Grey Horse Equine Nutrition

10/31/2026

There is nothing wrong with wanting to avoid certain ingredients in your horses feeding program, but don’t be bullied by people on FB claiming all commercial feeds are full of crap “fillers”. I urge you to do some homework and educate yourself on what role those “fillers” actually play in the big picture of the feed formulation.

🐴 HORSE POST OF THE DAY: FILLERS! THE BOOGEYMAN OF THE FEED ROOM. 🐴

“I feed a forage balancer instead of a ration balancer because the forage balancer doesn’t contain added fillers.”

“I refuse to feed Product X because it has fillers.”

“Product Y is just a crappy filler feed.”

“That’s a filler ingredient used in human food, so I won’t feed it to my horse!”

Me: Could you please elaborate on what, exactly, constitutes a ‘filler’?

Crickets. Somewhere, a tumblew**d rolls through the feed room.

Ah, yes. The dreaded F-word of equine nutrition. Apparently, there are ingredients that are nutritious, ingredients that are acceptable, and then there are the EVIL FILLERS, which presumably exist solely to deprive your horse of nutrients while manufacturers laugh maniacally all the way to the bank.

But here's a teensy, tiny problem with this theory...
WHAT. EXACTLY. IS. A. FILLER?

Is it an ingredient with a name you don't recognize? One that sounds insufficiently expensive? An ingredient that isn't currently being worshipped by your favorite equine influencer? Or is it simply something you read on a Facebook group that you haven't actually bothered to investigate?

Because “filler” is not a nutritional analysis.

And declaring an ingredient a filler doesn't magically make it nutritionally worthless.

Let's look at some of the usual suspects hauled before the Equine Nutrition Court of Public Opinion.

EXHIBIT A: SOY HULLS

The horror! A by-product! Call the authorities!

Soy hulls are a highly digestible fiber source. Despite the word hulls making them sound like something scraped off the bottom of a feed mill, they contain substantial amounts of digestible fiber that can be fermented by the horse's hindgut microbes.

That fermentation produces volatile fatty acids (VFAs), which the horse can use for energy.

Translation: Your horse's digestive system can turn certain fibrous ingredients into usable energy. Not every calorie needs to arrive wearing a starch costume.

Soy hulls can be a useful ingredient in feeds formulated for controlled starch intake and digestible fiber delivery.

EXHIBIT B: OAT HULLS

Another ingredient that apparently committed the unforgivable crime of not being a trendy seed.

Oat hulls are primarily a source of structural fiber, but they're generally less digestible than soy hulls. Their nutritional contribution depends on the overall formulation, processing, and how much is included.

And here's where things get interesting: Not all fiber is created equal.

NOTE: A less digestible fiber source isn't nutritional su***de just because its not as digestible. Some fiber bulk is often needed to keep the digestive tract moving.

Context matters. Revolutionary concept, I know.

EXHIBIT C: RICE HULLS

Rice hulls are largely structural fiber with relatively low digestibility. They may be used in small amounts as a carrier or to provide physical structure in a feed or supplement particularly useless when pelleting feed.

Are they nutritionally equivalent to other fibrous ingredients? Absolutely not.

Are they automatically evidence of a sinister plot to defraud horse owners? Also no.

The amount used, its purpose, and the nutritional specifications of the finished product matter.

If an ingredient contributes little usable nutrition, that's worth considering. But its mere presence doesn't tell you how much is present or whether the overall product meets its intended purpose.

EXHIBIT D: WHEAT MIDDLINGS

Oh, look! Another by-product! The internet nutrition police are going to need a fainting couch.

Wheat middlings are produced during wheat milling and contain varying proportions of bran, shorts, and other wheat fractions. They can provide digestible energy, protein, and fiber.

They also tend to contain substantial phosphorus, so their inclusion needs to be considered within the overall calcium-to-phosphorus balance.

Are they appropriate in every formulation? No.

Can they be useful in a properly formulated feed? Absofreakinglutely!

An ingredient can have both nutritional benefits and limitations. That's called nutrition, not a conspiracy.

EXHIBIT E: BEET PULP

Beet pulp. The ingredient that manages to be a highly useful fiber source despite not being a bucket of whole carrots blessed by a holistic equine fairy.

Beet pulp is highly digestible and can be fermented in the hindgut. It also has considerable water-holding capacity, making it useful in soaked feeds.

Its digestible energy content can be comparable to that of some cereal grains, depending on the comparison. Unmolassed beet pulp is generally low in sugar, although the sugar content of the actual product matters.

And no, beet pulp isn't nutritionally worthless because it isn't a whole food.

Your horse doesn't award bonus nutritional points because an ingredient looks pretty in a Pinterest photo.

