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

Dr. Clair Thunes and Jill Jackson
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Dr. Clair Thunes and Jill Jackson dish up the science and weigh the facts about equine nutrition, horse care, and industry topics.

  1. MAR 30

    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 matters -Why hay and limited pasture diets can lead to deficiency -Signs of low vitamin E and related issues -How to test and supplement correctly -Choosing the right form, dosing, and so much more Whether you have a performance horse, a pasture companion, or a horse recovering from illness, this episode will help you make informed decisions about equine nutrition, supplementation, and long-term health. Do you have questions about feeding your horse? Contact us at info@scoopandscale.com    Thanks for riding along with us!

    1h 5m

  2. MAR 16

    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 symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment options. Dr. Couëtil, director of the Donald J. McCrosky Equine Sports Medicine Center at Purdue University, shares his expertise on equine respiratory health and why lung function is critical for performance horses. In this episode we discuss: -Early signs of equine asthma and what horse owners should watch for -Why coughing during exercise isn’t normal -How veterinarians diagnose respiratory disease, including BAL testing -Treatment and management options, from environmental changes to medications -New research, emerging therapies, and more Whether your horse occasionally coughs or you simply want to better protect your horse’s respiratory health, this episode offers practical insights backed by veterinary research. You can learn more about Dr. Couëtil and his research on the following website https://vet.purdue.edu/directory/person.php?id=12.  You can find his published researched HERE Do you have questions about feeding your horse? Contact us at info@scoopandscale.com Thanks for riding along with us!

    1h 40m

  3. MAR 2

    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 explain why strong feet start with a balanced diet, not just another supplement. We cover how hooves grow, the key nutrients involved in building durable hoof horn, and how to determine whether your horse actually needs additional support. In this episode, you’ll learn: What the hoof wall and sole are made of and why keratin mattersHow nutrition impacts hoof growth and long-term hoof strengthThe role of biotin, amino acids, zinc, and copper in hoof qualityWhy balancing the whole diet is more effective than stacking supplementsRealistic timelines for improving hoof healthStrong hooves are not built with quick fixes or magic ingredients. They are the result of consistent management, balanced nutrition, and patience. Understanding the science behind hoof growth will help you make smarter decisions and support long-term soundness.  Do you have questions about feeding your horse? Contact us at info@scoopandscale.com    Thanks for riding along with us!

    38 min

  4. FEB 16

    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. Our guest, Madeline Boast, MSc, PAS, equine nutritionist and founder of Balanced Bay Nutrition, shares her research on safe weight loss programs for horses and explains how diet, exercise, and metabolic health work together to support long-term wellbeing. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why overweight horses are so common, especially easy keepersHow to check body condition and spot risky fat depositsSafe ways to help horses lose weight with diet and exerciseHow fat affects inflammation, laminitis, and metabolic healthTips for forage management, slow feeders, and practical weight controlTo learn more about Madeline and Balanced Bay Nutrition you can visit her website here https://balancedbaynutrition.com/  Here is an episode to Ep. 38: Body Weight, Condition Scoring and Equine Nutrition https://scoopandscale.com/ep-38-body-weight-condition-scoring-and-equine-nutrition/     Do you have questions about feeding your horse? Contact us at info@scoopandscale.com    Thanks for riding along with us!

    1h 4m

  5. FEB 2

    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 actually supported by research. We discuss protein, calcium, behavior, ulcers, and health concerns so horse owners can make informed feeding decisions based on the individual horse, not barn lore. In this episode, we cover: Does alfalfa make horses hot or more reactiveProtein, kidney health, and joint development mythsCalcium levelsWhy alfalfa is often recommended for ulcer-prone and performance horsesDifferences between long-stem alfalfa, pellets, cubes, and chopped forageThis episode is designed to help horse owners evaluate alfalfa for horses using evidence-based nutrition rather than opinion. Do you have questions about feeding your horse? Contact us at info@scoopandscale.com    Thanks for riding along with us!

    37 min

  6. JAN 19

    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? In this episode, we take a look at commonly used herbs and plant compounds, separating tradition and marketing from research and real-world application. In this episode, we cover: -Popular herbal ingredients in equine GI, joint, respiratory, and calming supplements -What the research says (and doesn’t say) about herbs like slippery elm, turmeric, spirulina, and valerian -Why many horse supplements may be under-dosed and ineffective -Competition safety and commonly prohibited plant-based ingredients -How to think critically about “natural” products for horse health If you’ve ever questioned whether herbal supplements actually do what they claim, this episode will help you separate marketing from meaningful information.  Do you have questions about feeding your horse? Contact us at info@scoopandscale.com    Thanks for riding along with us!

    1h 8m

  7. JAN 5

    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 episode, you’ll learn: -Why joint supplements are so widely used across disciplines -How cartilage, synovial fluid and healthy joints function in the horse and what happens when things go wrong -The difference between preventative joint support and inflammation management -What the research says about glucosamine, chondroitin, HA, MSM, ASU, resveratrol, green-lipped mussel, collagen, and silica -Why a balanced base diet matters before adding a joint supplement -What supplement labels can and legally cannot claim -How to spot red flags in joint supplement marketing Whether you’re caring for an arthritic senior horse or a high-performing athlete and trying to decide if a supplement is worth the investment, this episode will help you make informed, evidence-based choices for your horse’s joint health.  Do you have questions about feeding your horse? Contact us at info@scoopandscale.com    Thanks for riding along with us!

    1h 1m

  8. 12/22/2025

    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 lower feeding costs. In this episode, we discuss: What research shows about hay waste across feeding methodsHow much hay horse owners typically waste and whyThe real financial impact of wasted haySimple ways to keep more hay in your horse, not on the groundFeeding strategies proven to reduce wasteCommon mistakes that increase hay lossHow to choose a feeding setup that fits your barnFeeding horses is expensive. It's even more expensive when their hay gets wasted.  If you’ve wondered how much money you are wasting and which hay-feeding methods actually work, this episode gives you clear, research-based answers that will benefit your horses and your wallet. References & Further Reading: • Martinson, K. et al. (2012). Round-bale feeder design and hay waste in horses. Journal of Animal Science https://academic.oup.com/jas/article/90/3/1047/4764420?login=false       Do you have questions about feeding your horse? Contact us at info@scoopandscale.com    Thanks for riding along with us!

    59 min
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Dr. Clair Thunes and Jill Jackson dish up the science and weigh the facts about equine nutrition, horse care, and industry topics.

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