Feed Room Chemist: An Equine Nutrition Podcast

Latest Episodes:

141 | Lowdown on Low Starch *SEMINAR REPLAY* May 22, 2026

Show notes

**EQUI-SUMMIT REPLAY **

Dr. Jyme Nichols breaks down one of the most misunderstood topics in equine nutrition: low-starch diets. She explains how the term “low starch” is widely used but lacks any true industry definition, leading to confusion among horse owners about what it actually means and when it matters. Throughout her presentation, Dr. Nichols clarifies key concepts like starch, sugar, and nonstructural carbohydrates (NSC). She highlights how inconsistencies in labeling can impact feeding decisions and emphasizes the importance of evaluating the total diet — especially forage, which is often overlooked.

She walks through practical examples to show how starch and sugar levels should be tailored based on the individual horse, particularly for those with metabolic conditions like equine metabolic syndrome or laminitis. Along the way, she outlines how to interpret feed tags, why testing hay is essential, and how feeding rates influence what’s truly safe for a horse. She also shares visual and clinical signs that may indicate a need to better manage starch and sugar intake.

Listen to this presentation to learn what “low starch” really means, how to confidently evaluate your horse’s diet, how to balance forage and feed, and how to make informed decisions that support long-term health and performance.

You can follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowner!

….

If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@bluebonnetfeeds.com

Dr. Jyme Nichols, PhD is Director of Nutrition for Bluebonnet.

140 | Draft Breeds Mar 27, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, we are going to talk about the basics of owning and feeding a draft horse. These giant, magnificent creatures do require a bit of special consideration when it comes to nutrition and Dr. Jyme explains it all in this episode.

Resources

• Galic et al. (2010): Adipose tissue as an endocrine organ https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mce.2009.08.018

• Kershaw and Flier (2004): Adipose Tissue as an Endocrine Organ https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2004-0395

You can follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowner!

….

If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@bluebonnetfeeds.com

Dr. Jyme Nichols is Director of Nutrition for Bluebonnet (formerly Bluebonnet Feeds and Stride Animal Health).

139 | Immune Health Dec 27, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, Dr. Jyme discusses the importance of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, and how a balanced diet can enhance your horse's natural defenses. Check out this episode for some quick tips to keep your horse resilient against illnesses and allergens.

Resources

• Vitamin E study reference: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/415853

You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowner!

….

If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@bluebonnetfeeds.com

Dr. Jyme Nichols is Director of Nutrition for Bluebonnet (formerly Bluebonnet Feeds and Stride Animal Health).

138 | Travel Better Show Better Nov 22, 2024

Show notes

Today we’re diving into a topic that’s crucial for horse owners: traveling with horses. Whether you’re going to a competition, a recreational ride, or a new home, ensuring your horse’s health and well-being during travel is essential. We’ll cover important dietary and nutritional management tips, how to keep your horse hydrated, ensure they maintain a good appetite, recover quickly, and most importantly, help them stay calm and relaxed during their journey.

Resources

Hydrate + Recover Travel Paste - https://bluebonnetequine.com/travel-paste/

Hydrate + Recover Daily Powder - https://bluebonnetequine.com/hydrate-recover/

Gut Reset Paste - https://bluebonnetequine.com/gut-reset-paste-adr/

Gastro pHix - https://bluebonnetequine.com/gastro-phix/

Engage Focus Paste - https://bluebonnetequine.com/engage-paste/

Amino Edge - https://bluebonnetequine.com/amino-edge-competitive-edge/

Intensify Feed Line - https://bluebonnetequine.com/intensify/

Omega Force - https://bluebonnetequine.com/Intensify-Omega-Force

You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowner!

….

If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@bluebonnetfeeds.com

Dr. Jyme Nichols is Director of Nutrition for Bluebonnet (formerly Bluebonnet Feeds and Stride Animal Health).

137 | Postbiotics Oct 04, 2024

Show notes

You may be familiar with the terms prebiotics and probiotics, but have you ever heard of postbiotics? This episode covers the basics of postbiotics including what they are and how they can be used in the feeding program to support certain biological functions.

Resources

• Health promoting microbial metabolites produced by the gut microbiota after prebiotics metabolism: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2020.109473

• The haybiome…: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0242373

• Functional effects of gut microbiota-derived metabolites in Alzheimers disease: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conb.2023.102730

• The role of probiotics and prebiotics in modulating of the gut-brain axis: https://doi.org/10.3389%2Ffnut.2023.1173660

• Dietary supplement…attenuates exercise-induced stress markers: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34181712/

You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowner!

….

If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@bluebonnetfeeds.com

Dr. Jyme Nichols is Director of Nutrition for Bluebonnet (formerly Bluebonnet Feeds and Stride Animal Health).

136 | Vitamin C in Horses Sep 06, 2024

Show notes

Vitamin C is important for many functions in the body. Horses are capable of making their own vitamin C, yet some researchers suggest it be a beneficial addition to horses under certain conditions. In this episode, Dr. Jyme unpacks what the scientific community knows about vitamin C for horses and when it might be useful in the equine diet.

