Beyond the Barn

Ep. 112: Fixing Free Fecal Water Syndrome - Diet, Fiber & Gut Health Solutions for Horses Part 2

On this Part 2 episode of the Beyond the Barn podcast, host Katy Starr, Dr. Burt Staniar, Associate Professor of Animal Science at Penn State University, and Dr. Kelly Vineyard continue their discussion about how diet plays a role in free fecal water syndrome, including: Why forage should always be the foundation of your horse’s diet How different fiber sources (like beet pulp, alfalfa, and grass hay) impact gut health What “forage quality” really means and how hay maturity can affect digestion Practical feeding strategies to apply when you can’t control your horse’s hay (e.g. when your horse is at a boarding facility) The truth about supplements (and when they’re actually worth it) If your horse struggles with free fecal water syndrome, or even if you’d just like to better understand equine gut health, hindgut function, and forage nutrition as the foundation of your horse’s diet, this episode is jam packed with practical, science-backed insights you can start applying to support your horse. If you haven’t listened to Part 1 yet, be sure to go back to episode 111 for a deep dive on fiber and digestive health before getting into this episode! 🎧 Listen now on the Beyond the Barn podcast   Have a topic idea or feedback to share? We want to connect with you! Email podcast@standlee.com _______________________________ Helpful BTB Episodes to Reference –  Ep. 111: Not All Fiber Is the Same - Understanding Free Fecal Water Syndrome in Horses Part 1 Ep. 098: Feeder Style, Dominance, and Stress in Group-Fed Horses – What the Research Says Ep. 054: What is Leaky Gut in Horses, and Can It Be Prevented? Ep. 045: Why Skipping a Hay Analysis Could Cost More Money in the Long Run with Sarah Fessenden Ep. 047: How Properly Balancing Your Horse’s Diet Can SAVE You Money in the Long Run! Ep. 003: Why Horses Need to Eat Fiber _______________________________ *Views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of Standlee Premium Products, LLC.* _______________________________ Connect with Dr. Staniar: University Website Email - wstaniar@psu.edu _______________________________ Love the podcast? Leave a rating and review on Apple – https://podcasts.apple.com/.../beyond-the-barn/id1541221306Leave a rating on Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/3dmftQmwLKDQNueUcCJBZaHave a topic idea or feedback to share? We want to connect with you! Email podcast@standlee.comShare our podcast and learn more about our hosts at our Beyond the Barn podcast pageSUBSCRIBE to the Beyond the Barn podcast email to be an exclusive insider!Find us on Apple, Spotify or Google Podcasts and SUBSCRIBE, so you never miss an episode._______________________________Check out the Standlee Barn Bulletin BlogFind more nutritional resources from our PhD equine nutritionists at https://www.standleeforage.com/nutrition/ Connect with Standlee on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok

Ep. 111: Not All Fiber Is the Same - Understanding Free Fecal Water Syndrome in Horses Part 1

On this Part 1 episode of the Beyond the Barn podcast, host Katy Starr chats with Dr. Burt Staniar, Associate Professor of Animal Science at Penn State University, and Dr. Kelly Vineyard about the science behind free fecal water syndrome, including: Why two diets with the same fiber content can behave very differently in the horse’s hindgut What free fecal water syndrome is and how it differs from diarrhea Why some horses might be more susceptible  Free fecal water syndrome can be a frustrating and confusing issue for horse owners, with what looks like normal manure, but water leaking separately. This episode sets the stage for Part 2, where we’ll dive into practical feeding and management strategies that may help support horses dealing with free fecal water syndrome. 🎧 Listen now on the Beyond the Barn podcast Have a topic idea or feedback to share? We want to connect with you! Email podcast@standlee.com _______________________________ Helpful BTB Episodes to Reference –  ~15:20 – Ep. 054: What is Leaky Gut in Horses, and Can It Be Prevented? ~24:44 – Ep. 098: Feeder Style, Dominance, and Stress in Group-Fed Horses – What the Research Says _______________________________ *Views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of Standlee Premium Products, LLC.* _______________________________ Connect with Dr. Staniar: University Website Email - wstaniar@psu.edu _______________________________ Love the podcast? Leave a rating and review on Apple – https://podcasts.apple.com/.../beyond-the-barn/id1541221306Leave a rating on Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/3dmftQmwLKDQNueUcCJBZaHave a topic idea or feedback to share? We want to connect with you! Email podcast@standlee.comShare our podcast and learn more about our hosts at our Beyond the Barn podcast pageSUBSCRIBE to the Beyond the Barn podcast email to be an exclusive insider!Find us on Apple, Spotify or Google Podcasts and SUBSCRIBE, so you never miss an episode._______________________________Check out the Standlee Barn Bulletin BlogFind more nutritional resources from our PhD equine nutritionists at https://www.standleeforage.com/nutrition/ Connect with Standlee on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok

Ep. 110: When to Call the Vet – What Horse Owners Need to Know About Equine Emergencies with Dr. Erica Lacher

On this episode of the Beyond the Barn podcast, host Katy Starr chats with Dr. Erica Lacher, equine veterinarian and host of Straight from the Horse Doctor’s Mouth, to help horse owners confidently decide when something is an emergency and they need to call the vet or monitor at home, including: Why one specific type of injury is never a “wait and see” situation An old wives tale that is commonly suggested for colic, but doesn’t actually help Two vital signs your vet wants you to know before you ever pick up the phone Dr. Lacher also shares practical first-aid kit must-haves and so much more to help you feel confident in knowing what to do when an equine emergency hits, because its often not ‘if’ but ‘when’ with horses. 🎧 Listen now on the Beyond the Barn podcast Have a topic idea or feedback to share? We want to connect with you! Email podcast@standlee.com _______________________________ Episode References –  ~10:49 – How to Check Vital Signs On Your Horse ~23:32 – Equine Emergency Vet Care Guide ~ 26:04 – How to Take Photos for Your Equine Vet ~52:37 – Foaling Kit Guideline from AAEP ~1:01:26 – How to Weigh Your Horse _______________________________ *Views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of Standlee Premium Products, LLC.* _______________________________ Connect with Dr. Lacher: Springhill Equine Veterinary Clinic Straight from the Horse Doctor’s Mouth Podcast YouTube Facebook Instagram TikTok _______________________________ Love the podcast? Leave a rating and review on Apple – https://podcasts.apple.com/.../beyond-the-barn/id1541221306Leave a rating on Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/3dmftQmwLKDQNueUcCJBZaHave a topic idea or feedback to share? We want to connect with you! Email podcast@standlee.comShare our podcast and learn more about our hosts at our Beyond the Barn podcast pageSUBSCRIBE to the Beyond the Barn podcast email to be an exclusive insider!Find us on Apple, Spotify or Google Podcasts and SUBSCRIBE, so you never miss an episode._______________________________Check out the Standlee Barn Bulletin BlogFind more nutritional resources from our PhD equine nutritionists at https://www.standleeforage.com/nutrition/ Connect with Standlee on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok

Ep. 109: 4 Horse Feeding Mistakes That Increase Laminitis Risk

***Complete our short survey by Wednesday, March 11, 2026 to be entered for a chance to win Standlee free product coupons and some fun Standlee swag – https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/btb2026podcast*** _______________________________ On this episode of the Feeding Fumbles & Fixes series of Beyond the Barn, host Katy Starr chats with Dr. Kelly Vineyard, PhD equine nutritionist, to discuss four common horse feeding mistakes that can increase laminitis, including: Why some horses at the highest risk for laminitis look healthy and fit What current research is teaching us about meal size, carbohydrate load, and metabolic stress How everyday feeding and management decisions can strain the hoof long before any soreness appears Dr. Vineyard also talks about how metabolic testing works, what body condition scores really mean, and why meal size and NSC intake per feeding matter, especially for at-risk horses. 🎧 Listen now on the Beyond the Barn podcast Have a topic idea or feedback to share? We want to connect with you! Email podcast@standlee.com _______________________________ Episode References –  ~19:07 – Dr. Erica Macon Research - Identifying possible thresholds for nonstructural carbohydrates in the insulin dysregulated horse  |  Insulin dysregulated horses metabolic responses to forage pellets _______________________________ Resources to Learn More –  More about sugar and starch sensitivity in horses: Podcast - Ep. 096: The Problem with One-Size-Fits-All Feeding Plans for Metabolic Horses - Part 2 Podcast - Ep. 095: Metabolic Horses Aren’t Always Fat - Here’s What No One Tells You - Part 1 Podcast - Ep. 088: NSC, Sugars, Starches, Fructans – Are They Good or Bad for Horses? Podcast - Ep. 057: How to Prevent and Manage Laminitis Podcast - Ep. 006: Successful Strategies to Help Limit NSC (aka Sugars and Starches) in Horse Diets Podcast - Ep. 005: Are Horses Carbohydrate Sensitive? Blog Post - Cresty Neck – A Precursor to Metabolic Disease in Horses Blog Post - How to Avoid High NSC Intake for Horses in the Spring Blog Post - Laminitis in Horses: Symptoms, Causes, and Feeding Strategies to Support Hoof Health Nutritional White Paper - Carbohydrates and Horses — What Do I Need To Know?v Webinar - Spring Into Action! What to Watch Out For: Metabolic Disease Prevention & Management Webinar - My Horse Is Carb Sensitive, Isn’t It? Product Solutions Recommended by Dr. Kelly Vineyard –  Standlee Alfalfa Cubes Standlee Alfalfa Compressed Bales Standlee Teff Grass Pellets Standlee Smart Carb Performance _______________________________ *Views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of Standlee Premium Products, LLC.* _______________________________ Love the podcast? Leave a rating and review on Apple – https://podcasts.apple.com/.../beyond-the-barn/id1541221306Leave a rating on Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/3dmftQmwLKDQNueUcCJBZaHave a topic idea or feedback to share? We want to connect with you! Email podcast@standlee.comShare our podcast and learn more about our hosts at our Beyond the Barn podcast pageSUBSCRIBE to the Beyond the Barn podcast email to be an exclusive insider!Find us on Apple, Spotify or Google Podcasts and SUBSCRIBE, so you never miss an episode._______________________________Check out the Standlee Barn Bulletin BlogFind more nutritional resources from our PhD equine nutritionists at https://www.standleeforage.com/nutrition/ Connect with Standlee on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok

Ep. 108: 4 Simple Ways to Stretch Your Hay Supply Without Sacrificing Nutrition

Episode Notes: *** Complete our short survey by Wednesday, March 11, 2026 to be entered for a chance to win Standlee free product coupons and some fun Standlee swag – https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/btb2026podcast *** _______________________________ On this episode of the Feeding Fumbles & Fixes series of Beyond the Barn, host Katy Starr chats with Dr. Kelly Vineyard, PhD equine nutritionist, to break down four simple, practical ways to stretch your hay supply without sacrificing your horse’s nutrition, including: Why two hay programs that look identical on paper can produce very different outcomes by the end of the season A simple management change that research shows can protect a surprising amount of the hay you already pay for The overlooked planning step that can turn hay from a seasonal stressor into one of the most predictable parts of your feeding program Dr. Vineyard also shares real-world math examples, research-backed insights, and practical tips horse owners can implement immediately, whether you manage one horse or an entire herd. 🎧 Listen now on the Beyond the Barn podcast Have a topic idea or feedback to share? We want to connect with you! Email podcast@standlee.com _______________________________ Episode References – ~6:24 - Round-bale feeder design affects hay waste and economics during horse feeding – research by Dr. Krishona Martinson and others _______________________________ Resources to Learn More – More about stretching your hay supply: Podcast - Ep. 106: 5 Ways Horse Owners Waste Money on Feeding Podcast - Ep. 026: What Format of Hay Should I Feed My Horse and Why Does It Matter? Podcast - Ep. 010: What to Do When You Run Out of Hay Blog Post -How to Extend Your Hay Supply When Hay or Pasture Is Limited Blog Post - How to Supplement Your Horse's Diet with High-Quality Hay Blog Post -What Can I Do If I’m in Short Supply of Hay or Pasture? Nutritional White Paper - Hay in Short Supply? Horse Forage Alternatives from Standlee Premium Products More about storing hay: Podcast - Ep. 025: How to Plan for Hay Needs and Useful Storage Tips to Avoid Hay Loss Blog Post - Hay Storage for Safety and to Prevent Losses Live Q & A - How to Properly Store Hay and Prepare for Winter More about feeding energy dense forage options: Podcast - Ep. 007: Alfalfa Misconceptions – Myth vs. Truth Part I Podcast - Ep. 008: Alfalfa Misconceptions – Myth vs. Truth Part II Podcast - Ep. 048: Beet Pulp – What Is It and Why Do Horses Need It? Podcast - Ep. 093: Cracking the Code on Horse Energy - What Every Owner Should Know Blog Post - Counting Calories - Getting the Energy Content Right in Horse Diets Blog Post - Feeding Beet Pulp to Horses: Benefits, Tips, and Safe Use Nutritional White Paper - Beet Pulp: What Do I Need to Know? Live Q & A - What is Beet Pulp and Why Do Horses Need It? Webinar - What is Beet Pulp? Webinar - Should I Be Concerned About Feeding Alfalfa - Facts & Misconceptions Product Solutions Recommended by Dr. Kelly Vineyard – Standlee Timothy Grass Mini Cubes Standlee Alfalfa Pellets Standlee Alfalfa Timothy Chopped Standlee Alfalfa Orchard Grass Compressed Bale _______________________________ *Views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the view of Standlee Premium Products, LLC.* _______________________________ Love the podcast? Leave a rating and review on Apple – https://podcasts.apple.com/.../beyond-the-barn/id1541221306Leave a rating on Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/3dmftQmwLKDQNueUcCJBZaHave a topic idea or feedback to share? We want to connect with you! Email podcast@standlee.comShare our podcast and learn more about our hosts at our Beyond the Barn podcast pageSUBSCRIBE to the Beyond the Barn podcast email to be an exclusive insider!Find us on Apple, Spotify or Google Podcasts and SUBSCRIBE, so you never miss an episode._______________________________Check out the Standlee Barn Bulletin BlogFind more nutritional resources from our PhD equine nutritionists at https://www.standleeforage.com/nutrition/ Connect with Standlee on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok