Summer Reilly Nutrition Consultant

08/11/2026

Dimples are only cute when someone is smiling... an obese horse is only making you happy due to the dopamine hit it gives you to feed your precious angel muffin... visceral fat is affecting every organ. Let's keep them healthy and with you for as long as possible. Put the treat down... and let's really get into what's IN YOUR FEED.

08/10/2026

There's nothing better than meeting the owners of the stores that proudly carry Bluebonnet Feeds. Tim was so welcoming and Cowboy Feed Store is a direct reflection of the pride he takes in his work. It was great meeting with you Tim! Give Duchess a pet for me!

08/07/2026

No Foot. No Horse. We've all heard the saying. But do we really understand the implications of what it can cause to the INSIDE of the horse?

Let's get INTO it.

Can sore feet affect a horse’s gut health?

Yes, but not directly.

Foot pain won’t cause colic or ulcers on its own, but it can absolutely set off a chain reaction that affects movement, appetite, water intake, and stress… and those things do matter for gut function.

PAIN~ BEHAVIOR CHANGES~ POSSIBLE GI IMPACT

A horse with sore feet may move less, stand or lie down more, back off feed or water, eat and drink less overall, and feel more stressed.

MOVEMENT MATTERS

When a horse isn’t moving much, gut motility can slow down, especially if they’re also eating less. That doesn’t mean colic is going to happen, just that the risk factors start stacking up.

FORAGE & WATER MATTER

If a horse is uncomfortable, they may not walk up to hay or water as often. Less intake can mean drier gut contents and slower digestion.

PAIN IS WHOLE BODY

Pain isn’t just a “feet issue.” It affects appetite, stress levels, and how the whole system functions including the gut.

WATCH THE WHOLE HORSE

Keep an eye on eating and drinking, manure output, movement and attitude and signs of discomfort.

IT GOES BOTH WAYS

Severe GI issues can also play a role in laminitis.

So no, foot pain doesn’t directly cause gut disease. But it can contribute to the bigger picture when appetite, movement, and hydration all take a hit.

Treat the problem.Watch the whole horse. Stay on top of those feet! Be sure to thank your farrier today!

Bluebonnetfeeds.com has a Hoof Rescue Program, Hoof + Hair Omega supplement, and Gastro Phix for those sweet angel muffins that need some extra love!

08/03/2026

🦷 Your horse's teeth are one of the most important parts of their nutrition program.

We spend a lot of time selecting quality hay, balancing minerals, and choosing the right feed. But your horse has to be able to chew that feed effectively before the digestive system can do its job.

Chewing is the first step of digestion. By breaking forage and feed into smaller particles, the horse increases the surface area available for digestive enzymes and microbes to work, helping support normal digestion and nutrient utilization.

When dental problems such as sharp enamel points, uneven wear, missing teeth, or other painful conditions interfere with chewing, horses may:
• Drop feed or hay while eating
• Eat more slowly or change their eating habits
• Swallow larger feed particles
• Have difficulty maintaining body condition despite an appropriate diet
• Be at greater risk for choke or, in some cases, digestive disturbances

It's important to remember that weight loss, poor body condition, or feed wastage can have many causes, so a dental examination should be considered alongside a complete nutritional and veterinary evaluation.

Routine dental care isn't just about comfort, it's an important part of maintaining your horse's overall health and supporting efficient feed utilization.

Even the best nutrition program works best when your horse can chew comfortably and effectively.
Healthy teeth. Better chewing. Better opportunity to get the most from every bite.

07/31/2026

It’s the WEEKEND!!! I can’t wait to hit the bed!!!

No you silly goose… not that one.
This one 👇🏻

This is what my personal horses daily diet consists of:

Omega Force 💪🏻
Lifeline + 🤌🏻
Rewind Joint 🦵🏻
Alfalfa 🤙🏻
Coastal Hay 🫴🏻
Loose Himalayan Salt 🧂
Clean water 💧

07/29/2026

It’s a full moon. Make sure that when you’re preparing your horses feed, you do it with your tongue sticking out and you beg for forgiveness when you dump it. Stay safe out there! 💙 Summer

07/27/2026

💙💙💙

Horse with a “soy allergy”?

