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In this episode of the Happy Horse Nutrition Podcast, Dr Nerida tackles a pasture risk that catches many good horse owners out: high-oxalate warm-season grasses that can block calcium absorption, slowly weaken bone, and set horses up for nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism (Bighead disease).  You’ll learn the simple physiology behind it (the “bone calcium bank” concept), why blood calcium can look normal even when bones are being depleted, and the real-world signs that are easy to misread; shifting lameness, sore or grumpy behaviour, odd gait, skull changes, loud breathing noise under work, dental issues and poor hoof quality.  Nerida walks you through practical pasture ID tips for the big culprits—kikuyu, buffel, couch/bermudagrass, and the high-risk one: setaria! And explains how oxalate levels and risk change with growth stage and location (including cooler regions in summer).  Finally, she outlines prevention: targeting a calcium: oxalate ratio of at least 0.5:1, keeping calcium balanced with phosphorus and magnesium, why lucerne/alfalfa helps on multiple fronts, and when it’s smarter to use a properly formulated balancer or get expert help… especially if setaria is involved. ✅ Want help checking whether your horse’s diet is actually balanced for these pastures (without doing the maths)? Download the MyHappy.Horse app: https://apps.apple.com/app/myhappy-horse/id6633422324 ❤️ If this episode helped, please follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts/Spotify and share it with a horse owner in warm, wet coastal regions (or anyone feeding teff or bermudagrass hay).   🕖 Until next time… go have a quick paddock walk! Your feed room decisions should always start with your grass. 🌱🐴  

Feeding horses during emergencies (bushfires, floods, storms, evacuations) can quickly become a “take what you can get” situation, but the choices you make in your makeshift feed room can determine whether your horse copes… or tips into dehydration, gastric ulcers, hindgut dysbiosis, colic, or even laminitis. In this practical episode of the Happy Horse Nutrition Podcast, PhD equine nutritionist Dr Nerida shares her approach to natural disaster horse feeding with one core rule: keep the diet as close to normal as possible. You’ll learn how to prioritise clean water (and what to do when horses won’t drink), why hay and fibre are your horse’s lifeline, and how to reduce risk when you’re forced to swap feeds or hays fast. We cover smart strategies like ingredient/forage variety, feeding little and often when hay is limited, avoiding the trap of over-using grain/hard feed, and why you should keep hay available when pasture regrows. There’s also specific guidance for horses with PPID (Cushing’s), insulin dysregulation, and laminitis, including when soaking hay might help in a tight spot. If you want a simple emergency checklist to protect hydration and gut health when your horse’s world is upside down, this one’s for you.   ✅ Follow the Happy Horse Nutrition Podcast on Spotify/Apple so you don’t miss new episodes.   Useful links & resources 📲 MyHappy.Horse app (iOS): https://apps.apple.com/app/myhappy-horse/id6633422324 🎧 Start here: Episode 1 - Feed Your Horse Like a Horse (foundation principles for gut health and safer feeding) 🎧 Also helpful: Episode 24 - Ingredient Variety and Why it Matters in Horse Nutrition  🎧 For metabolic/laminitis horses: Episode 15 – All about laminitis – keeping your horse safe

Should you feed before you ride? After? Or let your horse graze along the trail? 🐴 In this myth-busting Q&A, Dr Nerida and Orla tackle some feeding folklore that just won’t die. Learn why lucerne before exercise protects the stomach from acid splash, why water restriction after work is probably just a Black Beauty hangover, and how letting horses snack mid-ride actually supports gut health. Plus they briefly cover mare abortions caused by hairy caterpillars and reading feed labels. It’s the perfect blend of evidence, experience, and friendly banter, plus a few stories from the saddle! 🌙🥕💧   🐛 Research article on mare abortions caused by the hairy caterpillars: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23452012/ and https://en.engormix.com/equines/horse-health/equine-amnionitis-foetal-loss_a34801/ 🏷️ Reading a Feed Label from Racing Queensland's Queensland Off the Track Nutrition Hub: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1B-tixE0Jhg 📲 Discover and download the MyHappy.Horse app on the App Store: https://apps.apple.com/app/myhappy-horse/id6633422324 🤖 Ask your nutrition questions 24/7 with Dr Nerida AI: https://www.myhappy.horse/nerida-ai ❤️ If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate and review — it helps us share science-based horse nutrition with more owners like you!

