Mars Horsecare appoints new global science and nutrition director

MARS Horsecare, home of the SPILLERS brand, has appointed Dr Edd Knowles as its global science and nutrition director and head of the equine studies group at Waltham Petcare Science Institute.

He replaces Dr Pat Harris, who has transitioned to a senior advisory role.

Dr Knowles will be responsible for continuing to develop and manage the Mars equine research strategy and will also support the development of Mars Horsecare products and associates. 

He graduated from Cambridge University as a veterinarian in 2005, initially working in small animal practice before moving to equine practice in 2007. He enjoyed roles in first-opinion practice, at a specialist hospital and a diagnostic laboratory, becoming a specialist in equine internal medicine in 2014.

While working for Bell Equine Clinic, Dr Knowles balanced his clinical work with research, with the focus on laminitis. With the support of Waltham, he completed a PhD in laminitis prediction in ponies at the Royal Veterinary College in 2021.

He has also been researching Equine Atypical Myopathy (Sycamore toxicity) with the Royal Veterinary College and will continue with this project. 

Dr Knowles said: “Pat has made an outstanding contribution to research into equine health and welfare.

Dr Edd Knowles

“She has led important advances in our understanding of equine biology, her pragmatic approach has allowed for research findings to be readily applied and she is a great collaborative scientist. 

“I am absolutely delighted to join the teams at Mars Horsecare and Waltham and excited to develop the research to further improve equine health and welfare.”

Dr Harris’s career has already spanned 30 years with Mars and during that time she independently led the equine research programme, overseeing a broad portfolio of collaborative research with a primary focus on equine nutrition throughout the life stages, and its impact on performance, behaviour, health, and welfare.

She has undertaken the research behind many SPILLERS products prior to formulation and managed the development and launch of the WINERGY brand in the UK, prior to it being amalgamated with SPILLERS.

In recent years, her focus has been on obesity, laminitis, and the senior horse. She has played a pivotal role in the development of world-recognised monitoring systems, such as the Cresty Neck Scoring system and the Muscle Atrophy Scoring system. 

Dr Harris’s significant contribution to research into equine health and nutrition is underscored by more than 300 peer-reviewed, published research papers, 500 abstracts, and numerous authored and co-authored book chapters. It has also led to several successful patent applications.

During this time, she also served as co-editor of two major book publications on equine nutrition and has been instrumental in developing others in her field, supporting the supervision of more than 30 successful PhD candidates across the world. 

Dr Harris said: “I am extremely proud to have been a part of the fantastic teams at Waltham as well as Mars Horsecare for the past three decades and congratulate Edd on his new appointment.

“I look forward to continuing my work in my new advisory capacity, in support of Edd and the team, to further expand our knowledge of equine nutrition, with the consistent goal of enhancing the health and welfare of horses worldwide.”

Fiona Cayzer, general manager of Mars Horsecare, said: “Pat’s dedication to advancing equine welfare and education is reflected not only in her longevity and excellence of service to Mars Horsecare but also in her tireless work with multiple organisations where she has held positions of influence.

“Such roles have included president of the British Equine Veterinary Association, the Equine Science Society, and the European Society of Veterinary and Comparative Nutrition. 

“Alongside her new senior advisory role in Mars Horsecare and Waltham Petcare Science Institute, we are delighted that Pat will be supporting Edd’s onboarding to Mars.

 “We are immensely grateful to Pat for her significant contribution to Mars and we warmly welcome Edd to the team. Our congratulations to both Pat and Edd on their new roles. “

To find out more about the SPILLERS range visit www.spillers-feeds.com