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!

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 info@scoopandscale.com

Thanks for riding along with us!

In part 1 of our 2 part series on the impact of equine dental health on equine nutrition, we focus on what makes equine teeth unique and why having a qualified equine dental professional as part of your horse's care team is vital to their health and well-being. Our expert guest, Kai Yun Lai, a certified equine dental provider with a master's in equine nutrition, shares invaluable insights on:

• The fascinating evolution of horse teeth over millions of years.
• How your horse's teeth change over their lifetime.
• The important roles that the different types of teeth play.
• Common dental problems and signs horse owners should watch out for.
• The link between poor dental health and emergencies like choke and colic.
• Why annual dental checks should occur at least annually, and what a routine appointment entails.
• Key differences between equine dentists and veterinarians and what they're legally allowed to do.

Don't miss this essential episode to ensure your horse's optimal health and well-being through proper dental care.

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

Evolution of the Horse Information and Graphics

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

Thanks for riding along with us!