is there a call for a freelance equine nutritionist?

[Toast]

Hi all, just pondering... As the title really, nutritionists primarily work for a specific feed company and are expected to sell their product. So, what if there was an independent freelance nutritionist who was happy to offer advice on general feeding and recommend any type of feed that they deemed might suit the client. Is there a call for someone like thi,s? Would you contact one instead of a feed rep? Discuss

 

[Happy Hunter]

I would, but then the independant wouldnt know all the stuff that the Feed Companies tell their nutritionists.... e.g. New products and Ingredients.

I get around this by calling about 3 or so Feed companies (on their Free numbers) and having a good chat with all of them and making my own mind up!

I did a degree in Biology though, so I may have a bit of a head start

 

[mudmonkey17]

Yes definately. Feed companies are helpful when you contact them but i feed different makes of feeds so would be helpful to have an indepentant to give advice.

 

[Goldenstar]

Yes it on my too do whenI have time list advice that is independent to check my horses diets and advise any tweaks.

 

[jennywren07]

i'm kind of hoping so!!

I'm starting a college course in sep with a view to uni/ becoming a nutritionist. I'd like to be able to work freelance eventually because i have a young daughter so would be able to work around school runs and things so will be very interested in any replys.

Personally i'd rather use someone independant as i want the best feed avalible for my horses not the best from a particular brand/company

 

[Toast]

These are promising replies! keep them coming

 

[Goldenstar]

The thing is many people have favourite supplements or feeds they like to use so having someone who would tailor things around your favourite things would be great.

 

[Trot_On_Dressage]

Freelance nutritionists do already exist so their must be a market for it. But as someone mentioned you would need to know the whole product list of each feed company, and you will eventually end up with having a favourite company anyway!

 

[Walrus]

Clare McLeod seems to do quite well as one.

 

[My equine life]

i'm kind of hoping so!!

I'm starting a college course in sep with a view to uni/ becoming a nutritionist. I'd like to be able to work freelance eventually because i have a young daughter so would be able to work around school runs and things so will be very interested in any replys.

Personally i'd rather use someone independant as i want the best feed avalible for my horses not the best from a particular brand/company

Did you achieve this?! I’m 17 about to do equine science at uni and want to do the same thing but getting negative comments from family saying it won’t be possible or easy

 

[Batgirl]

I use one, there is a very popular one in my area.
Bonuses are she has a very wide product knowledge.
She has been able to explain the benefits of any changes she has suggested.
Feed companies that I have had in the past have been ok but waffle and cover questions like politicians

 

[Surbie]

I have one coming to see me in March - she also has her own weighbridge and is kept very busy doing yard weigh-ins twice a year.

Sensible advice and she knows her products.

 

[Bonnie Allie]

Independent equine nutritionalist are the only ones to engage. The ones associated with feed companies quite rightly have to push their company products. Sometimes they are not qualified and really are just marketing people.

It is a formal qualification however and equine science is only a foundation, you will need to specialise.

I disagree with your parents, it is aligned to agri-science and agri-tech of which already there are not enough graduates for jobs. Predictions are this is going to be a boom industry.

Perhaps look a little wider at the Agri-science and Agri-tech degrees to give yourself a broader base, and to get your parents onside.

Finally, with the increase in metabolic disorders, laminitis, gut health as well as our challenges around soil degradation, intense farming practices the way we feed our horses today is unsustainable for our land, the horses and our finances. This is your opportunity to get out there and make some changes.

 

[wispagold]

I am a nutritionist but a ruminant nutritionist rather than equine. I originally wanted to be an equine nutritionist and was planning on doing an equine science degree. But when I was researching uni courses and career pathways whilst I was in 6th form every feed company I spoke to told me not to specialise too early. So I ended up doing an Animal Science degree at Nottingham. This has set me up very well for a 10 year plus career in agriculture. I work for a feed company but within the technical team and I am more involved with ration formulation and technical support for farmers and the sales team rather than just being a sales rep. These sorts of jobs do exist within the equine industry but they are few and far between and most equine nutritionists with feed company are sales reps.

I would say there are positives and negatives with independents. Customers tend to like that advisers aren't only going to suggest feeds from one source, however you are likely to stick to a couple of brands that you prefer for recommendations. At the same time it will be difficult to get all the information on all the different feeds and companies often don't willingly give this information, unless you have a very good relationship with them. Plus you have to charge for your time as it is the only way you will make money. Consultants are fairly common in the ruminant industry.

The benefits of being with a feed company is that you have the backing of a much wider knowledge base. We invest in our own R&D alongside universities. We have several highly qualified nutritionists within the company that we can use if needed. We get support from our suppliers and their technical teams on specialist areas such as forage, minerals, the rationing software we use etc. And we have training programmes in place for continual development that would need to be self funded if you were a consultant.

Just to give a bit of insight from the other side.

I am another that, as an owner, l would probably contact several feed companies and make my own decision. Unless I was looking for specialist information and couldn't find the answers I was after.

 

[FFAQ]

Clare McLeod seems to do quite well as one.

I think she has a day job to pay her bills though as her work as an independent nutritionist isn't enough!

 

[Melandmary]

There was a post on my local horsey fb page asking if anyone could recommend one so I am guessing so ?