Our Science:

Waltham Petcare Science Institute is a leading scientific authority on pet nutrition and care, as well as being the home to the WALTHAM™ Equine Studies Group, led by Dr Pat Harris MA PhD VetMB DipECVCN MRCVS.

The Equine Studies Group is supported by Clare Barfoot BSc (Hons) RNutr Marketing and R&D Director and Sarah Nelson BSc (Hons) Product Manager at SPILLERS. This internationally linked group is dedicated to the scientific advancement of equine nutrition. It collaborates with scientists and nutritionists throughout the world and by publishing its findings, is committed to sharing knowledge for the benefit of all veterinarians, nutritionists, owners and trainers. The group also provides the science that underpins the SPILLERS brand.

After qualifying from the University of Cambridge Veterinary School in 1983, Pat completed her PhD at the Animal Health Trust in Newmarket into the Equine Rhabdomyolysis Syndrome (Tying- Up). She joined the Waltham Petcare Science Institute (previously the Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition) in 1995. As Director of Science for Mars Horsecare and Head of the WALTHAM^TM Equine Studies Group she is responsible for their equine research conducted in collaboration with experts at institutes and universities globally . She is also a scientific advisor to MARS Equestrian^TM sponsorship.

Pat is a European Specialist in Veterinary Clinical and Comparative Nutrition, the only RCVS recognised specialist in veterinary clinical nutrition (equine) and a British Equine Veterinary Association Past-President. She is also a member of several international Society boards   and holds a number of academic posts within various institutions around the world. She is the Vice-chairman of the National Equine Forum organising committee, a member of the Equine Science and innovation Group of the British Equestrian World Class Performance team,   serves on the Veterinary Advisory Committee of World Horse Welfare and is chairman of the Veterinary and Welfare Advisory Committee to the Donkey Sanctuary.  Pat lectures internationally on nutrition as it affects the health, welfare, behaviour and performance of the horse. She is the author or co-author of over 500 scientific papers, abstracts and book chapters with recent emphasis on obesity, laminitis and senior horse nutrition.

When not at work, Pat enjoys spending time with horses and has spent much of the last ten years looking after senior horses. 

Clare graduated with a degree in Animal Science from The University of Newcastle upon Tyne having always shown a passion for animals but particularly horses. Horses and ponies have always played a central role in Clare’s life after being born into a horse mad family.

Clare started her career as a pig and poultry nutritionist where she learnt to formulate and design nutritional products before moving to SPILLERS which enabled her to combine her passion for horses and nutrition. Clare is a registered equine nutritionist with the Association of Nutrition and in her role as Marketing and R&D Director, over-sees the nutritional management of all our products. She works very closely with Professor Pat Harris to steer our extensive research program where she has co-authored numerous peer-reviewed papers on equine nutrition and management.

With a particular interest in laminitis, Clare sits on the WALTHAM International Laminitis and Obesity Consortium where her role is to translate the science from our research into practical advice for horse owners and into product innovation so our products remain at the forefront of nutritional thinking.

As well as Clare’s role for SPILLERS she sits on the British Equestrian Trade Association’s Feed Committee to ensure the needs of the industry are represented at national level.

Sarah grew up around horses and was an active member of the Pony Club. Joining SPILLERS as Care-Line Nutritionist in 2009 gave Sarah the perfect opportunity to combine her passion for science and her love horses by providing advice for horse owners, riders and vets on all aspects of practical nutrition. Sarah has supported a number of WALTHAM™ science projects, translating key messages into practical advice through science blogs and social media content.

In her current role as Product Manager, Sarah is responsible for the technical management of all SPILLERS products, including recipe formulation. She works closely with Professor Pat Harris to provide nutritional consultations for clinical cases as well championing evidence-based, practical nutrition knowledge.