Scoop & Scale: An Equine Podcast (Mostly) About Nutrition

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 47: Decoding Muscle Myopathies Part 1: Understanding RER, MFM, MFM-ER, MFM-WB, PSSM2-ER; Apr 28, 2025

Show notes

Join Jill and Clair as they delve into the complexities of equine muscle myopathies, specifically focusing on what was once known as PSSM Type 2. In this multi-part series, they are joined by Dr. Katie Young, a leading equine nutritionist with Kentucky Equine Research.

Together, they:

- define all the relevant terminology

- unpack the differences between PSSM Type 2, Recurrent Exertional Rhabdomyolysis (RER), and Myofibrillar Myopathy (MFM) in both Arabian and Warmblood horses.

- learn about how the various conditions are diagnosed, including genetic testing and muscle biopsies,

- discover why accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment

- learn what exactly is going on in the muscles of horses diagnosed with these conditions.

Whether you're an owner of an athletic horse or simply interested in equine health, this series provides essential insights into these challenging conditions.

Additional information - Equine Neuromuscular Diagnostics Lab Resources

Glossary of terms discussed in the episode:

Exertional Rhabdomyolysis (ER -) - “tying-up” associated with exercise that causes a syndrome of muscle pain/cramping and damage to muscle tissue

Type 2 Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy (PSSM2-ER) - the form of PSSM that causes elevated muscle glycogen but that is not caused by the GYS1 mutation. It is brought on by exercise and results in elevated muscle enzymes and is now termed type 2-ER (PSSM2-ER).

Recurrent Exertional Rhabdomyolysis (RER) - is an intermittent form of tying-up in horses the cause of which appears to involve an abnormality in intracellular calcium regulation.

Myofibrillar Myopathy (MFM) - a new disease previously categorized as PSSM2, particularly in Arabian and Warmblood horses, is a genetic condition that describes abnormal build-up of desmin in muscle tissue.

Myofibrillar Myopathy with Exertional Rhabdomyolysis MFM-ER - Myofibrillar Myopathy associated with exercise and elevated muscle enzymes found in Arabian Horses

Myofibrillar Myopathy without Exertional Rhabdomyolysis MFM-WB - Myofibrillar Myopathy that does not result in elevated muscle enzymes. Associated with exercise intolerance predominantly in Warmblood Horses

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

Thanks for riding along with us!

Ep. 46: The Power Of Grazing Muzzles Apr 14, 2025

Show notes

Grazing muzzles are extremely valuable tools when needing to regulate a horse’s pasture intake. However, many horse owners feel guilty about the prospect of turning their horse out in a grazing muzzle. In this episode Jill and Clair explain the benefits of grazing muzzles and why they can improve your horse's quality of life.

We dive into:

- how much grazing muzzles reduce grass consumption
- choosing the right type of muzzle
- proper fitting techniques,
- how to introduce it positively to your horse
- common challenges, unexpected benefits and so much more!

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

Links discussed in the show:

Facebook Group Slow Feed Solutions, Grazing Muzzles & More

Thinline - use code sands10 for 10% off your order of any grazing muzzle or muzzle accessories

GG Equine - use code SCOOP15 for 15% off muzzles and muzzle accessories. One use per customer. Code expires 5/31/25

Tough1 - https://www.tough1.com/training/muzzles.html

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

Thanks for riding along with us!

Ep. 45: Pasture Management and Rotational Grazing Mar 31, 2025

Show notes

Having pasture for horses is considered by many to be the horse's ideal living situation. But it's not as simple as just putting your horse in the pasture and walking away if you want not only your horse to thrive but your pasture to as well. Quality pasture takes active management and is a constant balance of gazing, resting, weeding, mucking and more. If you are thinking of creating healthy thriving pastures or feel like you are losing the war against weeds, tune in.

In this episode we are joined by Laura Kenny, Equine Educator at Penn State Extension. Laura shares her expertise in pasture management as we discuss:

-continuous and rotational grazing styles

-overgrazing what it is and how to avoid it

-pasture manure management

-how and when to overseed

-weed management

-and so much more!

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

Links discussed in the show:

Pasture Evaluation Disc https://extension.psu.edu/pasture-evaluation-equine-pasture-evaluation-disc

Bag test https://extension.psu.edu/are-my-forages-dead-or-dormant

Penn State Extension Equine Pasture and Environment Management https://extension.psu.edu/animals-and-livestock/equine/pasture-and-environment-management?tab=default

To learn more about rotation grazing https://extension.psu.edu/how-to-make-rotational-grazing-work-on-your-horse-farm

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

Thanks for riding along with us!

Ep. 44: Understanding PSSM1: Nutritional Management for Your Horse Mar 17, 2025

Show notes

Tying-up is a muscle condition in horses that has long plagued owners. From random one off episodes on warm sunny days to recurrent ones during exercise tying-up can result from many causes. Some, like Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy (PSSM1) are the result of a genetic condition that affects muscle metabolism, leading to muscle stiffness and pain. In this episode we discuss:

- what defines recurrent tying-up

- causes and symptoms of tying-up

-breeds affected by PSSM 1

-how to test for PSSM 1

-appropriate feeding programs for horses with PPSM 1

-management and exercise requirement for horses with PSSM1

-and so much more!

To learn more about the United States Pony Club HERE

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

Thanks for riding along with us!

Ep. 43: Sustainable Practices for Managing Mud and Manure Mar 03, 2025

Show notes

Whether the result of heavy rain or snow melt, this time of year many horse facilities are struggling with mud. In this episode we explore practical tips and expert insights on managing mud and manure on your horse property. From improving facility drainage and minimizing mud in high-traffic areas to creating clean, dry spaces where your horses can eat and relax, we've got you covered.

