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 keepers
• How to check body condition and spot risky fat deposits
• Safe ways to help horses lose weight with diet and exercise
• How fat affects inflammation, laminitis, and metabolic health
• Tips for forage management, slow feeders, and practical weight control

To 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 [email protected]

Thanks for riding along with us!

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 reactive
• Protein, kidney health, and joint development myths
• Calcium levels
• Why alfalfa is often recommended for ulcer-prone and performance horses
• Differences between long-stem alfalfa, pellets, cubes, and chopped forage

This 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 [email protected]

Thanks for riding along with us!

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 [email protected]

Thanks for riding along with us!

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 [email protected]

Thanks for riding along with us!

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 methods
• How much hay horse owners typically waste and why
• The real financial impact of wasted hay
• Simple ways to keep more hay in your horse, not on the ground
• Feeding strategies proven to reduce waste
• Common mistakes that increase hay loss
• How to choose a feeding setup that fits your barn

Feeding 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 [email protected]

Thanks for riding along with us!

Fat is one of the most misunderstood parts of a horse’s diet, yet it can be a powerful tool for weight gain, health, and performance. In this episode, we break down the most common fat sources for horses, how they differ, and when you should (or shouldn’t) use them. From rice bran and flax to oils, seeds, and supplements, we cut through the confusion so you can make informed feeding decisions.

You’ll learn:

• The fundamental differences between different kinds of fat
• How omega-3 and omega-6 fats impact health and inflammation
• Which fat sources offer the best balance
• Pros and cons of rice bran, flax, chia, canola, coconut, hemp, and more
• Why some horses benefit from EPA/DHA sources like fish oil
• How to choose the right fat based on your horse’s needs

A clear, practical guide to feeding fat the right way. Let’s dive in.

Link to the article from Kentucky Equine Research discussed in the show https://ker.com/published/type-of-polyunsaturated-fatty-acid-supplementation-affects-red-blood-cell-fatty-acid-composition-in-exercised-thoroughbreds/?highlight=omega%203%20  

For 10% of Kentucky Equine Research supplements click here https://shop.ker.com/scoop or the use discount code SCOOP at check out

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

Thanks for riding along with us!

It’s officially Thanksgiving week which means Black Friday deals, holiday chaos, and the perfect time for our annual Favorite Things Episode! 

Whether you’re powering through barn chores, traveling to see family, or braving the holiday madness, this episode is here to keep you company. Jill and Clair are sharing their 2025 favorite equine and barn-life essentials—from tack cleaning must-haves and barn organization tools to cozy clothing and practical gear that actually makes life with horses easier.

Looking for gift ideas for your barn friends? Want to treat yourself to something that sparks a little joy? There’s truly something for everyone. 

Tune in and discover a few new favorites to brighten your winter season! 

 No sponsorships, no commissions, no affiliations - just products we genuinely love and use. 

 
Rompf Evelyn breech 

Duluth Trading Women's Flexpedition Lined Straight Leg Pants 

Epona Tacknology Sponge

Extend-A-Reach
Promo code: scoopandscale20
20% off entire order
Minimum purchase of $50.00
Can’t combine with other discounts
Active from Nov 24 to Dec 1 (1 week)

Hemlock Lifeguard Hat 

Chamois Butt'r  

Flexzilla Garden Hose 

Arma Air Motion Brushing Boots
Promo code: SCOOP15 for 15% off order 
Valid until December 8th, 2025

Carr & Day & Martin Canter Mane & Tail and Dreamcoat

SmartMesh Ultimate Fly Sheet 

Flexineb  

Emily Cole Illustrations Calendar 

Harbor Freight HAUL-MASTER Magnetic Trailer Alignment Kit

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

Thanks for riding along with us!

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 [email protected]

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 [email protected]

Thanks for riding along with us!

We are back with Kai Yun Lai, a certified equine dental professional, to further explore the powerful connection between your horse’s teeth, their diet, and digestion. 

In this episode:

• Why chewing and particle size matter for nutrient absorption
• How dental issues show up in manure & behavior
• Why poor dental health can cause weight loss
• How your horse's dental health is linked to colic, and choke risk
• Nutrition’s role in dental health, how the different things you feed and how you feed them impact your horse's teeth

Whether your horse is dropping weight, resisting the bit, just not thriving, or you want to understand the full impact of your feeding decisions on dental health, this episode examines the links between nutrition and dental health. 

To learn more about or to contact Kai Yun Lai click HERE

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

Thanks for riding along with us!