Nutritional Considerations for Donkeys - A Balanced Bay Blog Post …

The Equine Microbiome and Hindgut Fermentation - A Balanced Bay Blog Post …

Comparing Soaked vs. Unsoaked Ontario Hay - A Balanced Bay Blog Post…

It's almost the middle of show season and after months of preparation, training and schooling, horses are expected to be at their best and perform unconditionally.  Many horse owners are quick (and excited!) to purchase new tack and equipment, new show clothing, take extra lessons and even switch up their feeds to get the extra edge.  However, no matter how good you…

Iron is an essential micromineral in the horse's diet and nature has provided an abundance of it in soils, plants and water.  Deficiencies in this mineral are very rare while excess amounts are all too common and can affect a horse's health in detrimental ways.  If your horse has any immune issues, metabolic conditions, infections, or laminitis pay extra…

You are probably wondering what equine nutrition has to do with buying a new saddle.  Let me explain.... 

If you are anything like me I am really due for another saddle, but because of the big price tag that is usually attached to purchasing 'the right one', I knew I had to look at my budget and see the areas where I can trim back to jump-start my "saddle…

A horse's nutrition for the most part these days is largely dependent upon the experience, knowledge, but most importantly the "attitude" of its owner.  Attitude plays a key factor in almost everything we do, and often determines our successes or failures in our relationships, our work and, in this case, the horses we love and care for.

As I continue to work with horse owners in helping them with balanced nutrition plans for their horses, I find that it is…

Every year, I go through the same turmoil when it comes to Halloween.  I hate to be that person, the one who puts a damper on a pretty fun holiday. But when it comes to trick-or-treating, it pains…

We all know that cancer, heart disease, and diabetes run in families.  Do you know what else runs in families?... Recipes!

I firmly believe that nutrition is the foundation to good health AND that education is the foundation to good nutrition.  After thinking about how so many people are…

By Patti Bartsch, M.A., Ph.D. ~ www.NaturallyUnbridled.com

Ok, well maybe "lie" is a little on the strong side but intentional misconception hits it right on the head! Most of my coaching clients tell me that they eat "pretty…

Are You Tired of Being Tired?

I’m not the type of person who aims to inspire people to think they have a certain disease or disorder. However, there are some “conditions” that are rampant in our society due to the lifestyle we tend to lead. Vitamin D…

Welcome to spring!  Horse show season is under way and bathing suit season is just around the corner.  A winter of holiday feasting and reduced activity may have left you with a few souvenir pounds to help you to remember last season.  I was recently asked if I think that counting calories is a good way to lose weight so I…

10 Diet Tips to a Healthier You, Tip 8



Avoid Eating Out – eating out is tricky business, sometimes you can

think you are picking healthy options, and yet they are full of calories

and fat. Just the other day I was at a restaurant and thinking of ordering

the vegetarian pad thai – until I found out the chicken fingers and fries had

less calories because the pad thai had 1900 calories even though it was

noodles,…

“Ridden hard and put away wet!” This age old expression brings to mind an image of a horse that worked rigorously and was not properly cared for. You can picture the animal galloping along, doing her…

You are what you eat – and so is your horse. If every horse owner started with quality feed and made it a priority, there would be fewer problems with behavior, training and

overall health. Unfortunately, too many people overlook the importance

of feed - especially in Florida.

The heat is not only a factor for people; horses who live in 90 degree temperatures…

Nutrients in Oats:

On average, oats normally contain around 12% Crude Protein, 49% NSC (non-structural…

With all the things we hear and read about cutting our carbs we automatically assume that these things apply to our horses too. When in fact, carbohydrates are a fundamental part of any horse's diet and therefore cannot be cut out of their ration. Carbs should make up anywhere from 55 to 75% of a horse's diet. So this means that we really need to understand the way carbs are broken-down and metabolism when making our horse’s ration.



Firstly, carbohydrate (CHO) is a chemical…