Listen to Part 1 first, if you haven't had a chance to yet - we discuss feed trend terminology to help frame Part 2 of this conversation - https://www.standleeforage.com/podcast/episodes/ep-102-horse-feeding-trends-explained-forage-based-grain-free-everything-in-between-part-1/

Have you ever wondered if “grain-free” really means better for your horse?

In Part 2 of this Beyond the Barn conversation, host Katy Starr chats with Dr. Kelly Vineyard, PhD equine nutritionist, to dig deeper into the reality behind popular horse feeding trends to bust some common myths and help horse owners confidently balance a forage-based diet, including:

• Tips for balancing “grain-free” diets for individual horses or large herds
• Whether statements like “grain causes inflammation,” “grain-free means low starch,” and more are myth or fact
• 4 practical ways horse owners can sift through these feeding trends and do what is best for their specific horse

If social media has ever made you question your horse’s diet, this episode will bring clarity, confidence, and a reminder that the best feeding program always starts with one simple rule - forage first.

🎧 Listen now on the Beyond the Barn podcast

Have a topic idea or feedback to share? We want to connect with you! Email [email protected]

_______________________________

*Views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of Standlee Premium Products, LLC.*

_______________________________

• Love the podcast? Leave a rating and review on Apple – https://podcasts.apple.com/.../beyond-the-barn/id1541221306
• Leave a rating on Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/3dmftQmwLKDQNueUcCJBZa
• Have a topic idea or feedback to share? We want to connect with you! Email [email protected]
• Share our podcast and learn more about our hosts at our Beyond the Barn podcast page
• SUBSCRIBE to the Beyond the Barn podcast email to be an exclusive insider!
• Find us on Apple, Spotify or Google Podcasts and SUBSCRIBE, so you never miss an episode.

_______________________________

• Check out the Standlee Barn Bulletin Blog
• Find more nutritional resources from our PhD equine nutritionists at https://www.standleeforage.com/nutrition/ 
• Connect with Standlee on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok

Feeding your horse shouldn’t feel overwhelming, but with all the buzzwords floating around, it’s easy to wonder what’s truth and what’s fiction.

On this episode of Beyond the Barn, host Katy Starr chats with Dr. Kelly Vineyard, PhD equine nutritionist, to break down today’s most talked about feeding trends - like forage-based, forage-only, grain-free, low-starch, organic, and natural diets, and what those terms really mean for your horse’s health.

• The key differences between forage-only, forage-first, and forage-based feeding (and what’s right for your horse)
• What grain-free and low-NSC actually mean (and when they matter most)
• Why social media can make horse feeding sound more complicated than it is

If you’ve ever felt confused by feed labels or online advice, this episode will help you cut through the noise and get back to the basics - feeding your horse for health, not hype.

🎧 Listen now and be sure to follow so you don’t miss Part 2 where Katy and Dr. Vineyard answer real horse owner questions, bust common feeding myths, and share practical tips for balancing a forage-based or grain-free diet.

Have a topic idea or feedback to share? We want to connect with you! Email [email protected]

• Love the podcast? Leave a rating and review on Apple – https://podcasts.apple.com/.../beyond-the-barn/id1541221306
• Leave a rating on Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/3dmftQmwLKDQNueUcCJBZa
• Have a topic idea or feedback to share? We want to connect with you! Email [email protected]
• Share our podcast and learn more about our hosts at our Beyond the Barn podcast page
• SUBSCRIBE to the Beyond the Barn podcast email to be an exclusive insider!
• Find us on Apple, Spotify or Google Podcasts and SUBSCRIBE, so you never miss an episode.

_______________________________

• Check out the Standlee Barn Bulletin Blog
• Find more nutritional resources from our PhD equine nutritionists at https://www.standleeforage.com/nutrition/ 
• Connect with Standlee on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok

Learn more behind the meaning of the Grab & Go® to Give campaign and the incredible nonprofits we’re partnering with to show support for those impacted by breast cancer - https://www.standleeforage.com/promotions/grab-go-give/

On this episode, host Katy Starr chats with Jane Beshear, former First Lady of Kentucky and founder of Horses and Hope, about how she turned a lifelong love of horses into a movement that brings breast cancer education and mobile screenings to medically underserved individuals in the horse industry, including: 

• How Horses and Hope began and why they focused on racetracks and backside of the track 
• The impact of fundraising $1 million for a mobile cancer screening van that now provides thousands of mammograms and cancer screenings all across Kentucky
• Practical steps every listener can take for early detection

Plus, we talk about her equestrian background, the important role horses have played in her life, and how connecting with survivors at the Horses and Hope hosted events has changed her life.

