Feed Room Chemist: An Equine Nutrition Podcast

Dr. Jyme Nichols
  • 4.9 (428)
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  • Updated Biweekly

Dr. Jyme Nichols, equine nutritionist for Bluebonnet Feeds, explores unique cases, debunks popular myths, and breaks down advanced research data. This podcast combines a little fun with a lot of science to provide real-world feeding advice for your horse.

  1. 141 | Lowdown on Low Starch *SEMINAR REPLAY*

    May 22

    141 | Lowdown on Low Starch *SEMINAR REPLAY*

    **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.

    35 min
  2. 140 | Draft Breeds

    03/27/2025

    140 | Draft Breeds

    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).

    29 min
  3. 139 | Immune Health

    12/27/2024

    139 | Immune Health

    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).

    25 min
  4. 138 | Travel Better Show Better

    11/22/2024

    138 | Travel Better Show Better

    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).

    28 min
  5. 137 | Postbiotics

    10/04/2024

    137 | Postbiotics

    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).

    21 min
  6. 136 | Vitamin C in Horses

    09/06/2024

    136 | Vitamin C in Horses

    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).

    22 min
  7. 135 | Fly Control

    04/19/2024

    135 | Fly Control

    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

    26 min
  8. 134 | Hoof Conditions

    02/23/2024

    134 | Hoof Conditions

    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

    24 min
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Dr. Jyme Nichols, equine nutritionist for Bluebonnet Feeds, explores unique cases, debunks popular myths, and breaks down advanced research data. This podcast combines a little fun with a lot of science to provide real-world feeding advice for your horse.

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