Racehorses are maintained in an environment which causes stress equivalent to, or exceeding, that which is experienced by poultry. Another issue raised in the survey is the greater potential for disease from mold and mycotoxins in animal feed. Both veterinarian and producer respondents say these situations lead to a need for higher vitamin supplementation. Nearly two-thirds of the veterinarians surveyed said they now offer nutritional consulting as part of their business. The respondents were also as likely to direct their clients to a feed dealer or salesperson for information on animal nutrition as to an extension agent or even a specialty consultant.
Veterinarians stay up to date on information, too.
Eighty percent were at least somewhat satisfied with the amount and type of information available to them about nutrition. The basis of differing viewpoints Equine practitioners and the university nutrition experts probably agree on 95 percent of how to feed horses properly. The 5 percent difference of opinion comes from different perspectives. The university nutritionist deals with statistics and averages and makes recommendations which will be suitable for the greatest number of situations and animals. The practitioner, on the other hand, deals generally with individual animals in individual situations.