🎧 Listen now on the Beyond the Barn podcast

Have a topic idea or feedback to share? We want to connect with you! Email [email protected]

_______________________________

*Views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of Standlee Premium Products, LLC.*

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Connect with Horses and Hope –

• Website - https://kcp.louisville.edu/horses-hope
• Facebook - @HorsesandHope
• Instagram - @kycancer1

Donate to Horses and Hope - https://give.uoflhealthfoundation.org/horsesandhope

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• Love the podcast? Leave a rating and review on Apple – https://podcasts.apple.com/.../beyond-the-barn/id1541221306
• Leave a rating on Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/3dmftQmwLKDQNueUcCJBZa
• Have a topic idea or feedback to share? We want to connect with you! Email [email protected]
• Share our podcast and learn more about our hosts at our Beyond the Barn podcast page
• SUBSCRIBE to the Beyond the Barn podcast email to be an exclusive insider!
• Find us on Apple, Spotify or Google Podcasts and SUBSCRIBE, so you never miss an episode.

_______________________________

• Check out the Standlee Barn Bulletin Blog
• Find more nutritional resources from our PhD equine nutritionists at https://www.standleeforage.com/nutrition/ 
• Connect with Standlee on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok

🎉 We’ve hit 100 episodes! That’s 100 conversations, 100 lessons learned, and 100 chances to grow together as horse and livestock owners - thank you for being part of this journey!

Listen through the episode for your chance to win our giveaway - email the specific details mentioned in the episode to [email protected]

**Giveaway closes Tuesday, October 21, 2025**

On this episode, host Katy Starr chats with Dr. Kris Hiney, Equine Extension Specialist for Oklahoma State University, about how Extension connects science to the stable and why it’s one of the most valuable (yet underused) tools in the horse industry, including: 

• Why pasture management is one of the toughest challenges horse owners face
• What every owner should know about metabolic horses and carbohydrate sensitivities
• How relying on Facebook advice could be hurting your horse

Plus, we talk about Dr. Hiney’s own podcast, Tack Box Talk, and how Extension can save horse owners time, money, and frustration. Be sure to tune in to this episode to see how you can have a chance to win Standlee free product coupons and swag to help us celebrate 100 episodes!

🎧 Listen now on the Beyond the Barn podcast

Have a topic idea or feedback to share? We want to connect with you! Email [email protected]

_______________________________

*Views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of Standlee Premium Products, LLC.*

_______________________________

Connect with Dr. Hiney:

• Learn more at her University page
• Email - [email protected]
• Tack Box Talk podcast
• Facebook
• Instagram

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• Love the podcast? Leave a rating and review on Apple – https://podcasts.apple.com/.../beyond-the-barn/id1541221306
• Leave a rating on Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/3dmftQmwLKDQNueUcCJBZa
• Have a topic idea or feedback to share? We want to connect with you! Email [email protected]
• Share our podcast and learn more about our hosts at our Beyond the Barn podcast page
• SUBSCRIBE to the Beyond the Barn podcast email to be an exclusive insider!
• Find us on Apple, Spotify or Google Podcasts and SUBSCRIBE, so you never miss an episode.

_______________________________

• Check out the Standlee Barn Bulletin Blog
• Find more nutritional resources from our PhD equine nutritionists at https://www.standleeforage.com/nutrition/ 
• Connect with Standlee on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok

Ever wondered what it’s like to go from wrangling cattle on a Colorado guest ranch to developing some of the most recognized equine nutrition products in the world?

On this episode, host Katy Starr chats with Dr. Kelly Vineyard, PhD equine nutritionist, dressage medalist, and founder of EquiVine PhD Nutrition about her personal experiences with horses along with helpful tips for horse owners. 

She shares:

• One of the most common feeding mistakes horse owners make 
• The importance of pairing science with real-world horse experience for better feeding solutions
• Her top piece of advice for horse owners when it comes to choosing nutrition strategies for their horse

Balancing career, family, and horses isn’t easy. Dr. Vineyard also opens up about why she chose to step away from riding horses for a season, and how she found her way back in the saddle – a reminder that even when life gets busy, there’s always a way back to the barn!

🎧 Listen now on the Beyond the Barn podcast

Have a topic idea or feedback to share? We want to connect with you! Email [email protected]

_______________________________

*Views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of Standlee Premium Products, LLC.*

_______________________________

• Love the podcast? Leave a rating and review on Apple – https://podcasts.apple.com/.../beyond-the-barn/id1541221306
• Leave a rating on Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/3dmftQmwLKDQNueUcCJBZa
• Have a topic idea or feedback to share? We want to connect with you! Email [email protected]
• Share our podcast and learn more about our hosts at our Beyond the Barn podcast page
• SUBSCRIBE to the Beyond the Barn podcast email to be an exclusive insider!
• Find us on Apple, Spotify or Google Podcasts and SUBSCRIBE, so you never miss an episode.