This week’s special guest Alayne Blickle from Horses for Clean Water joins Dr. Clair and Jill and shares her expertise on mud and manure management as well as advice on protecting waterways. We cover topics including:

what mud actually is
why mud is not your horse's friend
things to do when you already have mud in high traffic areas
common mud mitigation mistakes
where to put your manure pile
how to ensure that your manure pile is not polluting waterways
how to manage drainage on your facility
how to create mud free shelters and eating areas
how your horse's diet may be contributing to environmental pollution
And so much more!

To learn more about Alayne Blickle and Horses for Clean Water:

Website https://horsesforcleanwater.com/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/HorsesForCleanWater

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/horsesforcleanwater/?hl=en

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

Thanks for riding along with us!

Ep. 42: Feeding for Fertility: The Role of Diet in Horse Breeding Success Feb 17, 2025

Show notes

Proper nutrition is critical for successful horse reproduction. Mares require a balanced diet with adequate energy, protein, vitamins and minerals to support optimal reproductive function. During pregnancy, nutritional demands increase although not as much as many people believe. The greatest nutritional demands are during lactation. Research shows that the mare's diet during conception can impact the future health and athletic ability of her foal. Stallions also require a balanced diet to fuel reproductive exertions and maintain optimal fertility. In fact there may be ways to improve semen quality through nutrition. In this episode we discuss:

-Ideal body condition in the mare for increasing chances of conception

-How to improve semen quality in stallions

-How energy and other nutrient requirements change during pregnancy

-Which dietary nutrients are linked to developmental orthopedic conditions in foals

-How nutrient demands increase during lactation and how to meet them

-Best hays for broodmares

-And so much more!

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

Thanks for riding along with us!

Ep. 41: Hoof Health: Navigating Winter Challenges Feb 02, 2025

Show notes

Winter months can be tough on hooves! Whether you're battling mud, snow, freezing temperatures, or dealing with hoof conditions like laminitis and thrush, we've got you covered. Join us for an expert-led discussion featuring Dr. Sammy Pittman, DVM an equine podiatry specialist, as we explore practical tips and solutions for winter hoof care. Whether your version of winter is warm and wet or snow and ice, Dr. Pittman shares practical advice on how to keep your horse's hooves in great shape this winter. Tune in and listen as we discuss the following:

What happens to hooves in wet conditions
Thrush, how it develops and how to treat it
The risks of obesity to hoof health
Winter laminitis and how it differs from laminitis at other times of year
Hoof sealants and dressings
How to stop snow balls in your horse's hooves
The pros and cons of pulling shoes in winter
And so much more!

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

Dr. Sammy Pittman

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/innovativeequinepodiatry

Innovative Equine Podiatry https://www.innovativeequinepodiatry.org/

https://www.horsescience.com/contact-8

https://www.facebook.com/horsescienceanatomyworks

https://shopmyces.com/

Products

Pitty Putty https://shopmyces.com/collections/hoof-care/products/iepvs-pitty-putty

Kera-Prep https://shopmyces.com/collections/hoof-care/products/kera-prep-hoof-hardener

HydroHoof https://redhorseproducts.com/shop/hoof-care/hydrohoof/

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

Thanks for riding along with us!

Ep. 40: Surviving in the Cold: Horse Feeding and Management for Winter Jan 20, 2025

Show notes

Severe winter weather always raises concerns among horse owners regarding the management of various cold weather challenges and the proper care of their horses. What counts as severe depends on where you live but no matter the location the biggest concerns tend to relate colic risk and weight loss. In this episode we discuss:

how to keep your horses hydrated when their water is freezing
whether feeding more hay or grain is best to maintain body condition in cold weather
the importance of salt for hydration
why horses are at greater risk for impaction colic when temperatures freeze
How your horse can use their diet to keep warm
Why blankets can help reduce your feed bill
Plus tips on how to make winter barn chores more manageable
and so much more!

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

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

Thanks for riding along with us!

Ep. 39: How to Conduct a Basic Diet Assessment on Your Horse Jan 06, 2025

Show notes

With your horse's estimated body weight and condition score in hand you now have what you need to move on towards assessing their diet. In this episode we discuss:

how to determine what your horse's minimum forage intake should be each day
how to determine their actual forage intake
the importance of weighing everything that you are feeding your horse
how to use the feeding directions on bagged feed along with body weight and condition to determine if you are feeding the correct kind of concentrate feed
the kinds of changes to consider making if things aren't what they should be
and so much more!

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

Thanks for riding along with us!

Ep. 38: Body Weight, Condition Scoring and Equine Nutrition Dec 23, 2024

Show notes

Body condition scoring is an objective technique used to determine whether a horse is in optimal condition or not. When a horse's body condition is less than or more than optimal it suggests that the dietary calorie intake needs to be adjusted. Once you know if your horse's condition is optimal, knowing its weight is important so that you can determine how to feed commercial feeds and supplements correctly. Various methods exist for estimating body weight when a scale is not available. But how accurate are these methods, and how do we know if this weight is actually a good one or not? In this episode we talk about:

Why guessing your horse's weight is not a good idea
How to use a weight tape and whether they are accurate
Body weight calculations and whether they are better than weight tapes
What condition scoring is and how to do it
How to use body condition to determine whether your horse's current weight is ideal
Considerations around breed, conformation and discipline when determining ideal body condition

For instructions on body condition scoring click HERE
For a video on body condition scoring click HERE
For a video on how to take weight measurements click HERE

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

Thanks for riding along with us!

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