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

Equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) is a common concern for horse owners, but not all gastric ulcers are the same. In this episode of Scoop & Scale, we’re joined by Dr. Ben Sykes, an equine internal medicine specialist and leading researcher on equine gastric ulcer disease. Together we discuss squamous gastric disease, glandular gastric disease, and the confusion surrounding so-called hindgut ulcers in horses.

We explore how these conditions differ, how veterinarians diagnose and treat gastric ulcers, and why some horses struggle to heal despite treatment. We also discuss current research on ulcer medications, nutrition, stress, management, and equine welfare, including practical steps owners can take to support digestive health and reduce ulcer risk.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS), including the differences between squamous and glandular ulcers
• Common signs of digestive discomfort, and why accurate diagnosis matters
• Gastric ulcer diagnosis and treatment, including gastroscopy, omeprazole, sucralfate, misoprostol, and newer treatment options
• Risk factors for gastric ulcers, including stress, exercise, nutrition, and daily management, plus why some ulcers are harder to treat than others
• Practical strategies for ulcer prevention and recovery, including management changes, equine welfare, supporting digestive health, and so much more

Whether your horse has been diagnosed with EGUS, has recurring gastric ulcers, is not responding to treatment, or is showing signs of digestive discomfort, this episode offers an evidence-based discussion of equine gastric ulcer diagnosis, treatment, nutrition, and management.

Dr. Ben Sykes is an equine internal medicine specialist and internationally recognized researcher in equine gastric ulcer syndrome. He was the lead author of the 2015 European College of Equine Internal Medicine (ECEIM) consensus statement on equine gastric ulcer syndrome, which helped establish the distinction between squamous and glandular gastric disease.

This episode is brought to you by Boehringer Ingelheim, makers of GASTROGARD® (omeprazole) oral paste. https://horseowner.boehringer-ingelheim.com/us/products/gastrogard 

Do you have questions about feeding your horse? Contact us at [email protected]   

Thanks for riding along with us! 

In Part 2 of our conversation on laminitis, we continue our discussion with Dr. François-René Bertin, DVM, MS, FHEA, PhD, DACVIM (LAIM), a Professor and Director of the Nancy Fair Link Laminitis Research Centre at Mississippi State University, focusing on what horse owners can actually do to manage horses at risk of, or actively dealing with, laminitis. We talk about diet, insulin dysregulation, supplements, medications, and hoof care, including some of the areas where there is still plenty of debate and confusion.

In this episode, we discuss:
• How diet and NSC fit into managing insulin dysregulation and laminitis
• Supplements and medications that may or may not have a role
• Managing pain and inflammation during an active laminitis episode
• Hoof care, therapeutic support, and getting your veterinary and hoof-care team on the same page
• Prognosis, recovery, and what to do when you suspect laminitis

If you haven't listened to Part 1, we recommend starting there. We discussed what causes laminitis, the role of hyperinsulinemia, identifying horses at risk, and testing before turning to the practical side of management in this episode.

Learn more about Dr. Bertin and his research HERE 

Scoop & Scale is proudly sponsored by GG Equine. We’re excited to partner with GG Equine, makers of thoughtful slow-feed systems trusted by horse owners, veterinarians, and professionals.

Go graze! Scoop & Scale listeners receive 15% off GreenGuard muzzles with code SCOOPSCALE15

Shop GreenGuard & save 15%  

Do you have questions about feeding your horse? Contact us at [email protected]   

Thanks for riding along with us! 

Listen to our discussion as we go over Jill's horse's PPID and insulin results. In this short conversation, We sit down to go through Jill’s horse’s actual bloodwork and talk about what the results mean, what they can and can’t tell us, and how they fit into his overall management. 

Do you have questions about feeding your horse? Contact us at [email protected]   

Thanks for riding along with us! 

Laminitis is one of the most serious and misunderstood conditions affecting horses. But what actually happens inside the hoof when a horse develops laminitis?

Our guest for this two-part series is Dr. François-René Bertin, DVM, MS, FHEA, PhD, DACVIM (LAIM), a Professor and Director of the Nancy Fair Link Laminitis Research Centre at Mississippi State University. In Part 1 of this two-part series, we take a closer look at what laminitis is, which structures of the hoof are involved, what happens when those structures become damaged, and why laminitis can be so devastating to the horse. We also explore the causes of laminitis in horses and the different pathways that can trigger the disease. From metabolic dysregulation to systemic illness, when it comes to treatment and prevention, understanding the underlying cause matters.

You'll learn:

• What laminitis actually is and what happens inside the hoof
 • The hoof structures involved, including the laminae and coffin bone
 • How damage to these structures can affect the hoof
 • The common causes and pathways that can lead to laminitis
 • Why identifying the underlying cause matters for treatment and prevention

If you've ever wondered what laminitis really is, what is happening inside the hoof, or why a horse develops it in the first place, this episode will give you the foundation you need to better understand this complicated disease.

Learn more about Dr. Bertin and his research HERE 

Scoop & Scale is proudly sponsored by GG Equine.

We’re excited to partner with GG Equine, makers of thoughtful slow-feed systems trusted by horse owners, veterinarians, and professionals.

Go graze! Scoop & Scale listeners receive 15% off GreenGuard muzzles with code SCOOPSCALE15

Shop GreenGuard & save 15%  

Do you have questions about feeding your horse? Contact us at [email protected]   

Thanks for riding along with us! 

