Kentucky Equine Research

What happens to muscle temperature after your horse stops exercising? The answer may be surprising.

Research at Kentucky Equine Research using thermal-sensing microchips found that muscle temperature declines much more slowly following exercise than originally thought. In fact, muscle temperature continued rising after maximal effort ended, reaching its peak during the early recovery period.

During strenuous exercise, muscle temperatures can reach 105°F or higher. With a simple wand scan, researchers can track temperatures in the pectoral and gluteal muscles and examine how accumulated heat load, weather, fitness, nutrition, sweat production, and cooling methods affect recovery.

Because muscle temperature can continue rising after exercise ends, rapid and effective cooling is essential during recovery.

Triacton® is a triple-action supplement designed to improve bone density and support digestive health in horses.

Triacton supports health in three research-proven ways: increasing bone density for skeletal strength, buffering stomach acid to bolster gastric health and reduce the incidence of ulcers, and moderating the pH of the hindgut to prevent acidosis.

Triacton also:
• Contains BMC™, a novel source of calcium shown to be more highly digestible than other forms of the mineral, including calcium carbonate
• Includes an array of other bone-building nutrients, including magnesium, boron, silicon, iodine, zinc, and manganese, as well as vitamins A, C, D, and K, which are important for bone health
• Includes yeast for further hindgut support and improved fiber digestion
• Supplies chelated minerals for optimal absorption
• Delivers a highly digestible source of minerals and vitamins in an easy-to-feed pellet

Studies conducted at Kentucky Equine Research have demonstrated the positive effects Triacton has on bone density and buffering capacity of the stomach and hindgut.

Learn more about KER Targeted Nutrition products at ker.com.

Do you soak your horse's hay?

Soaking hay can be an effective management tool for horses with respiratory disease or metabolic challenges, but it also changes the nutritional profile of forage.

Research has shown that soaking can reduce nonstructural carbohydrates (NSC) while also affecting mineral content, including phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium. Protein, however, is not significantly affected.

Understanding how soaking changes hay can help you make informed decisions when balancing your horse's diet.

Take a closer look at how soaking changes the nutrient content of hay: https://ker.com/equinews/soaking-changes-nutrient-content-hay/

Soaking Changes Nutrient Content of Hay Horse owners usually soak hay for one of two reasons, to reduce allergens for horses with respiratory disease or to draw out sugar to make it suitable for soluble carbohydrate-sensitive horses. Soaking changes the nutritional profile of forages, most notably in carbohydrate and mineral content.

Time is running out to save on essential targeted support for your horse's skeletal health.

Maintaining optimal bone density and mineralization is critical for horses at every stage of life, from growing horses laying down structural foundations to performance horses managing the impact of strenuous training. Research shows that targeted macromineral and trace mineral fortification plays a key role in supporting continuous bone remodeling and structural integrity.

Don't miss your chance to save 15% on our Bone Health Collection this September.

Avaliable in Australia only.

Are your horses receiving the crucial mineral support required to build and maintain strong, healthy bones?

Skeletal strength is essential for growing, working, and lactating horses with high mineral demands. Formulated by Kentucky Equine Research, Bone Food Plus® delivers targeted nutrition to safeguard structural integrity, support mineral absorption, and protect against deficiencies.

Why choose Bone Food Plus®?
-High-demand support: Formulated for growing, working, and lactating horses with elevated mineral requirements.
-Pasture protection: Provides economical protection against big head disease caused by high-oxalate pastures.
-Balanced nutrition: Avoids nutritional deficiencies commonly linked to high-grain or low-lucerne diets.
-Essential bone nutrients: Contains bioavailable calcium, vitamin D, vitamin K, and key trace minerals vital for bone strength and turnover.
-Demineralisation defense: Protects horses at risk of bone demineralisation during periods of confinement or heavy training.

Learn more about KER Targeted Nutrition products at ker.com.

Should you feed Triacton or DuraPlex when bringing a young horse in to start training?

Designed for bone and gastric health, especially in young and active horses, Triacton provides highly bioavailable calcium and an array of other bone-building nutrients. Research has shown that Triacton increases bone density in training Thoroughbreds while also buffering stomach acid and supporting a favorable hindgut environment.

DuraPlex is generally reserved for significant problems such as surgical or fracture cases requiring stall rest or extremely limited exercise.

See why Triacton is recommended for young horses entering training at https://ker.com/equinews/answer/yearling-beginning-light-work-supplement-to-support-skeletal-health/

Did you know your horse’s skeleton is continuously influenced by exercise, confinement, and nutrition?

Bone is constantly remodeling. Regular exercise encourages bone formation, while inactivity can lead to demineralization. Training must also allow enough time for the skeleton to adapt, as demands that outpace bone adaptation can lead to microfractures.

Balanced nutrition provides the nutrients needed to support bone health, while factors such as kikuyu pasture and omeprazole use can make calcium nutrition particularly important.

Explore what influences your horse’s skeletal health at https://ker.com/equinews/grass-yards-and-drugs-uncovering-some-surprising-aspects-of-bone-health/

Are you taking proactive steps to support your horse’s skeletal strength and bone density?

Strong, resilient bones provide the foundation for athletic performance, soundness, and long-term durability. Whether you are managing young growing horses, performance athletes under training strain, or horses requiring specialized skeletal support, research-backed nutritional fortification plays a vital role in maintaining bone turnover and mineralization.

This September, protect what keeps them moving and save 15% on our Bone Health Collection.

💞The Lexington Equine Medical Group ’s Hunter Pace gives a big thank you to Kentucky Equine Research as a Division Sponsor for their two-day event this past 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 5 & 6 at the Kentucky Horse Park ! ⭐ALL⭐ proceeds from the Hunter Pace will benefit the Kentucky Horse Council’s equine assistance efforts in Eastern Kentucky. 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗞 𝗬𝗢𝗨, Kentucky Equine Research!

🐴For nearly 40 years, Kentucky Equine Research has bridged the gap between research and the people who value it most: feed manufacturers and horse owners. The company is dedicated to answering challenging questions in equine nutrition, health, and performance while developing cutting-edge products and innovative approaches to feeding and management.

Research Separates the Innovator from the Imitator®

If sodium bicarbonate is a buffer, why can’t you feed it directly to support hindgut health?

The answer lies in where it works. Unprotected sodium bicarbonate reacts immediately with stomach acid, so it is consumed before it ever reaches the hindgut. As a result, it is ineffective for hindgut health.

Click the link to learn why delivery is just as important as the ingredient itself: https://ker.com/equinews/answer/feeding-sodium-bicarbonate-to-horses/