Mariette van den Berg

Mariette van den Berg, BAppSc., MSc., RAnNutr.

Mariette van den Berg is an registered equine nutritionist, dressage rider, coach and official who completed a MSc. in Animal Science at the Wageningen University in the Netherlands and a thesis in Equine Nutrition at the Massey University in New Zealand. She is founder of MB Equine Services, an education and research business that offers specialised consulting services in integrated equine nutrition, horse property design and pasture management (www.mbequineservices.com).

Mariette is currently undertaking a PhD in equine nutrition and foraging behaviour at the University of New England in Armidale, Australia. She is investigating factors that influence foraging behaviour and diet selection in horses, with a main focus on post-ingestive and ororsensory feedback mechanisms. Mariette is also a specialised lecturer at UNE and a keynote presenter at various horse nutrition and land care workshops and conferences such as the Australian Horse Keeping Conference and Equitana Melbourne.

Besides her passion for equine nutrition and research she is also a Certified Permaculture Designer and initiator of the Equine Permaculture movement. Equine Permaculture unites like minded horse people that want to learn about the principles and implementation of permaculture (design) and other sustainable farming strategies on their own properties. This new website is a platform for all horse and land owners that want to share principles, experiences and education. For more information on how to join this movement check out our new blog (www.equinepermaculture.com)

www.mbequineservices.com www.equinepermaculture.com

Cristina Wilkins

Director, Editor in Chief Horses and People Magazine

As a young rider Cristina Wilkins competed in eventing to 3 star level in the UK and coached pony and junior riders who competed successfully at European Championship events. She moved to Australia in the late 90’s after residing in New Zealand for five years.

Cristina is now the editor in chief of Horses and People Magazine, and Australian based publication promoting sustainable and evidence-based horse care, welfare and training. She lives on an 80 acre property near Brisbane with her husband Nick, daughter Emma, dogs Molly and Susie and four greys, two PRE stallions Luisillo and Alma Almendrito and two Welsh Sec. A ponies Thomas and Harold. Cristina and Nick also keep around 20 head of cattle and a small flock of chickens. They are developing the property and learning to use permaculture principles to improve the health of all the creatures that depend on it. “