Sanoanimal Equine Nutritionist Training

For each module, you receive comprehensive materials in PDF format that provide you with the necessary knowledge for self-study. Even after completing the training, these materials serve as a valuable reference.

No additional specialized literature required! If desired, we provide recommendations for supplementary reference works.

With few exceptions, all modules are supplemented by detailed instructional videos that you can watch anytime and anywhere. You only need a stable internet connection and are not tied to fixed class times.

Monthly, you can optionally participate in live sessions to clarify your questions. These meetings are recorded and available to you until the end of the training. So even if you can’t attend, you can catch up on the content. Questions can be submitted in advance by email. Duration: approximately 2 hours each.

You’ll also receive professional support from our instructors through our WhatsApp group. Ask your questions anytime and exchange ideas with other participants between live meetings.

Yes, the training is explicitly designed so that you can start without any prior knowledge. We really begin from the very basics – explaining, for example, what a pH value is, what an acid or base is, and how proteins and amino acids are structured. The course covers a fair amount of biochemistry, but don't worry: everything is explained in a way that everyone can follow – even those who never excelled in chemistry at school. The goal is to genuinely understand what happens in the body, because that understanding is what makes nutritional consulting meaningful. You don't need a chemistry degree or a veterinary background – anyone can participate.

The exact time investment varies depending on prior knowledge and learning pace. The training consists of 24 modules. Each module includes a comprehensive script (approximately 50 pages, shorter or longer depending on the topic), supplementary videos where relevant, and ends with a two-hour live Q&A session via Zoom. Most participants are working professionals who complete the training alongside their job. That said, it does require carving out some leisure time – those who previously spent every free moment at the stable will notice they now need more time at their desk. It is manageable alongside a full-time job, and the entire training is fully online.

The training takes place entirely online – there are no in-person sessions. This is a deliberate choice: for a theoretical subject like equine nutrition, physical presence isn't necessary, and it makes organisation much easier, especially for people with families, horses at home, or those living further away. In addition, each cohort has its own WhatsApp group where participants can exchange ideas, ask questions, and discuss real cases at any time. Once a month, a live Q&A session takes place via Zoom where all questions about the course content can be discussed with the instructors.

Yes, all quizzes take place online. The quizzes (one per module) and the final exam are multiple-choice tests. There are no oral exams – this minimises exam anxiety and allows everyone to work in a familiar environment.

The quizzes consist of 10 randomly selected multiple-choice questions drawn from a larger question pool. They can be repeated as many times as needed – though you should review the script and videos thoroughly between attempts. The quizzes are designed for self-assessment and prepare you well for the final exam.
The final exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions covering all 24 modules, with a time limit of 3 hours and a minimum pass mark of 66%. If not passed, it can be retaken up to twice.
All assessments – quizzes and the final exam – are included in the training fee. There are no additional costs.

The Q&A sessions take place in the evenings via Zoom and typically last around two hours (sometimes shorter, sometimes up to three hours). Questions can be submitted in advance. All sessions are recorded and remain available for the entire duration of the training (24 months + 3 months buffer = 27 months). If you can't attend live, you can watch or listen to the recording at any time – many participants listen while driving to or from the stable.

No, additional specialist literature is not required. The training is specifically designed to deliver all relevant information in full through the comprehensive scripts and supplementary videos. Specialist books can be very expensive (often €200 or more), so the course is built to be self-contained. The scripts include a reading list as a reference – those who want to go deeper can purchase books based on personal recommendations. There are also practical exercises throughout the scripts to encourage independent research – not as graded homework, but to practise finding and evaluating reliable sources. The ability to critically assess information from the internet and social media is explicitly part of the training.

Yes. Metabolic therapy is an integral part of the training, as it is often the actual reason why a nutritional consultation is sought. The major metabolic topics are covered within the relevant module, for example:
• Insulin resistance and PSSM in the module on the pancreas
• Gut rehabilitation, tail water, diarrhoea, and colic in the gut module
• Detoxification and KPU therapy in the liver module
Not every individual condition is covered in detail (e.g. lice, thrush), but the therapeutic foundations are taught in a way that allows you to work with them in practice. Specific individual cases can be discussed in the Q&A sessions or in the WhatsApp group.

No. All scripts and videos were created by the course director Dr. Christina Fritz herself – there are no additional instructors. However, for the supervision of training groups (Q&A sessions and WhatsApp groups), there is well-trained support to ensure that competent contacts are always available, even when the course director is unavailable.

