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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If you have an older horse, fall is a good time to start thinking about PPID testing. The seasonal rise in ACTH can make this an especially important time to evaluate horses for PPID, commonly known as Cushing’s. And while some of the classic signs are hard to miss, early changes can be subtle and easily dismissed as normal aging.
In the newest episode of Scoop and Scale, we take a deeper look at PPID, why the timing of testing matters, how different testing methods are used, and why insulin status is an important part of the conversation, particularly when we're thinking about laminitis risk and nutrition. Listen now on your favorite podcast app or click on the link below. www.facebook.com/share/p/1H2o1D8RKY/... See MoreSee Less
If you have an older horse, you’ve probably heard of Cushing’s disease, but how much has changed in what we know about diagnosing and managing it? In this episode, we take a closer look at pituita...
I have been saying this for years and I love that someone took the initiative to do the research. Now we have proof and don't have to rely on anecdotal evidence that individual horses vary in their free choice salt intake, and that this intake is not always enough to meet their sodium needs.Another great example of practical equine research coming out of CSU Equine Sciences!
A new study by undergraduate researcher Brynne Murphy and Dr. Devan Catalano asked a simple question that comes up frequently in horse management: Does it matter whether horses are offered salt as a block or loose in a pan?
Sixteen horses were offered both loose white salt and compressed white salt blocks over four 7-day periods. While horses tended to consume more loose salt (41 g/day) than block salt (32 g/day), salt form did not significantly affect intake. What mattered much more was the individual horse - daily consumption ranged from just 2 g to 135 g.
Perhaps the most important finding for horse owners: 9 of the 16 horses did not voluntarily consume enough salt to meet their sodium requirements, even after accounting for sodium provided by their regular diet. Water intake was similarly highly individual and was not affected by whether salt was offered loose or as a block.
The takeaway? Providing free-choice salt does not necessarily mean a horse is consuming enough. Knowing your individual horse, workload, and diet is important - and for horses that do not voluntarily consume adequate salt, adding the appropriate amount directly to the daily ration may be the more reliable approach.
We are especially proud that this work was conducted by an undergraduate student, highlighting the important role undergraduate research plays within CSU Equine Sciences. Giving students the opportunity to take an applied question from study design and data collection all the way through presentation and publication is an important part of training the next generation of equine scientists.
Congratulations to the authors on a great publication and a project with information horse owners can put into practice immediately! ... See MoreSee Less
Amino acids are one of those topics that come up frequently when I’m formulating diets for horses. There is a lot of information out there about amino acid supplements, topline, muscle development, and protein quality, but it’s important to understand what your horse actually needs before adding another supplement to the feed room. On this week’s episode of Scoop & Scale, we dive into amino acids. We had a great conversation about the role they play in the horse’s diet and what we actually know about amino acid requirements in horses. If you’ve ever wondered whether your horse needs an amino acid supplement, I think this is a great episode to listen to. 🎧 www.facebook.com/share/p/1T3p7abwfn/🚨NEW EPISODE - AVAILABLE NOW🚨
What are amino acids, why do they matter, and does your horse actually need an amino acid supplement? In this episode we break down the science behind amino acids, protein quality, muscle development, and the many claims surrounding equine amino acid supplements.
You’ll learn: -The difference between essential and non-essential amino acids -What a limiting amino acid is and why lysine, methionine, and threonine are important -Why amino acids matter for muscle, hooves, hair, and more -How to evaluate amino acid supplements and what meaningful doses actually look like -What BCAAs and leucine can really do for muscle -How much we actually know about amino acid requirements in horses, and more!
If you’ve ever wondered whether your horse needs more protein, an amino acid supplement, or a product marketed for topline and muscle development, this episode will help you understand what the research supports and what may be more marketing than science.
Important research being carried out by the vets at UC Davis in the impact of wildfire smoke inhalation on equine respiratory health. ... See MoreSee Less
We spend a lot of time thinking about what our horses need every day; nutrition, training, turnout, veterinary care, and all the little details that support their health and well-being. But some of the most important decisions we make for our horses happen long before we ever need them.
Preparation isn't about expecting the worst. It's about giving yourself options when circumstances change quickly and making sure you're in the best position to keep your horses safe. This week's episode of Scoop & Scale is a reminder that a little planning today can make a big difference tomorrow.
Have you taken any steps this year to update your plans for your horses? We'd love to hear what's on your checklist.
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...
While we know to keep lids on our grain bins and the feed room door locked, we don't always think about hay barn/loft access. If you have a hay loft with stairs you may want to consider putting a gate on it! ... See MoreSee Less
If you have an older horse, fall is a good time to start thinking about PPID testing. The seasonal rise in ACTH can make this an especially important time to evaluate horses for PPID, commonly known as Cushing’s. And while some of the classic signs are hard to miss, early changes can be subtle and easily dismissed as normal aging.