SO, WHAT SHOULD YOU ACTUALLY BE ASKING?

Instead of shrieking “FILLERS!” every time you encounter an ingredient you dislike, try asking:

What nutrients does this ingredient contribute?
How digestible is it, and how does it fit into the horse's digestive physiology?
Why is it included in this particular formulation?
At what inclusion rate is it being used?
Does the finished product provide the nutrients it claims to provide?
Does the product meet the needs of the horse I'm feeding it to?
Is there a meaningful nutritional difference between this product and the alternative I'm considering?

Those questions might actually help you choose a feed.

Calling something a filler because you don't like its name? Not so much.

And let's be clear: I'm not arguing that every ingredient is useful, every feed is well formulated, or every manufacturer deserves a standing ovation.

Some products contain ingredients that contribute relatively little usable nutrition. Some formulations are better suited to particular horses than others. Some marketing claims deserve a thorough interrogation under a bright light.

But those conclusions should be based on evidence, formulation, and nutritional contribution --not on the assumption that every by-product is garbage and every ingredient that sounds like a whole food is superior.

THE BOTTOM LINE:

“Filler” is often an emotionally satisfying label masquerading as a nutritional explanation.

If an ingredient is genuinely contributing little nutritional value, explain what it contributes, how much is included, and why that matters.

If a product is poorly formulated, explain why.

If you prefer a different product, tell us what meaningful nutritional advantage it offers.

But if your entire argument is “I don't feed it because it contains fillers,” and you cannot explain what constitutes a filler, why the ingredient is nutritionally problematic, or how it affects the finished ration...

Congratulations! You have successfully demonstrated that you dislike an ingredient.

You have not demonstrated that you understand it. 🤷‍♀️

And in equine nutrition, “I don't recognize that ingredient” is not synonymous with “That ingredient is nutritionally worthless.”

Feeding facts. Busting myths. Composting bad advice.

10/27/2026

🐴 It's weaning season!

This time of year, a lot of us are weaning our foals, and it's one of the most important transitions in a young horse's life. 🍂

Nutrition during this stage is critical for proper growth and development. Foals are building the bone, muscle, and joint structure they'll carry for the rest of their lives, and what they eat now matters.

A balanced feeding program should support:
✅ Steady, healthy growth (not too fast, not too slow)
✅ Strong bones and sound joints
✅ Proper protein, vitamin, and mineral balance
✅ A smooth, low-stress transition off the mare

Building the right program from the start sets your foal up for a healthier, stronger future. 💪

Weaning soon, or already in the thick of it? Drop your questions below. I’d love to help you build a feeding plan that fits your foal! 👇

10/25/2026

🐴 Why Your Horse May Benefit from DHA & EPA

Horses evolved eating fresh grass, which is rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Hay retains far less, and grain-based diets are lower still. Many horses today get less omega-3 than their bodies were designed for.

DHA and EPA are long-chain omega-3s, and research in horses suggests they can:

✅ Support a healthy inflammatory response. Studies show omega-3 supplementation can shift the balance of inflammatory signaling molecules, which is relevant for joint comfort and recovery.

✅ Support joint and mobility health. Because they help modulate inflammation, they're a common part of nutrition plans for active and senior horses.

✅ Support skin and coat condition. Omega-3 intake is linked to a healthier skin barrier and coat quality.

✅ Support broodmares and foals. DHA fed to mares in late gestation has been shown to raise DHA levels in foal blood at birth, which may support early development.

"But isn't fish oil unnatural?"
It's a fair question. EPA and DHA originate in marine algae, which is where fish get them in the first place. They're the same molecules whichever source they come from. Research shows horses readily absorb DHA and EPA into their blood and cell membranes. Algae-based sources are also an option for horses that dislike the taste of fish oil.

Not all omega-3s are equal. Flax and chia provide ALA, which horses convert to DHA and EPA only very inefficiently. Marine-based sources (fish or algal) provide DHA and EPA directly.

📚 What the research shows
🔹 University of Kentucky: Researchers tested a DHA-rich microalgae in metabolic horses to see whether it could help reduce inflammation.
🔹 Lincoln Memorial University: In a 90-day study of 20 healthy horses, those given a marine-based DHA and EPA supplement showed anti-inflammatory effects that appeared after about 60 days.
🔹 Sam Houston State University: In late-gestation mares, foals born to mares fed fish oil had higher plasma DHA at birth than foals from unsupplemented mares. Flax was one of the comparison groups.
🔹 Kentucky Equine Research: A study found that flax oil did not raise EPA and DHA in red blood cells the way marine oil did.

