Mariette van den Berg B.(Hons), MSc. (Equine nutrition)
Animal Scientist & Nutritionist
Mariette van den Berg was born in the Netherlands in the province of Friesland, which is famous for the beautiful black Friesian horses. At a young age she was already passionate about working with animals and especially horses. Studying animal management and science was for her a logical step to learn more about animals and biology.
In 2000 Mariette commenced her bachelor study in Animal Management at the Van Hall Institute. Throughout this study she enlarged her passion for animal nutrition and in particular equine nutrition. At the Veterinarian Science Department and Animal Nutrition Department of the University of Utrecht she completed a research internship that studied the effect of high phosphorus intake on the phosphorus and calcium balance in 3-6 year old Shetland ponies. Other animal species that Mariette worked with include livestock, dogs, cats, native birds, sea turtles and beavers. In 2004 she graduated for her bachelor degree and in the same year she started her master’s degree.
From 2004 to 2006 Mariette studied Animal Science and Aquaculture at the Wageningen University in the Netherlands. In 2005 she travelled to New Zealand to complete her post-graduate thesis work on equine nutrition. At the Massey University in Palmerston North Mariette studied the effect of dietary transitions on the faecal pH and microbiology in New Zealand Thoroughbred horses. She presented her work at the 2006 Australian Equine Science Symposium: 'Equine Science 2006' on the Gold Coast (Australia).
After her studies she started her career in the animal health and nutrition industry in the Netherlands. In 2009 she moved to Australia and founded MB Equine Services that offers specialised equine nutrition and regenerative horse property design and pasture management consulting services. Mariette combines this with her dressage coaching & training. For more information about equine nutrition and horse property design and management contact us and to read more about her dressage coaching and equine training click here
Nicholas Huggins
Permaculture design consultant and horticulturalist
Nick Huggins is a certified PDC teacher and design consultant. He has a extensive background in horticulture, landscape design and construction. Nick consults for MB Equine Services and provides powerful and effective services for land owners seeking biological and holistic (equine) pasture management using Permaculture principles and putting them into action on their land. He teaches various pasture management and farm design courses. Nick writes articles for the Horses and People magazine, Hoofbeats Magazine and Permaculture Research Institute of Australia.
