Clarity Equine Nutrition

07/09/2025

🐴 Does Your Horse Have 𝐏𝐏𝐈𝐃 (𝐂𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠’𝐬)?

Up to 30% of horses over 15 are affected by 𝐏𝐏𝐈𝐃. Signs include a long coat that doesn’t shed, weight/muscle loss, drinking/urinating more, behavior changes, infections, laminitis, and more.

The UMN Equine Extension Program is studying how genetics affect PPID and how horses respond to pergolide treatment.

📢 They’re looking for horses with PPID to join the study!

👉 Learn more & see if your horse qualifies:
🔗 https://z.umn.edu/pergolidestudy

Please share to help improve care for senior horses. ❤️


https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19wy4GYzbC/

Call for Horses with PPID! 🐴

Up to 30% of horses over age 15 will be diagnosed with PPID (formerly Cushing’s). Common signs include a long, shaggy coat that doesn’t shed, weight loss, muscle loss, increased drinking/urination, behavior changes, infections, decrease in fertility, and laminitis.

The UMN Equine Genetics and Genomics Laboratory is conducting a research study to better understand the genetics of PPID and how horses respond to pergolide, the most common treatment. Help them improve the care of senior horses. ❤️

📢 They need horses with PPID for enrollment!
👉 Learn more & see if your horse qualifies:
🔗 https://z.umn.edu/pergolidestudy

07/07/2025

Lately, I’ve seen more and more horse owners online asking how to switch to a "f𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞-𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝" diet—when in reality, many of them are already feeding one without realizing it. This episode of Scoop and Scale came out of that growing trend and the frustration that comes with confusing or misused nutrition terms like “grain-free” and “carb-free.”

We recorded 𝐄𝐩. 𝟓𝟑: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 F𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞-𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐃𝐢𝐞𝐭 𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐝: 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮’𝐫𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐲 𝐀𝐥𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐃𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 to help horse owners understand what a forage-based diet really is, why words matter, and how good intentions can sometimes lead to unnecessary changes.

If you've ever felt overwhelmed by nutrition advice online or unsure what certain terms really mean—this one’s for you. 🎧🐴

Scoop and Scale
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16i4bVxFmd/

Lately, we’ve noticed a growing number of horse owners online seeking advice on how to feed “forage-based” diets. But are they already doing this without realizing?

07/03/2025

Anhidrosis is often missed by horse owners. In this episode of Scoop and Scale we do a deep dive into this condition. Listen now on the link below or your favorite podcast app.

https://www.facebook.com/share/16gU8Ba3bN/?mibextid=wwXIfr

May 28, 2024 | Anhidrosis, Dr. Clair Thunes, Equine Nutrition, Guest Speaker, Heat Stress, Horse Nutrition Basics, Hot Weather Horse Care, Podcast

07/01/2025

🎆 F𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬 & 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬: 𝐊𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐒𝐚f𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 🎆

As fireworks celebrations approach, it’s important to think ahead about how to keep our horses safe and calm. While “calming supplements” are often marketed as a quick fix, there is very little to no research proving their effectiveness in high-stress situations like fireworks. Unless you've previously tested a supplement on your horse and know how they respond, it’s best not to rely on it.

✅ 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞:

🏚Stabling horses during fireworks – a secure stall can help them feel protected and prevent accidents that can occur when horses run.

💡Keeping lights on in the barn to reduce sudden flashes.

🎧Using fans and a radio to help mask loud, startling sounds.

👩‍⚕️Speaking with your vet ahead of time about sedative options that are safe and appropriate for your horse. Medication may be the best solution for particularly anxious or high-strung horses.

Your horse’s safety is worth the preparation. Don’t wait until the fireworks start—plan ahead and talk to your vet now. 🐴💥
Scoop and Scale

06/20/2025

🎙𝟐 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲! Listen 🎧now on your favorite podcast app or the links below.

