Elisha’s Podcast
ELISHA’S PODCAST

Ready to get your horses on the path to better health?
This podcast was created to do just that.
Tune in to get new insights, perspectives, horse health tips, and real-life horse healing stories.
Take what you learn and apply it to your horse TODAY.

One Conversation at a time
From learning what to feed your horse and how to use nutrition effectively, to practicing prevention and approaching specific health challenges naturally, to just bringing your horse more joy and better health…
I’ve got you covered!

Check out my recent episodes
This week, we are following up on our last discussion about sourcing the right hay for your horse by focusing on the practice of soaking hay. Soaking hay is a common strategy for reducing sugar levels for sugar-sensitive horses. This practice is helpful for horses with insulin resistance, acute laminitis, or high-insulin PSSM. Join us to learn how to soak hay to improve your horse's health and ensure longevity while avoiding the associated risks. When and Why to Soak Hay Soaking hay can be helpful, but it should only be done when necessary, in cases of acute laminitis, severe insulin resistance, or PSSM, where high sugar levels in hay contribute to the problem. Soaking is not something you want to rely on long-term or use just in case. You must always consider whether it is doing more good than harm and use it as a short-term tool when you do not have a better option. Keep It Temporary If you need to soak hay, do it for a limited time, perhaps two weeks. If sugar is the issue, you will typically see changes in your horse within 24 to 48 hours. If nothing improves after soaking the hay for several weeks, the problem may not be sugar-related. If you continue to soak at that point, it could deplete essential nutrients. Be Aware of Nutrient Loss Remember that soaking does not only remove sugars. It also pulls out vital minerals and amino acids. Since hay is less nutritious than fresh forage, soaking can make it even more deficient. For horses with metabolic conditions, PPID, or PSSM, the loss of nutrition could cause a slow and steady decline in their overall health. Think Beyond Sugar Sugar is only part of the story. Inflammation, poor hoof balance, and limited movement can also drive high insulin and hoof pain. If insulin remains elevated and symptoms persist, chronic inflammation could be the cause, not sugar. Always step back and assess the whole horse. Use Soaking Strategically Limiting your hay soaking to 15–20 minutes is usually enough to reduce sugar without removing too many essential nutrients. Soaking is ineffective for lowering protein and should not be used to manage dust- a quick spray with water works better. Avoid long-term soaking, as it can do more harm than good by further depleting an already nutrient-poor feed. Have a Plan If you are soaking hay, take the opportunity to put a longer-term plan in place to support the metabolic health of your horse. It might involve switching to hay with a lower sugar content, adding essential nutrients, reviewing your trim schedule, and encouraging more movement. The goal is to rebuild resilience rather than relying on an ongoing restriction. Links and resources: Connect with Elisha Edwards on her website Join my email list to be notified about new podcast releases and upcoming webinars. Free Webinar Masterclass: Four Steps to Solving Equine Metabolic Syndrome Naturally Register for my self-paced course, Resolving Equine Metabolic Syndrome Naturally. Today, we tackle hay, an essential yet often overlooked component of an equine diet. Hay provides most of the calories and nutrition horses need, especially in colder climates. However, it is not always the first place we look when issues arise. Since hay is dried grass with less nutritional value than natural forage, it is not a perfect food, yet it is what most horse owners must rely on. The quality of the hay, the treatments it has undergone, and how it affects your horse are critical factors to consider. That is why it is best to start with a hay analysis to ensure the foundation of their diet supports the health of your horse rather than adding to any hidden problems. What I Focus On First When analyzing hay, I always start with the macros- the protein, sugar, and fiber levels, as those are crucial for every health condition I have worked with. It is essential to monitor sugar and protein levels. High protein can be as problematic as high sugar. Perfect hay does not exist, so we must balance things wherever possible. Sugar Sensitivity and Hay Analysis A hay analysis is always essential for sugar-sensitive (prone to laminitis, high insulin, etc.) horses. Removing sugar from their diet is crucial for their recovery, as even on the best metabolic programs, high-sugar hay can completely derail their progress. Fiber and Coarseness: Matching Hay to Your Horse With coarser hay, horses need to eat more to get enough nutrition, which can be a struggle for some. The fiber in coarser hay is often higher than the recommended level, and although that is generally acceptable, it could impact hard keepers. Coarse hay is better suited for easy keepers, but be cautious if it causes digestive issues. Focus on Your Most Unwell Horse When you have a group with mixed needs, prioritize the horse that needs the most help. Pick your hay based on what that horse requires first, as the healthier horses usually find it easier to adapt. This approach will save you time and money and offer better horse health in the long run. Glyphosate and Fertilizers I always consider chemical sprays like glyphosate, as it is very toxic and damages the microbiome, which is crucial for immune and digestive health. Older horses and those with compromised livers often struggle with cumulative chemical exposure over their lives. Fertilizers can also trigger health issues like fecal water, especially in aging horses. Balancing Risks and Benefits Sometimes, you may have to choose between low-sugar hay treated with chemicals or untreated hay with higher sugar. You have to prioritize based on the condition of your horse. In many cases, low sugar must win if the horse is at serious metabolic risk. Palatability Palatability matters. Some horses refuse to eat coarse, low-sugar hay simply because it is not what they are used to. Others dislike the taste of certain grasses or chemical residues. You can try mixing different types of hay to help them adjust, but watch out for dust, especially if you have horses with respiratory problems. Minerals Although many nutritionists focus on balancing minerals to match hay, I do not worry too much about it. I prefer adjusting nutrition to the individual needs of each horse, using high-quality, bioavailable nutrients without any chemical additives. Grass Types Some horses have intolerances to specific grass types, and if nothing else explains their poor health, consider a grass type change. Common ones I see include Timothy, Teff, Orchard, and Brome. Canary Grass and Fescue are types I usually tend to avoid. If it is Not Working, Change it If your horse's health does not improve despite your best efforts, do not be afraid to try different hay. Sometimes, switching the hay can make all the difference, even when the numbers seem perfectly fine on paper. Links and resources: Connect with Elisha Edwards on her website Join my email list to be notified about new podcast releases and upcoming webinars. Free Webinar Masterclass: Four Steps to Solving Equine Metabolic Syndrome Naturally Register for my self-paced course, Resolving Equine Metabolic Syndrome Naturally. As spring approaches, many horse owners become concerned about what the grass returning could mean for their more sugar-sensitive horses, as those horses usually have a history of metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, PPID, PSSM, laminitis, and hoof problems. Managing sugar intake and keeping their hooves healthy is the key to avoiding serious setbacks in sugar-sensitive horses. So, in this episode, I share some simple and effective strategies for supporting horses and managing their sugar levels as they go back onto grass. Supporting the Transition to Grass Spring grass can be challenging for horses with metabolic issues or a history of laminitis. Owners must do all they can to avoid setbacks in those horses while supporting their natural foraging instincts. Why Grass Can Be a Problem Fresh grass is low in fiber and high in rapidly digestible carbohydrates, which can cause insulin spikes in sugar-sensitive horses. The lack of fiber and abrupt dietary change can also impact gut health, leading to leaky gut and cecal acidosis. Start Slowly The transition from hay to grass should be gradual, and sugar-sensitive horses should not be allowed to binge on grass after long winters off-pasture. Even a 10-minute binge can trigger symptoms in sensitive horses, so pay attention to early warning signs like swelling, fatigue, or hoof soreness. Always Offer Hay with Grass Providing low-sugar hay alongside grazing reduces the glycemic impact and helps regulate blood sugar. Strategically placing hay around the pasture will encourage movement and help manage total carbohydrate intake. Timing Matters Grass sugar levels change throughout the day. Mornings, especially between 5 and 7 a.m., is the safest time for horses to graze, as photosynthesis has not yet caused sugar levels to spike. Feeding Strategies Feeding horses a fiber-rich, balanced mash before turning them out can increase their satiety and blunt insulin spikes. That helps manage metabolic responses and makes grazing less risky. Monitor and Adjust Look out for swelling in the sheath, puffy eyes, a laminitis stance, or general fatigue, as those indicate that the horse is reactive to sugar. Pull the horse off the grass immediately should any of those symptoms appear. Gut Health Healthy gut flora is essential, especially during feed changes. Give your horse a high-quality probiotic and add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to their feed daily to support digestion and help regulate blood sugar. Consistent Feeding Programs Following a well-balanced feeding program, like those in my Equine Metabolic Syndrome course, can support insulin regulation and prevent problems during seasonal transitions. Balance Entirely restricting grass may increase stress and reduce the quality of life of horses. The aim is to build tolerance and support health so the horse can eventually enjoy some natural forage safely. Links and resources: Connect with Elisha Edwards on her website Join my email list to be notified about new podcast releases and upcoming webinars. Free Webinar Masterclass: Four Steps to Solving Equine Metabolic Syndrome Naturally Register for my self-paced course, Resolving Equine Metabolic Syndrome Naturally.
Meet your host
Hi there, I’m Elisha Edwards

