Cornell's Equine Seminar Series presents "Why Forage First?"

Artistic scene of the world of horses in a picnic basket.
Artistic scene of the world of horses in a picnic basket. Vadim Georgiev

Newsdate: Tuesday November 8, 2022, 8:00 am
Location: ITHACA, New York

The horse world is cluttered with feeds, supplements, and remedies all promising a better, new and improved horse. While many such products do in fact improve horse health and condition, every horse needs certain basics, regardless of breed, age, condition, or purpose. Even seasonal or regional changes do not alter these foundational principles.

Horses grazing on forage in a green pasture.

Horses grazing on forage in a green pasture

Emphasis will be placed on explaining the classification of carbohydrates across common feed ingredients fed to horses and the horse’s evolutionary feeding strategy in relation to its physiology.
© 2022 by I-stock New window.

This upcoming seminar by Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences addresses the importance of forage for all equids.

WHAT: Dr. Nathalie Trottier, Professor of Animal Science at the Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, will explain the role of dietary forage in modern equids on their gastrointestinal functions and nutritional needs.
WHEN: Tuesday, November 15, 2022, 6-7 p.m. Eastern Time.
WHERE: Via Zoom; registration required: https://cornell.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_AYLmKAFNQ8GEtsoeUzO_0A
MEDIA: The event is free and open to the public. Media members are asked to RSVP to Amy S. Li, amy.s.li@cornell.edu.

The domestic horse, Equus ferus caballus, belongs to the Perissodactyla order, which houses 3 families of odd-toed ungulates including the Equidae.

Unlike many herbivorous animals, which eat the reproductive products of plants including fruits, seeds and berries, members of the Equidae family—collectively known as equids—subsist on the structural parts of the plant.

Equids have uniquely and successfully evolved with dentition and hindgut fermentation that have allowed them to use a diet higher in fiber and lower in protein compared to other grazing herbivores.

In this Cornell Equine Seminar, Dr. Nathalie Trottier will explain the role of dietary forage in modern equids on their gastrointestinal functions and nutritional needs.

Emphasis will be placed on explaining the classification of carbohydrates across common feed ingredients fed to horses and the horse’s evolutionary feeding strategy in relation to its physiology. Roles of the oral cavity, the stomach and the large intestine in favoring forage over grain utilization will be described.

This seminar is presented during the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine’s Equine Seminar Series, on Tuesday, November 15, 2022, from 6 – 7 p.m. Eastern Time via Zoom. Please register in advance: https://bit.ly/ESS-Nov2022

Dr. Nathalie Trottier is a Professor of Animal Science in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) at Cornell University. Her research and teaching focuses on non-ruminant nutrition in particular horses, pigs, cats, and dogs. A native of Quebec, she spent 25 years on faculty at Michigan State University and joined Cornell in 2020.

The Cornell Equine Seminar Series is presented by the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine’s Equine Hospital, the New York State 4-H Horse Program and Cornell Cooperative Extension. Held monthly, equine experts present on important equine health and management topics. The event is free and open to the public.

For additional information about the college, see the College of Veterinary Medicine news website.

Note: Introduction to article by EquiMed editor.


Press release by Amy S. Li

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This news article is a press release received by the organization or person noted above. Press releases from recognized horse health companies and individuals are frequently posted on EquiMed as a service to our visitors. Please contact the author of the press release directly for additional information.

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