In this episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Dr. Jyme Nichols, Director of Nutrition at Bluebonnet Feeds, to talk through two critical but often overlooked topics: hydration and gut health. As we head into the heat of the summer, this conversation couldn’t be more timely.

Why Hydration Matters More Than We Realize

When we load up and hit the road with our horses, we’re exposing them to stress — even before the trailer door closes. One of the first things that often takes a hit is hydration. At home, our horses might drink well. But as Dr. Jyme pointed out, when we get out on the road and water sources change, intake can drop fast.

And when that happens, everything else suffers — appetite, attitude, performance, recovery. It’s a domino effect.

Jyme shared a few practical “hydration hacks” I’ll be putting into action:

Flavor the water using something like unsweetened Kool-Aid or a splash of molasses to encourage drinking.
Turn feed into a mash to get extra water into your horses through their grain.
Check hydration with a skin tent test at the point of the shoulder — if the skin doesn’t snap back quickly, your horse is already mildly dehydrated.

She also explained how using a metabolic pH balancer, like Bluebonnet’s Hydrate & Recover, can help horses better absorb and retain water at the cellular level — not just flush it through their system. That’s something I’ve started using a few days before hitting the road and continue during the trip, especially with my harder keepers.

Don’t Overlook the Gut

One thing I’ve learned in recent years — especially feeding Bluebonnet exclusively — is how much a horse’s external condition reflects what’s going on inside.

Dr. Jyme broke down three key areas to evaluate when it comes to gut health:

Gastric Health (Stomach) – Where ulcers can form. Bluebonnet’s Omega Force feed already includes gastric buffers for support.
Hind Gut Health – Where the microbial environment lives. This includes the cecum and colon, and it plays a huge role in mood, performance, and nutrient absorption. That’s where pre-, pro-, and postbiotics make a difference.
Leaky Gut Syndrome – When the intestinal lining breaks down and lets unwanted pathogens and proteins into the bloodstream. This can lead to systemic inflammation, overactive immune responses, and performance drop-offs.

For me, I’ve got one colt in training now that rides well, eats well, drinks fine… but he just doesn’t look the part. That’s a red flag that something internal might be off — and it’s why I’m digging deeper into how gut health could be playing a role.

Feeding for Function

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again — I’m an Omega Force guy. That feed has made a huge difference in my program. My horses are slick, full, and consistent in their condition across the board. And when you're training and hauling 10–15 horses at different levels, that kind of consistency is a big deal.

What I appreciate about Jyme and the Bluebonnet team is that their feed isn’t built just to sell — it’s built to serve the horse. You can feed less and still get more value because of the high-quality ingredients and nutrient density. And when you’re running a barn or a training operation, that matters.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to getting our horses to the next level, it’s not just about reps in the saddle. It’s about supporting them inside and out. Whether you’re working toward a championship or just want your horse to feel their best, hydration and gut health are two areas you can’t afford to overlook.

Big thanks to Dr. Jyme Nichols for sharing her time and knowledge with us. Be sure to check out her podcast, The Feed Room Chemist, and connect with the Bluebonnet team for a nutrition consult if you want help dialing in your program.