I sort of forgot one of my favorite topics in the “C”s so I am going back just to add this post about Chia seeds. Then on ward to the “E”s !! Most horse owners understand that fresh grass is … Continue reading
Feeding Chia Seeds to Horses
Tag Archives: Amino Acids
Welcome to the Nerd Herd Hero!
I recently received an email from a client that is dealing with arthritis in the neck of his 6 year old TB. He was asking if there was any nutritional support that might help his horse. This is how I answered:
“With most arthritis cases, nutritionally you have to make sure they’re getting certain nutrients to aid the body with inflammation and bone health.
I always start with my hay and make sure it is tested and has a higher protein level so that I know my horse is getting proper amino acids.
If the horse requires supplementation with grain for energy try to use one that has the three essential amino acids guaranteed in the guaranteed analysis.
These include lysine, methionine and threonine.
Most feed companies only guarantee lysine.
Other nutrients that are super important for bone health are phosphorus, magnesium, sulfur and the trace minerals zinc, copper and manganese.
Vitamins A, C and B are all really important for anti-inflammatory and connective tissue health.
After you are sure his diet is adequate you can look at joint supplements. I usually tell my clients to use one that has all of the joint support ingredients (rather than just one) as you never know which one your horse will respond to.
So look for one that has HA,MSM, Chondroitin, and Glucosamine.
Herbal supplementation would include devils claw for reducing pain, Bromaline for anti-inflammatory and yucca for anti-inflammatory.
I really like Uckle’s Arthrigen because it has everything in it.”
Hope this helps!
The Nerd
Amino Acids in the Equine Diet
Most horse owners understand the importance of protein in a horse’s diet. Most understand that protein is used for growth and the repair of muscle and tissues. Few however can tell you what protein is actually made of.
Protein is made up of Amino acids much like a wall is made of bricks. There are 22 Amino acids that constitute protein in your horse. A horse needs all 22 to build proteins in his body. Horses get these Amino acids two ways; they make them in their body or they get them from their food.
Of the 22 Amino acids there are 10 that are called essential. The essential Amino acids come from food. Essential Amino acids must be provided in the diet because the horse cannot manufacture them on their own in the digestive tract. The importance of providing these essential Amino acids can be better understood when we look at the jobs they do:
The Equine Nutrition Nerd 
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