Scoop & Scale: An Equine Podcast (Mostly) About Nutrition – Details, episodes & analysis

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 what the science says.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
-What beet pulp actually is and why it’s low in sugar despite its name
-Why it’s called a “super fiber” and how it supports gut health
-Whether you should soak beet pulp 
-How much beet pulp is safe to feed and what horses can benefit from beet pulp
-How beet pulp impacts calcium–phosphorus ratios and whether it causes “big head disease”
-Whether you should be concerned about  aluminum and glyphosate levels

Beet pulp doesn’t have to be confusing or controversial. Tune in as we separate fact from fiction and bring clarity to this long-debated feed ingredient.

Do you have questions about feeding your horse? Contact us at info@scoopandscale.com   

Thanks for riding along with us! 

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 horses?

In this episode of The Scoop & Scale Podcast, we are joined by Dr. Michelle DeBoer from Equine, PhD to uncover the facts behind horse blanketing, coat growth, and thermoregulation.

Dr. DeBoer’s research reveals surprising truths about how horses handle cold, when blanketing truly helps, and why no one-size-fits-all rule exists.

 You’ll learn:

• What really triggers a horse’s winter coat to grow
• How breed, body condition, and climate affect coat thickness
• Whether blanketing can actually prevent coat growth
• Why wind and rain matter more than temperature alone
• How blanketing impacts hay intake and weight management
• When blankets help… and when they might hurt

Tune in to get practical guidance to help you make smarter blanketing decisions this winter.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168159116302192 

Reference: “Horses can learn to use symbols to communicate their preferences,” Applied Animal Behaviour Science, November 2016

Do you have questions about feeding your horse? Contact us at info@scoopandscale.com   

Thanks for riding along with us! 

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 adjustments to reduce metabolic heat, 
• the impact of high-protein diets on hydration, 
• whether or not your horse needs a biotic,
• and so much more!

Plus, we'll cover crucial summer nutrients like chromium, the difference between salt and electrolytes, and how to manage electrolyte needs. We'll also share tips for safe feed storage and the importance of keeping those feed tubs clean!

Kemin Chromium for Horses https://www.kemin.com/na/en-us/markets/animal/products/kemtrace-chromium/horse#KTCRFINDNOW 

Do you have questions about feeding your horse? Contact us at info@scoopandscale.com   

Thanks for riding along with us! 

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 their body temperature, and what happens when they can't. Other important topics discussed include:

• sources of heat stress, 
• natural cooling strategies, 
• signs of overheating and what to do, 
• how heat stress negatively impacts your horse's gut,
• inflammatory and immune response to heat stress,
• just how much electrolyte your horse is losing when he sweats,
• how exercise compounds heat stress,

This episode is crucial for understanding how heat negatively impacts your horse even when everything looks just fine.  

Do you have questions about feeding your horse? Contact us at info@scoopandscale.com   

Thanks for riding along with us! 

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 oils, including the benefits of omega-3s over corn and soy oil. We'll also explore the importance of trace minerals like copper, zinc, and manganese, and how to ensure your horse is getting the most bioavailable forms. Plus, get practical tips on effective washing techniques, debunking biotin myths, and addressing issues like sunburn, hives, and tail rubbing. Whether you're battling summer bleaching or simply aiming for a gleaming coat, this episode has the expert advice you need.

Do you have questions about feeding your horse? Contact us at info@scoopandscale.com   

Thanks for riding along with us! 

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. Join us as we welcome back Dr. Phoebe Smith DVM, DACVIM, (an internal medicine specialist), to help us understand what FFWS is, how it's diagnosed, and effective management strategies. Specifically we discuss:

• the differences between FFWS, loose manure, and diarrhea, 
• the various potential causes of this condition, from diet changes to individual horse variability
• common myths around breeds that are more at risk
• when you need to consider calling your vet
• typical diagnostic approaches, and treatment strategies
• dietary changes and supplements that might be beneficial
• whether this condition requires treatment if your horse is otherwise happy and healthy.

You can find more information about Dr. Phoebe Smith and Riviera Equine Internal Medicine & Consulting HERE

Do you have questions about feeding your horse? Contact us at info@scoopandscale.com   

Thanks for riding along with us! 

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 of other muscle myopathies, we highly recommend you go back and catch up. In this episode Dr. Katie Young returns to help us navigate the nuances of MFM-ER in Arabians, characterized by elevated muscle enzymes and desmin aggregates, and MFM-WB in Warmbloods, which presents with performance issues without elevated enzymes. Specifically, we discuss:

• Diagnostic differences between conditions,
• The progressive nature of MFM in Warmbloods, and what it means for diagnosing younger horses versus older horses. 
• What we think the metabolic issues are that cause these conditions and how these differ significantly from PSSM, RER and MFM. 
• Specific feeding recommendations for each conditions based on their metabolic differences. 
• Common misconceptions about high-fat diets, and play a game of "Feed that Horse!" to apply what we've learned to real-life scenarios. 

