Nicki Castle Independent Equine Nutritionist

05/11/2025

Warning to horse owners after ‘potentially disastrous misinformation’ on laminitis shared on social media. Read more below

29/10/2025

Area visit on Tuesday 11th November. DM to be included on this day

29/10/2025

An excellent example, well done Cross Trees Livery!

28/10/2025

🌟Tuesday Topic - Be careful what you read on social media 🌟

You have likely all seen the recent and quite frankly shocking post that went out on a certain page last week claiming that Laminitis is NOT caused by diet. I would strongly urge everyone to read with extreme caution as this is such a sweeping statement that has the potential to be dangerously misinterpreted.

Although the condition of Laminitis is not fully understood, we absolutely know, through years of peer reviewed scientific research that diet can and does play a role in large number of cases. This is not to say that diet is the only cause; of course other factors such as hoof balance, stress/trauma, toxic, mechanical and metabolic issues all play a role in contributory factors towards the risk of laminitis and it would be detrimental to our horses’ health to overlook ANY of theses factors.

Horses are individuals and these click bait ‘one size fits all’ approaches are simply dangerous. Use your common sense, consider your WHOLE management aspect and take comments such as the above with a massive pinch of salt!

12/09/2025

Hedgerow foraging on a hack, lots of rosehips picked. Who else likes a hedgerow haul?

11/09/2025

Lovely nutrition review with this boy today - steady weight gain and what a shine 🤩

09/09/2025

Visits in the Somerton / Ilchester area (and on route) next Wednesday 17th Sept. DM to be included in the visit 🐴

06/08/2025

Upcoming Sept visits, DM to book in;

9th Sept - Exeter (rockbeare area)

11th Sept - Poughill / Black Dog / Cheriton Fitzpaine

17th Sept - Somerton / Langport

18/06/2025

Love this from Saracens - I talk about workloads a lot with customers and had this conversation just last week about how people often misunderstand their horses workload. These figures from the National Research Council (2007) help to assess your horses true workload.

10/06/2025

I’m looking forward to attending this conference via Live Stream tomorrow. Looks like some interesting topics will be discussed and ensures I keep up to date with industry changes/discussions

Don't miss out on our upcoming two-day conference, "Tackling the Main Issues Facing the Equine Nutrition Industry Today." It's packed with crucial updates, lively debates, and fantastic networking chances.
https://beta-uk.org/conferences/

We still have day tickets and online tickets available! However, please note that all overnight and dinner options are now sold out.

We're incredibly thankful for our Silver Sponsor, Kiwa UK . The Kiwa Group is one of the top 20 global Testing, Inspection and Certification (TIC) organizations and is active in over 35 countries with key offices in Europe, North and South America, Asia, and Australasia.
Kiwa Agri Food, based in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, offers accredited certification, auditing, training, and pest control consultancy services. They have extensive knowledge and understanding of the Food, Feed, Farm, and Pest Control sectors to support their customers. Kiwa Agri Food has been working with BETA on the delivery of the NOPS Scheme since its inception and is delighted to sponsor the BETA NOPS & Feed Conference.

Grab your tickets soon via the booking link https://forms.gle/747RyDu1wSqHQwoe8

07/06/2025

Last call out for visits in Somerton / Taunton area this Tuesday. DM to book 🐴

06/06/2025

I am looking forward to being at the Stevenstone & Torrington Farmers Pony Club Big Horse show on Sunday at coxleighbarton. I will be there with my weighbridge offering weighing for the discounted rate of £10 per horse. I will be set up from 10.30 - 11.15 then taking a short break for my daughter to jump in classes 18 and 19, then will be back for a few hours after that (approx 12.30-2.30 depending on class times!)
Hope to see lots of you there 🐴