A recent edition of the “MTSU On the Record” radio program focused on the questions surrounding nutritional supplements that horse lovers feed their animals.

Dr. Holly Spooner, left, and graduate student Nicole Swirsley discuss nutritional supplements for horses on the June 22 edition of “MTSU On the Record.” Spooner holds the Miller Chair of Equine Health at MTSU. (MTSU photo by News and Media Relations)

Host Gina Logue’s interview with Dr. Holly Spooner and Nicole Swirsley first aired June 22 on WMOT-FM (89.5 and www.wmot.org ). You can listen to the conversation here.

Spooner, who holds the Miller Chair of Equine Health at MTSU, mentored Swirsley, a graduate student from Villa Rosa, California, in a study of how horse owners obtain information about their horses’ nutritional supplements.

“There’s a huge number of supplements, all in the equine market, probably somewhere in the number of thousands,” Spooner said.

“The claims are anywhere from helping with hoof growth … up to improving performance or solving behavioral problems.”

The professor noted, however, that since these supplements are not regulated as drugs are, there is little proof of their efficacy.

“In 2009, horse owners spent over $49 million on supplements purchased just through veterinarians alone, and supplements purchased through veterinarians is the smallest part of the market,” Swirsley said.

“More people buy them from feed stores or online through online producers than they do from their veterinarians. It’s a huge industry.”

To hear previous “MTSU On the Record” programs, visit the searchable “Audio Clips” archives at www.mtsunews.com.

For more information about “MTSU On the Record,” contact Logue at 615-898-5081 or WMOT-FM at 615-898-2800.

You can watch a video clip from the interview below.