Kentucky Equine Research (KER) has maintained a prominent international presence in the nutrition research community for the past 20 years. Research trials have been conducted at the company’s research farm since the late 1980s, and results of this research have been published in numerous peer-reviewed journals and proceedings of scientific conferences.

Mark Llewellyn (European Trainer - issue 22 - Summer 2008)

For all professionals associated with the training and competition of horses under the rules and regulations of racing the choice of which feed products to use has never been greater, and the range appears to grow on a daily basis. This is especially true of the plethora of dietary supplements (otherwise known officially as complementary feeds) available.

Dr Catherine Dunnett & Dr Mark Dunnett (European Trainer - issue 22 - Summer 2008)

The powerhouse for a horse in training is found in its large muscle mass. Whilst genetic makeup within the Thoroughbred breed has a large impact on a horse’s innate racing ability, dietary factors will also influence subsequent performance.
Dr Catherine Dunnett (01 December 2007 - Issue Number: 6)

Historically, oil has not featured highly in the diets of horses in training, or indeed those of other horses. The natural oil content of pasture and other forages is quite low at between 2-3% on a dry matter basis, yet despite this, horses digest oil extremely well. Oil added to the racehorses’ diet is tolerated well, with no major palatability problems having been reported.

Dr Catherine Dunnett (European Trainer - issue 20 - Winter 2007)

The powerhouse for a horse in training is found in its large muscle mass. Whilst genetic makeup within the Thoroughbred breed has a large impact on a horse’s innate racing ability, dietary factors will also influence subsequent performance.

Dr Catherine Dunnett (European Trainer - issue 19 - Autumn 2007)

Too often thought of as just a filler or occupational therapy to while away the time between hard feeds, forage is worth so much more than that. Simply feeding an inadequate quantity of forage, or choosing forage that has an inappropriate nutrient profile, or is of poor quality can have a negative impact both on health and performance in racehorses.

Dr Catherine Dunnett (01 July 2007 - Issue Number: 4)

No doubt we are all aware of the plethora of dietary supplements that are now available and that are promoted as offering clear and profound benefits to our horses’ health, general well being and performance. In the latter category are the so-called ergogenic aids. So what are they, and do they work?These are the questions that this article aims to address.

Dr Catherine Dunnett (01 July 2007 - Issue Number: 4)

No doubt we are all aware of the plethora of dietary supplements that are now available and that are promoted as offering clear and profound benefits to our horses’ health, general well being and performance. In the latter category are the so-called ergogenic aids. So what are they, and do they work?

Dr Catherine Dunnett (European Trainer - issue 18 - Summer 2007)

Too often thought of as just a ‘filler’, or occupational therapy to while away the time between hard feeds, forage is worth so much more than that. Simply feeding an inadequate quantity of forage, or choosing forage that has an inappropriate nutrient profile, or is of poor quality can have a negative impact both on health and performance in racehorses.

Dr Catherine Dunnett (European Trainer - Issue 18 - Summer 2007)

Most of the current crop of 2yo’s will now have been broken and are in the early stages of training proper in readiness for the forthcoming flat racing season. This period brings with it numerous problems for trainers and their staff, such as horses with high muscle enzymes, episodes of tying up, respiratory infections, various lamenesses and other skeletal problems or simply over exuberance. 

Catherine Dunnett (European Trainer - issue 17 - Spring 2007)

The expression ‘no foot no horse’ should perhaps be extended to cover all the bones of the skeleton, for as far as racehorses are concerned, without strength and durability in this area a trainer’s job is fraught with difficulties.

Dr Catherine Dunnett (European Trainer - issue 16 - Winter 2006)

Removal of fibre and water intake before a race are supposed to enhance performance in Racehorses… Surely this is not sound practice, let alone science. No sensible, modern day athlete would go out of their way to cause discomfort in their digestive system and thereby reduce performance, let alone remove hydration.

Ian Lane (European Trainer - issue 15 - Autumn 2006)

Electrolytes are essential components of the racehorse’s diet as they are vital to the proper functioning of the body’s basic physiological processes, such as nerve conduction, muscle contraction, fluid balance and skeletal integrity.

Catherine Dunnett (European Trainer - issue 14 - Summer 2006)

Dietary protein is probably one of the most talked about elements of a racehorses’ diet, which is unfortunately ill deserved. Whilst the level of protein in the diet is important for tissue growth and repair, it is probably the least important source of energy to the athletic horse when compared to starch, fibre and oil.

Dr Catherine Dunnett (European Trainer - issue 13 - Spring 2006)

Previous articles in Trainer have looked at how the horse, regardless of what he has been developed to do, remains the nomadic, trickle feeding animal that nature designed him to be. We have also examined how modern diet and management, combined with the physical and mental stress imposed on the competition and racing animal are contributory factors in a variety of problems, including ‘stereotypy’ behaviour such as cribbing and windsucking, and the perennial problem of ulcers and colic.

Sue McMullen (European Trainer - issue 7 - Spring 2007)