Annie Emery, MS CRC CESMT CENA
Equine Applied and Clinical Nutrition
Authors: Raymond J. Geor, Patricia Harris, Manfred Coenen
Publisher: Elsevier Health Sciences
Publication Date: April 1, 2013
Why this book matters:
Equine Applied and Clinical Nutrition is considered one of the most comprehensive modern references on practical and clinical equine nutrition. It combines foundational physiology with real-world feeding strategies and clinical case applications.
This text covers:
Digestive and metabolic physiology
Nutrient functions and requirements
Feeding management across life stages and workloads
Feedstuff evaluation and diet assessment
Clinical nutrition for common equine diseases
Feed hygiene and safety, including the role of manufacturers
One of its strengths is its practical focus—each chapter includes summary boxes, illustrations, and take-home recommendations, making complex science more accessible. It is widely used by veterinarians, nutritionists, graduate students, and informed horse owners who want a deeper understanding of feeding management.
Best for: Advanced horse owners, students, veterinarians, and equine professionals who want both theory and clinical application.
Nutrient Requirements of Horses (6th Revised Edition)
Publication Year: 2007
Why this book matters:
The NRC Nutrient Requirements of Horses is the gold standard reference for equine nutrition. It compiles peer-reviewed research to establish recommended nutrient intakes for horses based on age, breed, workload, pregnancy, lactation, and environmental conditions.
This reference includes:
Detailed nutrient requirement tables
Updated feed composition data
Effects of exercise, temperature, and humidity on nutrition
Discussion of nutritional and metabolic diseases
Guidance on avoiding deficiencies and toxicities
The NRC is designed primarily for scientists and professionals, but motivated horse owners can use it to understand how diets are formulated and why precise nutrient balance matters.
Best for: Nutrition professionals, researchers, and anyone who wants the scientific foundation behind diet balancing.
Trusted Online Equine Nutrition Education Resources
TheHorse.com
A widely respected educational platform covering equine health, management, and nutrition. Articles are often written or reviewed by veterinarians and researchers, making it a solid source for evidence-based information on feeding, forage, supplements, and metabolic health.
Best for: Practical, science-reviewed articles for horse owners.
Kentucky Equine Research (KER)
Kentucky Equine Research is a research-driven organization focused on equine nutrition science. They publish educational articles, webinars, and research summaries on topics like forage quality, supplements, digestive health, and performance nutrition.
While KER is a commercial organization, much of their educational content is research-based and widely cited in the equine nutrition field.
Best for: Deep dives into specific nutrition topics with scientific grounding.
How to Use These Resources (Without Getting Overwhelmed)
Not all horse owners need to read graduate-level textbooks. A smart learning pathway looks like this:
Start with reputable online resources (university extensions, TheHorse.com, KER).
Use Equine Applied and Clinical Nutrition to understand physiology and clinical feeding.
Reference the NRC for precise nutrient requirements and diet formulation principles.
Work with an independent equine nutrition professional for individualized diet balancing.
Why Learning From Evidence-Based Sources Matters
Equine nutrition impacts far more than weight and coat shine. It affects:
Bone development and skeletal health
Muscle function and tying-up disorders
Metabolic and endocrine health
Gut microbiome stability
Performance, behavior, and longevity
Marketing-driven feeding advice often ignores these complexities. Evidence-based resources help owners move beyond guesswork and toward precision nutrition. Social media spaces are best used for conversation starters but should not be considered primary sources for nutrition information. Extraordinary nutrition claims require peer-reviewed evidence, not anecdotes or marketing materials. Please fact check all media before re-sharing and ensure sources have formal training or certification in equine nutrition.
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