Dr. Thunes is also available for collaboration both in person and via video conferencing with veterinary practices seeking nutritional support for their patients.
With extensive experience as a consulting nutritionist to international feed and supplement companies, Dr. Thunes is a valuable asset in any phase of development
Dr. Clair Thunes is a dynamic speaker and educator dedicated to empowering horse owners with the knowledge to make sound decisions when it comes to feeding their herd
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🎤 Heading to the Western States Horse Expo this weekend?
Be sure to add Dr. Clair Thunes to your must-see speaker list!
Join Dr. Clair June 5–7 at the Western States Horse Expo as she tackles some of the most important nutrition and management topics facing horse owners today, including:
🐴 Heat stress and hydration 🐴 Equine gastric ulcers 🐴 Fecal Water Syndrome 🐴 Building and maintaining topline 🐴 Nutrition myths and misconceptions 🐴 Practical feeding strategies for real-world horse owners
Whether you're managing a high-performance athlete, a metabolic horse, a senior horse, or simply trying to make the best nutrition decisions possible, you'll walk away with science-based information you can put to use immediately. Dr. Clair has a gift for making complex nutrition topics understandable, practical, and actionable.
Come learn, ask questions, and say hello!
📍 Western States Horse Expo 📅 June 5–7, 2026 📍 Murieta Equestrian Center, California
Equine allergies are one of those topics that can leave horse owners feeling frustrated, confused, and chasing a lot of conflicting information.
In this episode of Scoop & Scale, Dr. Clair Thunes sits down with veterinary dermatologist Dr. Rosanna Marsella to unpack what we actually know about equine allergies, from itchy skin and hives to respiratory issues, food allergies, testing, diagnosis, treatment, and management.
If you’ve ever wondered whether allergies might be part of the picture for your horse, I think this conversation offers some incredibly helpful insight grounded in science. www.facebook.com/share/p/1DMcRDKH6k/🎙️𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐄𝐏𝐈𝐒𝐎𝐃𝐄 for your holiday weekend!
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.
If you’re in any equine nutrition groups, you’ve probably seen the confusion around ration balancers…
Are they grain? Are they supplements? Are they too high in protein? Does your horse actually need one?
In our newest Scoop & Scale episode, we break down what ration balancers really are, where they fit in a feeding program, and the most common misconceptions we see horse owners struggle with. www.facebook.com/share/p/18Zn3J4tGz/🎙️New Episode Available NOW
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.
There is a lot of talk about overweight horses having an increased risk of developing equine metabolic syndrome or struggling more with soundness as they age. But there is far less talk about the risk of overweight horses dying from strangulating lipomas. Fat develops around internal organs in part to protect them from trauma such as during a fall or kick. Sometimes that fat can turn deadly. These colics are sudden, severe and often fatal. Just one more reason to keep a close eye on your horses this spring and not let them get too fat!Strangulating lipomas in older horses
Strangulating lipomas in horses are benign, fatty tumors that develop in the abdominal cavity, primarily in older horses, that grow on a long stalk (pedicle) and wrap around the intestine. These tumors cause severe colic by cutting off blood supply and interrupting digestion, often requiring emergency surgical intervention to remove the tumor and damaged intestine.
What are Strangulating Lipomas? A benign tumor (lipoma) of fat tissue that develops within the mesentery (tissue connecting the intestines).
Over time, the fat mass develops a long, cord-like stalk (pedunculated). This stalk can wrap around the small intestine (in 90% of cases) or small colon, acting like a noose. The constriction tightens, obstructing intestinal flow and cutting off blood supply, leading to rapid tissue death and severe abdominal pain (strangulation).
Primarily affects older horses, typically over 15 years, as it takes time for the tumors to grow and develop a long stalk. I also see calcified and pedunculated lipomas in the omentum. This is an extremely common way for older horses to go in agonising pain. This horse was a scheduled euthanised because he was stiff and lame, statically he looked the picture of health at 28 yet inside these time bombs wait.
For videos on this problem head to patreon. ... See MoreSee Less
I am not sure that I have ever called out a product publicly on social media before but after a client consult today, I feel compelled to do so. Not because you would be wasting your money if you fed it (there are lots of those), but because it could have serious health consequences for some horses.
A client with a PPID horse has been feeding Havens Natural Balance as her balancer. On investigation of this product, it sounded promising as it claims that it “helps horses who are prone to laminitis, summer itch and insulin resistance.” This is due to the fact that it has “No added sugars and is completely free of molasses.” However, on closer investigation of the nutrient guarantees and ingredients, I was shocked to find the starch listed as 36.7% giving this feed a whopping NSC of 39.5%. This feed is entirely inappropriate and could in fact be considered dangerous to feed to a horse with insulin resistance especially one with a history of laminitis.
Let me be clear, no metabolic horse should be fed this feed and Haven’s should be ashamed of positioning this feed as being a safe option for such horses. ... See MoreSee Less
Raising a young horse can be both rewarding and humbling. There’s a lot of information out there on how to feed for growth, and not all of it points in the same direction. Conversations like this are a good reminder that there’s rarely a one-size-fits-all approach. Join us on this episode of Scoop and Scale as we discuss feeding young horses. www.facebook.com/share/1BM3bokDsJ/?mibextid=wwXIfr... See MoreSee Less
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,...
🎤 Heading to the Western States Horse Expo this weekend?
Be sure to add Dr. Clair Thunes to your must-see speaker list!
