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
69 episodes
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...
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Season 3
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Episode 68
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36:39
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...
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Season 3
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Episode 67
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1:08:26
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...
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Season 3
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Episode 66
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1:00:40
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...
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Season 3
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Episode 65
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59:13
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...
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Season 3
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Episode 64
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1:10:00
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...
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Season 3
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Episode 63
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1:39:02
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...
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Season 3
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Episode 62
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55:35
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...
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Season 3
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Episode 61
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1:15:56
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...
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Season 3
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Episode 60
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46:40
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...
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Season 3
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Episode 59
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1:07:12
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...
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Season 3
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Episode 58
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1:26:18
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 <...
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Season 3
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Episode 57
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1:00:13
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 ...
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Season 3
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Episode 55
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1:19:12
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...
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Season 3
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Episode 55
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50:30
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
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Season 3
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Episode 54
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1:13:10
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...
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Season 3
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Episode 53
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37:08
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...
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Season 3
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Episode 52
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1:00:37
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...
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Season 3
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Episode 51
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57:42
Ep. 50: From Shedding to Shining: Nutrition & Care Tips for Healthy Horse Coats
In this episode, cover the secrets of equine coat health, from shedding season struggles to the crucial nutrients found in spring pastures. Discover why vitamin E levels matter, even when they seem "normal," and how to choose the right fats and...
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Season 3
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Episode 50
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1:11:30
Ep. 49: Beyond Diarrhea: Identifying and Managing Free Fecal Water Syndrome (FFWS) in Horses
In this episode, we explore the frustrating condition known as Free Fecal Water Syndrome (FFWS) in horses. If you’ve ever dealt with your horse passing brown liquid before or after manure, you know this condition and how challenging it can be. ...
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Season 3
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Episode 49
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1:22:00
Ep. 48: Decoding Muscle Myopathies Part 2: Managing RER, MFM, MFM-ER, MFM-WB, PSSM2-ER;
Welcome to part 2. We're revisiting the complex world of muscle myopathies, specifically focusing on Myofibrillar Myopathy (MFM) in both Arabian and Warmblood horses. If you missed our previous episodes on PSSM Type 1 and the initial breakdown ...
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Season 3
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Episode 48
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1:03:02
Ep. 47: Decoding Muscle Myopathies Part 1: Understanding RER, MFM, MFM-ER, MFM-WB, PSSM2-ER;
Join Jill and Clair as they delve into the complexities of equine muscle myopathies, specifically focusing on what was once known as PSSM Type 2. In this multi-part series, they are joined by Dr. Katie Young, a leading equine nutritionist with ...
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Season 3
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Episode 47
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52:57
Ep. 46: The Power Of Grazing Muzzles
Grazing muzzles are extremely valuable tools when needing to regulate a horse’s pasture intake. However, many horse owners feel guilty about the prospect of turning their horse out in a grazing muzzle. In this episode Jill and Clair explain the...
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Season 3
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Episode 46
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57:45
Ep. 45: Pasture Management and Rotational Grazing
Having pasture for horses is considered by many to be the horse's ideal living situation. But it's not as simple as just putting your horse in the pasture and walking away if you want not only your horse to thrive but your pasture to as well.&n...
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Season 3
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Episode 45
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1:05:44
Ep. 44: Understanding PSSM1: Nutritional Management for Your Horse
Tying-up is a muscle condition in horses that has long plagued owners. From random one off episodes on warm sunny days to recurrent ones during exercise tying-up can result from many causes. Some, like Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy (PSSM1) ar...
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Season 2
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Episode 44
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46:02