What is an Independent Nutritionist?

Put simply, an independent equine nutritionist is an expert in horse nutrition in feeding who works freelance i.e. is not employed by a company who makes feed or supplements. Therefore they offer you unbiased, professional advice.

Clare is also registered with the Association for Nutrition. Using an independent nutritionist who is registered means you will get the best possible service with advice that is honest, unbiased, up to date and in the best interests of you and your horse/s. No feed or supplement products will be pushed nor misinformation about products be given.

Make sure you use a registered Nutritionist: find out more.

Correct nutrition supplied by a balanced diet is vital for good health and optimal performance. With so many feed and supplement products available for horse nowadays, it can be complicated to make the best choices for your horse. In addition, horses tend to be fed forage plus compound feeds and supplements rather than complete feeds like dogs and cats are fed. Independent Equine Nutritionists can help you make the best choices.

Equine Nutritionists are probably more accurately described as Equine Dieticians, because they apply the science of nutrition to diet formulation and feed selection.

What’s the difference between a nutritionist and a dietician?

Nutrition is “ the study of nutrients in food, how the body uses nutrients, and the relationship between diet, health and disease. Nutritionists create and apply scientific knowledge to promote and understanding of the effects of diet on health and well being in humans and animals” (BNF, 2005).

Dietetics is “the application of the science of nutrition to the construction of diets and the selection and preparation of foods in health and disease” (BNF, 2005). Human dieticians have graduated from a course recognised by the Health Professions Council, and could be described as ‘practical nutritionists’. There is no recognised course for equine dieticians, and the term is not commonly used.

Association for Nutrition

The letters RNutr after Clare’s name mean she is registered as a Nutritionist with the Association for Nutrition, under their UK Voluntary Register of Nutritionists (UKVRN). Only a handful of Equine Nutritionists in the UK are registered with the Association for Nutrition, who recognise the highest standards in nutrition.

Academic qualifications, professional experience, evidence of keeping up to date and a true enthusiasm for the subject are stipulations for registration.

Registered Nutritionists operate under a Code of Professional Conduct and have clear standards of professional practice.

At present, there is no regulation of the use of the description ‘Nutritionist’, so in theory anyone can call themselves a Nutritionist. Therefore advice from a nutritionist who is not registered should be taken with care.