In the second part of Siân's interview with Claire Taylor, Claire talks further about growing up on a farm at the edge of Sharpthorne in West Sussex. Claire and Siân reminisce about their childhood in Sharpthorne and West Hoathly, their inspiring primary school teachers, going to harvest festival in the village church and being hunted by monsters. …

In this episode we delve into one of the most pressing concerns for horse owners: managing equine gastric ulcers. Many owners reach out to Dr. Clair for help managing their horses diagnosed with equine gastric ulcers, especially chronic and recurrent cases. In this episode we are joined by guest Dr. Phoebe Smith DVM DACVIM, Veterinarian and Interna…

In this second Sussex special episode Siân meets her oldest friend, the musician and artist Claire Taylor. Claire and Siân talk about Claire's early life on a farm near Sharpthorne in West Sussex and their shared childhood in Sharpthorne and its neighbouring village, West Hoathly. Claire tells Siân how life on the farm was both magical and lonely, …

Feeding senior horses especially over the winter can be a challenge as many lose condition over these colder months. Some senior horses require different approaches to feeding to ensure their needs are met as what worked in their younger years may not work any more. Chewing can become a challenge requiring frequent dental care and the possibility o…

Feed labels are the informational panels found on the backs of feed bags or seen in to the bottom seem. These labels provide a wealth of important details about the contents and composition of the feed, allowing horse owners to make informed decisions about how the feed might meet the nutritional needs of their horse. While the majority of these la…

Many horses are fed hay at some point during the year. Whether only in winter when pastures are sparse or year round due to lack of pasture access, hay is a vital source of nutrition for your horse and a major investment for you. This is the time of year when many owners are making decisions on the type of hay they will feed for the next year and a…

In this first episode of a special series chatting with friends who have deep roots in the Sussex Weald, Siân talks to Johnny Marsh about his childhood in Wadhurst and the charms of mud, pubs and churches. On 7th & 8th September, Johnny will be taking part in Mayfield Open Studios 2024: http://www.crowboroughopenstudios.co.uk/ This episode contains…

In this second part of Siân's conversation with Johnny Marsh, Johnny tells Siân about his reluctance to call himself an artist, the muses in his life and his own role as a muse, and his love of Harveys beer. On 7th & 8th September, Johnny will be taking part in Mayfield Open Studios 2024: http://www.crowboroughopenstudios.co.uk/ This episode contai…

With more and more knowledge of the importance of gastrointestinal health on our horse's entire health, an ever increasing number of feeds and supplements on the market claim to support gut health. Prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics have become commonly utilized ingredients but what exactly are they and does your horse need them? In this episod…

Maintaining optimal weight and peak performance in horses, especially those used for high-intensity athletic activities, can be a delicate and ongoing challenge for even the most experienced equestrian. Throughout the various seasons and demands of the competition calendar, a horse's nutritional and exercise needs are in constant flux, requiring vi…

In part 2 of our 2 part series Behind the Scenes at the Summer Games Dr. Clair talks to Dr Joe Pagan owner and President of Kentucky Equine Research (KER). In addition to doing equine nutrition and exercise physiology related research work, KER have also sourced the feed for the last 7 Summer Games. They discuss: - how teams coordinate getting the …

Wonder what goes on behind-the-scenes and what it takes to get horses to major international competitions? In this episode Dr. Clair and Michelle are joined by Max Corcoran, a freelance groom, equestrian event organizer, and former longtime member of the O’Connor Event Team. Max shares what it’s like to manage horses on the U.S. Equestrian Team as …

Equine feed labels and hay analysis results are full of abbreviations such as ADF, NDF, CP, NSC, and WSC and together they make up an alphabet soup. Ever wonder what they all mean and whether they are important to your horse? And what about gas? Has your horse ever passed gas while being ridden? In this episode Dr Clair and Michelle answer some, li…

Fly management is a crucial aspect of horse barn management this time of year. Flies—here we're talking about stable flies, horse flies, gnats, mosquitoes, and more—​are a nuisance to horses and humans alike. They cause our horses discomfort, stress, and even the spread of diseases, such as Potomac horse fever, West Nile virus, pigeon fever, and ve…

Temperatures are starting to rise across the country! We start to think about ways of keeping our horses cool in the summer months. Switching turn out times to overnight hours, hanging fans and adding electrolytes are some of the common things that people do. Horses rely heavily on sweating to keep cool. In this episode, we talk to Dr. Samantha Bro…

The second part of Siân's interview with Orkney-based poet Lydia Harris, who joins Siân to read from her new collection Henrietta's Library of the Whole Wide World. In this episode Lydia talks to Siân about time, place, mystery and the importance of libraries. Lydia Harris is the author of four pamphlets and two full collections. She held a Scottis…

Orkney-based poet Lydia Harris joins Siân to read from her new collection Henrietta's Library of the Whole Wide World, which was published this year by Blue Diode Press. Lydia tells Siân how the collection came about when, knowing that Orkney was home to the oldest public library in Scotland, she mistakenly came to believe that her own island of We…

