![[Dept. of Animal Sciences]](../../images/animalsciences.gif "[Dept. of Animal Sciences]"){kind=small}
| Associate Professor Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey Department of Animal Sciences Office 209A - Bartlett Hall Tel: 732-932-9404 Barn: 732-932-9348 or 732-932-1992 Fax: 732-932-6996 ralston@aesop.rutgers.edu http://younghorse.rutgers.edu |
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Research
My main interest at this time is in the nutritional and behavioral management of young horses. In the past we used draft cross weanlings and are currently (2009) comparing yearling mustangs to yearling draft crosses with respect to trainability and growth and development as part of our Young Horse Teaching and Research Program. In addition we are collaborating with Dr. Istvan Pelczer at Princeton University in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) based metabonomic studies and Dr. Molly McCue of the University of Minnesota in Genomic studies of young Standardbred horses to determine the metabolic profile of horses genetically predisposed to osteochondrosis dessicans, identify the genetic defect involved and to determine if lesions can be prevented in predisposed horses using nutritional intervention.
Another major interest is in the nutrition modulation of stress induced immune deficits in horses. We previously documented that prolonged transport induces reduced cellular immunity in both adult and young horses.
Satellite studies, initiated by my students or done in collaboration with researchers from other universities include: determination of the glycemic index of various feeds in horses, nutritional management of endurance horses, effect of dental correction on digestion in horses, and factors affecting glucose tolerance in horses.
Specific Projects
Nutrition and trainability of yearling mustangs in comparison to other breeds.
Metabonomic and Genomic Determination of Metabolic Defects Associated with Development of Osteochondrosis in young horses.
Experience
Title |
Location |
Year |
| Assistant Professor | Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Colorado State University | 1983 |
Education
Degree |
Location |
Year |
| Board certification | American College of Veterinary Nutrition | 1989 |
| Ph.D. | University of Pennsylvania | 1977 |
| VMD. | School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania | 1976 |
| M.S. | Colorado State University in Fort Collins | 1975 |
| B.A. | University of Pennsylvania | 1969 |
National Committees
New Jersey Veterinary Medical Education Advisory Committee, 1995-present.
Editorial Positions
Compendium for Continuing Education -Equine
The Horse
Journal of Equine Veterinary Science
Courses
| 11:067:384 | Horse Management |
| 11:067:390 | Equine Nutrition |
| 11:067:207 | Horse Practicum |
| 11:067:142 | Animal Science |
| 11:199:200 | Cooperative Ed |
| 11:067:175 | Animal Fitting and Handling |
Representative Publications
Ralston SL. Nutrition: horses. In: The Merck Veterinary Manual, 10thth edition, Aeillo S. (ed), Published by Merck & Co, Whitehouse Station, NJ, 2009.
Julliand V, hillipeau C, Goachet A-G, Ralston S. Physiology of Intake and Digestion in equine animals. In: Nutrition of the Exercising Horse, Saastamoinen MT, Martin-Rosset W (eds), European Assoc Anim Production publication 125. Wageningen Academic, The Netherlands, pp 53-70, 2008.
Ralston, SL. Nutritional guidelines for the injured, hospitalized, and post surgical patient. In: Equine Emergencies: Treatment and Procedures, 3rd Edition. Divers TJ, Orsini JA (eds), Elsevier, St. Louis, MO, pp671-674, 2007.
Ralston SL, Pelczer I, Shatynski, C, Spears PF. NMR-based Metabonomic Analysis of Serum From Standardbred Yearlings With or Without Hock Osteochondrosis Dessicans Lesions: Preliminary Study. J Eq Vet Sci. 29(5): 385-386, 2009.
Ralston SL, Anderson H, Johnson R. Growth response of draft cross weanlings fed 90% forage Total Mixed Ration cubes versus traditional hay/concentrate rations. J Eq Vet Sci. 29(5):386-387, 2009.
Ralston, SL. Factors affecting glucose and insulin metabolism in young horses. Pferdeheilkunde. 21: 83-86, 2005.
Allen E, Meyer W, Ralston SL, Watts K. Variability in soluble carbohydrate and mineral content of pasture grasses. Pferdeheilkunde. 21:11-12, 2005.
Ralston SL. Effect of vitamin supplementation post-transportation in weanlings. Proc 17th Equine Nutr Physiol Symp: 131, 2001.
Ralston SL, Hrabinski D, Brady S. Glucose tolerance testing in foals. Proc. 17th Equine Nutr Physiol Symp:182, 2001.
Ralston SL, Foster DL, Divers T, Hintz HF. Effect of dental correction on feed digestibility in horses. Eq. Vet J. 33(4): 390-393, 2001.
Dimock AN, Ralston SL. Changes in indices of stress and immune function in transported horses. Proc Assoc Eq Sports Med.: 4-6, 1999.
Black A, Schoknecht PA, Ralston SL, Shapses SA. Diurnal variation and age differences in biochemical markers of bone turnover in horses. J Anim Sci. 77: 75-83, 1999.
Ralston SL, Breuer LH. Field evaluation of a feed formulated for geriatric horses. J. Eq. Vet. Sci. 16:334-338, 1996.
Naylor JM, Ralston SL (Eds). Large Animal Clinical Nutrition. CV Mosby Year Book, St. Louis, MO. 1991, 576 pp. 45 chapters, 23 authors.