BETA Support Nutrition Seminar At British Equine Event

VISITORS to this year's British Equine Event will have the chance to learn more about correct diets and feeding regimes.

The Nutrition Seminar is being sponsored by the Feed sub-committee of the British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) and will be hosted by well known independent equine nutritionist Dr Catherine Dunnett.

The seminar will be held on both the Saturday and Sunday, November 3 and 4, with the focus on what horse and pony owners should consider when choosing the correct feed for the type of animal they own.

"It is very important that when going to buy horse feed, owners clearly read the information on the bags and packaging to make sure they are feeding what they think they are," said Dr Dunnett.

"The talk will centre around using the information provided on bags of feed to ensure that horse owners feed the most appropriate product for their horse's particular lifestage or level and type of exercise.

“This will include some information on energy – what level and what source, ingredients, nutritional analysis and marketing terms.”

The seminar will include a wealth of useful information, aimed at the leisure and weekend competition rider. It will also be practical and there will be a question and answer session at the end.

BETA Chief executive and Secretary Claire Williams said: "We are delighted to be sponsoring the nutrition seminar at the British Equine Event.

"The new BETA Feed Code will be launched at next year's BETA International Trade Fair so sponsoring the nutrition seminar was an ideal opportunity for BETA to raise its profile on the issues of feed labelling and correct practice in marketing and promoting feed.”

Throughout the British Equine Event, BETA will be running a series of competitions to win prizes including copies of the British Equestrian Directory which contains hundreds of useful contacts as well as a wealth of information, and their well known What to Wear guide.

Background Information

Dr Dunnett has a background in Equine Physiology and Nutrition gained at The Animal Health Trust where she worked for seven years. Since then she has been involved in the commercial world as a nutritionist with leading horse feed manufacturer Dengie Horse Feeds.

As a member of their management team, she was responsible for new product development and providing nutritional support to both customers and Dengie staff. In May this year she set up her own consultancy business as an Independent Equine Nutritionist.

She is one of only three Equine Nutritionists in the UK that are recognised and registered with the Nutrition Society. She is also involved with the British Junior Endurance Team as 'team nutritionist' and has advised the senior endurance team and junior showjumping team.