Join us as we unravel the complexities of muscle myopathies and provide practical advice for managing these conditions.

https://ker.com/ – KER discount code: CT001

Kentucky Equine Research https://ker.com/nmdl/resources/ 

Pagan JD, Valberg SJ. The Role of Nutrition in Managing Muscle Disorders. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract. 2025 Apr;41(1):151-163. doi: 10.1016/j.cveq.2024.11.007. Epub 2025 Jan 27. PMID: 39875249.

https://ker.com/wp-content/uploads/The-Role-of-Nutrition-in-Managing-Muscle-Disorders-Veterinary-Clinics-of-North-America-Equine-Practice.pdf 

Do you have questions about feeding your horse? Contact us at info@scoopandscale.com   

Thanks for riding along with us! 

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 Kentucky Equine Research. 

Together, they: 

- define all the relevant terminology

- unpack the differences between PSSM Type 2, Recurrent Exertional Rhabdomyolysis (RER), and Myofibrillar Myopathy (MFM) in both Arabian and Warmblood horses. 

- learn about how the various conditions are diagnosed, including genetic testing and muscle biopsies, 

- discover why accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment

- learn what exactly is going on in the muscles of horses diagnosed with these conditions.

Whether you're an owner of an athletic horse or simply interested in equine health, this series provides essential insights into these challenging conditions.

Additional information - Equine Neuromuscular Diagnostics Lab Resources

Glossary of terms discussed in the episode:

Exertional Rhabdomyolysis (ER -) - “tying-up” associated with exercise that causes a syndrome of muscle pain/cramping and damage to muscle tissue

Type 2 Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy (PSSM2-ER) - the form of PSSM that causes elevated muscle glycogen but that is not caused by the GYS1 mutation. It is brought on by exercise and results in elevated muscle enzymes and is now termed type 2-ER (PSSM2-ER).

Recurrent Exertional Rhabdomyolysis (RER) -  is an intermittent form of tying-up in horses the cause of which appears to involve an abnormality in intracellular calcium regulation.

Myofibrillar Myopathy (MFM) -  a new disease previously categorized as PSSM2, particularly in Arabian and Warmblood horses, is a genetic condition that describes abnormal build-up of desmin in muscle tissue.

Myofibrillar Myopathy with Exertional Rhabdomyolysis MFM-ER - Myofibrillar Myopathy associated with exercise and elevated muscle enzymes found in Arabian Horses

Myofibrillar Myopathy without Exertional Rhabdomyolysis MFM-WB - Myofibrillar Myopathy that does not result in elevated muscle enzymes. Associated with exercise intolerance predominantly in Warmblood Horses

Do you have questions about feeding your horse? Contact us at info@scoopandscale.com   

Thanks for riding along with us! 

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 muzzle 
- proper fitting techniques,
- how to introduce it positively to your horse
- common challenges, unexpected benefits and so much more!

Do you have questions about feeding your horse? Contact us at info@scoopandscale.com   

Links discussed in the show:

Facebook Group Slow Feed Solutions, Grazing Muzzles & More

Thinline - use code sands10 for 10% off your order of any grazing muzzle or muzzle accessories

GG Equine - use code SCOOP15 for 15% off muzzles and muzzle accessories. One use per customer. Code expires 5/31/25

Tough1 - https://www.tough1.com/training/muzzles.html 

Do you have questions about feeding your horse? Contact us at info@scoopandscale.com   

Thanks for riding along with us! 

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 like you are losing the war against weeds, tune in.

In this episode we are joined by Laura Kenny, Equine Educator at Penn State Extension.  Laura shares her expertise in pasture management as we discuss:

-continuous and rotational grazing styles

-overgrazing what it is and how to avoid it

-pasture manure management

-how and when to overseed

-weed management

-and so much more!

Do you have questions about feeding your horse? Contact us at info@scoopandscale.com    

Links discussed in the show:

Pasture Evaluation Disc https://extension.psu.edu/pasture-evaluation-equine-pasture-evaluation-disc 

Bag test https://extension.psu.edu/are-my-forages-dead-or-dormant 

Penn State Extension Equine Pasture and Environment Management https://extension.psu.edu/animals-and-livestock/equine/pasture-and-environment-management?tab=default 

To learn more about rotation grazing https://extension.psu.edu/how-to-make-rotational-grazing-work-on-your-horse-farm 

Do you have questions about feeding your horse? Contact us at info@scoopandscale.com   

Thanks for riding along with us!