Dr. Michelle DeBoer

Dr. Michelle DeBoer is the Animal Nutrition Specialist at Spikes & Houles. She earned her B.S. in Equestrian Business Management at Stephens College and her M.S. and Ph.D. in Animal Science from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities with a focus on horse nutrition, pasture management, and muscle biology. Dr. DeBoer was a tenured associate professor at the University of Wisconsin - River Falls teaching Animal Physiology and Equine Production before joining the team at Spikes & Houles as the Animal Nutrition Specialist. Over the past 10 years, Dr. DeBoer has completed research relating to the impacts of winter blanketing on horses, forage species and pasture management under horse grazing, various nutrition topics, deworming efficacy in horse herds, as well as other horse husbandry topics.

Dr. DeBoer is excited to bring her expertise to Spikes & Houles through product research, ration balancing and farm consults, educational events, and working directly with customers to help keep their horses happy and healthy! During her time in the horse industry, Dr. DeBoer has competed in various disciplines including barrel racing, jumping, dressage, cattle work, polocrosse, obstacle challenges, mounted orienteering, all-around, reining, and endurance. Outside of work, Dr. DeBoer enjoys time with her family as well as her many pets on their hobby farm in Wisconsin and rides and competes her Arabian horses in dressage and endurance.