💬 Transparency note: I feed Kentucky Equine Research products to my own horses because I trust the science behind them. I'm sharing this research because I think it's worth knowing about, whatever product you choose.

Every horse is different, so talk with your equine nutrition advisor to find the right source and amount for yours. Happy to answer questions about omega-3s in the comments.

Pictured: my young horse Savvy, healthy and thriving. Good nutrition starts with the basics: forage first, then fill the gaps. 📸 Caitlin Demura

10/21/2026

Great info from Dr. Carrie Finno. She is a board-certified equine internal medicine specialist (DVM, PhD, DACVIM) and a professor at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. She is a recognized researcher in equine vitamin E, particularly its role in neurological health, nerve development, and diseases associated with vitamin E deficiency.

I always recommend testing to my clients.

10/18/2026

Do you know how much you're actually
feeding? 🐴

Scoops aren't pounds. A scoop of one feed can weigh very differently from a scoop of another, so weigh what you feed.

Feeding less than the manufacturer's recommended amount shortchanges your horse on nutrition. Those feeds are formulated to deliver vitamins, minerals, and protein at the full serving size.

Feed for your horse's body condition:

✅ Easy keepers or overweight horses: Choose a ration balancer and feed it at the correct amount. You get the nutrition without the extra calories.

✅ Performance horses needing more calories: Choose a fortified feed with added fat and calories to support energy and condition.

Grab a scale, weigh a scoop, and know your numbers. Your horse will thank you! 💚

Message me with questions or to find the right feed for your horse.

10/15/2026

I try to only recommend supplements that have proven science behind them. This product has been a game changer for my clients with horses that suffer from gastric disease.
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Now, with three size options, it’s easier to choose the supply that works for you while maintaining consistent digestive support for your horse.

Same research-proven formula. More choice. Greater convenience.

Available now in the USA.

Supply duration based on an 1100 lb (500 kg) horse

10/12/2026

Is your horse suffering from gastric disease? What to know why compounded Omeprazole may not be the best choice of treatment? I’ve heard Dr Sykes speak many times and still learn something new every-time I hear him. Check out the latest episode of Scoop & Scale podcast all about equine gastric disease.

Hobbies Podcast · Updated Biweekly · Dr. Clair Thunes and Jill Jackson dish up the science and weigh the facts about equine nutrition, horse care, and industry topics.

10/07/2026

This topic has been going around for awhile on FB. I love that this has been addressed in this post. Horses are well equipped to process fats even without a gallbladder. I choose to follow the science.

🐴 HORSE POST OF THE DAY: “No Gallbladder ≠ No Oil”

From a Functional Nutrition Therapy Practitioner (talk about tongue twister – say that 10 times):

“Quick anatomy lesson that could change how you feed your horse…”

Horses don't have a gallbladder.

Correct. 👍

In humans, dogs, cats, and other species that have one, the gallbladder stores bile and releases it into the small intestine. Horses, on the other hand, have a continuous flow of bile from the liver.

Also correct. 👍

Then comes the part where the wheels come off the wagon:

“So when we dump a cup of oil on a horse's feed, we're asking a system designed for slow, steady fat processing to handle a concentrated amount it was never built for.”

Um… where, exactly, did the research demonstrate that?!?!

Because “horses don't have a gallbladder” is an anatomical fact.

“Therefore horses cannot efficiently handle supplemental oil” is a nutritional conclusion—and it doesn't automatically follow the anatomy or the current research.

In fact, research has demonstrated that horses can digest and utilize supplemental dietary fat, including vegetable oils, quite effectively. Studies measuring digestion before the hindgut have found substantial digestion of supplemental fat, and other research has demonstrated effective utilization of dietary oil as an energy source.

So apparently the horse's digestive tract didn't get the memo that it wasn't “built” to handle oil. 😂

Now, does that mean we should pour a cup of oil into every feed bucket?

No.

Very high-fat diets can affect fiber digestion, and the amount, type, and purpose of supplemental fat absolutely matter. Feeding an appropriate amount as part of a properly balanced diet is a very different proposition from indiscriminately adding huge quantities of oil.

And yes, whole-food fat sources—flax, chia, h**p, etc.—can be excellent ingredients.

But here's where we need to separate personal preference from physiology.

The argument that horses evolved eating seeds and the lipids naturally present in forage is interesting, but “evolutionary” does not automatically mean “biologically superior.”

Horses also evolved without fortified feeds, vitamin/mineral balancers, salt blocks, hoof boots, blankets, fly sheets, and approximately 14,000 varieties of supplements marketed for “gut health.”

We don't reject those things simply because they weren't on the Paleolithic horse's shopping list.