In the newest episode of Scoop and Scale, we take a deeper look at PPID, why the timing of testing matters, how different testing methods are used, and why insulin status is an important part of the conversation, particularly when we're thinking about laminitis risk and nutrition. Listen now on your favorite podcast app or click on the link below.
www.facebook.com/share/p/1H2o1D8RKY/ ... See MoreSee Less
Cushing’s in Horses: Understanding PPID and Why Fall Testing Matters | Ep. 83 - Scoop & Scale
scoopandscale.com
If you have an older horse, you’ve probably heard of Cushing’s disease, but how much has changed in what we know about diagnosing and managing it? In this episode, we take a closer look at pituita...2 CommentsComment on Facebook
I have been saying this for years and I love that someone took the initiative to do the research. Now we have proof and don't have to rely on anecdotal evidence that individual horses vary in their free choice salt intake, and that this intake is not always enough to meet their sodium needs.Another great example of practical equine research coming out of CSU Equine Sciences!
A new study by undergraduate researcher Brynne Murphy and Dr. Devan Catalano asked a simple question that comes up frequently in horse management: Does it matter whether horses are offered salt as a block or loose in a pan?
Sixteen horses were offered both loose white salt and compressed white salt blocks over four 7-day periods. While horses tended to consume more loose salt (41 g/day) than block salt (32 g/day), salt form did not significantly affect intake. What mattered much more was the individual horse - daily consumption ranged from just 2 g to 135 g.
Perhaps the most important finding for horse owners: 9 of the 16 horses did not voluntarily consume enough salt to meet their sodium requirements, even after accounting for sodium provided by their regular diet. Water intake was similarly highly individual and was not affected by whether salt was offered loose or as a block.
The takeaway? Providing free-choice salt does not necessarily mean a horse is consuming enough. Knowing your individual horse, workload, and diet is important - and for horses that do not voluntarily consume adequate salt, adding the appropriate amount directly to the daily ration may be the more reliable approach.
We are especially proud that this work was conducted by an undergraduate student, highlighting the important role undergraduate research plays within CSU Equine Sciences. Giving students the opportunity to take an applied question from study design and data collection all the way through presentation and publication is an important part of training the next generation of equine scientists.
Congratulations to the authors on a great publication and a project with information horse owners can put into practice immediately! ... See MoreSee Less
2 CommentsComment on Facebook
Amino acids are one of those topics that come up frequently when I’m formulating diets for horses. There is a lot of information out there about amino acid supplements, topline, muscle development, and protein quality, but it’s important to understand what your horse actually needs before adding another supplement to the feed room. On this week’s episode of Scoop & Scale, we dive into amino acids. We had a great conversation about the role they play in the horse’s diet and what we actually know about amino acid requirements in horses. If you’ve ever wondered whether your horse needs an amino acid supplement, I think this is a great episode to listen to. 🎧
www.facebook.com/share/p/1T3p7abwfn/🚨NEW EPISODE - AVAILABLE NOW🚨
𝐄𝐩. 𝟖𝟐: 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐀𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐨 𝐀𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐬: 𝐋𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞, 𝐌𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐞, 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐞 & 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞
What are amino acids, why do they matter, and does your horse actually need an amino acid supplement? In this episode we break down the science behind amino acids, protein quality, muscle development, and the many claims surrounding equine amino acid supplements.
You’ll learn:
-The difference between essential and non-essential amino acids
-What a limiting amino acid is and why lysine, methionine, and threonine are important
-Why amino acids matter for muscle, hooves, hair, and more
-How to evaluate amino acid supplements and what meaningful doses actually look like
-What BCAAs and leucine can really do for muscle
-How much we actually know about amino acid requirements in horses, and more!
If you’ve ever wondered whether your horse needs more protein, an amino acid supplement, or a product marketed for topline and muscle development, this episode will help you understand what the research supports and what may be more marketing than science.
🎧 Listen here or on your favorite podcast app 👉 scoopandscale.com/ep-82-horse-amino-acids-lysine-methionine-threonine-more/ ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Important research being carried out by the vets at UC Davis in the impact of wildfire smoke inhalation on equine respiratory health. ... See MoreSee Less
4 CommentsComment on Facebook
We spend a lot of time thinking about what our horses need every day; nutrition, training, turnout, veterinary care, and all the little details that support their health and well-being. But some of the most important decisions we make for our horses happen long before we ever need them.
Preparation isn't about expecting the worst. It's about giving yourself options when circumstances change quickly and making sure you're in the best position to keep your horses safe. This week's episode of Scoop & Scale is a reminder that a little planning today can make a big difference tomorrow.
Have you taken any steps this year to update your plans for your horses? We'd love to hear what's on your checklist.
🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts or click on the link below.
www.facebook.com/share/p/1DhqsTndPf/ ... See MoreSee Less
Ep. 80: Horse Emergency Preparedness: What Happens When Disaster Strikes - Scoop & Scale
scoopandscale.com
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...1 CommentsComment on Facebook
While we know to keep lids on our grain bins and the feed room door locked, we don't always think about hay barn/loft access. If you have a hay loft with stairs you may want to consider putting a gate on it! ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook