ENGLISH TEXTS
tory and antioxidant properties of products like spirulina or turmeric.“ But you still have to pay close attention to the quality of these plants and their dosage,” warns Ludovic Rey.“ Depending on the product, the actual turmeric content can vary from 0.1 % to 12 %. Ours comes from Pakistan, tested before being shipped. It’ s a very expensive product with a large, non-soluble molecule. The challenge is to blend it effectively with plant extracts to open up the intestinal walls.” The industry is familiar with the benefits of black pepper in this regard. Edhya opted for grapefruit. But the recipe is kept as a“ house secret.”
Asthma Remains a Stubborn Issue In terms of health conditions, colic and other digestive disorders have now given way to ulcers, the main concern of the moment. But asthma remains a persistent issue.“ It’ s mainly due to genetics and environmental factors like dust. Respiratory problems are the leading cause of poor equine performance. The issue is, you can’ t increase lung capacity. The goal is to maintain 100 % respiratory function.” The best“ Ventolin”?“ Fresh air, a well-ventilated stable, and quality forage.” Basic, simple. After that comes phyto. Based on eucalyptus or grindelia. But once again:“ The quality of the plant defines the quality of the product.”
“ A Strong Interest in Animal Welfare” In Sarthe, at the European Horse Center, Alliance Equine switched in 2010 from traditional saddlery to dietary supplements. This 30-year-old family business has an impressive client list: Gabriel Leenders, Edouard Monfort, Mathieu Brasme, Jérôme Delaunay on the gallop side, and Etienne Dubois, Mathieu Mottier, Franck Leblanc, Charles Dreux, Julien Le Mer, and even Sébastien Guarato on the trot side.“ We created our own manufacturing unit in 2013, which allows us to control the entire process from A to Z,” says Thomas Cholat.“ There’ s a strong enthusiasm for animal welfare, and everyone is jumping into this market.” Let’ s skip over the“ amateur chemists” experimenting without sales rights in their garages. In Châteaubourg, near Rennes, three employees work on production using tanks ranging from 6,000 to 8,000 liters.“ We buy our plants from a wholesaler, they macerate in alcohol, and we extract the active ingredients for our blends. We’ re constantly looking for new plants and innovative formulas.”
“ Master Chocolatiers and Supermarkets” The flagship products?“ Dermatol( for summer dermatitis) in season, Artiflex( for joint flexibility) year-round.” Also ranking high: Norwegian tar, a“ hardening” agent appreciated by trotters in winter. Alliance Equine offers about fifty products, 70 % of which are dietary supplements. They highlight the quality of their advice.“ What makes us stand out is that every product is automatically lab-tested. It’ s a safety guarantee in case of contamination. Their traceability is certified by an external body.” Again, the difference lies in the raw materials and expertise.“ The effectiveness of spirulina can vary greatly depending on its phycocyanin content; it can be contaminated with heavy metals. It’ s like Easter chocolate: there are master chocolatiers and then there are supermarkets.”
Little Research Investment The narrowness of the market means that research labs are not exactly crowding in.“ Those producing supplements do carry out in-house studies, but there aren’ t any real research centers,” confirms Lucile Falque, a veterinarian in Chantilly.“ Labs test their formulas and then present the related studies, but overall, professionals rely on the vade mecum explaining the properties of each plant.” Since tests are usually done on a small number of horses, it would be inappropriate to speak of“ scientific conclusions.” Validation mostly comes from customer feedback.“ The effects are naturally less tangible than those of a medicine, which for example cleans a wound. Clients mostly go by trust in
# 8 156