Forage sits at the very heart of equine nutrition, yet for most horse owners, the numbers on a hay or pasture analysis can feel like a foreign language. In this deep-dive episode of the Happy Horse Nutrition Podcast, Dr Nerida sits down with Anthony Balzer and Kimberly Detmers from Feed Central and Local Ag for an enlightening conversation about what’s really in our forage, how much it changes, and why testing matters more than most people realise. Together, they explore how hay and pasture analysis can influence everything from basic health to performance, soundness, growth, and healthy pregnancies. You’ll hear: Why forage can make or break a horse’s health—and sometimes an entire racing stableHow hay and pasture testing actually worksThe critical mineral shifts that dictate whether a youngster grows sound joints or ends up with OCDWhy nitrate levels matter (and the way it affects laminitis, broodmare health, and athletic performance)What “safe” NSC levels look like for laminitic horsesWhy TEFF hay is not always the low-sugar safe option many believeHow ingredient and species diversity in forage protects gut health and reduces colic riskHow to dilute risk by feeding multiple, tested foragesWhat makes a “near perfect” performance horse hay—and why no single hay is perfect for every horse; andWhere to send hay and pasture for analysis in Australia or overseasWith practical examples, on-farm stories, and clear explanations, this episode makes hay and pasture numbers approachable for every horse owner—from broodmare managers to everyday riders. If you’ve ever wondered what your hay and pasture is really doing inside your horse, this episode is essential listening. Understanding forage is one of the most powerful ways to keep your horses healthy, performing well, and protected from avoidable nutrition-related issues.   📱 Download the MyHappy.Horse app:https://apps.apple.com/app/myhappy-horse/id6633422324 🔬 Find out more about hay and pasture testing or submit a sample: https://www.feedcentral.com.au/how-to-submit-a-feed-sample-for-testing/ 🌱 Buy Aussie hay that has already been tested: https://www.localag.com.au/buy 🐴 Check out the analysis services from Equi-Analytical: https://equi-analytical.com If this episode helped you feel more confident about what’s in your hay and pasture, a quick rating or review in your podcast app really helps more horse owners find the show, and more horses get fed the way that’s best 💗

To kick off Season 2 (2026), we’re re-sharing our most listened-to Season 1 episode of the Happy Horse Nutrition Podcast, and it’s a classic for a reason. In this practical, science-backed episode, PhD equine nutritionist Dr Nerida breaks down what it really means to feed your horse like a horse, using evolution and gut physiology to help you understand and make modern feeding choices that truly honour your horse’s gastrointestinal physiology. You’ll learn the 5 non-negotiables: Why forage-first is the cornerstone of gut healthHow fibre/forage variety supports microbial diversity (and why that matters for the whole horse)Why horses need near-constant access to fibre to help protect the stomachWhy forage alone won’t cut it and the importance of a balanced diet; andThe importance of clean water + salt, every dayWhether you’re a horse owner, trainer, or vet, this episode gives you a simple, foundational understanding of every horse’s basic nutrition needs   📲 Download the MyHappy.Horse app: https://apps.apple.com/app/myhappy-horse/id6633422324 🌐 Learn more: https://www.myhappy.horse P.S. if you enjoyed this episode, we'd love you to subscribe so you don’t miss all the good stuff that is coming in 2026. We'd also love you to please share this episode with a friend who loves a nutrition deep-dive as much as you do! 🐴💛

To wrap up 2025, we’re resharing our most popular guest interview from Season 1 — and it’s a favourite for good reason. In this episode, microbiology expert Dr Belinda Chapman and Dr Nerida take us inside your horse’s hindgut ecosystem. Together, they look at what the microbiome actually is, why horses rely on microbes far more than we do, and how the balance between the fibre-loving “good guys” and the weedy, greedy starch-fermenters can influence everything from digestion and energy production to health, performance, and behaviour.   Dr Belinda and Dr Nerida also dive into some seriously fascinating concepts (in a very listenable way), including: Why horses have a more complex microbiome than humansThe underappreciated role of anaerobic fungi in fibre breakdownWhat “quorum sensing” is (and why it’s a bit mind-blowing); andWhy microbial diversity = resilience (and what that means in the real world)  If this episode helps you see feeding through a new lens, we’d love you to subscribe so you don’t miss the practical, science-backed episodes coming in 2026 - and we’d really love ypu to share this with a friend who loves a good horse nutrition rabbit hole as much as you do, they’ll thank you for it.💛   More about Quantal Bioscience: ⁠https://www.quantalbioscience.com/⁠ Hindgut microbiome testing with Dr Belinda: ⁠https://www.equigi.com/home⁠ Discover and download the MyHappy.Horse App: ⁠https://www.myhappy.horse

