Horse Jobs – Equine Nutrition Specialist
Equine nutritionists are an important part of the horse spectrum and have an innate ability to understand health. This isn’t a particularly hands on career, while there is horse contact the majority of work is in research and testing.
Nutritionists work in many different environments and with a variety of different types of people. They can be responsible for communications with owners, manufacturers, dealers and even farmers. Anyone in this position has to enjoy meeting new people and seeing new places.
This is a position which benefits from an aptitude for math and computers, strong communication skills and an inquisitive nature.
A genuine love of biology, a problem solving nature and a love of the outdoors are strong characteristics in a good equine nutrition specialist.
Job Description
Nutritionists work to get animals in the finest possible physical state through a series of foods and supplements designed specifically for each individual animal.
Responsibilities
- Handling a variety of animal ailments
- Observation and assessment of each case
- Development of feeding & supplementation schedule
- Research & development of feeds & supplements
- Understanding of nutrition requirements for different types of horse
- Determining proper feeding & nutrition for healing animals
- Utilize complicated computer to determine nutritional needs
- Communication with different parts of the industry
Requirements
Candidates must have graduated from high school and college is beneficial. A business degree as well as nutritionist studies will both help in this profession.
To acquire a research or product management position with a large company generally requires a masters or Ph.D. in nutrition.
Resources
A few places to start if you are interested in a career as a equine nutrition specialist.
*Links open in a new window
Equine Science Society
The Equine Science Certificate
The Right Job For You?
If this isn’t your dream job, there is a long list of different careers that involve horses. Each one requiring a different skill set, schooling requirement and amount of contact with the animals.
Image from Edgewater Farms
I am interested in equine nutrition, have been for years with my own horses. I have experimented with different feeds and supplements, with all ages of horses.
Where can I look for this type of job?
Christina
My mom and me have been discussing my future. I want to be a trainer, but I have a health condition and she doesn’t think I will be able to. She would like me to do something with nutrition. I do not want to work indoors. Is this an indoor job?