If you have an older horse, you’ve probably heard of Cushing’s disease, but how much has changed in what we know about diagnosing and managing it? In this episode, we take a closer look at pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID), the condition commonly called Cushing’s in horses, and explore why fall is an especially important time to think about testing.

We discuss:

• The early signs of PPID that are easy to mistake for normal aging
• Why the seasonal rise in ACTH makes fall an important testing window
• How ACTH testing and TRH stimulation testing differ, and how results are interpreted
• Why insulin status matters alongside a PPID diagnosis, especially when it comes to laminitis risk and nutrition
• Current approaches to treatment, monitoring, and feeding the PPID horse

If you have a senior horse, suspect PPID, or already have a horse diagnosed with Cushing’s, this episode offers an updated look at what horse owners should know about recognizing, testing, and managing this common endocrine disorder. 

Scoop & Scale is proudly sponsored by GG Equine.

We’re excited to partner with GG Equine, makers of thoughtful slow-feed systems trusted by horse owners, veterinarians, and professionals.

Go graze! Scoop & Scale listeners receive 15% off GreenGuard muzzles with code SCOOPSCALE15

Shop GreenGuard & save 15%  

Do you have questions about feeding your horse? Contact us at [email protected]   

Thanks for riding along with us! 

What are amino acids, why do they matter, and does your horse actually need an amino acid supplement? In this episode we break down the science behind amino acids, protein quality, muscle development, and the many claims surrounding equine amino acid supplements.

You’ll learn:

• The difference between essential and non-essential amino acids
• What a limiting amino acid is and why lysine, methionine, and threonine are important
• Why amino acids matter for muscle, hooves, hair, and more
• How to evaluate amino acid supplements and what meaningful doses actually look like
• What BCAAs and leucine can really do for muscle
• How much we actually know about amino acid requirements in horses, and more!

If you've ever wondered whether your horse needs more protein, an amino acid supplement, or a product marketed for topline and muscle development, this episode will help you understand what the research supports and what may be more marketing than science. 

Do you have questions about feeding your horse? Contact us at [email protected]   

Thanks for riding along with us! 

How much salt does your horse really need? Are salt blocks enough? When should you feed electrolytes and do you actually need them if you're already feeding salt? In this episode we answer your biggest questions about horse salt, electrolytes, and hydration, separating fact from fiction with practical, research-backed advice.

In this episode we explore:

• How much salt your horse actually needs
• Salt blocks vs. loose salt vs. electrolytes and which to use when
• Different types of loose salt and which are best
• Whether salt and electrolytes cause gastric ulcers?
• ...and more!

Whether your horse is competing, trail riding, or simply coping with summer heat, you'll walk away with practical tips to help support hydration, performance, and overall health. 

Do you have questions about feeding your horse? Contact us at [email protected]   

Thanks for riding along with us! 

When a wildfire, flood, hurricane, or other disaster threatens your horses, every minute matters. In Part 2 of our disaster preparedness series, we walk through what a real horse evacuation looks like from receiving the first warning to loading horses, navigating chaotic roads, and arriving at an evacuation facility. Joining us is Amy Hausmann, who shares her firsthand experience during California's devastating Tubbs Fire and the lessons she learned from living through multiple subsequent wildfire evacuations.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Ready, Set, Go evacuation system and why horse owners should leave at Level 1
• How to prepare your horses, trailer, go-bags, documents, feed, and emergency contacts before disaster strikes
• What happens when evacuation plans fall apart, including horses that won't load and situations where animals must be left behind
• What to expect at evacuation centers, how to care for stressed horses, and common health risks after a disaster
• The critical role of volunteers, community response teams, and evacuation networks during large-scale emergencies

Whether you live in wildfire country, flood-prone areas, hurricane zones, or tornado alley, this episode provides practical, real-world guidance that could help save lives when disaster strikes. 

Watch Duty - https://app.watchduty.org/

Fleet of Angels - https://www.fleetofangels.org/ 

Do you have questions about feeding your horse? Contact us at [email protected]   

Thanks for riding along with us! 

Every year, natural disasters force horse owners to make critical decisions with little warning. In Part 1 of this two-part series, we cover the essential steps you can take now to prepare your horses, property, and support network before an emergency happens.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why every horse needs permanent identification and up-to-date records
• Building an emergency support network and connecting with local resources before disaster strikes
• Creating an evacuation plan, including destinations, routes, and transportation logistics
• Preparing emergency supplies, feed, medications, and essential paperwork for your horses
• Why practicing trailer loading and emergency procedures can make all the difference when time is limited

Whether your risk is wildfire, flood, hurricane, tornado, derecho, or another natural disaster, the best emergency plan is the one you create before you need it.  This episode will give you the tips you need to get that done. 

Do you have questions about feeding your horse? Contact us at [email protected]   

Thanks for riding along with us! 

Summer means horse shows, trail rides, vacations, and long days on the road with our horses. But are you prepared for the unique challenges that come with trailering horses in hot weather? In this episode we discuss how to keep your horse safe, comfortable, and healthy while traveling during the summer months.

In this episode, we cover:
• Trailer safety and pre-trip checks
• Preventing heat stress during travel
• Hydration, salt, and electrolytes
• Emergency gear every trailer needs
• Biosecurity and travel paperwork

Whether you're heading to a horse show, trail riding destination, clinic, or summer getaway, this episode will help you travel safely and confidently with your horse.

Do you have questions about feeding your horse? Contact us at [email protected]   

Thanks for riding along with us!