There is no classic taster course – partly for organisational reasons with the tools used. What is available is a large amount of free content on sanoanimal.com, including podcasts, videos, online seminars such as Healthy Horse, and in-depth lectures (e.g. on laminitis, EMS, or respiratory issues):
https://shop.sanoanimal.com/category/online-courses/
These already go into considerable depth and give a good sense of how content is explained and whether the teaching style suits you.

Yes, the number of participants is limited. This is deliberate, so that the Q&A sessions and WhatsApp groups remain manageable and genuinely interactive. The first group starts on 1 May 2026. From 2027 at the latest, we plan to move to a rolling enrolment model where starting the training will be possible at any time.

Tax classification varies significantly by country and is not uniformly regulated – we therefore strongly recommend seeking local advice from a tax adviser or accountant in your country. Germany: The classification is not standardised even within Germany. Depending on the local tax office, the activity may be classified as a trade (Gewerbe, comparable to an animal health practitioner) or as a freelance profession (freiberuflich, comparable to a health professional). Please contact your local tax office (Finanzamt) or a tax adviser.
United Kingdom: Self-employed practitioners in the UK typically register as sole traders with HMRC and pay income tax and National Insurance contributions through Self Assessment. There is no separate "freelance" versus "business" distinction in the same way as in Germany – most practitioners will simply register as self-employed. We recommend consulting HMRC's guidance (gov.uk) or a UK accountant to confirm the correct setup for your specific activity.
France: Equine nutritional consulting is not a regulated profession in France, so practitioners can generally register as a micro-entrepreneur (auto-entrepreneur), which is a simplified self-employment regime with reduced administrative requirements. However, we recommend consulting a local accountant (expert-comptable) or the URSSAF to confirm the correct classification and applicable contribution rates for your activity.
Belgium: Self-employed practitioners in Belgium typically operate as a sole trader (entreprise individuelle / eenmanszaak) and register with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (CBE/KBO). VAT registration is generally required unless your annual turnover is below €25,000. Social security contributions are paid quarterly. We recommend consulting a Belgian accountant or the local enterprise counter (guichet d'entreprises / ondernemingsloket) for guidance specific to your situation.
For all other countries: Please consult a local tax adviser or accountant who can advise on the correct classification and registration requirements for your specific country.

Insurance requirements and recommendations vary by country. We strongly advise checking the requirements in your country with an independent insurance broker or professional association.
Germany: There are no statutory insurance requirements. However, the following are strongly recommended: professional indemnity insurance (Berufshaftpflicht), legal expenses insurance (Rechtsschutz), personal accident insurance (Unfallversicherung) when working with horses, and – for the fully self-employed – practice interruption insurance (Praxisausfallversicherung).
United Kingdom: There is no universal statutory requirement for equine nutritionists in the UK, but professional indemnity insurance is very strongly recommended and is in fact required for membership of various professional bodies (e.g. BANT requires it for practising members). Public liability insurance is also advisable when visiting clients' premises or working with horses. We recommend consulting a UK insurance broker to find a suitable policy, as cover for nutritionists and animal health practitioners is widely available.
France: There is no universal statutory requirement for equine nutritionists in France, but a responsabilité civile professionnelle (RC Pro) is strongly recommended to cover claims arising from your professional advice. We recommend consulting a French insurance broker (courtier en assurances) or a professional association for guidance on appropriate cover for your activity.
Belgium: There is no specific statutory requirement for equine nutritionists in Belgium, but professional liability insurance (verzekering beroepsaansprakelijkheid / assurance responsabilité professionnelle) is strongly recommended. We recommend consulting a Belgian insurance broker for advice.
For all other countries: Regulations vary considerably. Please consult an independent insurance broker in your country who can advise on any mandatory requirements and appropriate voluntary cover.

Yes, that is explicitly the goal. All graduates who have passed the final exam are added to the therapist network and actively recommended. Individual areas of focus are also taken into account, for example osteopathy, homoeopathy, or aromatherapy.

The quality seal is valid for one year and is renewed annually, provided the following requirements are met:
1. Training at Sanoanimal: Attendance at a minimum of 8 out of 12 case studies. The first year after completing the training is included free of charge.
2. External continuing education: A minimum of 4 hours of training with an external provider – freely chosen, submitted for approval and recognised on a case-by-case basis.
The quality seal itself is free of charge. Costs arise through the continuing education (current prices on the website). If you need to take a year off (e.g. parental leave), you will lose the certificate for that year but can reactivate it the following year without issue. After several years of inactivity, a refresher assessment will be required.