As we start our second season of the podcast, Dr. Clair takes time to answer listener questions. In this episode Dr. Clair answers questions about: -the difference between dry milled flax and flax oil; -feeding instructions on feed bags; -adjusting feed based on exercise; -and more! If you have questions about feeding your horse, please email us at…

Do you have an easy keeper? Dr. Laura Javsicas, a board-certified internal medicine specialist with Rhinebeck Equine, in New York, joins Clair and Michelle to talk about insulin resistance and dysregulation in horses. In this episode, you'll learn about: Insulin’s relationship to equine metabolic syndrome and pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (…

The second part of Siân's interview with London-based poet Martin Hayes. In this episode Martin tells Siân about his sense of frustration and despair at our neoliberal society and how writing critically about work has got him into trouble. Martin Hayes is known primarily for his writing on work, often focusing on the courier industry where he's spe…

Horse show season is here! And, while showing is mostly fun, the travel and work intensity competition requires can cause stress for horses and humans. We know stress impacts horses’ digestive health and immune systems, which can set them up for colic, gastric ulcers, and diarrhea. In this episode, Dr. Clair and Michelle discuss ways to prepare and…

Siân meets London-based poet Martin Hayes. Martin is known predominantly for his writing on work, often focusing on the courier industry where he's spent more than thirty years of his life. He is the author of eight collections including Underneath (Smokestack, 2021), Ox (Knives Forks and Spoons Press, 2021) and The Things Our Hands Once Stood For …

While forages can be assessed visually, the only way to accurately know the nutrient content of your forage is to have it tested by a lab. This is easier and cheaper to do than many people realize and is worth considering if you buy large quantities of forage at a time. In this episode we talk about hay analysis with Cassy Streeter, NIR Services Ma…

In the second part of Siân's interview with Rebecca Tamás, Rebecca reads further poems from her collection WITCH and Rebecca and Siân chat about storytelling and the connection between poetry and theatre, and discuss how writers tackle difficult subjects. Rebecca Tamás is the author of three pamphlets and co-editor of the anthology Spells: 21st Cen…

As the cold and snowy winter turns into a bright green spring, we all dream about turning our horses out on a picturesque landscape to graze, but should we? Is it safe? The fear of fat ponies, laminitis and other metabolic diseases haunt us. Dr. Clair and Michelle discuss the importance of being proactive and cautious when transitioning from winter…

Rebecca Tamás joins Siân to read from and talk about her collection WITCH. In this episode Rebecca and Siân talk about the occult as a source of creative freedom, French feminism, humour, anger and writing against logos. Rebecca Tamás is the author of three pamphlets and co-editor of the anthology Spells: 21st Century Occult Poetry. Her collection …

When we refer to “topline,” we’re talking about the entire upper line of the horse’s body. That includes how the neck ties into the shoulder and the development of the back muscles under the saddle area, across the loin, and over the rump. When horses lack musculature over those areas, they are said to “have a poor topline.” Many things can cause p…

In this second part of Siân's interview with Jessica Mookherjee Jess reads further poems from her collection Notes from a Shipwreck and talks to Siân about the body, trauma and fertility. There are also plenty more waves and wrecks, and here and there a glitter god makes its presence felt. Jess is a poet of Bengali heritage. She grew up in Mumbles,…

Getting a new horse is exciting! But, for the horse, a new owner can mean lots of change and stress. As herd animals that prefer routine, horses become stressed when moving to a new home with new horses, people, and expectations. Dietary changes during transitions can also cause stress. Combined, these changes increase a horse’s risk of serious hea…

Jessica Mookherjee returns to The Poetry Bath to read from and chat about her collection Notes from a Shipwreck. In this episode Jess and Siân talk about wreckage, Brexit, power and, as Jess puts it, 'the glory and catastrophe of the body.' Jess is a poet of Bengali heritage. She grew up in Mumbles, South Wales, spent many years in London and now l…

Who doesn’t love a horse with a shiny haircoat and long, full mane and tail? While some horses are more genetically blessed than others in the hair growth and shine department, all healthy manes and tails and glowing coats start with a balanced diet. Grooming can help, of course, but no amount of elbow grease can correct poor nutrition. In this epi…

The second part of Siân's interview with writer, artist and translator Kamilla Jørgensen. In this episode Kamilla talks to Siân about skies, ears and the making and unmaking of books. The Poetry Bath's theme tune is composed and performed by Nigel Horn. The Poetry Bath has moved to Buzzsprout from Wildhart Radio. You can listen to all 51 earlier ep…

In this episode, Danish writer, artist and translator Kamilla Jørgensen joins Siân to read her writing and talk about the influence of asemic and visual poetry on her work. Kamilla tells Siân about her attempts to eliminate language, her love of erasure and the boundless power of full-stops. Among other pieces, Kamilla reads (and plays) Bark, her s…

