Sure, it makes sense that the owners of high-end performance horses and blue-blooded broodmares find the services offered by equine nutritionists useful. Anything that can give these horses an edge or help them reach their maximum potential is ultimately a revenue-booster. But what about the horse owners who compete on the B and C circuits, or the weekend pleasure riders? Do they really need a nutritionist for their horses? And what can a nutritionist offer that a farm veterinarian or a feed analysis can’t cover?

Who Needs ‘Em?

Whether your horse is a weekend warrior or pasture ornament, broodmare or high-end competitor, of sound or ill health, he needs a complete and well-balanced diet for maximum well-being (as does his owner). To this end, a nutritionist can help by determining your horse’s individual nutritional requirements based on his health and performance status. The nutritionist does this by evaluating the qualities and components of your horse’s current diet (pasture, hay, and/or grain), then using these guidelines to create a suitable, palatable diet specifically designed to meet those needs.

That said, not every horse needs a nutritionist’s services. Carey Williams, PhD, an equine extension specialist at Rutgers University’s Cook College, says, "If your horse is doing fine, has enough energy, has a good body condition score, and–this is key–you’re providing quality forage or feeding a balanced, commercial feed, he’s probably okay and doesn’t need a nutritionist. If it’s not broke, don’t fix it