Meet Connie Flores | Independent Equine Nutrition Advisor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Connie Flores and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Connie, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
17 Hand Equine Nutrition was started because I wanted to help horse owners make science-based and educated decisions about their horse’s nutrition, and to make them feel empowered in their choices. I help dedicated, compassionate equestrians achieve their horse’s maximum genetic potential through optimal, balanced nutrition in a whole-horse approach. We do not only consider what an ideal science-based diet looks like on paper, but also listen to what the horse in front of us is communicating through their outward appearance and demeanor.

When a horse owner feels confident in their feeding program and they are helping their horse blossom from the inside out, it takes away a level of worry and saves the owner time and money. They no longer have to guess what will work for their horses- they know. This sense of empowerment and peace impacts their relationship with their horse positively. The horse feels good from the changes we implement, and horses never lie- when they feel good they act accordingly. I believe a foundation in good nutrition impacts every aspect of the horse and human connection, because feeding horses appropriately is also a practice in good management to meet a horse’s evolutionary needs.

I started my journey in equine nutrition because I wanted to provide the best life possible for my horse. Daisy was a 17 hand chestnut Thoroughbred mare who entered my life in 2012, and abruptly left it in 2023. We met when I was a working student at an eventing barn in Florida. Fate brought her to me in 2021, and I became her owner.

Daisy was a hard keeper, a picky eater, and an incredibly intelligent soul. I researched for hours, tried different feeds, and just when we were on track she would drop weight suddenly. She was gaining nicely again before she suffered a tragic pasture accident and crossed the rainbow bridge. I think of her constantly.

I lost time. I wish I could go back and allow myself to seek a nutritionist’s help. I didn’t realize the time I wasted or the desperation I brought home every day, putting distance between myself and my family because all I could think of was “What am I doing wrong?” and “What else can I try?” I wish I could apply what I know now to her, and I would have been able to do more of the thing I loved— spending quality, peaceful, and present moments with her. Time is a gift.

I never want any horse owner to go through the amount of anxiety and frustration I experienced trying to seek the best nutrition for Daisy, so I took a leap of faith. I invested in my education to become a certified equine nutrition advisor so I can use my experience and help other horse owners spend more time with their horses rather than worrying about them.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I own two small businesses- one called 17 Hand Equine Nutrition LLC; which is my equine nutrition consulting business. The other is The Forage Porridge LLC, providing forage-based mash kits for horses.

My first business is The Forage Porridge, and it started because of an idea. In December 2022, I wanted to make some cute gifts for my barn friends and landed on making mashes with hay pellets as the base, so as to not introduce too much of a new food at once, as the horse’s microbiome is incredibly sensitive to change. I thought they turned out cute and posted some pictures on my personal instagram asking if anyone wanted to buy some- and to my surprise, within 48 hours I had to stop taking orders and learn very quickly how to make a business! That is how the Forage Porridge came to be, and I officially launched that business in March 2023.

I am proud of the Forage Porridge because there really isn’t anything like it on the market. There are a lot of horse treat companies with adorable cookies for horses, but I couldn’t find a horse mash that had hay pellets as the base anywhere, and it has had a great response online. It has been a fun journey with the Forage Porridge, and I hope to continue to get braver and grow the business.

17 Hand Equine Nutrition I recently launched in April 2024, after completing my equine nutrition advisor certification course with Legacy Equine Nutrition. My heart lies with this consulting business, as it is truly what I feel I am meant to do. I love helping horses and watching them glow up! It is so satisfying to speak with my clients and provide education on the horse’s digestive system, and how to feed their individual horse for overall health. As an independent equine nutrition advisor, I do not work for any horse feed companies and therefore can tailor my recommendations to the specific horse, my client’s budget, and what they can easily get consistently.

I believe that one of the biggest challenges as an entrepreneur is believing in the value you provide, and pricing your products or your services appropriately. You have to remember- there is always someone doing it for cheaper. But what someone else sets as their value does not indicate your own. If you stay true to who you are, and work hard for the clients who see value in you, it will have a ripple effect. There is truly room for everyone in any industry, as you will attract clients who can relate to you and your journey.

One of the biggest lessons I have learned is to just start. Please release the idea that something has to be perfect- it won’t ever be and that is okay. Movement is better than stagnation and taking a first step, even if the step is to write down what you want, is important.

Whenever I feel overwhelmed with the multitude of ‘to-dos’, I try to think of why I started in the first place. I remember my purpose is to help others, and come back to the root of it all.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Okay so let’s picture my best friend is a horse girl! I would take them to a horse clinic with Jess from Harmonized Horsemanship, stop at Dover Saddlery in Parker on the way back, and have dinner at Linger which is one of my favorite spots in the Highlands of Denver. Then dessert right outside at Little Man ice cream.

I also love the Boulder Tea house and we would grab a seat at the bar, have some brunch, then meander up to Nederland for a hike and coffee at that cute coffee house in an old train.

The next day we could start by visiting my favorite used tack shop, The Grey Tail in Golden, then explore the area or drive up Lookout mountain.

If we have time, I would take them to my favorite mountain town, Breckenridge. There is a great french pastry cafe off main street.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
It may sound cheesy but everything I have strived for is all because of that red-headed mare who stole my heart and demanded I learn more for her. Daisy changed me so profoundly; she opened my world to my true purpose of helping horses through nutrition because she needed my help. I don’t believe I would have ever started my journey without the spark from her. While she is no longer on this earth, everything I do I do in memory of that gorgeous, sensitive, kind mare.

I also want to shout out to my mentor, Dr. Rachel Mottet, for her expertise and development of a fantastic equine nutrition advisor course. Dr. Mottet is the best of the best in the equine nutrition business, and I highly encourage anyone who seeks knowledge in the field to connect with her.

And of course to my husband, Carlos, who supports my dreams. He’s truly a rare gem of a human and it is so wonderful to have a true partner with whom to share ambitions and difficulties.

Website: https://www.17handequine.com

Instagram: 17HandEquineNutrition

Other: www.theforageporridge.com
Insta: theforageporridge

Image Credits
Carlos D Flores, Remy Willey