Resources: • (ER) Exertional Rhabdomyolysis: https://cvm.msu.edu/research/faculty-research/comparative-medical-genetics/valberg-laboratory/exertional-rhabdomyolysis • (RER) Recurrent Exertional Rhabdomyolysis: https://cvm.msu.edu/research/faculty-resea...
Apr 07, 2023•52 min•Season 5Ep. 115
Who else is cutting it wayyyy too close on their winter hay supply?? This episode provides some tips, tricks, and “watch-outs” for sourcing hay during tough times, plus a “how to guide” for planning how much hay you need when you do go buy. You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowner ! …. If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email [email protected] Dr. J...
Mar 17, 2023•30 min•Season 5Ep. 114
Did you know your horse’s DNA is influenced by his food and environment? And your horse’s DNA is influenced by food and external factors that his parents and grandparents experienced! This episode is mind blowing… let’s dive in! Additional Resources: · Ancestral Ghosts in Your Genome: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1Pf5S8Nbfk · Epigenetic Echos of Your Mother’s Diet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32t098-z-mY · Epigenetic Transformation – You Are What Your Grandparents Ate: https://www.youtub...
Mar 03, 2023•29 min•Season 5Ep. 113
The country is an icicle right now, temperatures have plummeted and horses are in cold-weather shock. Here are a few things you can do to reduce cold weather stress in your horses. Additional Resources: · Increase Hay Intake for Winter: https://www.extension.iastate.edu/equine/increase-hay-intake-winter · Winter Water Consumption from AAEP: https://aaep.org/horsehealth/winter-water-consumption · Horses may be at risk of colic in cold weather: https://extension.psu.edu/horses-may-be-at-risk-of-co...
Dec 23, 2022•24 min•Season 4Ep. 112
Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) is a condition that is gaining awareness among horse owners as researchers uncover more information on the associated risk factors, signs and symptoms. The nutritional program is one critical piece of successfully managing an EMS horse. Additional Resources: · Equine Metabolic Syndrome: A Complex Disease Influenced by Genetics and the Environment (2015) http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2015.03.004 · Equine Metabolic Syndrome (2011) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cveq.2...
Dec 10, 2022•35 min•Season 4Ep. 111