Join Dr. Clair June 5–7 at the Western States Horse Expo as she tackles some of the most important nutrition and management topics facing horse owners today, including:
🐴 Heat stress and hydration
🐴 Equine gastric ulcers
🐴 Fecal Water Syndrome
🐴 Building and maintaining topline
🐴 Nutrition myths and misconceptions
🐴 Practical feeding strategies for real-world horse owners
Whether you're managing a high-performance athlete, a metabolic horse, a senior horse, or simply trying to make the best nutrition decisions possible, you'll walk away with science-based information you can put to use immediately. Dr. Clair has a gift for making complex nutrition topics understandable, practical, and actionable.
Come learn, ask questions, and say hello!
📍 Western States Horse Expo
📅 June 5–7, 2026
📍 Murieta Equestrian Center, California
Who will we see there? 👇 ... See MoreSee Less
4 CommentsComment on Facebook
Equine allergies are one of those topics that can leave horse owners feeling frustrated, confused, and chasing a lot of conflicting information.
In this episode of Scoop & Scale, Dr. Clair Thunes sits down with veterinary dermatologist Dr. Rosanna Marsella to unpack what we actually know about equine allergies, from itchy skin and hives to respiratory issues, food allergies, testing, diagnosis, treatment, and management.
If you’ve ever wondered whether allergies might be part of the picture for your horse, I think this conversation offers some incredibly helpful insight grounded in science.
www.facebook.com/share/p/1DMcRDKH6k/🎙️𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐄𝐏𝐈𝐒𝐎𝐃𝐄 for your holiday weekend!
𝐄𝐩. 𝟕𝟔: 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐀𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐞𝐬, 𝐇𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 & 𝐈𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐲 𝐒𝐤𝐢𝐧: 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐎𝐰𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰..
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.
Listen here: scoopandscale.com/ep-76-equine-allergies-hives-itchy-skin-what-horse-owners-need-to-know/ ... See MoreSee Less
2 CommentsComment on Facebook
If you’re in any equine nutrition groups, you’ve probably seen the confusion around ration balancers…
Are they grain?
Are they supplements?
Are they too high in protein?
Does your horse actually need one?
In our newest Scoop & Scale episode, we break down what ration balancers really are, where they fit in a feeding program, and the most common misconceptions we see horse owners struggle with.
www.facebook.com/share/p/18Zn3J4tGz/🎙️New Episode Available NOW
𝐄𝐩. 𝟕𝟓: 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐅𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐆𝐚𝐩𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞’𝐬 𝐃𝐢𝐞𝐭
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.
Listen here 👉 scoopandscale.com/ep-75-ration-balancers-explained-the-key-to-filling-nutrient-gaps-in-your-horse... ... See MoreSee Less
3 CommentsComment on Facebook
There is a lot of talk about overweight horses having an increased risk of developing equine metabolic syndrome or struggling more with soundness as they age. But there is far less talk about the risk of overweight horses dying from strangulating lipomas. Fat develops around internal organs in part to protect them from trauma such as during a fall or kick. Sometimes that fat can turn deadly. These colics are sudden, severe and often fatal. Just one more reason to keep a close eye on your horses this spring and not let them get too fat!Strangulating lipomas in older horses
Strangulating lipomas in horses are benign, fatty tumors that develop in the abdominal cavity, primarily in older horses, that grow on a long stalk (pedicle) and wrap around the intestine. These tumors cause severe colic by cutting off blood supply and interrupting digestion, often requiring emergency surgical intervention to remove the tumor and damaged intestine.
What are Strangulating Lipomas? A benign tumor (lipoma) of fat tissue that develops within the mesentery (tissue connecting the intestines).
Over time, the fat mass develops a long, cord-like stalk (pedunculated). This stalk can wrap around the small intestine (in 90% of cases) or small colon, acting like a noose. The constriction tightens, obstructing intestinal flow and cutting off blood supply, leading to rapid tissue death and severe abdominal pain (strangulation).
Primarily affects older horses, typically over 15 years, as it takes time for the tumors to grow and develop a long stalk. I also see calcified and pedunculated lipomas in the omentum. This is an extremely common way for older horses to go in agonising pain. This horse was a scheduled euthanised because he was stiff and lame, statically he looked the picture of health at 28 yet inside these time bombs wait.
For videos on this problem head to patreon. ... See MoreSee Less
6 CommentsComment on Facebook
I am not sure that I have ever called out a product publicly on social media before but after a client consult today, I feel compelled to do so. Not because you would be wasting your money if you fed it (there are lots of those), but because it could have serious health consequences for some horses.
A client with a PPID horse has been feeding Havens Natural Balance as her balancer. On investigation of this product, it sounded promising as it claims that it “helps horses who are prone to laminitis, summer itch and insulin resistance.” This is due to the fact that it has “No added sugars and is completely free of molasses.” However, on closer investigation of the nutrient guarantees and ingredients, I was shocked to find the starch listed as 36.7% giving this feed a whopping NSC of 39.5%. This feed is entirely inappropriate and could in fact be considered dangerous to feed to a horse with insulin resistance especially one with a history of laminitis.
Let me be clear, no metabolic horse should be fed this feed and Haven’s should be ashamed of positioning this feed as being a safe option for such horses. ... See MoreSee Less
13 CommentsComment on Facebook
Raising a young horse can be both rewarding and humbling. There’s a lot of information out there on how to feed for growth, and not all of it points in the same direction. Conversations like this are a good reminder that there’s rarely a one-size-fits-all approach. Join us on this episode of Scoop and Scale as we discuss feeding young horses.
www.facebook.com/share/1BM3bokDsJ/?mibextid=wwXIfr ... See MoreSee Less
Ep. 74: Foal Nutrition: Feeding for Healthy Growth from Birth to Adolescence - Scoop & Scale
scoopandscale.com
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,...1 CommentsComment on Facebook