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 info@scoopandscale.com

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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 info@scoopandscale.com

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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 info@scoopandscale.com

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Hay season is here! While most horse owners focus on buying and feeding hay, few have firsthand experience with what it actually takes to grow, harvest, and store quality horse hay. In this episode, Jill shares her journey from boarding barns in Arizona to purchasing hay in Colorado and ultimately becoming a hay producer in Iowa. Along the way, we discuss the realities of hay farming, the challenges of producing quality forage, and answer listener questions about hay testing, nutrition, storage, and feeding.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Jill's journey from horse owner to hay farmer

• The challenges of growing and harvesting horse hay

• Hay testing, cuttings, and nutrient differences

• Feeding fresh hay and evaluating hay quality

• Hay costs, production realities, and so much more

Whether you're buying a few bales, storing a year's worth of hay, contemplating growing your own, or simply curious about where your horse's forage comes from, this episode offers valuable insights into the world of hay production and equine nutrition.

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

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Seasonal itching, hives, and respiratory issues: equine allergies can be frustrating, confusing, and difficult to manage. In this episode we’re joined by special guest Dr. Rosanna Marsella. Dr. Marsella is a board-certified veterinary dermatologist and professor at the University of Florida. She has authored more than 150 peer-reviewed articles, written several books and contributed to numerous others. She has also served as president of the American College of Veterinary Dermatology and co-editor of Veterinary Dermatology.

Together, we unpack the most common causes of allergies in horses, how they present clinically, and what horse owners need to know about diagnosis and treatment especially regarding widely misunderstood topics like food allergies and blood testing.

In this episode, we cover:

• The most common types of equine allergies (insects, environment, and more) and how they show up clinically
• When to call your veterinarian and what to expect during diagnosis and treatment
• Why blood allergy testing is often unreliable (especially for feed-related allergies)
• Practical management strategies, from fly control to environmental changes and nutrition support
• And so much more

Equine allergies are often misunderstood, and this conversation helps separate common myths from what the science actually shows.

To learn more about Dr. Marsella https://www.vetmed.ufl.edu/profile/marsella-rosanna/

Consensus Statement https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/vde.13168

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

Thanks for riding along with us!

Ration balancers are one of the most commonly recommended feeds in the horse world but what are they really doing, and does your horse actually need one?

If your horse is living on pasture or hay looking good and maintaining weight, it’s easy to assume their diet is “complete". In reality, many diets fall short in key nutrients that support long-term health, topline, and performance. The effects of these deficiencies may not show up for a long time.

In this episode, we break down what ration balancers are, how they work, where they fit into your horse’s feeding program, and some of the most common misconceptions we see.

We discuss:

• What a ration balancer is and how it differs from other feeds and supplements
• Why forage-only diets are often missing key nutrients
• The role of protein, minerals, and vitamins in balancing the diet
• Ration balancer vs. ration-balancing supplements: what’s the difference
• When you may need to add a ration balancer to other feeds that you are feeding
• And so much more

Whether you’re feeding a performance horse, an easy keeper, or anything in between, this episode will help you better understand how to support your horse’s nutrition without adding unnecessary calories.

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

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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

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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!