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Nutritional advice and information for horses

We offer science-based, customized nutritional advice for:

✔ Healthy (sport) horses - including foals, broodmares and older horses.
✔ Horses with specific health problems - where nutrition plays a crucial role in treatment.

Why a proper feeding regimen is essential

A correctly formulated ration helps prevent health problems and optimize performance:

✅ Healthy horses stay in top condition and maintain a healthy weight. This prevents disorders such as colic and OCD (Osteochondrosis Dissecans).
✅ Sport horses need a balanced diet to perform optimally. Depending on the discipline and training level, the energy source (carbohydrates vs. fats) can be strategically adjusted and supplements can be added to the ration.
✅ Horses with specific disorders often benefit from a customized ration as part of their treatment plan.

Nutritional advice for common disorders

🔹 Gastrointestinal problems (colic, ulcers, diarrhea)
🔹 Metabolic disorders (laminitis, overweight & obesity, insulin resistance, Equine Metabolic Syndrome)
🔹 Muscle and joint problems
🔹 Liver and kidney problems
🔹 Dental problems
🔹 Damless rearing of foals
🔹 Skin and hoof issues

Methodology

Depending on the option chosen, the advisory process proceeds as follows:

🔹Option 1 - Short telephone consultation (€ 36.30 incl. VAT/20 min. conversation)

✅​ Answering your specific questions about horse nutrition

🚨 No calculations or extensive ration analysis

Which steps?

1. 📧 Email dienstpaardenvoeding@ugent.be or call T 09 264 78 26 to make an appointment.

2. 📞 You will receive telephone advice without further analysis.

🔹Option 2 - Full nutritional advice without evaluation of current ration (€ 72.60 incl. VAT)

✅ Nutritional advice with concrete recommendations based on the horse information form

🚨 No in-depth evaluation of the current ration

🚨 No further follow-up or adjustment after initial advice

Which steps?

1. Complete the horse information form
Download the form and return it completed via e-mail to dienstpaardenvoeding@ugent.be

2. Add the following information:

° 📸 Clear photos of your horse, pasture and forage

° 📏 Measurements of chest circumference and body height

° 🔎 An estimate of body condition score

3. Receive personalized nutritional advice
Within 1 to 2 weeks, you will receive customized nutritional advice based on the data you provide.

🔹Option 3 - Comprehensive nutritional advice with discussion and follow-up (€ 145.20 incl. VAT)

✅ Evaluation of the current ration

✅ Comprehensive nutritional advice with concrete recommendations for feed and supplements

✅ One-off follow-up and adjustment if needed

✅ Coordinate with your referring veterinarian, if required.

Which steps?

1. Complete the nutrition history form
Download the form and return it completed via e-mail to dienstpaardenvoeding@ugent.be.

2. Gather the following information:

°📸 Clear photos of your horse, pasture and forage

°📏 Measurements of chest circumference and body height of your horse

°🔎 An estimate of body condition score

°⚖️ The exact weight of all feed materials (in kilograms, not scoop sizes)

°🩺 Consult with your own vet

°📝 The fully completed nutritional history form

3. Within 1 to 2 weeks you will receive a personalized nutritional advice.
Your current feeding policy is thoroughly evaluated. Based on the information provided, you will receive detailed and tailor-made nutritional advice for your horse.

4. One-off adjustment
If necessary, a one-off adjustment is possible after the initial advice.

Price indication

🔹Option 1 - Short telephone advice > € 30 per 20 minutes (€ 36.30 incl. VAT).

🔹Option 2 - Full nutritional advice without evaluation of current ration > € 60 (€ 72.60 incl. VAT).

🔹Option 3 - Comprehensive nutritional advice with discussion and follow-up > € 120 (€ 145.20 incl. VAT).