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Posted by: Karen E. Davison, Ph.D.What do horses and astronauts have in common? Early in the space program astronauts were found to have significant loss of musculoskeletal strength and other health issues after spending time in space. Horses kept in confinement for extended periods have been found to have similar problems, with losses in bone strength, joint health and reduced function in other organ systems. Both horse and human bodies were designed for movement, and anything that limits activity can have a negative impact on strength and overall health.Wild or feral horses routinely travel 3 to 10 miles per day...

The Importance of Feed over Forage in Horse DietsHorses evolved over millions of years as grazers, roaming around selecting the best forages they could find. While they did eat seeds growing on those plants, they did not take in large quantities of seeds or grain at a single meal. So, why do we feed horses grain at all?Throughout history, horses that worked for a living; such as horses that pulled chariots, carriages, delivery carts or those used in the cavalry; have all been fed grain. Because grain is a more concentrated energy source, containing more calories per pound than forages,...