You see a sweet old horse on the bag, and the name clearly says “senior” in it. So that’s the right feed for your aged equine, right? Not necessarily. The horse feed industry doesn’t have a standard for what makes a senior feed a senior feed. And, in fact, some products marketed as senior feeds are Dr. Clair’s favorite recommendations for horses re…

Equine ration balancers are multipurpose horse feeds that pack big benefits in small portions. As the name implies, they are meant to “balance” horse diets by providing essential nutrients hay and forage might lack. Ration balancers are typically lower calorie than other concentrates but still designed to meet horses’ basic vitamin, mineral, and pr…

Storyteller and poet Patricia Robson joins Siân for the second part of The Poetry Bath's winter and Christmas poetry special. In this episode Patricia and Siân read two carols by anonymous authors, The Competition Between Holly and Ivy and St Joseph and God's Mother, along with Jill Munro's contemporary poem The Star of Bethlehem. The Poetry Bath's…

How and what we feed horses with equine asthma matters. Barn air quality is also a major factor in equine respiratory health, especially during the winter months when horses spend more time inside. Dr. Clair and Michelle talk about the importance of lower respiratory system health in performance horses and ways to support horse's with respiratory a…

GCSE student and winner of the East Sussex round of Poetry by Heart 2023 Lettie Browne joins Siân for the first part of a winter and Christmas poetry special. In this episode, Lettie and Siân read and chat about Thomas Hardy's The Darkling Thrush, Clement Clarke Moore's A Visit from St. Nicholas and Baubles by Lawrence Wilson. The Poetry Bath's the…

With Thanksgiving behind us we are now in the Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa Countdown. To keep you company while you slowly lose your mind, we decided to do our favorite things episode. Michelle and Clair share a few products that bring them delight, everything from hoof picks to hay balls to saddles and masterclasses! Whether you are buying a gift fo…

The second part of Siân's interview with Clare Best, in which Clare reads poems on the subject of home, haunting and love. Clare and Siân discuss the importance of home to Clare's work and Clare talks about a haunted house where she lived for many years. Clare has written eight poetry pamphlets and collections and her prose memoir The Missing List …

In this episode, Clair and Michelle get more than a little nerdy about equine supplements! They are joined by Dr. Lydia Gray to talk about supplement regulations and how new products come to market. Dr. Gray spent 16 years at SmartPak, where she served as Staff Veterinarian and Medical and Research Director. She has also worked in equine welfare an…

In the first of a two-part interview, Siân meets Suffolk-based, Sussex-raised writer Clare Best. Clare has written eight poetry pamphlets and collections and her prose memoir The Missing List was a finalist in the Mslexia Memoir Competition 2014/15. Her latest collection Beyond the Gate is published by Worple Press. She has collaborated with visual…

Proper hay and feed storage saves money, keeps horses safe, and gives rodents one less reason to move into our barns during the cold winter months. In this episode, equine nutritionist Dr. Clair Thunes and horse owner Michelle Anderson discuss hay and feed storage strategies, health risks related to horses accidentally accessing and gorging on feed…

The second part of Siân's interview with Sussex-based writer Joanna Nissel whose debut poetry pamphlet Guerrilla Brightenings was published by Against the Grain Press in 2022. Joanna reads from the pamphlet and talks to Siân about her love of the chalk paths and landscape of the Sussex Downs and how the Covid pandemic inspired in her the unexpected…

The first of a two-part interview in which Siân meets Sussex-based writer Joanna Nissel whose debut poetry pamphlet Guerrilla Brightenings was published by Against the Grain Press in 2022. Joanna reads from the pamphlet and talks to Siân about her love of the chalk paths and landscape of the Sussex Downs and how the Covid pandemic inspired in her t…

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In this episode internal medicine specialist Laura Javsicas, VMD, Dipl. ACVIM, of Rhinebeck Equine, in New York, joins us to discuss pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID, or more commonly “equine Cushing’s disease”). This syndrome results from an enlargement of the middle lobe of the pituitary gland, which leads to elevated levels of cortiso…

Join us for a walk down the supplement aisle as we discuss what horses might—and might not—need added to their diets. It seems like there's a supplement for just about anything your horse might need. In this episode, we cover: The difference between food supplements and health supplements; The types of supplements you might find (hoof, digestive, c…

It's hot outside! As the U.S. faces extreme heat advisories across the country, ensuring your horses stay hydrated is critical to support their natural evaporative cooling systems (that's sweating). In addition to water consumption, electrolytes are an important part of the cooling equation. But knowing if your horse is getting enough, or selecting…

Have you stood in your feed store staring at shelves of bagged horse feed and felt overwhelmed by the options? You are not alone! In this episode we cover: The differences between ration balancers, concentrates (aka performance or "life stage" feeds," complete feeds, and bagged whole grains. How to properly weigh and measure feed. The reasons you s…