The fact that a horse evolved consuming fat primarily in forage and seeds tells us something about its natural diet.

It does not tell us that the horse is incapable of digesting an isolated source of dietary fat in the form of an oil.

And that's the important distinction:

Anatomy tells us how the system is constructed.
Research tells us what the system can actually do.

The horse doesn't need a gallbladder to efficiently digest dietary fat.

It needs an appropriately formulated diet, an appropriate dose, and - this part seems to be increasingly endangered - a little bit of cedible science. 😉

So by all means, feed the flax.

Feed the chia.

Feed the h**p hearts.

Just don't tell me that vegetable oil is biologically inadequate because the horse forgot to evolve a gallbladder.

Because sometimes the problem isn't the anatomy lesson.
It's the conclusion drawn from it.

10/06/2026

HORSE POST OF THE DAY: “OMG! GLYPHOSATE IN BEET PULP!”
Cue ominous music. Release the supplement sales team.

Holistic Horse & Pet Supplement Company:
“...The study measured crystallized sugar, where water-soluble glyphosate washes out during processing, so it’s ‘not detectable.’ But the part your horse eats isn’t the sugar—it’s the fibrous pulp! Therefore, there is no guarantee it is safe to feed.”

Me: Sorry, but you lost me at “holistic” and “supplement company.”

Are we really doing this AGAIN?!

Because apparently we now need a CSI: Sugar Beet Edition to explain how beet pulp is actually made.

Let’s pull up a chair.

Step 1: The beet is grown.
Glyphosate may be used in agriculture for w**d control, and in some production systems it may be used as a pre-harvest desiccant. That does not mean someone sprays the beet pulp your horse eats with a bottle of Roundup.

Step 2: The beets are cleaned.
They are washed and processed to remove dirt, rocks and other field debris.

Step 3: The beets are sliced.
The roots are cut into thin pieces called cossettes.

Step 4: Diffusion happens.
The cossettes are contacted with hot water to extract the majority of the sugar.
By the way, glyphosate is highly water soluble. So this step, likely removes much of any residue in the pulp.

Step 5: The pulp is separated from the juice.
What's left is the sugar-depleted fibrous material we know as beet pulp. Keep in mind, that high temperature drying may provide additional degradation or any glyphosate residue left, although that depends on actual product temperature and exposure time.

And here's where the argument gets a little…creative.

The claim is essentially:
“Glyphosate is water-soluble, therefore it could wash out of the sugar and remain in the pulp.”

Okay.

But “could” is not the same thing as “does,” and certainly isn't the same thing as:
“Therefore your horse is being exposed to a dangerous amount of glyphosate every time you feed a scoop of beet pulp.”

That's a rather impressive leap over several missing pieces of evidence.

And let's talk about the phrase “legal limit.”

Yes, a regulatory maximum residue level/tolerance is a regulatory limit. It isn't synonymous with “this is the exact amount required for lifelong health.”

But here's the part conveniently left out of the scary Facebook post:
Regulatory residue limits are established using toxicological data and safety assessments, including exposure considerations and safety factors. They aren't simply a number a chemical company scribbled on a napkin and handed to the government.

And if we're going to invoke science, let's actually follow it all the way through.

Has glyphosate been detected in beet pulp?
That's an analytical question.

At what concentration?
That's another question.

Is that concentration biologically significant for a horse consuming a realistic amount of beet pulp?
Different question.

Is there evidence that feeding beet pulp at normal inclusion rates causes glyphosate-related disease in horses?
That's an even bigger question.

And that is where the argument starts running out of steam.

Because:
“We haven't proven it's completely harmless” ≠ “therefore it's dangerous.”

By that standard, we'd better start a list of everything horses consume that hasn't been subjected to a 20-year randomized controlled feeding trial with every possible contaminant measured...AND that had better include grass and hay!

I'll wait But I WON’T hold my breath.

The horse does not need your fear. It needs evidence.

Beet pulp isn't magically “toxic” because someone found a way to put the words GLYPHOSATE, GUT, and UNANSWERED QUESTIONS into the same paragraph.

And saying:
“There are plausible mechanisms that could explain modern horse health problems!”
is not evidence that glyphosate in beet pulp is actually causing those problems.

That's called hypothesis generation.

Not proof.

And perhaps the biggest red flag?
When the solution to the terrifying contaminant you just warned us about happens to be conveniently available on your supplement website.
🤔

Follow the evidence.

Not the affiliate link.

Not the fear.

Not the “holistic” label.

Because “just feed clean” sounds wonderfully reassuring...
until someone asks:
Clean from what, at what concentration, measured how, and demonstrated to cause what in an actual horse?

And suddenly everybody needs another supplement website.