Join us as we dive into how horses handle hot weather and the internal changes they undergo when stressed by the heat. We answer critical questions about horse physiology in high temperatures. We’ll explore why horses get hot, how they regulate their body temperature, and what happens when they ca...

06/19/2025

If you have ever wondered what heat stress does to your horse's digestive tract and want ways to help your horse through the upcoming heat wave make sure you don't miss the special release of our next 2 podcast episodes tomorrow morning.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/15m6gGxGaa/?mibextid=wwXIfr

🔥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐖𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐀𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐭🔥
With dangerously high temperatures hitting much of the country this weekend, we’re releasing 𝐓𝐖𝐎 𝐩𝐨𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐞𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐬 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 to help you take action—fast.

🎧 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝙏𝙤𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙧𝙤𝙬 𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐜𝐨𝐨𝐩 & 𝐒𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐞:

𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝟏: 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞 – 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐁𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬
Understand what heat does to your horse’s body and how to spot early signs of heat stress.

𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝟐: 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞 – 𝐍𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭
From electrolytes to turnout timing, we cover practical ways to support hydration, cooling, and recovery.

☀️ PLUS: We’re sharing this science-based infographic from Dr David Marlin with essential tips for heat safety, hydration, and when to call the vet.

📌 https://askanimalweb.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/DM_HeatwavePoster_A4_EN.pdf

Horses can't tell us when they’re overheating—but we can learn to see the signs and respond. Stay informed, stay prepared.
F𝑒𝑒𝑙 f𝑟𝑒𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑒 - 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑚𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟!

06/18/2025

🌡️🔥𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐖𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐀𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐭 – 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐨f 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬 (𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥f!)🔥🌡️
The desert Southwest is already baking with temps soaring well over 110°F, and now much of the Midwest and Northeast are bracing for a dangerous heat wave in the coming days. This kind of extreme heat isn't just uncomfortable — it can be life-threatening for both people and animals.

🐴💧 Please consider these extra precautions:

𝐇𝐲𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐘𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆 – Make sure horses have unlimited access to fresh, cool water. In addition to their daily 2tbsp of table salt, consider adding electrolytes if your horse is sweating heavily.

𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐞 & 𝐒𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐭𝐞𝐫 – Provide shaded areas or bring horses in during peak heat (usually between 12–6 PM). Consider installing fans but be sure that they are correctly rated for external use. Don't create a fire hazard!

𝐀𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐝 𝐑𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 – Especially in the hottest part of the day. Early mornings or late evenings are safest — or skip riding altogether until temps drop.

𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 f𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐬 𝐨f 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 – Lethargy, heavy sweating (or no sweating at all), rapid breathing, or unsteady movement are all red flags. Call your vet immediately if you notice anything off.

𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐥-𝐃𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐞𝐬 – Hose down with continuous cool water and DO NOT scrape.

🌿 Don’t forget to care for yourself, too. Stay hydrated, add electrolytes to your water, wear light-colored clothing, and limit your time outside. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are real risks in this weather.
Let’s all stay safe and help our animals weather this brutal heat. 💛
F𝑒𝑒𝑙 f𝑟𝑒𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑒 — 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑚𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟!

06/13/2025

🌞☀️ Recently we did an episode on Scoop and Scale about coat quality. Last summer, Dartmouth my poor black horse got absolutely cooked in the sun — his coat bleached out, and he broke out in terrible hives from fly bites. It was embarrassing how bad he looked! While some of the coat issues were clearly from the environment, he was also struggling from pyloric ulcers. Battling gastric ulcers definitely didn’t help his skin or coat condition.

Fast forward to this year: his coat is already looking so much better. I’ve been able to get ahead of the fly bite issues early, and his digestive health is stronger — which I think is making a big difference.

💡 Just a reminder when you are facing bleached coats: even when your horse’s diet is dialed in, external factors like sun, bugs, internal parasites and overall wellness (especially gut health!) can still take a toll on coat quality. Sometimes it’s not just about what’s going in, but also what’s going on around them.

