Foal nutrition and young horse development set the foundation for a lifetime of health, soundness, and performance.

From birth through weaning and into early training, feeding young horses correctly is critical, but often misunderstood. Nutrition during this stage directly impacts growth, joint health, metabolism, and long-term success.

In this episode, we break down foal nutrition, weanling feeding strategies, and young horse development, including how the broodmare supports early growth through lactation, when to introduce feed, and how to avoid common mistakes that can impact soundness.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Foal nutrition from birth,
• The important roles of protein and calcium in early growth
• When to introduce feed to foals and how to choose the right growth feed for weanlings
• How nutrition and growth rate influence developmental orthopedic disease (OCD) and joint health
• Best practices for weaning, diet transitions, and maintaining steady, consistent growth
• And so much more

Whether you’re raising a foal, buying a weanling, or managing young performance horses, this episode will help you make more informed feeding decisions to support healthy growth, soundness, and long-term success.

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

Thanks for riding along with us!

Mare nutrition plays a far bigger role in foal development than most horse owners realize and the science is now showing that what happens during pregnancy can influence a foal for life. In this episode, we break down and explore how broodmare diet shapes foal growth, metabolism, and long-term soundness.

From epigenetics and fetal programming to practical feeding strategies for pregnant mares, this conversation connects cutting-edge research with real-world feeding decisions for horse owners, breeders, and equine professionals.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why broodmare nutrition is critical before conception and during pregnancy
• How epigenetics and fetal programming influence foal development
• The role of energy intake, body condition score, and metabolic health in mares
• What research shows about overfeeding, restriction, and long-term foal outcomes
• And so much more

Whether you’re breeding performance horses, managing a small broodmare herd, or simply want to better understand equine nutrition science, this episode will change how you think about feeding mares and raising foals.

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

Thanks for riding along with us!

Spring means more riding and possibly more oxidative stress for your horse. After a winter on hay, many horses may be low in vitamin E, a key antioxidant for overall health.

In this episode, we cover:
-What vitamin E is and why it matters
-Why hay and limited pasture diets can lead to deficiency
-Signs of low vitamin E and related issues
-How to test and supplement correctly
-Choosing the right form, dosing, and so much more

Whether you have a performance horse, a pasture companion, or a horse recovering from illness, this episode will help you make informed decisions about equine nutrition, supplementation, and long-term health.

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

Thanks for riding along with us!