The Role of an Equine Nutritionist in Equine Health, Performance and Wellbeing: Ideas stemming from an Equine Science Society Symposium Workshop.

This research article revolves around the role and qualifications of equine nutritionists in the United States, and highlights the lack of regulatory oversight for credentialing in this field. Using findings from a workshop held at the 2023 Equine Science Society meeting, the article argues for greater recognition and integration of equine nutritionists in a horse’s health team.

Equine Nutritionist Qualifications and Regulatory Oversight

• The article notes that there is confusion about the qualifications necessary to become an equine nutritionist. In the absence of a regulatory body, most equine nutritionists have advanced degrees in Animal Science, but not all individuals claiming to be equine nutritionists have formal education in this specific field.
• Unlike in veterinary medicine, there currently exists no formal credentialing system for equine nutritionists. This creates inconsistency in the qualification levels of those claiming to be experts in equine nutrition.

Results of the 2023 Equine Science Society Workshop

• A workshop during the 2023 Equine Science Society meeting aimed to discuss these issues and brainstorm solutions. For instance, they aimed to develop strategies for integrating equine nutritionists into a horse’s health team, which also includes veterinarians and farriers.
• In other areas of animal and human health care, including livestock management, the value of nutrition in overall health and wellbeing is well-documented. This implies that there is a need for appropriately trained equine nutritionists in the field of horse health as well.

Lack of Confidence and Education in Equine Nutrition

• Among veterinarians, who are often the primary source of information for horse owners, the article reveals there is a significant lack of confidence in the area of nutrition. This is mainly due to inadequate education in nutrition during veterinary school and the lack of continuing education opportunities in the field after graduating.
• As a consequence, horse owners may be unknowingly relying on unreliable sources of nutritional information, such as the internet. Unverified information can lead to poor nutrition management of horses, potentially affecting their health and performance.

Proposed Solutions

• The workshop discussion revolved around both formal and informal education of equine nutritionists and proposed opening lines of communication with the veterinary community to facilitate the sharing of nutritional resources.
• By connecting veterinary professionals with equine nutritionists, horse owners and managers can potentially access reliable resources on equine nutrition, improving the health and wellbeing of their horses.