Frequently Asked Questions

NutriStride Equine – Frequently Asked Questions

What is NutriStride Equine?

NutriStride Equine is an equine nutrition consulting service focused on forage-first, anti-inflammatory, performance-ready diets. I help you build practical, real-world feeding plans that support soundness, recovery, and long-term health—without throwing 15 random supplements at your horse and hoping for the best.

What types of horses do you work with?

I work with a wide range of horses, including:

  • Performance horses (barrel, rope, ranch, cow horse, etc.)

  • Rehab and recovery cases

  • “Mystery” horses who aren’t thriving despite good care

  • Easy keepers and metabolic/IR-prone types

  • Senior horses that need support to maintain condition and comfort

If your horse eats, poops, and moves, we can work on their nutrition.

What services do you offer?

Core options (names can be adjusted to match your final packages):

  • Consultation + Evaluation
    A 1:1 consult where we review your horse’s current diet, workload, health concerns, and supplements. You’ll receive a step-by-step plan to transition to a more supportive, anti-inflammatory diet.

  • Mineral & Metals Mane Test + Consult Package
    Includes a hair (mane) mineral & metals test, three consultations, and text support as needed while we adjust the program based on real data and how your horse responds.

You can also inquire about ongoing follow-up support for horses in rehab, high-stress performance seasons, or more complex cases.

How does the consultation process work?

  1. Intake form – You fill out a detailed form about diet, hay, workload, health history, and current concerns.

  2. Diet review – I go through what you’re feeding now, what’s actually in it, and where the gaps or overloads are.

  3. Live consult – We talk through findings, your goals, your budget, and your reality (time, boarding situation, etc.).

  4. Custom plan – You receive a clear plan covering forage, concentrates, supplements, and transition steps.

  5. Support – For package clients, we adjust as needed based on how your horse responds and, when applicable, test results.

What is a Mineral & Metals Mane Test and why use it?

A Mineral & Metals Mane Test is a hair analysis that looks at mineral patterns and certain metals over time. It does not replace bloodwork and is not a medical diagnosis tool. Instead, it:

  • Gives insight into longer-term trends (not just a single moment like blood)

  • Can highlight possible imbalances that may relate to hoof quality, coat, mood, recovery, and overall resilience

  • Helps us fine-tune a nutrition program instead of guessing in the dark

It’s one piece of the puzzle, used alongside your horse’s history, diet, and clinical signs.

Can you diagnose my horse or replace my veterinarian?

No. I do not diagnose, treat, or cure disease. I’m not a replacement for your veterinarian, chiropractor, farrier, dentist, or any other medical professional.

What I do is:

  • Help build a nutrition program that supports the body’s ability to recover and perform

  • Make sure your feed and supplement dollars are working, not fighting each other

  • Provide another layer of data and structure, so your vet’s work is supported, not undermined

I am happy to collaborate with your vet when needed.

Do you work with my existing feed, or do I have to switch everything?

The goal is not to burn your current program to the ground for fun.

  • If your current feeds and hay are workable, we’ll optimize and fine-tune.

  • If something you’re using is clearly holding your horse back (or wasting money), I’ll tell you that too.

  • I focus on forage-first diets, supported by a solid mineral balancer and targeted supplements, not a cluttered supplement cabinet.

Do you sell supplements or just advise?

NutriStride focuses on consulting and diet design first. I may recommend specific types of products or ingredients (and sometimes specific brands when it’s helpful and transparent), but the priority is that the program works for your horse, your budget, and your management setup.

If/when I recommend a product line I’m involved with (like NutriSana EQ), I’ll always be clear about that so you know exactly what’s what.

How long does it take to see results?

That depends on:

  • The starting point (current diet, condition, workload)

  • The issue we’re targeting (ulcers vs. feet vs. topline vs. behavior, etc.)

  • How consistently the plan is followed

  • The quality of forage and overall management

Some changes—like attitude or post-ride recovery—may improve within a few weeks. Hooves, topline, and deeper tissue changes usually take months, not days. We’re remodeling the horse, not repainting a fence.

Can you help with easy keepers and “air ferns”?

Yes. Easy keepers are often under-nourished in minerals and amino acids while over-fed calories and starch. I focus on:

  • Appropriate forage amounts and type

  • Safe calorie control

  • Adequate protein and key amino acids

  • Mineral balance that doesn’t pour fuel on the metabolic fire

The goal is to keep them sound and sane without starving them or ignoring their real nutritional needs.

Can you help performance horses in heavy work?

Yes. Performance horses have higher demands for:

  • Quality protein and key amino acids

  • Anti-inflammatory support

  • Gut and hindgut stability

  • Electrolytes, hydration, and recovery support

We build a program that covers those needs on top of a solid forage and mineral base, instead of just adding “energy” feeds and hoping they hold together.

How do virtual consultations work?

Most consults are done remotely via phone or video. You’ll:

  • Fill out an intake form and send any relevant info (hay test, photos, vet notes if allowed, etc.)

  • Schedule a time that works in your time zone

  • Receive your follow-up plan digitally so you can review and implement at your own pace

No hauling, no arena dust.

What information do you need before we start?

The more detail you can give, the better. Helpful info includes:

  • Current feeds, amounts, and feeding times

  • Hay type(s) and approximate pounds per day

  • Photos or results from hay analysis (if available)

  • Past or current health issues, meds, and vet findings

  • Performance level and schedule

  • Any supplements, herbs, or “extras” you’re feeding now

Honesty helps more than perfection. I’m not here to judge—just to fix the system.

How much does it cost?

Pricing depends on the service/package you choose and will be clearly listed on the NutriStride site and booking page. No hidden “gotcha” fees.

Package options usually give you more value if you know you’ll need ongoing support (rehab, complex cases, multiple horses, etc.).

How do I pay?

Payment is typically made online at the time of booking through the scheduling/checkout system on the NutriStride site. You’ll receive confirmation of your appointment and any prep instructions by email.

What if I need to reschedule or cancel?

Life happens—horses prove it daily.

You can reschedule or cancel through the booking system within the timeframe listed in the cancellation policy on the site. Last-minute cancellations and no-shows may be subject to a fee so that time can be reserved for serious clients.

Do you work with multiple horses in one barn or program?

Yes. Barn/program consultations are available and can be more efficient when multiple horses share similar forage and management. This can include:

  • Group hay and diet review

  • Individual plans for key horses (performance, rehab, problem cases)

  • Ongoing support during show or rodeo season

Contact me directly for barn/program pricing.

Can you coordinate with my farrier, trainer, or vet?

Absolutely. When clients choose, I’m happy to:

  • Share nutrition plans with your care team

  • Explain rationale behind diet changes

  • Adjust the program if your vet identifies specific medical concerns

Everyone wins when the team is on the same page and the horse is the center of the conversation.

How do I get started?

You’ll:

  1. Choose the service or package that fits you best

  2. Book your slot through the online scheduler

  3. Complete the intake form and send any supporting info

  4. Meet at your scheduled time and start building a better program for your horse

From there, we refine based on real-world results—not marketing promises.

If you’d like, next step is we can tighten this to match your exact package names, prices, and any boundaries (like how you want to phrase the mineral test or text support limits) so it’s 100% plug-and-play for your site.