Scoop & Scale: An Equine Podcast (Mostly) About Nutrition
Dr. Clair Thunes and Jill Jackson dish up the science and weigh the facts about equine nutrition, horse care, and industry topics.
Episodes
76 episodes
Ep. 75: Ration Balancers Explained: The Key to Filling Nutrient Gaps in Your Horse’s Diet
Ration balancers are one of the most commonly recommended feeds in the horse world but what are they really doing, and does your horse actually need one?If your horse is living on pasture or hay looking good and maintaining weight, it’s ...
Ep. 74: Foal Nutrition: Feeding for Healthy Growth from Birth to Adolescence
Foal nutrition and young horse development set the foundation for a lifetime of health, soundness, and performance.From birth through weaning and into early training, feeding young horses correctly is critical, but often misunderstood. N...
Ep. 73: Broodmare Nutrition: Why Your Foal’s Health Starts Before Birth
Mare nutrition plays a far bigger role in foal development than most horse owners realize and the science is now showing that what happens during pregnancy can influence a foal for life. In this episode, we break down and explore...
Ep. 72: Vitamin E for Horses: Identifying Deficiency and Effective Supplementation
Spring means more riding and possibly more oxidative stress for your horse. After a winter on hay, many horses may be low in vitamin E, a key antioxidant for overall health.In this episode, we cover:-What vitamin E is and why it mat...
Ep. 71: Equine Asthma: Commonly Missed Signs, Causes and Treatments
Equine asthma is one of the most common respiratory conditions affecting horses, yet many owners miss the early warning signs. In this episode we speak with Dr. Laurent Couëtil, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, about equine asthma in horses, including s...
Ep. 70: Stronger Horse Hooves: How Nutrition Improves Hoof Health and Quality
Cracks, chips, weak hoof walls, and soft soles are common concerns for horse owners. But do hoof supplements actually work, and does nutrition really improve hoof quality?In this episode, we break down the biology of hoof growth and expl...
Ep. 69: Managing Overweight Horses Through Diet, Forage, and Exercise
In this episode we discuss a challenge many horse owners face: fat or overweight horses. From disciplines where a “round” horse is seen as ideal to the health risks of carrying extra weight, we cover why managing body condition matters.O...
Ep. 68: Alfalfa for Horses: Common Myths Explained
Alfalfa is one of the most debated feeds in equine nutrition, and few forages generate as many myths. In this episode, we take a science-based look at alfalfa for horses and break down where common beliefs come from and whether they are actuall...
Ep. 67: Herbal Supplements for Horses: Do They Work?
Herbal supplements are everywhere in the equine world, from gastric support and joint formulas to respiratory and calming products. But how much do we really know about herbal supplements for horses, and how well do these products actually work...
Ep. 66: Joint Supplements for Horses: What Actually Works (and What Doesn’t)
Do horse joint supplements actually work or are they just expensive hope in a bucket? In this episode, we take a science-based look at equine joint supplements and the ingredients most commonly used to support joint health.In this episod...
Ep. 65: Stop Wasting Hay and Money: Research-Based Ways to Reduce Hay Waste
This week, I’m joined by Dr. Krishona Martinson from the University of Minnesota, a leading expert in equine forage research. We take a look at her research on hay waste, what causes it, and how horse owners can significantly reduce loss and lo...
Ep. 64: Feeding Fat Supplements to Horses: Different Types and What to Know
Fat is one of the most misunderstood parts of a horse’s diet, yet it can be a powerful tool for weight gain, health, and performance. In this episode, we break down the most common fat sources for horses, how they differ, and when you should (o...
Ep. 63: Our Favorite Things 2025 - Gifts for Horse Lovers
It’s officially Thanksgiving week which means Black Friday deals, holiday chaos, and the perfect time for our annual Favorite Things Episode! Whether you’re powering through barn chores, traveling to see family, or braving the holid...
Ep. 62: Rooted in Science: Feeding Beet Pulp to Horses
Beet pulp, is it a super feed or a risky choice? Used in rations for decades, beet pulp has recently become controversial and a polarizing topic in the horse world. We break down what beet pulp really is, how it fits into a balanced diet, and w...
Ep. 61: Winter Horse Blanketing: Should You Do It? What the Science Says
Blanket season is here and so are the annual blanketing opinion wars! From “my horse never wears one” to “my pony has a full winter wardrobe,” every horse owner has an opinion. But what does the science actually say about blanketing ho...
Ep. 60: Chew on This: Equine Teeth, Dentistry & Nutrition (Part 2)
We are back with Kai Yun Lai, a certified equine dental professional, to further explore the powerful connection between your horse’s teeth, their diet, and digestion. In this episode:Why chewing and particle size matter...
Ep. 59: Chew on This: Equine Teeth, Dentistry & Nutrition (Part 1)
In part 1 of our 2 part series on the impact of equine dental health on equine nutrition, we focus on what makes equine teeth unique and why having a qualified equine dental professional as part of your horse's care team is vital to their...
Ep. 58: Poisonous Plants and Horses: How to Spot and Manage Risks
Trees can be beautiful in the Fall but those pretty leaves and seeds may be toxic to your horse. In this episode of Scoop and Scale, we sit down with Dr. Krishona Martinson, Professor and Equine Extension Specialist at the University of Minneso...
Ep. 57: Not All Equine Nutritionists Are Created Equal: How to Find Qualified Advice
What does it really mean to be an equine nutritionist, and how can horse owners tell if the advice they’re getting is coming from an appropriately qualified expert? In this episode, Jill and Dr. Clair Thunes are joined by Dr. Rachel Mottet of <...
Ep. 56: Horse Feed Tags Demystified: How to Read and Compare Feeds
Ever found yourself in the feed store (or deep in a late-night Google search) wondering if there’s a better horse feed out there for your equine partner? With so many options and so much marketing jargon, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. In this ...
Ep. 55: What to Feed When Hay Isn’t an Option: Hay Pellets & Cubes Explained
In this episode of Scoop & Scale, we explore the practical and nutritional role of hay pellets and cubes in the equine diet. Typically associated with senior horses with poor teeth or as a carrier for supplements, these hay alternatives hav...
Ep. 54: Understanding Pasture Grass Sugar Levels — The Long and the Short of It with the Equine, PhD
Is short grass really sweeter? Is tall grass actually safer formetabolic horses? Or have we been grazing on myths? In this powerful,research-backed episode, we sit down with Dr. Michelle DeBoer of
Ep. 53: The Forage Based Diet Trend: What You’re Probably Already Doing Right
Lately, we've noticed a growing number of horse owners online seeking advice on how to feed “forage-based” diets. But are they already doing this without realizing? In this episode, we dig into:- what constitutes a forage-bas...
Ep. 52: Summer Heat and Your Horse Part 2: Nutrition and Management
In our last episode, we explored how horses manage their body temperature and what happens when they experience heat stress. Now, we're diving into how to adjust their diet during hot weather! In this episode we discuss:hay adjustme...
Ep. 51: Summer Heat and Your Horse Part 1: The Science Behind the Stress
Join us as we dive into how horses handle hot weather and the internal changes they undergo when stressed by the heat. We answer critical questions about horse physiology in high temperatures. We'll explore why horses get hot, how they regulate...