From the very beginning, our goal was to offer a horse treat that combines enjoyment, health, and environmental responsibility. In a world where ecological and social issues are at the heart of business decisions, we have chosen to place social and environmental responsibility at the center of our mission.
It’s a way to strengthen the bond and share a moment of connection, while having a positive impact on the world around us. But behind every bite lies an entire production process. From the careful selection of ingredients to the final product, let’s explore together the key steps that make our Treat a unique, responsible product tailored to the needs of our horses.
Choose local and natural ingredients
The foundation of a high-quality treat lies first and foremost in the choice of ingredients. A horse’s diet should remain simple and natural. Horses love raw foods such as carrots, apples, oats, barley, and hay—all of which are rich in nutrients and beneficial to their health.
Conversely, foods that are too sweet or processed for human consumption can disrupt their digestion. That’s why we focus on fresh and local ingredients with no additives.
Our recipe was developed as a family and validated by Quebec specialists in equine and human nutrition. Together, we worked on the right ingredient ratios and processing methods to offer a safe, nutritious treat suitable to horses.
In the spirit of social and environmental responsibility, we prioritize short supply chains and Quebec and Canadian suppliers. For example, certain products like flaxseed, which can be difficult to harvest in Quebec, may come from other Canadian provinces. This choice allows us to ensure a steady supply while avoiding air or sea transport in favor of more eco-friendly shipping methods.
Local ingredients, carefully prepared
We work closely with committed local producers:
- For oats, we partner with a food processing company in the Montérégie region.
- For flaxseed oil, our supplier is based in the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region and produces according to regenerative agriculture standards.
- For our upcycled apples and carrots, we rely on a company specializing in the distribution of high-quality fruits and vegetables from the Montérégie region. They wash, sanitize, and freeze our ingredients at their certified facility before we pick up the products for treat production.
- We also incorporate apple pomace from a local cidery that produces natural ciders in the experimental orchard of a farm located in the Greater Montreal area.
Our communication with producers takes place exclusively by phone, and we arrange meeting points for the transport of raw materials, thereby reducing business travel and the associated carbon footprint.
How to Make the Equestrian Treat
Once the ingredients have been selected, it’s time to get baking. Our production schedule follows the rhythm of the harvests—more intensive in summer, lighter in winter. This approach ensures fresher cookies, rich in nutrients and flavor, while supporting local agriculture and short supply chains.
Logistics designed for the people and the environment
- Raw foods are delivered in appropriate containers (recyclable cardboard boxes, reusable containers).
- Portion sizes are carefully measured to ensure the health and safety of our chefs. For example, for flaxseed oil, we use bulk containers that we transfer into 15-liter containers, and our grain packages (oats and flaxseed) do not exceed 15 kilograms so that they are easier for our food preparers to handle.
- We reuse packaging as much as possible, thereby reducing waste.
Safe and artisanal production
- The ingredients are unwrapped and then mixed with just enough water to form a smooth dough. The amount of water is adjusted based on the ingredients used. For example, we use less water with juicier apples.
- Our Equestrian Treat is cut by hand on aluminum sheets using a custom-designed tool created by an engineer to ensure the safety and ergonomic comfort of our production staff.
- Since our recipe is zero-waste, the trimmings from the cutting process—which do not meet the weight requirements of the final product—are reincorporated into our next batches during the mixing of ingredients, thereby preventing any waste.
Finally, our Treat is baked during off-peak production hours in our shared kitchen, optimizing the use of available time slots and thereby contributing to more efficient energy management. Each batch then undergoes rigorous quality control to ensure a healthy, appetizing treat that is perfectly suited to a horse’s sensitive digestive system.
And after?
In an upcoming blog post, we’ll take you through the journey our treats take after they’re made—from labeling and packaging all the way to your doorstep—always with a focus on responsibility, ethics, and sustainability.
0 comments