Kentucky Equine Research

05/27/2026

How much stress do your horse’s joints handle every day?

From jumping and bending to speed work and repetitive impact, performance horses place tremendous demands on their joints. Over time, this wear and tear can contribute to inflammation, stiffness, reduced mobility, and degenerative joint disease.

Oral joint supplements are commonly used to support joint health, cartilage maintenance, connective tissue integrity, and inflammation management. Ingredients such as glucosamine, chondroitin sulphate, omega-3 fatty acids, hyaluronic acid, trace minerals, and antioxidants each play different roles in supporting joint function.

Learn more about joint health, key supplement ingredients, and why proactive joint care matters for performance and aging horses: https://ker.com/equinews/greasing-the-joints-part-1/

Unlike their wild counterparts, domestic horses are asked to jump, to bend and flex into difficult movements, to stop and spin on a five-cent piece, to trot for hours or gallop at top speed around a track. All of this puts unnatural stresses and forces on their joints, pressures they were never desi...

05/23/2026

Is glucosamine sulfate really “better” than glucosamine HCl?

Several forms of glucosamine are used in equine joint supplements, including glucosamine HCl and glucosamine sulfate. While some studies suggest differences in bioavailability, direct comparisons in horses remain limited.

Research continues to support the importance of providing appropriate levels of glucosamine, especially when combined with chondroitin sulfate, for joint and cartilage support.

Glucosamine HCl also offers advantages in purity, stability, and glucosamine concentration on an equal weight basis.

Click the link to learn more about glucosamine: https://ker.com/equinews/answer/form-glucosamine-equine-joint-supplements-2/

Most of the information I’ve found suggests glucosamine sulfate is “better" than glucosamine hydrochloride (HCl). Is this accurate?

05/19/2026

“I have a horse with metabolic issues that needs low-sugar hay. Should I feed teff or orchard grass? My vet recommended (insert hay here)...”

We receive some version of this question all the time. If you’ve asked something similar, you’re not alone. Managing a horse with insulin resistance, PPID, or a history of laminitis can feel overwhelming, especially when every recommendation seems different. But it does not have to be complicated. With the right information and consistent forage management, metabolic horses can absolutely thrive. That’s why we partnered with Kentucky Equine Research to create a clear, research supported guide explaining what truly matters, from understanding NSC levels to evaluating hay types and keeping feeding decisions consistent. If you manage a metabolic horse or simply want more clarity around low sugar hay, this article is worth a few minutes of your time.

Full article in the comments.

05/19/2026

From Novice to Advanced: Understanding Energy Demands for Event Horses

In simple terms, event horses are marathoners that are repeatedly asked to sprint. This hybrid demand creates a middle ground where both quick-access energy and sustained slow-release fuels are needed.

Kentucky Equine Research examines how monitoring heart rate, time, and distance can help guide individualized fueling strategies.

Targeted Nutrition © KER From Novice to Advanced: Understanding Energy Demands for Event Horses Brands Spotlight COTH Admin l May 11, 2026

05/16/2026

Synovate HA® delivers high molecular weight sodium hyaluronate for horses in an easy-to-administer liquid. Maintaining proper joint health is an important factor in the longevity of a horse’s career. Nutrient-rich synovial fluid fills the joint capsule to facilitate the smooth passage of one bone over another and to absorb shock during high-impact activity.

Synovate HA helps proactively manage horse joint health by preventing hyaluronic acid loss.

Why Choose Synovate HA®?
- Delivers high molecular weight sodium hyaluronate in an easy-to-administer liquid
- Supports normal joint function, cartilage health, and connective tissue health
- Contributes to joint fluid viscoelasticity and lubrication of the entire joint mechanism
- Contains anti-inflammatory properties useful for high-motion joints
- Assists equine athletes through the rigors of training and competition
- Provides nutrients that match the known attributes of hyaluronic acid found in the horse’s body

Support your horse's joint health for lasting soundness with the science of Synovate HA.

Trust the science behind the movement.
🔗 Learn more about our joint health range at ker.com

05/13/2026

What role does hyaluronic acid play in joint health?

In healthy joints, hyaluronic acid and lubricin help promote smooth, frictionless movement while also helping protect cartilage from degeneration and inflammatory stress.

Research has shown that joint injury and inflammation can lead to a sustained loss of hyaluronic acid within synovial fluid, increasing friction and potentially contributing to cartilage wear and joint degeneration over time.

Maintaining appropriate hyaluronic acid levels may be an important consideration in supporting overall joint health, especially in athletic horses exposed to repeated stress and microtrauma.

Learn more about the importance hyaluronic acid: https://ker.com/equinews/joint-care-in-horses-benefits-of-hyaluronic-acid/

In healthy joints, lubricin and hyaluronic acid serve as lubricating molecules that promote smooth, frictionless motion. Both molecules also mitigate the action of inflammatory mediators within the joint and protect articular cartilage from degeneration.

05/12/2026

Support Every Stride

As the competition season heats up, ensuring your horse stays comfortable and mobile is our top priority. We are spotlighting joint health this month to help you achieve your goals with a happy, athletic partner. Targeted nutrition can make all the difference in maintaining smooth movement and protecting long-term soundness.

Find the right support for your region:
-🇺🇸 For our U.S. riders: Reach for Synovate HA and KER-Flex.
-🇦🇺 For our Australian riders: Support every stride with Synovate HA and Glucos-A-Flex.

Save 15% all month with code FLEX26. Ready to support your horse's performance? Shop the Joint Health Collection at the link in our bio! 📈💪

05/08/2026

We are excited to announce the grand prize winner of our Kentucky Three-Day Event drawing.

Heather Niski chose a year’s supply of ReSolvin EQ from KERx Special Needs Nutrition.

ReSolvin EQ® is a revolutionary oil designed to support gastric health through strategic supplementation of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids.

After learning more about ReSolvin EQ and its benefits, Heather is excited to try this product on her horse that struggles with persistent ulcers.

04/30/2026

A beautiful Kentucky morning spent meeting Oaks Milky Way—“Milky” as she's known in the barn.

Thank you to our sponsored rider Hilary Scott, along with Laura Bauman, for a great behind-the-scenes visit!

04/29/2026

Is white line disease holding your horse back?

Also known as seedy toe, white line disease occurs when components of the hoof wall separate, allowing bacteria and fungi to move in. While your farrier is your first line of defense, long-term recovery may require nutritional support.

A horse with a strong, resilient hoof wall is much better equipped to resist the infection that causes white line disease.

Take a closer look at how targeted nutrition can help this common hoof problem.

🔗 Read the full article: https://ker.com/equinews/seedy-toe-horses-nutrition-helps-hoof-health/

Seedy toe, also called white line disease, is a separation of the outer wall from the sole of a horse’s hoof. This separation occurs as a result of opportunistic bacteria or fungi that invade the hoof when it is compromised. Organisms feed on live tissue within the hoof, destroying it little by li...

04/28/2026

Thank you to all those who stopped by our booth during the Kentucky Three-Day Event!

We enjoyed meeting and connecting with everyone.

Congratulations to the winners of our daily giveaways. 🏅

Stay tuned for the announcement of our grand prize winner.