Beyond the Barn
From our fields to your feeder, we discuss all things hay and livestock nutrition related. We feature industry recognized experts to answer common nutrition myths, how our hay comes to be consistent, quality feed for your animals, and everything in between. Horse enthusiast or goat wrangler, elite show competitor or backyard livestock homesteader, we’ve got you covered. Journey with us, beyond the barn! New episodes every other Tuesday (biweekly).
Episodes
Could something as simple as how you feed your horses be affecting their stress levels and relationships within the herd?
On this episode, host Katy Starr chats with Dr. Karen Wimbush, long-time professor and equine welfare researcher at Ohio State ATI about:
- How feeder spacing impacts herd hierarchy and horse behavior
- The surprising reason dominant horses may actually feel more stress than submissive ones at feeding time
- Tips for ...
On this episode, host Katy Starr chats with Mike Toberer, founder of Mountain Mule Packers and Mission Mules about:
- Unique differences between horses and mules on tough terrain
- The worst mistake new packers make and how to avoid it
- How their efforts in the Hurricane Helene response changed their purpose
From his early days navigating the Sierra Nevada Mountains to training elite military teams and delivering life-saving supp...
On this Part 2 episode, co-hosts Dr. Tania Cubitt and Katy Starr continue their conversation with Dr. Erica Macon, assistant professor of equine science at Texas A&M University, diving deeper into practical nutrition and management for horses with PPID and insulin dysregulation, including:
- The results of Dr. Macon’s study on Standlee pelleted forage and insulin response
- Whether feeding one pound of ration balancer at once could t...
On this Part 1 episode, co-hosts Dr. Tania Cubitt and Katy Starr have a conversation with Dr. Erica Macon, assistant professor of equine science at Texas A&M University, to talk about the challenges of managing equine metabolic disorders, including:
- Why horses that appear lean can still be at risk for metabolic issues
- The differences between insulin resistance and insulin dysregulation
- Common misconceptions about “low NSC” feeds
- Ho...
When something’s wrong with your horse, how quickly would you catch it?
On this episode, co-hosts Dr. Tania Cubitt and Katy Starr break down the vital signs of a healthy horse and how understanding your horse’s “normal” can help you recognize subtle changes before they become serious (or expensive) problems.
They cover:
- What’s considered normal for a horse’s temperature, pulse, and respiration
- How travel, exercise, stress, and seas...
When it comes to horse nutrition, understanding energy is key to building a healthier, more resilient equine partner.
On this episode, co-hosts Dr. Tania Cubitt and Katy Starr discuss important insights into horse energy needs, including:
- What “energy” actually means for horses and why it’s different than you might think
- How carbohydrates, fats, and fiber each contribute differently to a horse’s energy supply
- How to match energy in...
What if the key to solving your horse’s lingering hoof issues isn’t a different supplement or shoe, but a completely different way of looking at their feet?
On this episode, co-hosts Dr. Tania Cubitt and Katy Starr and guest Dr. Sammy Pittman, a veterinarian, farrier, and equine podiatry expert, discuss how the environment, biomechanics, and nutrition all play a role in horse hoof soundness, including:
- What’s really happening whe...
Many horse owners focus on choosing the best hay, grain, or supplements, but research shows that when you feed can also impact how well your horse utilizes protein and amino acids.
On this episode, co-hosts Dr. Tania Cubitt and Katy Starr and guest Dr. Sara Mastellar, equine nutrition researcher and professor at Ohio State ATI, break down her research on meal frequency and protein metabolism in horses, including:
***Complete our short survey by Tuesday, April 8, 2025 to be entered for a chance to win Standlee free product coupons and some fun Standlee swag – https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/btb2025podcast
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On this episode, co-hosts Dr. Tania Cubitt and Katy Starr discuss the importance of feeding horses consistently, including:
- How horses are impacted if the feeding schedule changes
- The risks of quickly or unexp...
***Complete our short survey by Tuesday, April 8, 2025 to be entered for a chance to win Standlee free product coupons and some fun Standlee swag – https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/btb2025podcast
_______________________________
On this episode, co-host Katy Starr and guest Sarah Dean, the incredible artist behind Sarah Dean Arts, discuss her journey as an equine artist, including:
- How her real-life experience with horses brings auth...
On this BONUS episode, co-hosts Dr. Tania Cubitt and Katy Starr discuss the benefits of supplementing a horse’s current diet with high quality hay, including:
- What is a supplement?
- How to improve a horse’s diet by improving the fiber portion, which makes up the majority of what they eat
- What feed changes have the GREATEST impact on horses needing a low sugar and starch diet?
We also introduce the Supplement on Standlee Feed Tr...
On this episode, co-host Katy Starr and guest expert Dr. Stephen Duren, PhD, MS, PAS discuss the confusing terminology of NSC, WSC, ESC, sugars, starches, and fructans, including:
- What are sugars, starches, and fructans?
- What are non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) - is it something that can be measured or is it a calculation?
- What feed changes have the GREATEST impact on horses needing a low sugar and starch diet?
We’re breaki...
On this episode, co-hosts Dr. Tania Cubitt and Katy Starr discuss the critical role of vitamin A and vitamin E in horse diets, including:
- How to tell if your horse is deficient in vitamin A or vitamin E
- Which type of vitamin E is more bioavailable to your horse – Natural or synthetic?
- Can an excess of vitamin A or vitamin E in the diet interfere with the absorption of other vitamins?
Learn why choosing the RIGHT vitamin E supp...
On this episode, co-hosts Dr. Tania Cubitt and Katy Starr and guest Dr. Michelle DeBoer discuss using hay nets for horses, based on scientific research, including:
- How do hay nets benefit horses?
- How much hay could potentially be wasted without using hay nets?
- Can hay nets damage your horse’s teeth?
Dr. DeBoer provides an easy-to-understand breakdown of her research on using hay nets for horses and whether or not she recommend...
On this episode, co-hosts Dr. Tania Cubitt and Katy Starr discuss horse cribbing, including:
- How is cribbing different from other horse stereotypies, like weaving or stall walking?
- Is horse cribbing genetic or a learned behavior?
- What management practices can be implemented to help reduce the likelihood of a horse developing a cribbing habit?
Horse cribbing can be a difficult behavior to manage. Tune in to this new episode to ...
*** Beyond the Barn is going on a break! See the note below our episode description for more details. ***
On this episode, co-hosts Dr. Tania Cubitt and Katy Starr discuss equine Cushing’s disease in horses, also known as pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID), including:
- What type of horses are most likely to get Cushing’s disease
- The difference between equine Cushing’s disease and equine metabolic syndrome (EMS)
- How to pro...
On this episode, co-host Katy Starr chats with guest expert Dr. Stephen Duren, PhD, MS, PAS about the history of equine nutrition, including:
- The differences between horses used in war, agriculture, and transportation and how they were fed for those uses versus how they are fed now
- How and why the industrial revolution put a halt to equine nutrition research
- What has been the greatest advancement in equine nutrition research that ...
On this episode, co-hosts Dr. Tania Cubitt and Katy Starr chat with Dr. Stephanie Bonin, a principal and senior biomechanical engineer, about her research on the movement of how horses chew and why it matters, including:
- How horses chew long-stem hay or grass versus smaller pelleted feeds and forage
- How the height at which horses eat can affect their jaw movement and teeth alignment
- Potential dental management needs depending on t...
On this episode, co-hosts Dr. Tania Cubitt and Katy Starr discuss salt requirements for horses, including:
- What are the different types of salt and what kind does your horse need?
- Do horses know when they need more salt (or other nutrients) in their diet? Can they self-regulate?
- Feeding loose salt versus block salt – which is better for horses?
There are SO many different types of salt, it can be overwhelming knowing what exac...
On this episode, co-hosts Dr. Tania Cubitt and Katy Starr chat with guest expert Dr. Briana Hamamoto, large animal veterinarian for the California Veterinary Emergency Team, about how to best prepare horses and other livestock for an emergency disaster, including:
- The BIGGEST mistake horse and other livestock owners make when it comes to natural disaster emergencies and preparedness
- What to include in a “preparedness kit” or “to-...
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