Separating fact from fiction in the equine feed market: a need for practical education

As a consulting Equine Nutritionist and lecturing at Universities, TAFE Colleges and in the public sector for The Queensland Horse Council as well as running private seminars for the public, I have to agree with the author on the point that there is in fact a definite need for intensive and ongoing knowledge to be passed on in relation to the correct methods and requirements for horses. The only thing I have to add to this recognition is the fact we are fighting a losing battle to a large extent because the people who come to listen and learn rarely take much away with them apart from the fact it is not what they came to hear. They come to hear the easy fix methods, they come to hear the most ridiculous things imaginable, and if they dont get to hear that then they arent all that interested because it may or will require for them to actually exercise a thing called common sense and to do things in a regulated manner - this is not what they want to be taught, they want to hear that they are the most marvelous horse carers about the place and what they are feeding is absolutely the best thing for their horse - items like copper sulphate, yellow dusting powder, paw paw seeds, watermelon and amount of assorted non-horse standard feeds. When and if we can get them past this stage of horse ownership we may then only just stand a chance of further education. Sounds a little cynical? Try 30+ years in the field and see how cynical you become.