Here’s to a shiny, healthy summer! 🐴🌿

06/09/2025

New podcast episode! 🎙️
Join us as we explore equine coat health—from shedding season struggles to the nutrition, minerals, and grooming techniques that support a shiny, healthy horse.

🎧 Listen now: https://scoopandscale.com/ep-50-from-shedding-to-shining-nutrition-care-tips-for-healthy-horse-coats/

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1J9rY5J6yt/

Jun 9, 2025 | Coat Quality, Dr. Clair Thunes, Equine Nutrition, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Podcast, Shedding, Supplements, Vitamin E

06/06/2025

𝐇𝐚𝐲 𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 = 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧?
Whether you're 𝐛𝐮𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐚𝐲 𝐨𝐫 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐭, there's a lot to think about—quality, cost, storage, timing... it adds up.

🎧 Take a breather and tune into our podcast episodes all about hay. We've got episodes that break it down, answer your questions, and help you feel more confident this season.
𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐨𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐬!
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1JCL9csRD8/

🌾 𝐇𝐚𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞! 𝐖𝐞 𝐇𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐌𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐚𝐧 𝐈𝐧f𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐇𝐚𝐲 🌾

As haying season kicks into full gear, it’s the perfect time to tune into our podcast and get advice on everything from sourcing hay to storing it properly. Whether you're cutting, baling, or simply preparing for the upcoming months, these episodes are a must-listen for anyone in the equine world! 🐴✨

🎧 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐞𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐬:

1️⃣ 𝐄𝐩. 𝟑𝟎: 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐇𝐚𝐲
Learn what makes the best hay for your horses, and how to choose the right type based on their nutritional needs. https://scoopandscale.com/ep-30-understanding-horse-hay/

2️⃣ 𝐄𝐩. 𝟏𝟗: 𝐓𝐨 𝐓𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐫 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐓𝐞𝐬𝐭… 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐢𝐠 𝐇𝐚𝐲 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧!
Is hay testing worth it? We break down the benefits and why it could save you money and trouble in the long run. https://scoopandscale.com/ep-19-to-test-or-not-to-test-the-big-hay-question/

3️⃣ 𝐄𝐩. 𝟗: 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐇𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 F𝐞𝐞𝐝
Proper hay storage is critical to preserving quality and preventing waste. Find out how to keep your hay in top condition until it's needed. https://scoopandscale.com/ep-9-storing-horse-hay-and-feed/

4️⃣ 𝐄𝐩. 𝟒: 𝐇𝐚𝐲 𝐍𝐨𝐰! 𝐖𝐡𝐲 F𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 F𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨f 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐞𝐭
Forage is the cornerstone of any horse’s diet. Discover why getting the right hay can make all the difference in your horse’s health. https://scoopandscale.com/ep-4-hay-now-why-forage-is-the-foundation-of-the-equine-diet/

🔗 𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐧𝐨𝐰 and get your haying game on point this season! https://open.spotify.com/show/6rr2X8hVw8udfSkaFeRTUj?si=a1e12d86d19248c2

05/26/2025

New episode of Scoop and Scale podcast today. We have special guest Dr. Phoebe Smith DVM, DACVIM Riviera Equine Internal Medicine & Consulting back to help us understand this frustrating condition.
***lwatersyndrome

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/198bjEo2YV/

May 26, 2025 | Dr. Clair Thunes, Dr. Phoebe Smith DVM, DACVIM, Equine Nutrition, Free F***l Water Syndrome (FFWS), Podcast

05/22/2025

Have you heard of free f***l water syndrome(FFWS)? Do you know the difference between diarrhea, loose stool and FFWS? Join us Monday on Scoop and Scale as we talk to Dr. Phoebe Smith, DVM, DACVIM of Riviera Equine Internal Medicine & Consulting about this condition and how to manage it.
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/15teh4zGX5/