Experts discuss how best to help horse owners.
The body behind a register of verified equine nutritionists and feed advisers says interest is growing from around the world.
The British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) launched the Equine Nutritionist and Feed Adviser Register (ENFAR) last year to help consumers find credible feeding advice.
“With nutritionist and feed adviser being unprotected terms, many professionals in the space were seeing people confused by ‘armchair experts’ providing incorrect and even harmful advice,” said a BETA spokesperson.
ENFAR registrants are required to undertake continuing professional development (CPD) to broaden and refresh their knowledge, therefore BETA provides educational opportunities.
More than 40 ENFAR members met recently to discuss laminitis - and how best to support concerned horse owners.
Dr Pat Harris of Spillers shared the latest scientific studies on laminitis including some ahead of publication.
Ruth Bishop from HJ Lea Oakes and who chairs the BETA feed committee, updated members on VMD [the government agency which monitors animal medicine safety] guidance about the marketing of products for equines prone to laminitis.
“Legal compliance is a key component of best practice and professionalism and less scrupulous companies and individuals make illegal claims, often without realising the damaging implications their actions have on the credibility of the wider industry,” says BETA.
Dr Katie Williams from Dengie Horse Feeds rounded off the session by looking at the challenges nutritionists and feed advisers encounter when advising horse owners.
Reviewing the day, independent equine nutritionist Clare Macleod said: “It was such a brilliant session – so useful and covering a wide variety of aspects of how we work as nutritionists or feed advisers.”
BETA says that interest in ENFAR is growing around the world with more nutritionists and feed advisors applying for approval.
Horse owners and carers looking for an accredited feeding professional can visit the register here https://beta-uk.org/enfar-directory/.
To find out more about joining ENFAR as an equine nutritionist or feeding adviser, see https://beta-uk.org/beta-enfar-defining-nutritionists-and-feed-advisers/.
