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

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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

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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

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Trees can be beautiful in the Fall but those pretty leaves and seeds may be toxic to your horse. In this episode of Scoop and Scale, we sit down with Dr. Krishona Martinson, Professor and Equine Extension Specialist at the University of Minnesota, to talk about poisonous plants and how to keep horses safe.

You’ll learn:

• Some common trees, shrubs and pasture plants that are poisonous
• Why some plants are more dangerous than others
• Symptoms to watch for if your horse ingests something toxic
• What to do if you suspect poisoning
• How to manage your pastures reduce risks
• What to do if there are toxic weeds in your hay
• Practical steps you can take to prevent exposure in everyday settings

A must-listen for horse owners who want peace of mind heading into fall and all year round.

To learn more about Dr. Krishona Martinson click HERE

UMN Equine Extension Program Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/UMNExtEquine

UMN Equine Extension website: https://extension.umn.edu/horse/horse-pastures-and-facilities#plants-that-can-be-harmful-in-the-pasture-1241413

UMN Equine Extension YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgKrdVlbGmFtwWDqlI_h87Q

UMN Poisonous Plant Poster https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16G3KaV2jP/

UMN Poisonous Plant Book: https://bookstores.umn.edu/product/book/plants-poisonous-or-harmful-horses-midwest-book-2020-edition

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

Thanks for riding along with us!

What does it really mean to be an equine nutritionist, and how can horse owners tell if the advice they’re getting is coming from an appropriately qualified expert? In this episode, Jill and Dr. Clair Thunes are joined by Dr. Rachel Mottet of Legacy Equine Nutrition to discuss the often confusing world of equine nutrition credentials.

In this episode we discuss:

-Why “Equine Nutritionist” is not a protected title and what that means for horse owners
-The difference between formal degrees (BS, MS, PhD) and non-credentialed programs
-Why some PhDs believe the term “equine nutritionist” should be reserved for doctoral-level professionals
-What to ask before hiring someone to evaluate your horse’s diet
-The role of certified equine nutrition advisors and how they differ from nutritionists
-How to spot red flags when seeking nutrition advice online
-Practical steps to ensure you and your horse gets expert, evidence-based nutritional guidance

If you’ve ever wondered how to separate expertise from opinion in equine nutrition, this episode will give you the tools to make informed decisions for your horse’s health.

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

Thanks for riding along with us!

Ever found yourself in the feed store (or deep in a late-night Google search) wondering if there’s a better horse feed out there for your equine partner? With so many options and so much marketing jargon, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. In this episode, we take you through how to read and understand horse feed labels, so you can cut through the noise and make confident, informed choices for your horse’s nutrition.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- Why a feed's name can be misleading
- How to find and understand the feed's purpose statement
- What the guaranteed analysis really tells you
- Why reading an ingredient list beyond the first few items is important
- Why feeding rate and bag weight can drastically change the real cost per day
- Common marketing buzzwords and product names designed to sway your decision (and how to look past them).

By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clear framework to evaluate your horse feed so you can confidently answer the question: Is this the right feed for my horse?

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

Thanks for riding along with us!

In this episode of Scoop & Scale, we explore the practical and nutritional role of hay pellets and cubes in the equine diet. Typically associated with senior horses with poor teeth or as a carrier for supplements, these hay alternatives have so many more uses and benefits. This is especially true during hay shortages, evacuations, or when managing specific health issues like equine asthma or free fecal water syndrome. In this episode we discuss:

- When pellets or cubes are necessary alternatives to hay
- The difference between hay pellets and hay cubes
- Why hay pellets may offer better digestibility and nutrient absorption than hay
- Common myths around "processed" feed and fiber content
- Practical tips on feeding during emergencies and ways to improve feeding time

If you're rethinking your forage options or just want a deeper
understanding of hay pellets and cubes, this episode will give you the
insight and confidence to feed smarter.

Mentioned in this episode:

Ep. 38: Body Weight, Condition Scoring and Equine Nutrition
https://scoopandscale.com/ep-38-body-weight-condition-scoring-and-equine-nutrition/

Ep. 49: Beyond Diarrhea: Identifying and Managing Free Fecal Water
Syndrome (FFWS) in Horses
https://scoopandscale.com/ep-49-beyond-diarrhea-identifying-and-managing-free-fecal-water-syndrome-ffws-in-horses/

Pre-Vent Feeder https://youtu.be/VVUMjg5ENc4?si=i4HghUJKBy99QBbq

iFeed Automatic Feeder https://ifeednaturally.com/

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

Thanks for riding along with us!

Is short grass really sweeter? Is tall grass actually safer for
metabolic horses? Or have we been grazing on myths? In this powerful,
research-backed episode, we sit down with Dr. Michelle DeBoer of
Equine, PhD, the voice behind the viral post that ignited over 1,500
likes, 400+ comments, and 1,200 shares—and shook up everything we
thought we knew about grass height, NSC (non-structural
carbohydrates), and sugar intake in horses.

We dive into:
-What current research really says about grass height and NSC levels
-How time of day, weather, and pasture management impact sugar content
-Why warm- vs. cool-season grasses behave differently
-Why maturity doesn't always mean "safe" when it comes to NSC
-Why forage testing and horse-specific data matter more than social media myths
-How the equine research system works—and why more support is desperately needed

Whether you're managing a pony with metabolic issues, a performance horse on
turnout, or just want to feed smarter with science, this episode will
challenge what you know and empower you to make more informed decisions.

Don’t miss the original post that inspired this episode:
Tall Tales About Short Grass – Evaluating the Role of Grass Height & NSC Levels
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16sC8Xeqoo/

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

Thanks for riding along with us!