MY EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
I hold a B.S. in Animal & Poultry Sciences with an Equine Emphasis from Virginia Tech, with minors in Agricultural Economics and Environmental Science, as well as an M.S. in Animal Science from the University of Tennessee. My research focused on equine nutrition and metabolomics, with a significant emphasis on starved horse nutrition and metabolic recovery. I investigated metabolic gene expression across multiple tissues to clarify how malnutrition alters key pathways and how targeted nutrition can safely support rehabilitation. This foundation in starvation physiology allows me to approach equine nutrition with a deep understanding of how diet influences health at both the cellular and whole-horse levels. I am also a certified Professional Animal Scientist (PAS) through the American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists, reflecting my commitment to continued education, ethical practice, and evidence-based consulting.
In addition to research, I have extensive teaching and outreach experience as a university-level Equine Nutrition Short Course Educator, Master Horse Program Instructor, and Graduate Teaching Assistant. These roles strengthened my ability to communicate complex science in clear, practical, and applicable ways for horse owners and industry professionals. My qualifications also extend to facility-wide management, equipping me to provide guidance on pasture establishment and revitalization, heavy-use area design, rotational grazing, soil health considerations, manure and carcass composting, and environmentally responsible management practices.
Together, my academic background, PAS certification, research specialization, and facility-level expertise uniquely position me to develop nutrition and management strategies that are scientifically sound, environmentally aware, and realistic for the daily demands of horse owners, trainers, and equine facilities.
MORE ABOUT ME
I grew up and currently reside in East Tennessee and have been part of the horse industry for the past 15 years. My career in equine nutrition is rooted in a lifelong passion for horses and shaped through years of riding, showing, studying, and working within the industry. My early experiences in the Tennessee 4-H Horse Project, where I successfully competed at the national level in horse judging, hippology, and horse bowl, ultimately sparked my pursuit of equine science and continue to influence my approach today. I’m also a lifelong equestrian with diverse riding and showing experience across hunter, western, ranch, and reining, events. These days, I primarily compete on the Quarter Horse and hunter circuits with my horse, Theo, while also serving the industry in leadership and volunteer roles.
My ongoing involvement as a horse owner and competitor gives me a firsthand understanding of the realities facing horse owners, trainers, and producers every day, from industry expectations and management constraints to feed sourcing, budgeting, and the practical challenges that shape daily equine care. This perspective allows me to create nutrition plans that are not only scientifically sound, but also realistic, adaptable, and grounded in the rhythms of real life.
My consulting work centers on foundational metabolic nutrition, performance optimization, and chronic disease management with the ability to serve a broad range of horses. With both hands-on horsemanship and scientific training, I am committed to providing personalized, research-backed nutrition strategies that genuinely improve the health, comfort, and quality of life of every horse I work with.
MY PUBLICATIONS
