Informed Practices from Perpetually Learning: Meet Danielle of SNIP Equine Nutrition

At Honos Nutrition Co., I’m passionate about horses, science, and doing the best we can do for our equine best friends, while empowering others to do the same. With this blog series, my goal is to support like-minded individuals and convey the importance of compassionate, evidence-based horse care, while coming back to the passion & curiosity that is driven by the love of the horse. 

Honos has been so fortunate to connect with an incredible range of horse-first, compassionate people through social media, and Danielle of SNIP Equine Nutrition is no exception. An independent nutritionist based in Manitoba, Canada (my provincial neighbour!!), Danielle is a gift to the equine industry, helping horse owners feed their horses with simple - but effective - nutrition practices, based in science.

Danielle’s business started in a way that speaks to her values - she was constantly thinking about how we can better feed our beloved horses, “When I got back into riding horses, just prior to COVID, I was working as a ruminant nutritionist and found myself constantly comparing the nutritional management between horse and cattle herds,” she explained. 

As a ruminant nutritionist, Danielle was used to bi-monthly visits full of forage and feed sampling, mix auditing for ingredient weight accuracy, animal and manure condition assessments, and custom-built rations and premixes, and observed “In contrast, the horse barns I was riding at were selecting hay using the 5-senses, measuring feed by the scoop, and relying on a history of anecdotal experiences, Facebook recommendations, and brand loyalty.” Industry norms don’t have to be broken, but they can be shaped to better serve our animals, which is something we all want!

What sets Danielle apart is her mentality. While noticing that the equine nutrition space was in need of modernization, she tackles this with grace and compassion, “Now, this isn’t to say that these horse barns were poorly feeding their animals, more so that there was ample opportunity to improve how they were managing their feeding programs. I took this as inspiration to pivot my focus from ruminants to equines; I wanted to bring independent nutrition advice to my community in a way that is flexible, accessible, and locally driven.” Flash forward to 2026, Danielle and SNIP Equine Nutrition service the Manitoba area with a range of horse-focused services, give back to the community by sponsoring horse shows, and offers mobile & virtual support to extend her reach to all those who need nutritional support.

Not only does Danielle have extensive education background, but science is engraved into her life. With experience in multi-species metabolic research, a partner from a OneHealth research background, she summarized “science has been very central to our lives.” Danielle’s strong animal science background shows as she explains “Science gives us a tested blueprint to base our approach and build our understanding of the complex ways all the body’s systems interact with each other and their inputs. Without this foundation, it can be incredibly difficult to make appropriate recommendations.

Formulation software is very helpful, however, it’s often the foundational scientific knowledge that drives appropriate decision making; ration formulation is both a science and an art – what works on paper will not always work on-farm, and each animal is an individual who needs to be fed as such.” By working with a qualified equine nutrition professional, you can trust that recommendations are based on a strong understanding of how your horse’s body works, and how to optimize those functions to promote a healthy, happy animal.

As metabolic disease and equine obesity prevalence increases, managing metabolic disorders through nutrition is a hot topic across the industry, and one that Danielle has a special interest in.

While Danielle has extensive experience working with lactating animals, her main interest lies in the management of metabolic disorders through nutrition. Danielle’s Master’s dissertation was focused on the pathogenesis of carbohydrate-induced laminitis, and she explains, “it illuminated how interconnected the various body systems are and the care we need to take in selecting appropriate feeds for the horse in front of us to ensure those systems are performing their best.” Managing a metabolic horse in a way that is species-appropriate is no easy feat, which makes it crucial to work with a professional who understands how to balance both.

The hallmark of professional you can trust? They’re a perpetual student of the horse, which Danielle illustrates wonderfully: “There is no endpoint with horses, you are always learning! I feel as though the willingness and humility to be a perpetual student of the horse is necessary to being successful with them in all aspects of their care and training. I think that the more we learn the better we can connect with them and that pushes me to keep learning.” Danielle elaborates, “horses have shaped me into a more confident and observational person. They have taught me to really slow down and work with where I am at in the moment, rather than where I think I should be. Horses have also introduced me to so many inspiring and accomplished humans that have enriched my life and pushed me to greater heights.”

I like to wrap up my guest features with a simple question that often has infinite answers: 

What advice would you give your younger horsey self? Danielle’s answer both resonated and inspired me, as it should you. “There are so many things I wish I could say to my younger self, the foremost advice would have to be: Don’t be afraid to be seen trying! It is much more admirable to fail than to never start over fear of what might happen; each attempt at something new is an opportunity to learn and grow.”

For Danielle, the most rewarding part of SNIP Equine Nutrition is two-fold: “seeing my clients gain confidence in their nutrition management and seeing horses flourish with a new program. I want people and their horses to feel supported and thrive through every stage of their journey. Being a part of that journey, no matter how small, is both an honor and a privilege.” And what a privilege is it to have such amazing professionals in the industry?

Ready to incorporate simple, informed equine nutrition practices into your horse’s program? Check out SNIP Equine Nutrition. 

Contact: snipequinenutrition@gmail.com

Follow: SNIP Equine Nutrition on Facebook, @snipequinenutrition on Instagram.