Carol Layton
Horse Health / Care
Carol Layton, B.Sc, M.Ed (Balanced Equine) is an independent Equine Nutritionist and educator with a science and technology background with a passion for the optimal feeding of horses, based on scientific research.
In 2008, Carol enrolled in equine nutrition courses provided by Dr Eleanor Kellon VMD and has been a tutor for students in Dr Kellon’s NRCPlus since 2009. Carol is currently a lecturer in Equine Nutrition for the Australian Certificate of Equine Hoof Care Practitioner course (ACEHP) and the American based Progressive Hoof Care Practitioners (PHCP). She has been invited to speak at numerous conferences in Australia and overseas including the 2012 World Hoof Care Conference in Prague, Czech Republic, 2017 NO Laminitis Conference in Arizona, and more recently the 2022 Progressive Hoof Care Practitioners Conference in Denver, USA. Carol is passionate about endurance; her endurance horse, Omani Mr Sqiggle was an Australian National Points and Distance horse in 2009, one horse/one rider and the Big 3 Award in 2010 (Shahzada, Tom Quilty and State Championship).
Carol explains the myths, fads and marketing ploys, and advocates simple, holistic and cost effective feeding recommendations for all horses from high performance horses, to growing, pregnant and lactating horses and the loved horse in the front paddock. Carol’s expertise in equine nutrition is not simply about what to feed but also how to best support horses along the lines of timing of feeding, what to feed before and after work and electrolyting. She has specialist feeding advice for veterinary diagnosed issues including tying up, EPSM/PSSM, ulcers, diarrhoea, insulin resistance IR and PPID
Visit Carol Layton at the following sessions
Details
Saturday November 16th
Ariat Theatrette, Ariat Building
How to build a Robust Immune System & Healthy Gut
A well functioning immune system is crucial for all horses and especially for performance. Stressors can compromise an immune system, leaving the horse susceptible to illness. Stressors can include moderate to high levels of exercise, separation from other horses, travel over long distances, injury and poor diet.
The immune system is made up of cells, proteins and tissues designed to be able to distinguish harmful invaders like pathogens, viruses and bacteria and other microorganisms and respond effectively to kill or neutralise the threat. Optimal nutrition does more than fuel body processes and maintain a good body condition score. The intricate relationship between gut health and the immune system will be discussed plus how a healthy gut microbiome contributes to overall immune function.
Practical advice on the essential nutrients needed for a healthy immune system with emphasis on the importance of a balanced diet containing proteins, vitamins, minerals, and other key nutrients.
Details
Sunday November 17th
EQUITANA Classroom (Royal Block)
Equine Metabolic Syndrome & Cushings – safe feeds
Safe feeds and Supplements for Equine Metabolic Syndrome and Cushing’s Horses (PPID)
There is a growing awareness of the life threatening issue some horses and ponies have with a metabolic condition that causes insulin to rise, triggering the chain of events that results in laminitis. For horses that have Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID), also known as Cushing’s, one of the common symptoms is insulin resistance that can lead to laminitis. The foundation for managing horses and ponies with metabolic issues that causes high insulin levels is tight control of their diet, preventing anything that will promote higher insulin. We are fortunate that in the last 13 years there has been an explosion of safe feeds and supplements for EMS and PPID horses. This presentation will look at the management of horses prone to laminitis, and the specific nutritional needs for horses with insulin-related issues. Practical tips will be given on how to assess and choose appropriate feeds and supplements for metabolic horses.
