Sentinel^® Veterinarian Hub

Helping Your Patients Live Healthier Lives.

Sentinel^® Veterinarian Hub

Helping Your Patients Live Healthier Lives.

Laying the foundation of equine care in nutrition.

Our expert team is here to help you and your practice make dietary recommendations, educate clients and provide your patients with quality nutrition for happy, fulfilling lives.

Dr. Randy Raub demos pressure test of extruded horse feed vs. pelleted horse feed

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Meet our nutrition team

Our equine specialists at your service.

Dr. Randel Raub, PhD

Director of Research and Nutrition

Dr. Randy Raub, PhD, started with Kent Nutrition Group in 2020 as Director, Research and Nutrition and he leads the nutrition team…

Meet Randy

Jeanne van der Veen

Equine and Specialty Nutritionist

Jeanne van der Veen joined Kent Nutrition Group in 1988 as a ruminant, equine and formulation nutritionist. Over the years, Jeanne has held multiple positions ...

Meet Jeanne

Kristyn Sturken

Equine Product Manager

Kristyn Sturken started with Kent Nutrition Group in 1995 as a Territory Sales Manager and worked with retail dealers and animal owners across the eastern United States ...

Meet Kristyn

Get the nutrition advice your patients need.

Our expert nutrition team is passionate about answering your dietary questions, from feed options for foals and pregnant mares to the right nutrition for horses prone to digestive upsets and metabolic issues.

Do you offer a feed that would be good for a horse with Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy (PSSM)?

What do you recommend for an older horse whose back teeth are deteriorating and who has lost some top line and could put on some weight?

I would recommend Sentinel Performance LS extruded horse feed. An extruded feed is easily broken down by horses with poor dentition, and it can also be easily made into a mash. This feed also contains 12% fat for efficient weight gain and high fiber content for naturally safe feeding. In addition, Sentinel Performance LS contains multiple ingredients to support an aging horse’s digestive system. (Jeanne van der Veen)

What is the best feeding approach for broodmares, including before, during and after pregnancy?

The mare may need additional vitamins and minerals in the last two to three months of gestation to support foal growth, along with energy to maintain body condition. The horse may need a protein, mineral and vitamin supplement, like Sentinel Care Equine Choice Topline 30. During the last two to three weeks before foaling, it’s recommended to switch to a feed designed for lactation and foaling, like Sentinel Safe Start or Sentinel XT Grow. (Kristyn Sturken)

Is Sentinel Senior a good choice for a senior horse with Cushing’s and insulin resistance, or would it be better to try a forage only diet like hay or hay pellets?

Every horse is different, and sometimes the best choice may, unfortunately, require trial and error. Sentinel Senior is a great choice, and we’d recommend it in this situation. There are varying degrees of Cushing’s and insulin resistance, and these conditions can change over time. If your horse is doing well, stick with this program. If you see changes or the condition progresses, different nutritional approaches can be considered. (Kristyn Sturken)

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Health Management

Equine feeding goals based on health concern.

These expert recommendations are designed to help you make informed decisions on your patients’ nutritional health.

Colic

Maintain consistent feed intake; type and amount
Feed multiple meals; smaller amounts, more often
Feed a low starch and low sugar diet
Feed a high fat diet if additional calories are needed
Provide adequate hay/fiber, avoiding poor-quality stemmy, coarse hay
Feed a balanced calcium-to-phosphorus ratio diet
Practice good parasite control
Feeding prebiotics and probiotics may be beneficial
Maintain consistent time-of-day feeding
Make grain and hay changes gradually

Choke

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Poor Dentition

Developmental Orthopedic Disease (DOD)

Easy Keeper (Overweight)

Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (EPM)

Keep feed and barn protected from opossums, other rodents and birds
Feed to maximize immune system function:
- Balanced mineral and vitamin supplementation (antioxidants)
- High levels of Vitamin E
Feed to reduce digestive stress by:
- Feeding a high-quality, palatable forage
- Feeding a high fiber, low starch/sugar grain ration
- Feeding fat as needed to meet caloric requirements
Feed high-quality protein to help rebuild tissues
Supplement folic acid especially if on medication for EPM

Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS)

Hard Keeper (Underweight)

Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis (HYPP)

Equine Metabolic Syndrome/Insulin Resistance (EMS)

Restrict caloric intake of overweight horses by:
- Reducing grain ration or feeding lower calorie grain ration
- Feeding a nutrient-dense supplement in place of grain ration
- Reducing hay amount fed (min. 1% body weight)
- Using grazing muzzle on pasture
Feed a very low starch and sugar diet including hay/forage
- - Manage grazing for when pasture is lower in NSC
Utilize high-fat diets only if needing additional calories
Feed multiple meals; smaller amounts, more often
Feed to promote immune system function:
- Balanced mineral and vitamin supplementation (antioxidants)

Laminitis

Digestive Disease (Leaky Gut Syndrome)

Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID or Equine Cushing’s Disease)

Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy (PSSM or EPSM)

