Dr. Getty's Approach

Welcome! If you're looking for reliable, science-based answers to your horse's nutritional questions, you've come to the right place.

For more than 30 years, I have had the privilege of helping horse owners around the world improve their horses' health through sound nutrition. Throughout those years, one truth has become increasingly clear:

Feed Horses according to the way they were designed to eat, digest, and live.

Everything I teach begins with this simple philosophy.

The horse was designed to graze continuously, consuming small amounts of forage throughout the day while moving freely across the landscape. Every part of his digestive system, metabolism, and natural behavior reflects this design. When we understand and respect the horse's natural needs, we create the foundation for vibrant health. Too often, nutritional problems develop because modern feeding practices work against the way the horse was designed to function.

Every Horse Is an Individual

There is no single feeding program, supplement, or product that is appropriate for every horse.

Each horse has unique nutritional needs based on age, breed, workload, metabolism, health status, forage quality, environment, and management practices. That's why I never rely on a "one-size-fits-all" approach.

Instead, I evaluate the complete picture. During a consultation, I consider your horse's medical history, current health concerns, forage and pasture, feeds and supplements, medications, body condition, exercise program, housing, and daily management. By understanding how these factors work together, I can develop a practical feeding program tailored specifically to your horse's individual needs.

Nutrition Is an Essential Part of Good Horse Care

Excellent horse care is a team effort. Your veterinarian diagnoses and treats disease. Your hoof-care professional helps maintain healthy, functional feet. My role as an equine nutritionist is to provide the nutritional foundation that supports every body system, complements veterinary care, and helps your horse achieve optimal health.

Nutrition cannot replace good veterinary care, but it is often the missing piece. When horses are fed according to the way they were designed to eat, digest, and live, many health challenges can be prevented, existing conditions can often be improved, and horses are better able to thrive throughout every stage of life.

Independent, Science-Based Recommendations

As an independent equine nutritionist, I am not affiliated with any feed, supplement, or pharmaceutical company. My recommendations are based solely on scientific research, more than three decades of practical experience, and what is best for your horse -- not on promoting any particular brand or product.

Over the years, I have helped horse owners address a wide range of nutritional concerns, including insulin dysregulation, PPID (Cushing's disease), laminitis, ulcers, recurrent colic, digestive disorders, weight management, developmental nutrition, senior horse care, and performance nutrition. While every horse is different, my goal is always the same: to help each horse achieve better health by working with nature instead of against it.

Education Is My Passion

One of the greatest joys of my career has been helping horse owners understand not only what to feed, but why.

When you understand how the horse's body is designed to function, feeding decisions become simpler, more logical, and far more effective.

In addition to private consultations, I share practical, science-based information through articles, recorded presentations, webinars, interviews, podcasts, and my monthly newsletter, Forage for Thought. My book, Feed Your Horse Like a Horse, along with the Spotlight on Equine Nutrition series, explores many of the nutritional questions horse owners face every day and explains the science in a practical, easy-to-understand way.

My Mission

My mission is simple:

To help horse owners understand that the healthiest horses are those fed according to the way they were designed to eat, digest, and live.

When we honor the horse's natural design, we don't just feed him—we nourish him.

I look forward to helping you and your horse enjoy a lifetime of vibrant health.

Dr. Getty shares her knowledge and experience in various ways:

• You'll find a wealth of information available on the Getty Equine Nutrition site, including recorded seminars and interviews, and a growing library of articles and tips - all organized by topic.
• Sign up for the free bi-monthly e-news, Forage for Thought. Each issue covers one or more topics in depth.
• Want more? Pick up a copy of her comprehensive reference book, Feed Your Horse Like A Horse, which provides answers to many of the real world issues you face every day in taking care of your horses.
• Focus on specific issues in Dr. Getty's "Spotlight on Equine Nutrition" book series.