Searching for and combining the appropriate raw materials

 

Tailor-made solutions for every target group 

Pavo is always on the lookout for innovative raw materials and additives that contribute to a horse’s health. At Pavo we never rest on our laurels. A team of professionals develop and maintain our products. Nutritionist Pleun Broeren explains what is involved in developing and further improving our products and the ongoing search for high-quality raw materials. 

 Formulating products and combining the appropriate raw materials is a complex task. Only high-quality raw materials, often with optimal nutritional value can (in the right combination) effectively enhance the health and performance of the horse at every stage of its life. Pleun Broeren: “Of course, it always starts with the question what the product is intended for: what are the horse’s needs and what is required to meet these needs? These objectives are linked to the nutrients and corresponding raw materials. These must ensure that the feed delivers the desired outcome.”  

The first step is looking at the target group: what do the horses for which the feed is intended actually need? “For example, what kind of energy does the horse need. Horses that have to perform over a prolonged period of time require slow-release energy. Therefore, the feed for these horses must contain more fats and fibres. For horses that have to make a short, intensive effort, you must ensure that the feed contains quick- release energy, in the form of sugar and starch.”  

Large jigsaw

Formulating a recipe is always a jigsaw. Exactly what suits which target group? “In older horses, or horses with, for example, metabolic disease, you must limit sugar and starch content  as much as possible.” In addition to energy, the protein requirement is very important. “Is the feed intended for a breeding mare or for a horse that participates in sporting events? Is the horse still growing, or is it an older horse? These aspects are all relevant.” Then there are the additives: “For horses with particular needs, we consider very specifically how we can supplement our recipes with certain additives. We always base our choices on the scientifically proven effectiveness of a product.”  

Trends from the well-known Pavo Roughage Quickscan can also contribute to how we develop our products:  “For instance, we know that nowadays roughage contains fewer proteins and more sugars; when developing our products we can then adapt them accordingly.”     In this way, Broeren, along with the product development team, is always working on existing recipes where necessary and exploring possibilities for new products and raw materials. The underlying goal in everything that he does is to ensure that a product is a valuable addition to Pavo’s product range, to contribute further still to a horse’s wellbeing. Because the development of horse feed is always evolving. 

Here you can read more about the quality of our products.