Soybean oil does not elicit an allergic response.

Soybean allergies are related to a specific protein found in the bean and hull, which is not present in the extracted oil. Therefore, a horse having a positive reaction to soybeans on an allergy panel can still safely consume soybean oil, which is an excellent source of cool energy calories and essential fatty acids.

“But soy causes inflammation!?”

Not according to research. The current body of human research does not support the claim that eating moderate amounts of soy increases inflammation. In fact, if anything, the evidence leans opposite.

Several large systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials have examined inflammatory markers such as:

* C-reactive protein (CRP)
* Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)
* Interleukin-6 (IL-6)

Here are just a few:

* A 2020 meta-analysis of 51 randomized controlled trials found that soy consumption slightly reduced CRP, a marker of systemic inflammation, and had no overall increase in IL-6 or TNF-α.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32979840/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

* Another systematic review of 28 clinical trials found soy reduced TNF-α while having no significant effect (positive or negative) on IL-6, IL-1β, IL-2, or interferon-γ.
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/british-journal-of-nutrition/article/effect-of-soya-consumption-on-inflammatory-biomarkers-a-systematic-review-and-metaanalysis-of-clinical-trials/042B13EDEF6F341A0A85763E1315C838

Want to learn more about soy? Check out episode 78 of the Feed Room Chemist podcast (available on all major platforms)

07/22/2026

I’m struggling for air out here… you know what I’m thinking 🤔 no no… I’d better not…. *insert side eye*

“Hey chat what’s the dosage for…”

*All joking aside, DO NOT TAKE THIS FOR YOURSELF…. I like my job.*

07/22/2026

💧 Electrolytes: More Than Just “Something for Sweaty Horses” 💧

When we think about electrolytes, we often picture a horse working hard on a hot summer day. While those horses certainly need them, electrolytes are important every single day—not just after a tough ride.

Electrolytes are minerals like sodium, chloride, potassium, calcium, and magnesium that help your horse:
🐴 Stay properly hydrated
💪 Contract and relax muscles
🧠 Support normal nerve function
❤️ Maintain healthy body function and fluid balance

Here’s something many horse owners don’t realize:

Water alone doesn’t replace what is lost in sweat. When horses sweat, they lose both water and electrolytes. If those minerals aren’t replaced, your horse may not drink as well, recover as quickly, or perform at their best.

Signs of electrolyte depletion can include:
• Fatigue
• Muscle soreness or cramping
• Decreased performance
• Poor recovery
• Reduced thirst
• Increased risk of dehydration
•Lack of sweating

One of the biggest players is sodium. Since hay and pasture are naturally low in sodium, every horse should have access to free-choice salt. Horses that sweat heavily due to exercise, heat, hauling, or stress may also benefit from additional electrolyte supplementation.

✨ The goal isn’t to give more electrolytes—it’s to replace what your horse has lost.

And remember: electrolytes should always be paired with unlimited access to clean drinking water.

Healthy hydration isn’t just about water. It’s about maintaining the right balance of water and electrolytes so your horse can feel, perform, and recover their best.

Have questions about whether your horse needs an electrolyte supplement? I’d be happy to help you determine what’s appropriate for your horse’s workload, environment, and individual needs.

Encourages drinking, supports sweat response, and helps prevent impaction colic

07/21/2026

It’s about that time!!!

Weaning can be a stressful time for both mare and foal (and owner), but there are things we can do to minimize stress and get through the change with healthy, happy horses. Listen to the Dr. Jyme - Feed Room Chemist Podcast episode #128 Weaning Foals (Spotify is my favorite), and support your weaning through nutrition with our protocol for success below👇.