Resources

Vitamin C and Immune Function: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu9111211

Pulmonary Bioavailability of Ascorbic Acid in an Ascorbate-synthesizing Species, the Horse: https://doi.org/10.1080/1071576031000068627

Supplementation of Ascorbic Acid in Weanling Horses Following Prolonged Transportation: https://doi.org/10.3390/ani2020184

The oxidant/antioxidant equilibrium in horses: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2007.07.033

Rutgers: Are you ‘Stressing Out’ Your Horse?: https://njaes.rutgers.edu/pubs/publication.php?pid=FS656

Effects of intravenous administration of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) on oxidative status in healthy adult horses: https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.16934

You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowner!

….

If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@bluebonnetfeeds.com

Dr. Jyme Nichols is Director of Nutrition for Bluebonnet (formerly Bluebonnet Feeds and Stride Animal Health).

135 | Fly Control Apr 19, 2024

Show notes

It’s fly season and there is nothing more irritating than a barn full of flies zapping the energy right out of your horses. This episode covers feed through fly control options and extra management tips to make your horse’s life as fly-free as possible this summer!

Resources

• Here are some of Dr. Jyme’s favorite fly control options. Dr. Jyme receives no incentive, discount, or kickback from these brands, they are just products she personally uses and loves.

o Bobby G’s Fly Spray (chemical free)

o ShooFly Leggins

o Fly Free Boots

o Spalding Labs Fly Predators

o Starbar Fly Control Products

o Solitude IGR

You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowner!

….

If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@bluebonnetfeeds.com

Dr. Jyme Nichols is Director of Nutrition for Bluebonnet (formerly Bluebonnet Feeds and Stride Animal Health). For more information on these brands or a free virtual nutrition consult from our team just visit bluebonnetfeeds.com/nutrition-consult

134 | Hoof Conditions Feb 23, 2024

Show notes

The old saying “no hoof, no horse” couldn’t be more true. If you have ever found yourself in a situation with a horse that had foot issues, you quickly realize there isn’t much you can do with that horse from a work or athletic standpoint, you may be devoting hours/days/weeks/months to helping the horse heal, and sometimes the situation may be career, or even life, ending. This episode sifts through many hoof conditions and explains when nutrition may or may not play a role.

Resources

• Common Indicators of Hoof Stress – with Dr. Debra Taylor and Dr. Tracy Turner: https://thehorse.com/190264/horse-hoof-stressors/

• A Field Guide to Hoof Cracks – Equus: https://equusmagazine.com/horse-care/field-guide-hoof-cracks-55256

• Hoof Abscesses - University of Minnesota Extension: https://extension.umn.edu/horse-health/hoof-abscesses

• Laminitis – UC Davis Veterinary Medicine: https://ceh.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/health-topics/laminitis

• Quittor - Merck Veterinary Manual: https://www.merckvetmanual.com/musculoskeletal-system/lameness-in-horses/quittor-in-horses

• Quittor – Butler Professional Farrier School: https://butlerprofessionalfarrierschool.com/archives/2237

• Side bone - Merck Veterinary Manual: https://www.merckvetmanual.com/musculoskeletal-system/lameness-in-horses/sidebone-in-horses

• Navicular disease – Iowa State University: https://www.extension.iastate.edu/equine/navicular-disease-western-pleasure-horses

You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowner!

….

If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@bluebonnetfeeds.com

Dr. Jyme Nichols is Director of Nutrition for Bluebonnet Feeds and Stride Animal Health. For more information on these brands or a free virtual nutrition consult from our team just visit bluebonnetfeeds.com/nutrition-consult

133 | How to Select Feed Feb 09, 2024

Show notes

Confused by all the feed choices out there? Inspired by a listener question, Dr. Nichols explains her 8-step process for selecting the brand or line of feed to best fit your needs.

Show Notes:

Feed Selection Road Map

1. Is the nutritionist qualified?

2. Least Cost vs Locked Formula

3. Ionophore Stance

4. Feeding Rates

5. Trace Mineral Source

a. Zinc Methionine Complex

b. Copper Lysine Complex

c. Manganese Methionine Complex

6. Amino Acids

7. Bonus Round (supplement replacements)

8. Final Check of Basics (protein, fat, fiber, starch/sugar)

You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowner!

….

If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@bluebonnetfeeds.com

132 | Stallion Nutrition Jan 26, 2024

Show notes

Stallions can fall into a fairly wide range in terms of dietary needs, so there is no one-size-fits-all program. In this episode, Dr. Jyme describes different things to consider in designing a foundational nutrition program for a stallion and then takes it a step further by considering functional technologies that may help with things like semen quality and libido.

Resources

• Ultimate Breeding Guide https://strideanimalhealth.com/ultimate-breeding-guide

• Effect of feeding a DHA-enriched nutriceutical on the quality of fresh, cooled and frozen stallion semen: doi 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2004.07.010

• Use of nutraceuticals in the stallion: Effects on semen quality and preservation: doi 10.1111/rda.13934

• Effect of dietary antioxidant supplementation on fresh semen quality in stallion: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2010.12.003

• Oral supplementation with L-carnitine improves stallion fertility: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2016.06.068

• Effect of L-carnitine administration on the seminal characteristics of oligoasthenospermic stallions: doi 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2003.11.018

You can now follow @drjyme on Facebook and Instagram! Please tell your friends how #feedroomchemist has made you an #empoweredhorseowner!

….

If you have a topic or question you would like addressed on a future episode please email info@bluebonnetfeeds.com

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