_______________________________

• Check out the Standlee Barn Bulletin Blog
• Find more nutritional resources from our PhD equine nutritionists at https://www.standleeforage.com/nutrition/ 
• Connect with Standlee on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok

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 reducing conflict and stress in group feeding set-ups

Everything is a tradeoff. Whether you’re feeding horses in dry lots, pastures, or shared pens, this episode offers practical takeaways and insights that every horse owner, barn manager, and caretaker should tune in to.

🎧 Listen now on the Beyond the Barn podcast

Have a topic idea or feedback to share? We want to connect with you! Email [email protected]

_______________________________

*Views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of Standlee Premium Products, LLC.*

_______________________________

Research Dr. Wimbush shared during the podcast:

• “Effects of feeder style on behavior and plasma cortisol concentrations in group-fed horses” - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590286523000435
• “Effect of Pen Size on Stress Responses of Stall-Housed Horses Receiving One Hour of Daily Turnout” - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0737080620304573
• Acclimation Reduces Stress in Adult Horses Tied in Visual Isolation” - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6285647/

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Connect with Dr. Wimbush at [email protected] or learn more at her University page. 

_______________________________

• Love the podcast? Leave a rating and review on Apple – https://podcasts.apple.com/.../beyond-the-barn/id1541221306
• Leave a rating on Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/3dmftQmwLKDQNueUcCJBZa
• Have a topic idea or feedback to share? We want to connect with you! Email [email protected]
• Share our podcast and learn more about our hosts at our Beyond the Barn podcast page
• SUBSCRIBE to the Beyond the Barn podcast email to be an exclusive insider!
• Find us on Apple, Spotify or Google Podcasts and SUBSCRIBE, so you never miss an episode.

_______________________________

• Check out the Standlee Barn Bulletin Blog
• Find more nutritional resources from our PhD equine nutritionists at https://www.standleeforage.com/nutrition/ 
• Connect with Standlee on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok

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 supplies after Hurricane Helene, Mike shares how mules do more than carry gear, they carry purpose.

🎧 Listen now on the Beyond the Barn podcast

Have a topic idea or feedback to share? We want to connect with you! Email [email protected]

_______________________________

*Views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of Standlee Premium Products, LLC.*

_______________________________

Other related podcast episodes – 

• Ep. 080: Why Every Horse Owner Needs an Emergency Disaster Plan: Expert Tips with Dr. Briana Hamamoto
• Ep. 066: Learning How to Hunt with Mules with Clay Newcomb
• Ep. 030: Donkeys, Mules and Hinnies, Oh My! How Their Nutrition Is Different

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Connect with Mike and the Mountain Mule Packer/Mission Mules team – 

• Facebook - @mountainmulepackersranch  | @missionmules
• Instagram - @mountainmulepackers  | @missionmules
• TikTok - @mountainmulepackerranch  | @mountainmule
• YouTube - @MissionMules

Website - 

https://missionmules.org/  |  https://mountainmulepackers.com/

• Love the podcast? Leave a rating and review on Apple – https://podcasts.apple.com/.../beyond-the-barn/id1541221306
• Leave a rating on Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/3dmftQmwLKDQNueUcCJBZa
• Have a topic idea or feedback to share? We want to connect with you! Email [email protected]
• Share our podcast and learn more about our hosts at our Beyond the Barn podcast page
• SUBSCRIBE to the Beyond the Barn podcast email to be an exclusive insider!
• Find us on Apple, Spotify or Google Podcasts and SUBSCRIBE, so you never miss an episode.

_______________________________

• Check out the Standlee Barn Bulletin Blog
• Find more nutritional resources from our PhD equine nutritionists at https://www.standleeforage.com/nutrition/ 
• Connect with Standlee on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok

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 trigger a laminitic episode
• Why feeding lean metabolic horses is more complex than it seems
• What recent research says about seasonal spikes in insulin and winter laminitis risks

They also discuss the importance of building a trusted horse care team, realistic timelines for results, and how small management shifts can make a big difference in long-term health.

🎧 Listen now on the Beyond the Barn podcast, to take a smarter, more proactive approach to horse care.

Have a topic idea or feedback to share? We want to connect with you! Email [email protected]

_______________________________

*Views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of Standlee Premium Products, LLC.*

_______________________________

Nutritional resources from past episodes – 

• Ep. 095: Metabolic Horses Aren’t Always Fat - Here’s What No One Tells You - Part 1
• Ep. 088: NSC, Sugars, Starches, Fructans – Are They Good or Bad for Horses?
• Ep. 084: How to Help Your Horse with Cushing’s Disease
• Ep. 057: How to Prevent and Manage Laminitis
• Ep. 006: Successful Strategies to Help Limit NSC (aka Sugars and Starches) in Horse Diets
• Ep. 005: Are Horses Carbohydrate Sensitive?

