Dr. Nancy Loving writes, "Unlike our human intestinal constitution, the horse has a unique intestinal structure and function for processing feed. Comparing equine digestive function with human or small animal function leads to misconceptions, and hence mismanagement." Her article "Food for Thought" in April 2007 issue of The Horse explains how feed management can be designed to minimize health problems.

A yearling colt by Danehill Dancer fetched a record 190,000 guineas at the Tattersalls February mixed sale at Newmarket. Heated bidding among top agents quickly passed the previous record of 170,000 guineas. Conditioned for the sale on a diet of Prep 14, the handsome colt eventually went to Croom House Stud. Prep 14, which is manufactured by Kentucky Equine Research Team Member Blue Grass Horse Feeds, is formulated to increase body condition and shine for foals and yearlings. The colt was offered for sale by Ballybin Stud, which also saw one of its fillies bring 105,000 guineas on the same day.

England's Grand National Steeplechase has earned a reputation as the world's toughest race over fences. Horses and riders are tested over a four-and-a-half-mile course with 30 demanding jumps, and many starters fail to complete the race. Silver Birch, a wagering long-shot at 33-to-1, bested 39 other entrants in this year's contest. The horse was conditioned by first-year trainer Gordon Elliott and ridden by Robbie Power. Silver Birch trains and races on Prep 14, a conditioning sweet feed formulated by Kentucky Equine Research and manufactured by KER Team Member Blue Grass Horse Feeds.

An Australian study looked at the effect of large grain meals on hindgut starch fermentation and acidosis in racing Thoroughreds. Findings indicated that both quantity and type of grain were significant, and that current feeding practices led to hindgut acidosis in at least a quarter of the horses in the study. Smaller meals, inclusion of processed rather than whole corn, and use of a hindgut buffer can significantly decrease incidence of acidosis. For more information, see Science Update SU 35, Summary of "The effect of current grain feeding practices on hindgut fermentation and acidosis in the Australian racing Thoroughbred.

Supplementation with biotin at a rate of 20 mg per day has been shown to improve hoof quality over the course of 8 to 15 months, according to an article by KER staff that was published in "Diet and the Hoof--Piecing Together the Nutrition Puzzle," a hoof care report published by the American Farriers Journal. While additional biotin doesn't seem to make the foot grow more rapidly, cells in the hoof horn becomes more resistant to damage. For more information on hoof supplementation, read the Equinews volume 6, issue 2 article, "Biotin Basics."