The most recent issue of Feedstuffs features an article detailing the role of Kentucky Equine Research (KER) as the designated feed, hay, and bedding supplier at this year's World Equestrian Games (WEG), held Sept. 25-Oct.10 in Lexington, Ky.

Authored by Joe D. Pagan, Ph.D., founder and president of KER, the article describes the logistical challenges that accompany an event of this magnitude. More than 750 horses were stabled on the showgrounds throughout the competition; this represents more than double the number of horses that gather for an Olympic Games. For an inside look at how KER managed to procure suitable feed, hay, and bedding while simultaneously adhering to strict governmental regulations, read the complete article.

Pagan is a regular contributor to Feedstuffs. View the complete list of past articles here.

A recent edition of Feedstuffs features an article written by Bryan Waldridge, D.V.M., a staff veterinarian at Kentucky Equine Research (KER). The article, which appeared in the August 30, 2010 issue, addresses the nutritional management of horses with liver disease.

The complete article, titled "Targeted Diets Can Aid Horses with Liver Disease," features an overview of hepatic disease in horses as well as feeding recommendations.

Joe Pagan, Ph.D., founder and president of KER, has provided articles for Feedstuffs for several years. He has written on diverse topics related to equine nutrition: feeding strategies for metabolic conditions, water quality and consumption, hindgut acidosis, buffering capacity of forages, colic, and omega-3 fatty acids, just to name a few. A complete list of Pagan's contributions to the magazine is contained elsewhere on this website.

Feedstuffs is a weekly newspaper serving agribusiness decision-makers involved in the manufacture, production, and distribution of agricultural products and services. For over 80 years, Feedstuffs has been providing news, information, and analysis on areas directly related to food production, including the related areas of feed manufacturing, animal health and nutrition, industry trends, feed ingredients, government regulations and marketing.

A recent nutrition conference highlighted current topics in the feeding and management of high-performance sport horses, including hydration, muscle and skeletal physiology and nutritional adequacy.

To accurately calculate the contribution forage makes to a horse's overall feeding program, forage intake as well as composition must be known. Not taking into account the contribution forage makes to a horse's overall nutrient intake can result in some serious feeding errors.

Horses are particularly sensitive to certain toxins produced in moldy corn. Because of this year's weather conditions, horse feed manufacturers should pay close attention to the quality of their feed supplies. Testing every lot of grain for fumonisin should be mandatory.

Weigh and measure horses during development to ensure that the skeleton maintains a steady rate of growth while preventing the animal from becoming too heavy.

Horse owners need to be educated about the dangers of obesity in their horses and the benefits even moderate exercise can provide.

Increasing the body mass of horses through weight gain is a timely topic because more horses are turning up in rescue situations, warranting a clear understanding of weight gain and changes in body condition.

The most important nutrient for horses is one that is rarely added to feeds: water. Though it is often overlooked in discussions involving equine nutrition, water should be considered the fi rst-limiting nutrient of all horses, as they cannot survive for as many days without water as they can without feed.

While the five metabolic disorders discussed here have very different etiologies, all are either triggered or aggravated by excessive starch and sugar intake.