Feed a VERY low starch and sugar diet including hay/forage (hay ≤ 12%)
Restrict caloric intake of overweight horses by:
- Feeding a nutrient-dense supplement in place of grain ration
- Reducing hay amount fed (min. 1% body weight)
- Using grazing muzzle on pasture and avoiding times of higher NSC
Utilize high fat/oil supplement to meet caloric requirements
Feed multiple meals; smaller amounts, more often
Feed to promote immune system function
- Balanced mineral and vitamin supplementation (antioxidants)

Hepatic Disease

Limit level of protein, supplementing with amino acids to meet requirements:
- Feed grass hays, avoid alfalfa and clover
Limit level of fat, avoiding high fat diets
Limit levels of calcium and phosphorus, meet minimum requirements
Feed a high fiber diet to meet primary caloric needs
Feed easily digestible (soluble) carbohydrates (starch) as needed for additional calories
Control salt intake
Feed multiple meals; smaller amounts, more often
Supplement with B vitamins and vitamin C

Renal Disease

Limited Pasture

See All Concerns

Expert nutrition notes

Is Feed Low in Starch and Sugar Right for All Horses?

Having shared the 101 of low starch, low sugar feeds, Jeanne van der Veen, equine nutritionist for Sentinel Horse Feeds and Kristyn Sturken, equine product manager for Sentinel Horse Feeds, are […]

Horse feed forms and benefits

Horse Feed Forms and Benefits When going to the local feed store or researching what kind of nutrition you should be feeding your horse, it is evident that there are many […]

The benefits of extruded feeds for horses

Benefits of Extruded Feeds for Horses There are many specialized and newly developed feeds and concentrates available for your horse, thanks to extensive research and testing done in the equine nutrition […]

Soybean Meal and Protein in the Horse Diet

Learn about the importance of protein in you horses’ diet and gain a better understanding of what factors determine the quality of the protein, such as amino acids, digestibility, and processing.

View All Nutrition Notes

Get the latest resources from our nutrition team.

Real experiences from equine veterinarians

“I think the nutritional value that Sentinel extruded feeds provide to our horses is excellent. It’s easier to chew and digest than pelleted feeds. The calories are higher, and the starches are predigested by the cooking process, allowing for better nutrient availability compared to pelleted feed.”

– Deme Erickson, DVM

founder of TNT Equine

“We rely on the experts in nutrition. It’s so innately important to equine health and to the general wellbeing of the horse from the beginning to the end. The Sentinel products have been extremely helpful in providing good nutritional basis for our horses.”

– Mike Davis, DVM, MS

New England Equine Medical & Surgical Center

“I grew up feeding my horses Sentinel. It’s a product that’s tried and true. It’s been around a long time. The research behind the product is great. The company itself is fantastic, and the support staff is like no other.”

– Lauri Fudge, Practice Manager

TNT Equine

Purposely formulated feeds for every equine need.

No two patients are the same, and that’s why we offer a wide range of equine feeds and supplements for all horses. When you recommend Sentinel, you can be confident you’re recommending quality nutrition for a healthy, fulfilling life.

Discover Sentinel Feeds

Sentinel^® Veterinarian Hub

Helping Your Patients Live Healthier Lives.

Sentinel^® Veterinarian Hub

Helping Your Patients Live Healthier Lives.

Laying the foundation of equine care in nutrition.

Our equine specialists at your service.

Dr. Randel Raub, PhD

Jeanne van der Veen

Kristyn Sturken

Get the nutrition advice your patients need.

Have a question for our nutritionists?

Health Management

Equine feeding goals based on health concern.

Expert nutrition notes

Is Feed Low in Starch and Sugar Right for All Horses?

Horse feed forms and benefits

The benefits of extruded feeds for horses

Soybean Meal and Protein in the Horse Diet

Get the latest resources from our nutrition team.

Purposely formulated feeds for every equine need.

Together, the Kent and Blue Seal brands strive to be the most trusted and preeminent regionally focused animal nutrition brands in the United States.

Qualifying Award Levels

Overall Grand Champion

Overall Reserve Grand Champion

Breed/Division Grand Champion

Breed/Division Reserve Grand Champion

Qualifying National and State Shows

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Sentinel® Veterinarian Hub

Helping Your Patients Live Healthier Lives.

Sentinel® Veterinarian Hub

Helping Your Patients Live Healthier Lives.

Laying the foundation of equine care in nutrition.

Our equine specialists at your service.

Dr. Randel Raub, PhD

Jeanne van der Veen

Kristyn Sturken

Get the nutrition advice your patients need.

Have a question for our nutritionists?

Health Management

Equine feeding goals based on health concern.

Expert nutrition notes

Is Feed Low in Starch and Sugar Right for All Horses?

Horse feed forms and benefits

The benefits of extruded feeds for horses

Soybean Meal and Protein in the Horse Diet

Get the latest resources from our nutrition team.

Purposely formulated feeds for every equine need.

Together, the Kent and Blue Seal brands strive to be the most trusted and preeminent regionally focused animal nutrition brands in the United States.

Sentinel^® Veterinarian Hub

Sentinel^® Veterinarian Hub