44. Species-Appropriate Horse Keeping & Why Track Systems Work

Track systems (perimeter grazing systems) can look deceptively simple… but when they’re designed well, they deliver things horses are wired for: friends, freedom, and forage… with extra movement built in.

In this episode, Dr Nerida is joined by the wonderful Dr Katherine Goldberg (DVM, LCSW), a veterinarian and clinical social worker, to unpack what “species-appropriate husbandry” actually means in the real world, and why track systems aren’t just a “weight loss tool” for good doers, but a way we can help horses to live in a way that truly honours their needs.

Dr Nerida and Dr Katherine talk about the concept of horses being behaviourally starving even when obese, the two welfare rules Katherine won’t budge on, and how meeting these basic needs changes behaviour, safety, gut health, and the horse–human relationship.

You’ll also get practical, immediately usable setup guidance on track width, why varying widths can create natural movement patterns, and how separating resources (water, hay, shelter) encourages that nomadic, forage-and-walk lifestyle horses evolved for.

Dr Katherine is the most beautiful human, driven by the desire to help us all create better, happier, more species-appropriate lives for our equine friends in which our horse-human relationships and horse goals, whatever they may be, can flourish! If you’d like to get in contact with Dr Katherine, you can find her at horsesfirststewardship@gmail.com

And if you would like more information on what we do here at MyHappy.Horse you can find us over at https://www.myhappy.horse

Thanks so much for being here 💖💛

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Episoder(59)

59. Feeding Pregnant Mares & Why Balanced Nutrition Matters From Day One

How much does broodmare nutrition really matter?In this episode, Dr Nerida is joined again by Jess, an equine science student from Charles Sturt University, for a practical Q&A on feeding pregnant (an...

30 Jun 55min

58. Feeding horses for Weight Loss and Why “Just Feed Less” is Not the Answer

Is your horse an “air fern” who seems to gain weight just by looking at grass?In this episode of the Happy Horse Nutrition Podcast, Dr Nerida walks you through how to feed overweight horses and good d...

23 Jun 1h 11min

57. Feeding Horses for Weight Gain and Why “Just Feed More” Is Not the Answer

Is your horse underweight, a classic hard keeper, or one of those horses who seems to need a ridiculous amount of feed just to hold condition? In this episode of the Happy Horse Nutrition Podcast, Dr ...

16 Jun 1h 8min

56. Do Calming Supplements for Horses Actually Work?

Do calming supplements for horses actually work? Or are we sometimes asking them to do a job they were never going to be able to do?In this episode, Dr Nerida takes a practical, science-based look at ...

9 Jun 1h 4min

55. Horse Nutrition Q&A: Feeding horses with dental issues

What do you feed a horse that can’t chew properly?In this episode, Dr Nerida McGilchrist is joined by Jess, an equine science student from Charles Sturt University, for a practical Q&A on dental issue...

2 Jun 41min

54. Rethinking Yearling Horse Sales Prep: Less Grain, Better Gut Health

What happens when a thoroughbred breeding farm reduces grain, increases forage diversity, and prepares yearlings with gut health in mind?In this episode, Dr Nerida is joined by Zac Harris, a thoroughb...

26 Mai 45min

53. Feeding Horses in Winter

Winter can be one of the biggest challenges when feeding horses. So in this episode, Dr Nerida talks all things winter feeding. You’ll learn why preparation matters, that forage is your horse’s intern...

19 Mai 55min

52. Protein Is Not Just Protein: Protein Quality in Horse Nutrition Explained

We talk a lot about protein in horse nutrition, especially for topline, growth, milk production and gut health, but the number on the feed bag is only the starting point.Two feeds can both say 16% pro...

12 Mai 50min