Meet your host
Hi there, I’m Elisha Edwards
I have helped guide thousands of horses back to good health over the years from a variety of different health challenges. And through my courses, webinars, and speaking engagements I educate and empower horse owner’s from around the world to take charge of their horse’s health using the holistic model of health care.
So I know first-hand how difficult and overwhelming it can be to navigate all the different opinions and conflicting information that you come across especially when your horse is faced with a health problem. In many cases, the journey is just as hard on the owners as it is on the horses.
I started Healing Horses with Elisha to guide you, support you, and encourage you through the process of prevention and recovery so you feel good about the decisions you’re making for them.
Here’s what I believe
I have seen countless horses with seemingly impossible health conditions that have been resolved so easily with the right combination of diet, nutrition, and natural remedies. In many cases, it is not the health conditions that prevents the horse from recovering, it is the lack of education, resources, and options that are available.
If the insight and information you gain from this podcast gives you some newfound hope or inspires you to take
a new approach then it has served it’s purpose.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to help you improve your horse’s health.
Keep listening and learning. Your horse is worth it.
Listen Now
Tune in wherever you listen to your podcasts and follow me so you never miss an episode. I release a new one every Tuesday!

Leave a Review
Reviews help me reach more horses and also help me deliver more relevant content to you!

What my Listeners are saying


“Every time I think there is no way to top what you do – you elevate us to yet another level. I wish I had a fraction of your communication skills. You’re amazing and I am so grateful to be apart of the magic you are creating for horses and their humans.”
Tracey

“Your podcasts are fantastic! I get so excited to listen to the next one. I have 6 geriatric horses and your podcast has really opened my mind to new possibilities in their health and given me the strength to help them through hiccups in their well-being the past few months. I have a nursing education and you explain pathology better than my university professors.”
Sharon

“I can’t thank you enough for the Mindset Tips podcast. I really needed this reminder. It was just what I needed to hear to today.”