Nutrition as an effective preventative medicine

Nutrition plays a pivotal role in maintaining optimal health, influencing physical wellbeing, performance and behaviour. Horse owners frequently rely on veterinarians for expert advice on nutrition, but many veterinarians report a lack of confidence in their nutritional expertise. Poor dietary practices can lead to significant health issues. This review examines the role of nutrition as an effective preventative medicine, addressing the challenges veterinarians face in equine nutritional guidance and the growing body of research highlighting the importance of good nutrition and its link to disease. Additionally, the review explores advancements in understanding the equine gut microbiome, including the impact of various dietary interventions such as prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics. With the rising interest in gut health, these interventions offer promising strategies to enhance health, performance and disease resistance in horses. Finally, the review discusses practical approaches for optimising equine nutrition and the potential role of supplements, while emphasising the importance of evidence-based practices in veterinary nutrition.