Don Kapper at Progressive Nutrition
Someone recently wrote to ask me about my friend, world reknown equine nutritionist Don Kapper. He is a graduate of The Ohio State University and a member of the Equine Science Society, the American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists (PAS), the American Farriers Association and the American Hanoverian Society and the ISR/Oldenburg Society.
In 1983, he assisted in the development of the first comprehensive computer program to balance equine diets. He consults with industry leaders and has lectured throughout the world to owners, trainers and veterinarians.
Don has also been the exclusive Equine Nutritionist for the 1998, 2002, 2004 and the 2007 North American Sport Horse Registries, 100 – Day Stallion Performance Test.
He is the consulting nutritionist to Baileys Horse Feeds, in England, where they currently provide Progressive Nutrition “feeds and feeding programs” to approximately 30% of the Thoroughbred Studs and Racing Yards in England and are growing into Ireland, France and the United Emirates.
In 2003, Don assisted in writing the text and taught the first Equine Science Certificate Class, “Introductory Equine Nutrition” and has guest lectured on “Equine Growth and Reproduction” and “Exercise Physiology” at the University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
He also wrote the chapter on “Applied Nutrition,” for co-author Dr. Stephen Reed’s, Equine Internal Medicine, 2nd edition, a veterinary textbook that was published in Dec. 2004.
Don has written articles on Equine Management and Nutrition that have been published in several trade journals.
He has guest lectured on “Applied Nutrition” at Veterinary Clinical Science Departments including: Ohio State, Purdue, Iowa State University, Minnesota State University, Texas A&M, Florida State University, the University of Guelph, in Canada, and the College of Veterinary Medicine, in Mexico; as well as universities with horse science degrees, including: the University of Findlay, Salem University, Ohio University, Lake Erie College and the University of Guelph.
Other noted seminar presentations have been given to: the American Association of Equine Practitioners; the Pennsylvania State Veterinary Associations, The Ohio State University Veterinary Nutritional Conference; the Mexico Veterinary Conference; the Northern Texas Veterinary Medical Association; Veterinary Professional Quest; the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association’s of Ireland, England, and France; Horsemen’s Short Courses at The Ohio State University; the American Hanoverian Society; Florida Thoroughbred Farm Managers Association; Michigan, Ohio and American Morgan Horse Associations; and the California Nutrition Conference.
Don and his wife Dee own and operate Outer Banks Farm, where they breed and raise Warmblood horses in Beach City, Ohio. Don can be reached at prognutrition.com if you have any questions about equine nutrition.