ABOUT

​Integral Equine Nutrition aims to provide you with the information and knowledge to do the best for your horses and your land, with the resources you have at hand.

Grass-roots science

Combining scientific evidence with experience and observation in the field to provide sound, practical
​recommendations that work.

Forage first

The horse's basic need for continual foraging is the priority. Without proper digestive function, even the best diets
​will not be effective.

Optimise nutritients

High quality, diverse feeds and supplements fill in the gaps to build health, wellbeing and performance, according to individual needs. ​

Sophie Fletcher, founder and equine nutritionist

BAnVetBioSc (Hons I)
MAnSc (with Distinction) GradCertRegenAg
From a very young age, Sophie has always been intrigued and passionate about two things - animals (especially horses!) and science. This has led her to not only pursue knowledge and skills through formal education and work, but also to look, listen and observe everything equine.

After gaining a solid foundation in animal sciences during her Bachelor's degree, Sophie began her working life in medical research, spending 5 years in autonomic neuroscience research (the brain's control of involuntary functions such as heart rate and blood pressure). She is an author of several peer reviewed research papers in this field, and has a realistic understanding of the scientific research process.
Throughout this time, she was working on a personal project - her warmblood gelding, Myka. Purchased as a green 5 year old, Myka unfortunately suffered from a number of physical and behavioural issues. Spooky, grumpy, a poor-doer and diagnosed with idiopathic headshaking syndrome, "fixing" Myka led Sophie further and further researching on her own time into equine health and nutrition. The learning did not stop here - she started applying her knowledge of equine nutrition to other horses.
At this point Sophie decided to get back to what she loved - equine nutrition - and in 2016 Integral Equine Nutrition was born. Dedicated to using the knowledge she has gained (and never stops learning) to improve the health and well being of all horses,  Sophie completed a Master's of Animal Science. Subjects included equine health, nutrition, exercise science and behaviour, as well biochemistry and pharmaceuticals. Her research dissertation on the use of turmeric as a preventative of gastric ulcers earned her a Dean's Award for Academic Excellence and was published by a peer reviewed scientific journal (read in full here).
After a few years in practice, Sophie realised that many of her clients needed help managing their pastures in order to produce healthy grasses for their horses - without compromising or degrading their land - triggering another bout of research and study. A growing interest in sustainable horsekeeping led Sophie to complete a Post Graduate Certificate in Regenerative Agriculture, formalising her experience.

Sophie works with a wide range of horses and owners, from miniature ponies through to high level showjumpers, the thoroughbred industry and breeding horses - and everything in between! She has written for a number of magazines and given educational presentations.

​A keen horse rider as well as a scientist, Sophie enjoys riding her PRE gelding Tiento, training classical dressage and enjoying the trails around Terrey Hills, where they are based.

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