Nutrition plays a fundamental role in veterinary medicine, where a balanced diet and proper management are of utmost importance. The product development department at Grovet is dedicated to innovating and optimising equine feeds and supplements.
In this blog, our product developer and nutrition consultant, Michelle Bakker, takes you behind the scenes to explore the steps we have taken in developing one of our latest products: Bonpard Equimel.
From Idea to Practice: The Development of Bonpard Equimel
The creation of a new product always starts with an idea, originating from veterinary practice or recent scientific research. This idea is subsequently subjected to extensive market and literature research to ensure scientific validation and practical applicability.
An example of this approach is the development of Bonpard Equimel, a foal milk replacer formulated based on the natural composition of mare’s milk.
The market for nutritional products is vast and diverse, which is why Grovet focuses on developing innovative and scientifically substantiated formulations that can be effectively implemented in veterinary treatment plans.
The demand for a product like Bonpard Equimel arose from equine veterinarians who, during a professional meeting, expressed the need for a milk powder that more closely matched the physiological requirements of young foals.
Mare’s milk differs significantly from cow’s milk in several key aspects: it has a higher lactose content, lower protein and fat levels, and a specific fatty acid composition. Conventional foal milk replacers are typically based on cow’s milk, a widely available and commonly used raw material. However, to develop an optimal milk replacer, its composition must be aligned with the natural properties of mare’s milk. But how can this be achieved?
Collaboration with Specialists
To answer this question, a multidisciplinary team of experts was assembled. This team included a milk replacer specialist from Nukamel, Dr Anneke Hallebeek (veterinary nutrition specialist), and Michelle Bakker, equine nutrition product development specialist at Grovet.
Nukamel is renowned for its innovative approach to the production of milk replacers for various animal species. By selecting the highest quality raw materials and employing advanced processing techniques, many bioactive substances naturally present in mare’s milk are retained.
Dr Anneke Hallebeek, who provides nutrition courses for veterinarians (Equine Nutrition Consultant), was closely involved in the formulation of the product as a consultant. By combining these areas of expertise, we successfully developed an advanced milk replacer with a composition that closely resembles the natural composition of mare’s milk.
The Scientific Foundation of Bonpard Equimel
Bonpard Equimel has been specifically designed to replicate the nutritional properties of mare’s milk as closely as possible. As previously mentioned, mare’s milk contains higher levels of lactose and lower levels of protein and fat compared to cow’s milk. Additionally, its fatty acid composition is distinct, containing higher concentrations of long-chain fatty acids such as linoleic acid (C18:2) and alpha-linolenic acid (C18:3), which have a beneficial effect on the immune system of both foals and adult horses.
Mare’s milk also has a higher concentration of lactoferrin, an iron-binding glycoprotein with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. This may help protect the foal against orally ingested pathogens.
By using low-heat dairy processing techniques, protein denaturation is minimised, ensuring that Bonpard Equimel retains a high concentration of bioactive compounds. The fatty acid profile has been optimised with plant-based fat sources, and the addition of lactoferrin further supports immune function.
Moreover, Bonpard Equimel contains ingredients rich in Milk Fat Globule Membrane (MFGM), which has been shown to enhance fat digestibility and absorption. Various studies have also demonstrated that MFGM has a positive effect on immune system development in young animals.
Practical Application and Results
Over the past year, many foals have thrived on Bonpard Equimel, particularly in cases where the mare produced insufficient or no milk, or where the foal was unable to nurse due to illness.
Initial user experiences have been highly positive: foals exhibit healthy growth without digestive disturbances. Bonpard Equimel will continue to be readily available for the upcoming foaling season to support foals requiring additional nutrition.
Continuous Innovation: Introduction of Bonpard Colostrum
Innovation is an ongoing process at Grovet, and our product development team is continuously seeking new and innovative products that equine veterinarians can incorporate into their treatment protocols.
To expand our range of foal nutrition products alongside Bonpard Equimel and Bentovet+ Paste, we are launching a new product in this category this year. Bonpard Colostrum is a pure freeze-dried bovine colostrum powder (95%), combined with a prebiotic (TechnoYeast), developed to support a healthy start in life for newborn foals.
This product serves as an effective supplement to the mare’s colostrum, which is essential for establishing a strong immune system in neonatal foals.
Read more about our latest product, Bonpard Colostrum, and how it contributes to the optimal development of foals.