In this last new episode for 2025, professional equine nutritionist Dr Nerida shares five ingredients she loves using in real-world diets, and five (actually if you listen carefully, she sneaks in 6!) ingredients she tries hard to avoid, including a couple she’d happily see disappear from horse feeds altogether! Listen as Dr Nerida frames nutrition the way she actually practices it — like a big jigsaw puzzle. No magic ingredient, no perfect feed… just smart puzzle pieces put together in the right way to support horses and to honour the physiology of their ancient gut. Plus find out which feed ingredient(s) makes it onto the ‘avoid’ list, mainly because of their marketing claims (hello “grain-free” when you’re not actually grain free!).  This episode is an easy listen, and will help you think clearly about nutrition, read labels better, and make more confident feeding decisions that your horse and their hindgut will thank you for. Wishing you a happy and safe festive season 🎄❤️ Remember to Subscribe so you don’t miss what’s coming in 2026 🤍 — and if this episode helped, we’d love you to share it with a horse friend who’s feeling stuck with feeding! Racing Queensland's Off The Track Nutrition Hub (free resources): ⁠https://www.racingqueensland.com.au/animal-welfare/off-the-track/nutrition-education-hub⁠ Download the MyHappy.Horse app (iOS): https://apps.apple.com/app/myhappy-horse/id6633422324Learn more about MyHappy.Horse: https://www.myhappy.horse  

When a horse presents with ulcers, colic risk, poor performance, slow healing,  unexplained weight change or a plethora of other health conditions, nutrition may be part of the story—even if it isn’t the primary cause. In this episode, Dr Nerida, PhD shares a practical, vet-friendly framework for a rapid field assessment of diet: the same fast mental checklist nutritionists run through when they first meet a case. You’ll walk away with three high-impact screening steps:  (1) is there enough forage (and are there long fasting gaps that increase gut risk),  (2) is grain being fed appropriately and in a digestible form (to avoid starch overflow into the hindgut); and  (3) is the horse actually receiving correct supplementation—meaning a fortified feed/balancer/vitamin-mineral supplement at the proper feeding rate to cover common nutrient gaps and prevent “silent” deficiencies. ✅ See all the figures and tables used in Dr Nerida’s AAEP presentation and read more about the rapid diet assessment framework https://www.myhappy.horse/rapidassess 👇 Download the MyHappy.Horse app and use the Rapid Diet Assessment tool to quickly find red flags and decide when a full nutrition assessment is needed.https://apps.apple.com/app/myhappy-horse/id6633422324

The racing world is changing — and happily, it’s science leading the charge. Dr Nerida and Orla return to unpack the data from Ciaron Maher Racing’s nutrition overhaul: less grain, more fibre, and a healthier, happier gut. Learn how high-fibre feeding transforms energy systems, why “the slump” after a diet change is worth pushing through, and what 12 months of microbiome testing revealed about real equine gut adaptation. From elite racehorses to everyday mounts, this episode shows how feeding for the hindgut fuels better performance, resilience, and recovery. 🧬💪 📲 Discover and download the MyHappy.Horse app: https://apps.apple.com/app/myhappy-horse/id6633422324  🤖 Ask your nutrition questions 24/7 with Dr Nerida AI: https://www.myhappy.horse/nerida-ai  💬 If you loved this discussion, please follow, rate and share — the horses will thank you! ❤️

When used well, strip grazing becomes one of the most effective tools for managing weight, preventing laminitis and protecting pasture. In this episode of the Happy Horse Nutrition Podcast, Dr Nerida walks through exactly how strip grazing works in real life, why it matters and how to tailor it to your climate, pasture growth stage and horse’s body condition. Drawing on published research, decades of practical experience and her own track-plus-strip system at home, Nerida explains how to move fences strategically, when to increase or decrease allocations, why early-morning moves matter in spring and how straw can be a powerful safety net for easy keepers. She also covers the role of back fencing, how to protect pasture species, and how track systems improve movement, welfare and gut health. If you manage good doers, laminitis-prone horses or simply want clearer guidance on how much to move the fence and when, this episode gives you the practical framework you need.   Discover and download the MyHappy.Horse app: https://www.myhappy.horse   And ask your nutrition questions 24/7 with Dr Nerida AI: https://www.myhappy.horse/nerida-ai   If today’s episode gave you something useful to take back to your horses, I’d love it if you left a rating or review. It helps more owners find trustworthy nutrition info instead of guesswork. ❤️   RESOURCES Strip grazing: Changes in biomass, nutrient content and digestibility of temperate, midsummer pasture by strip-grazed or 'free'-grazing ponies, over 4 weeks https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37890600/   The impact of restricted grazing systems on the behaviour and welfare of ponies https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39275860/  

