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Top Bar Equine Services

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Top Bar Equine Services

Top Bar Equine Services | Cassidy Russell
Equine Nutrition Advisor specializing in performance horses
On-farm and online nutrition consulting

04/03/2026

60–90% of performance horses are affected by gastric ulcers. And most programs aren’t set up to deal with that properly.

Ulcers aren’t just “a gut issue.” They differ by location and severity (graded 1–4), and that changes how they need to be managed. This is where a lot of people go wrong. They throw a “gut supplement” at the problem without actually understanding what they’re trying to support.

Not all products target the same part of the digestive system, and if you don’t know where the issue is, you’re guessing.

If your horse currently has ulcers, this isn’t something you supplement your way out of. They need to be properly diagnosed and treated first. After that, management matters because if your program isn’t set up correctly, they’re going to come back.

It’s worth taking a closer look at your program.

03/24/2026

Stop throwing Vitamin E at your horse hoping for better performance ‼️

If they aren’t deficient, it’s not doing what you think it is. Vitamin E matters, but only when there’s a need for it. This is why testing matters and why blindly supplementing adds up fast.

Did you put your horse on Vitamin E just because everyone else is? If you aren’t sure they actually need it, send me a message.

02/20/2026

Body condition scoring (BCS) is a 1–9 scale based on fat coverage over the neck, shoulder, ribs, back, and tail head. The score is cumulative, no single area overrides the rest.

Here’s how the ranges break down:

BCS 1–3.5 (Underconditioned / High Risk)
Little to no fat cover. Ribs, spine, and hips are easily visible. Muscle loss is common. These horses have reduced energy reserves, weaker immune function, and higher risk of injury and illness.

BCS 4–5 (Lean / Borderline)
Ribs may be faintly visible or easy to feel. Minimal fat over topline and tail head. Not immediately dangerous, but limited reserves for heavy work, growth, recovery, or illness.

BCS 5–6.5 (Ideal)
Ribs are easily felt but not visible. Smooth topline. Even fat cover over neck, shoulder, and tail head. This range supports optimal performance, recovery, and long-term soundness.

BCS 7–9 (Overconditioned / High Risk)
Noticeable fat deposits along the crest, behind the shoulder, over the ribs, and around the tail head. Increased risk of insulin resistance, laminitis, joint strain, and reduced heat tolerance.

Important rule:
If ribs are visible, the horse is below a 5. Even if other areas appear fleshy.

BCS is an important management tool that every horse owner should know.

02/14/2026

Big things happening over here 👀

I’m currently in school studying equine nutrition, and I’m set to finish my schooling and begin taking clients in late spring 2026.

Horses have been my life for years. I’ve been competing with my own performance horses and over time I’ve truly seen firsthand just how important proper nutrition is. I’ve been through the supplements. The trial and error. The guessing. And I’ve learned that nutrition is one of the most overlooked, yet foundational pieces in the equine world.

That’s where I plan to step in.

Through both hands-on experience and formal education, I now have a clear understanding of what these athletic horses truly need to fuel themselves for the workload we ask of them. I understand what to look for, how to evaluate programs critically, and how to source from the right companies with intention.

While I have a strong focus on equine athletes, I’ll be working with all types of horses, from easy keepers to hard keepers, seniors to youngsters. Every horse deserves a program that supports them properly.

I’m excited to officially open my books in late spring 2026. If you’re interested in working together, stay tuned. I’ll be sharing more as we get closer.

Let’s raise the standard of equine nutrition.

02/05/2026

Top Bar Equine Services started because of my own horses. As a performance horse owner and competitor, I’ve spent years learning what it really takes to keep horses feeling good, staying sound, and enjoying their jobs. I’ve been in the saddle, in the hauling truck, in the warm-up pen, and in the barn late at night worrying about my horses. I understand this life firsthand.

I created Top Bar because I wanted a place where horses come first, where care is honest, individualized, and focused on long-term well-being, not quick fixes. Everything I offer is based on what I use and trust with my own horses.

I care deeply about the horses I work with and the people behind them. My goal is to support you and your horse so you can build something strong, stay healthy, and enjoy every step of the journey together.

I look forward to working with your athlete this season.

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