equine nutritionist

[lauraxxx]

Hey everyone
I'm currently studying equine nutrition having already completed my Level 3 diploma passing with distinction so I am now onto my Level 5 which will take 2 years to complete.
If I was to offer remote feed/nutrition services now at a reduced price, would people be interested in this or would you only use someone who has done all the qualifications?
Basically, I want to gain some working experience in nutrition while studying - I do already work as a freelance groom on yards and at shows and have done for years alongside owning my own horses so definitely already have the horse experience etc

 

[Cragrat]

Hey everyone
I'm currently studying equine nutrition having already completed my Level 3 diploma passing with distinction so I am now onto my Level 5 which will take 2 years to complete.
If I was to offer remote feed/nutrition services now at a reduced price, would people be interested in this or would you only use someone who has done all the qualifications?
Basically, I want to gain some working experience in nutrition while studying - I do already work as a freelance groom on yards and at shows and have done for years alongside owning my own horses so definitely already have the horse experience etc

Yes, I think that is a good idea - you need to start somewhere, and by offering reduced proce services with full disclosure, as you say, you can gian practical experience. Is there anyone you can refer up to / consult with if you get a more complex case? Can you shadow someone?

 

[smolmaus]

I don't think I know enough about the qualifications to say. I know as an engineer I am legally not allowed to produce work independently for pay until I am fully qualified/ chartered, other careers are similar for liability reasons.

I am very liability-minded so I think it would put me off that you may not be insured, if something were to go wrong. I think finding someone to do work-shadow with is a great idea, for the supervision and insurance purposes.

 

[saalsk]

I personally would pay a reduced fee, given qualifications/insurance etc for advice on nutrition, on the understanding that payment would reflect exams/experience. You would still have a lot more experience and knowledge than the average horse owner (me !), and wouldn't be tied to a specific brand. I have used several brand advice lines, and although very useful and helpful, they are there to promote their own feeds.

It maybe that you are already above that level, and not looking to spend time with more basic work (that isn't meant to be insulting - just my own lack of idea about what level you are looking at !) but for me, having someone look at some pics of my horses, body score, age, weight, metabolics, work level etc, and talk through which feeds would benefit, and why, pro's and con's of various feeds, and all without having to pick a single brand over another. I find that as obviously all my horses have been/currently are different, having an independent person who can simply advise, would be very helpful. This is based on me as an owner who has a basic/medium level of understanding, with a couple of chunky lawnmowers in low level of work - if you were looking at riding clubs/livery yards/competition yards etc, that would be different and I'd want qualifications, insurance, and would expect to pay more.