A glossy coat isn’t just about looks — it’s a window into your horse’s inner health. In this episode, Dr Nerida takes you through some of the reasons coats lose their shine — from seasonal changes and mineral imbalances to sun bleaching and plain old horse individuality. Learn why copper  and zinc  are non-negotiables, how diet balance drives coat brilliance, and why balanced diets and good ol’ fashined patience often outshine any supplement. Whether your horse is looking “rough around the edges” or you’re chasing that moonlit gleam, this episode helps you feed and manage for healthy skin, strong colour, and natural glow. ✨   ❤️ Learn more about the MyHappy.Horse virtual nutritionist: https://www.myhappy.horse   📲 Download the MyHappy.Horse app: https://apps.apple.com/app/myhappy-horse/id6633422324   💬 If you enjoyed this episode, please follow us and leave a rating and review — it helps more horse owners find science-based nutrition advice that truly benefits their horses! ❤️

Dr. Nerida and Orla are back with another Q&A episode that tackles everything from freaky behaviour on ryegrass and mycotoxin binders to a virtually unknown reason your horse might be completely off its feed, plus, how to tell if your grain is safe to feed. What You’ll Learn:• The early signs of ryegrass staggers (and why some horses go totally “goblin mode” 👻)• Which pasture mycotoxins are most dangerous and how to manage them• Why mycotoxin binders don’t work the same for all toxins—and when they do work brilliantly• The truth about cooking grains: does heat destroy nutrients or improve digestibility?• How to test if your horse’s grain is properly processed (and why faecal pH is your new secret weapon)• Real-world case studies from broodmares to racehorses, including why fescue can delay foaling• The surprising fact that some horses seem more resistant to pasture toxicity than others Dr. Nerida and Orla also cover how starch is packaged up like “golf balls” in raw grain and how heat + moisture busts those open for efficient digestion. Plus, you’ll learn how the MyHappy.Horse app can help you track your horse’s gut health using real data like faecal pH; practical, evidence-based tools every horse owner should be using. 🎙️ Whether you're managing a quirky pony or fine-tuning a racehorse’s diet, this episode will help you decode behaviour, evaluate risk, and feed with clarity and confidence. 👇Discover and download the MyHappy.Horse app: https://apps.apple.com/app/myhappy-horse/id6633422324 And ask your nutrition questions 24/7 with Dr Nerida AI: https://www.myhappy.horse/nerida-ai Enjoyed this episode? Leave us a review—it helps more horses get fed right. ❤️

Join Dr. Nerida as she tackles a listener question about feeding “marey mares” — those behaviourally expressive, sensitive, frequently moody, often brilliant mares. This solo Happy Horse Nutrition episode explores why behaviour challenges in mares are rarely caused by specific feed ingredients — and are almost always rooted in gut health, management, or pain. What You’ll Learn:• Why hindgut health is THE most important nutrition factor in mare behaviour 🐴• How the gut-brain axis influences temperament via dopamine and B-vitamin production 🧠• Why feeding hay before riding is non-negotiable for sensitive mares• The 3 things all mares need for stable mental health• How mycotoxin contamination (especially zearalenone in corn 🌽) wreaks hormonal havoc• Why pain (feet, ovaries, saddle fit) must be ruled out first before blaming the feed• The right way to test individual ingredients when sensitivities are suspected• And why your own energy might be mirroring back through your mare’s behaviour 🪞 Dr. Nerida shares how her own anxious horses transformed through life changes, not supplements — and reflects on 25 years in the field, where true ingredient sensitivities are exceedingly rare (just 3 for alfalfa, 1 for soy!). 🎧 Ideal for mare owners navigating grouchiness, grooming drama, or hormonally “hot” behaviour. Get the real framework for fixing it — starting with pain, gut health, and feeding management, not guesswork. 📲 Discover and download the MyHappy.Horse app: https://apps.apple.com/app/myhappy-horse/id6633422324🤖 Ask your nutrition questions 24/7 with Dr Nerida AI: https://www.myhappy.horse/nerida-ai If this episode helped you or your mare, please leave a review! It helps more horses benefit from grounded, science-based feeding advice. ❤️

Discover how Ciaron Maher Racing (CMR) is pushing the boundaries in the Australian thoroughbred racing industry and breaking away from traditional nutrition strategies. In this in-depth conversation, PhD equine nutritionist Dr. Nerida sits down with Katrina Anderson (Sports Science Lead) and Josh Kadlec-Cavanagh (Head of Data and Performance) to reveal the data-driven approach that's challenging decades of traditional feeding practices.   The trio discuss: Why feeding less grain (but more digestible grain) leads to better racehorse performanceThe critical role of hindgut microbiome health in racing successHow faecal pH monitoring allows them to fine tune their feeding programThe connection between gut health and chronic issues like foot soreness and tying-upWhy the "footy horses" at CMR have virtually disappearedThe remarkable case of Saint George: how targeted nutrition reversed severe thrush and fungal issues and got him back on the trackUnderstanding the performance slump when transitioning to more digestible feeds; andThe hard reality about gastric ulcers and race day challengesKat, Josh and Nerida also cover fiber fermentation vs. grain-based energy systems, managing the grain-to-bodyweight ratio for optimal performance, microbiome testing and its practical applications, reducing dependency on supplements and medications like omeprazole and the importance of lucerne hay before morning work.   With over 400 horses in training, CMR provides unprecedented data insights into what works—and what doesn't—in modern racehorse nutrition. Whether you're a trainer, owner, stable hand, veterinarian, or equine nutritionist, this episode is packed with, science-backed strategies to improve racehorse health, welfare, and performance.   If you’d like to read more about the brilliant microbiome study we discuss, see: Wunderlich G, Bull M, McGilchrist N, Zhao C, Ross T, Rose M, Chapman B. The horse gut bacteriome and anaerobic mycobiome are influenced by seasonal forages and small intestinal starch digestibility. J Appl Microbiol. 2025 Sep 1;136(9):lxaf203. doi: 10.1093/jambio/lxaf203. PMID: 40802476. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40802476/     Discover and download the MyHappy.Horse nutrition app: https://www.myhappy.horse   And ask your nutrition questions 24/7 with Dr Nerida AI: https://www.myhappy.horse/nerida-ai   If you enjoyed this episode, we would LOVE if you would leave us a rating and review and share with your friends! It really helps us to get grounded, science-based information to horse owners and trainers… and it is their horses who benefit the most! ❤️  

Join Dr. Nerida as she explores why ingredient variety is absolutely critical for your horse's health. In this episode, which comes complete with Lucky the Goat 🐐anecdotes, Dr Nerida reveals the three reasons diverse diets keep horses healthier, happier, and more resilient - and why feeding just one or two ingredients is putting your horse’s health at risk.   What You'll Learn: Why horses chew bark and fences (and what it tells us about their diet)The THREE critical benefits of ingredient variety: balanced nutrients, toxin dilution, and microbiome diversityHow different forages and feed ingredients work together to meet nutrient requirementsWhy nitrate and mycotoxin testing is essential for racing stables and performance horsesThe downsides of monoculture pastures and why horses need species diversityProtein combining: how different proteins work together as "Tetris pieces"; andDr. Nerida's personal feeding program for her daughter's OTTB (with multiple forage and fiber sources)  Dr. Nerida reveals that the more ingredients in your horse's diet, the better chance you have of meeting complete nutrient requirements - it's like putting together a puzzle where each ingredient fills specific gaps. She explains how ingredient diversity protects horses from toxins (like nitrate in hay or mycotoxins in moldy feed) by either allowing them to avoid problem forages or diluting toxins to safe levels. And she explains how horses with diverse microbiomes can handle stress events like competition and travel without developing colic or diarrhea, while horses on limited diets are far more vulnerable to dysbiosis.    📲 Discover and download the MyHappy.Horse app: https://www.myhappy.horse   🤍 And ask your nutrition questions 24/7 with Dr Nerida AI: https://www.myhappy.horse/nerida-ai   If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review! It really helps us to get grounded, science-based information to horse owners… and it is their horses who benefit the most! ❤️