_______________________________

Connect with Dr. Erica Macon via email at [email protected] or visit her university page at https://animalscience.tamu.edu/people/macon-erica/

_______________________________

• Love the podcast? Leave a rating and review on Apple – https://podcasts.apple.com/.../beyond-the-barn/id1541221306
• Leave a rating on Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/3dmftQmwLKDQNueUcCJBZa
• Have a topic idea or feedback to share? We want to connect with you! Email [email protected]
• Share our podcast and learn more about our hosts at our Beyond the Barn podcast page
• SUBSCRIBE to the Beyond the Barn podcast email to be an exclusive insider!
• Find us on Apple, Spotify or Google Podcasts and SUBSCRIBE, so you never miss an episode.

_______________________________

• Check out the Standlee Barn Bulletin Blog
• Find more nutritional resources from our PhD equine nutritionists at https://www.standleeforage.com/nutrition/ 
• Connect with Standlee on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok

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
• How subtle signs like a cresty neck can indicate underlying problems

And be sure to tune in to Part 2, which will release June 17th, where Dr. Macon shares the results of how Standlee pelleted forage impacts insulin levels in metabolic horses, potential feed management ideas that could help metabolic horses, and we discuss how and why horses might get laminitis in the winter.

🎧 Listen now on the Beyond the Barn podcast!

Have a topic idea or feedback to share? We want to connect with you! Email [email protected]

_______________________________

*Views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of Standlee Premium Products, LLC.*

_______________________________

Nutritional resources from past episodes – 

• Ep. 088: NSC, Sugars, Starches, Fructans – Are They Good or Bad for Horses?
• Ep. 084: How to Help Your Horse with Cushing’s Disease
• Ep. 057: How to Prevent and Manage Laminitis
• Ep. 006: Successful Strategies to Help Limit NSC (aka Sugars and Starches) in Horse Diets
• Ep. 005: Are Horses Carbohydrate Sensitive?

_______________________________

Connect with Dr. Erica Macon via email at [email protected] or visit her university page at https://animalscience.tamu.edu/people/macon-erica/

_______________________________

• Love the podcast? Leave a rating and review on Apple – https://podcasts.apple.com/.../beyond-the-barn/id1541221306
• Leave a rating on Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/3dmftQmwLKDQNueUcCJBZa
• Have a topic idea or feedback to share? We want to connect with you! Email [email protected]
• Share our podcast and learn more about our hosts at our Beyond the Barn podcast page
• SUBSCRIBE to the Beyond the Barn podcast email to be an exclusive insider!
• Find us on Apple, Spotify or Google Podcasts and SUBSCRIBE, so you never miss an episode.

_______________________________

• Check out the Standlee Barn Bulletin Blog
• Find more nutritional resources from our PhD equine nutritionists at https://www.standleeforage.com/nutrition/ 
• Connect with Standlee on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok

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 seasonal changes can affect vital signs
• What signs suggest your horse might be in distress, even if they “look fine”
• Why being proactive with horse care helps you avoid costly emergencies

Don’t wait for a health scare to start paying attention. Learn how to stay one step ahead and become your horse’s strongest advocate!

🎧 Listen now on the Beyond the Barn podcast, to take a smarter, more proactive approach to horse care.

Have a topic idea or feedback to share? We want to connect with you! Email [email protected]

_______________________________

*Views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of Standlee Premium Products, LLC.*

_______________________________

Nutritional Resources – 

~7:32 – “Can You Identify Normal Horse Vital Signs?” blog post with helpful infographic

~23:14 – “Ep. 065: What Can Happen If Horses Don’t Drink Enough Water” podcast episode

_______________________________

• Love the podcast? Leave a rating and review on Apple – https://podcasts.apple.com/.../beyond-the-barn/id1541221306
• Leave a rating on Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/3dmftQmwLKDQNueUcCJBZa
• Have a topic idea or feedback to share? We want to connect with you! Email [email protected]
• Share our podcast and learn more about our hosts at our Beyond the Barn podcast page
• SUBSCRIBE to the Beyond the Barn podcast email to be an exclusive insider!
• Find us on Apple, Spotify or Google Podcasts and SUBSCRIBE, so you never miss an episode.

_______________________________

• Check out the Standlee Barn Bulletin Blog
• Find more nutritional resources from our PhD equine nutritionists at https://www.standleeforage.com/nutrition/ 
• Connect with Standlee on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok