Scoop & Scale: An Equine Podcast (Mostly) About Nutrition

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 benefits of grazing muzzles and why they can improve your horse's quality of life. 

We dive into:

- how much grazing muzzles reduce grass consumption 
- choosing the right type of muz...

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.  Quality pasture takes active management and is a constant balance of gazing, resting, weeding, mucking and more. If you are thinking of creating healthy thriving pastures or feel li...

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) are the result of a genetic condition that affects muscle metabolism, leading to muscle stiffness and pain. In this episode we discuss:

- what defines recurrent tying-up

- causes and symptoms of ...

Whether the result of heavy rain or snow melt, this time of year many horse facilities are struggling with mud. In this episode we explore practical tips and expert insights on managing mud and manure on your horse property. From improving facility drainage and minimizing mud in high-traffic areas to creating clean, dry spaces where your horses can eat and relax, we've got you covered.

This week’s special guest Alayne Blickle f...

Proper nutrition is critical for successful horse reproduction. Mares require a balanced diet with adequate energy, protein, vitamins and minerals to support optimal reproductive function. During pregnancy, nutritional demands increase although not as much as many people believe. The greatest nutritional demands are during lactation. Research shows that the mare's diet during conception can impact the future health and athleti...

Winter months can be tough on hooves! Whether you're battling mud, snow, freezing temperatures, or dealing with hoof conditions like laminitis and thrush, we've got you covered. Join us for an expert-led discussion featuring Dr. Sammy Pittman, DVM an equine podiatry specialist, as we explore practical tips and solutions for winter hoof care. Whether your version of winter is warm and wet or snow and ice, Dr. Pittman share...

Severe winter weather always raises concerns among horse owners regarding the management of various cold weather challenges and the proper care of their horses.  What counts as severe depends on where you live but no matter the location the biggest concerns tend to relate colic risk and weight loss. In this episode we discuss:

• how to keep your horses hydrated when their water is freezing
• whether feeding more hay or grain is best ...

With your horse's estimated body weight and condition score in hand you now have what you need to move on towards assessing their diet. In this episode we discuss:

• how to determine what your horse's minimum forage intake should be each day
• how to determine their actual forage intake
• the importance of weighing everything that you are feeding your horse
• how to use the feeding directions on bagged feed along with body weight...

Body condition scoring is an objective technique used to determine whether a horse is in optimal condition or not. When a horse's body condition is less than or more than optimal it suggests that the dietary calorie intake needs to be adjusted. Once you know if your horse's condition is optimal, knowing its weight is important so that you can determine how to feed commercial feeds and supplements correctly. Various method...

Protein is perhaps one of the more misunderstood nutrients in the horse's diet and one that is associated with several feeding myths. Involved in every cell in the horse's body, it is certainly of vital importance and yet it's not really protein that horses need but the amino acids they contain. Join us for this episode where we take a deep dive into all things related to protein including:

• What protein is
• What ami...

It is Thanksgiving week, Black Friday Sale Week and the beginning of the Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa Countdown. To keep you company while you slowly lose your mind, we decided to do our favorite things episode.  Jill and Clair share a few products that bring them delight, everything from horse treats, organization and more!  Whether you are buying a gift for yourself or a horse friend, there is something for everyone.
***We rece...

Although often considered a solution for overweight equines, the truth is, slow feeders can offer enrichment to all horses. By helping to mimic more natural grazing behaviours these feeders can be a tool to help combat boredom as well as to help manage calorie intake. Making horses work a little harder for their food has many benefits but not all enrichment needs to involve food. In this episode we take a good look at the following...

Gastric ulcers can be a frustrating and costly burden for horse owners to manage, which is why any experienced equestrian who has had to deal with this debilitating condition is highly motivated to prevent them from reoccurring. For those who have been fortunate enough to avoid this affliction thus far it makes sense to take steps to try to avoid having your horse having them. As an equine nutritionist a large number of my clients ...

In this episode we delve into one of the most pressing concerns for horse owners: managing equine gastric ulcers. Many owners reach out to Dr. Clair for help managing their horses diagnosed with equine gastric ulcers, especially chronic and recurrent cases.  In this episode we are joined by guest Dr. Phoebe Smith DVM DACVIM, Veterinarian and Internal Medicine Specialist at Riviera Equine Internal Medicine and Consulting in Californ...

Feeding senior horses especially over the winter can be a challenge as many lose condition over these colder months.  Some senior horses require different approaches to feeding to ensure their needs are met as what worked in their younger years may not work any more. Chewing can become a challenge requiring frequent dental care and the possibility of needing alternative feed forms. Additionally some senior horses may benefit from s...

Feed labels are the informational panels found on the backs of feed bags or seen in to the bottom seem. These labels provide a wealth of important details about the contents and composition of the feed, allowing horse owners to make informed decisions about how the feed might meet the nutritional needs of their horse. While the majority of these labels share a lot of information about the specifics of the feed such as the ingredien...

Many horses are fed hay at some point during the year. Whether only in winter when pastures are sparse or year round due to lack of pasture access, hay is a vital source of nutrition for your horse and a major investment for you. This is the time of year when many owners are making decisions on the type of hay they will feed for the next year and are filling their hay barns. But what type of hay is right for your horse, how do you ...

With more and more knowledge of the importance of gastrointestinal health on our horse's entire health, an ever increasing number of feeds and supplements on the market claim to support gut health. Prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics have become commonly utilized ingredients but what exactly are they and does your horse need them? 

In this episode we discuss:

- what prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics are and the differenc...

Maintaining optimal weight and peak performance in horses, especially those used for high-intensity athletic activities, can be a delicate and ongoing challenge for even the most experienced equestrian. Throughout the various seasons and demands of the competition calendar, a horse's nutritional and exercise needs are in constant flux, requiring vigilant monitoring and adjustment to ensure they retain their competitive edge. F...