Ask A Pro - Kathryn Watts

"Is there any evidence, or any studies done regarding effects of Genetically Modified forages and grains on horses?"

Kathryn:

The easy answer to your question is no.

The term 'genetically modified' is not well understood by lay people. Do you mean genetically engineered? As in inserting genes, such as creating resistance to RoundUp? RoundUp Ready alfalfa and soybeans, canola oil and BT corn are probably the only ones that might end up in a horse.

Or selected for special characteristics?

If you believe selection is to blame, then the first farmer who saved back the biggest seeds to replant are 'genetically modifying' the next generation.

Neither have been studied in horses versus native forage. And it's not likely to be studied. We cannot bring the natives back, because the improved forages are so invasive. There are so few places in the world with undistubed native grass; people would have to go into fenced-off cemetaries to find what is native to the area. Most of the country is taken over by smooth brome or fescue. The whole question is about spilled milk. You can't go back to native without a LOT of cost and expert management.

Copyright Rocky Mountain Research & Consulting, Inc.

Kathryn Watts has a fabulous library of CD's on the following subjects:
Pasture and Forage Management for Laminitic Horses
Dietary Management of the Carbohydrate Intolerant Horse
Soil Minerals: The Basis of Nutrition

Kathryn Watts and her CD collection can be found at: www.safergrass.org

Kathryn's three presentation CD's are getting rave reviews from experts in equine health and hoof care. The science behind carbohydrate formation in grass is presented in an interesting, entertaining format, using plain language and analogies that anyone can understand. These CD's provide essential information for horse owners, veterinarians and hoof care providers dealing with horses prone to laminitis, PSSM, obesity and too rapid growth of young stock.

Dietary Managemet of the Carbohydrate Intolerant Horse
If you have on of those 'easy keeper' horses who swells up with lumpy fat just smelling green grass, or a horse that currently has laminitis you need this information. Learn about hidden sources of carbs in feed and how to make better management decisions for high risk horses before they founder. This lecture will also be useful for managing horses with other diseases caused by excess carbohydrates such as Equine Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy, physitis, OCD and tying up.

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Pasture and Forage Management for Laminitic Horses
This presentation explains the factors affecting the Non Structural Carbohydrate (sugar, starch and fructan) content of forage. Understand the conditions that cause high sugar in grass and hay. Get data from field studies that measure carb content of grass under various management practices. This understanding will enable you to make better decisions about how to manage pastures for lower NSC content, make better hay purchases and understand when to graze horses with metabolic problems or are just too fat.

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Soil Minerals: The Basis of Nutrition
With a unique perspective that blends soil science and nutrition, this lecture will help you optimize the health of animals that graze or eat hay. Discover how your regional climate and soil type affects the availability of specific minerals. Learn how you may be able to maximize your horse's nutrition through use of fertilizer or other soil amendments. When that is not possible, learn how to supplement your horses to prevent mineral deficiency. Understand how minerals intersect with one another to exacerbate or create mineral deficiency symptoms. Get proactive to prevent health issues caused by mineral deficiency.