Equilin® Veterinary Equine Nutrition wins the HIP supplier award 2019!

Drs Annette van Weezel Errens, veterinarian and horse lover, won this award as ‘changemaker’ in the equestrian sector for her ‘New Feeding Concept’ and her dedication to horse welfare.

On Friday 13 September, the HIP awards were presented at Horse Event at the Expo Haarlemmermeer in Vijfhuizen, the Netherlands. As part of the Equestrian Entrepreneurs day, over 500 equestrian entrepreneurs travelled to Horse Event, led by moderator Humberto Tan.

The panel of judges included Ton Corbeau (chief editor of De Hippische Ondernemer magazine), Andries van Daalen (chairman KWPN), Cees Roozemond (chairman KNHS), Peter van der Veeken (ABAB Accountants) and Monique van Hal (Bieman de Haas). They judged all the candidates based on uniqueness, creativity and innovation.

“The ‘New Feeding Concept’ handbook, downloadable from her website free of charge, fills the gap for scientifically proven equine nutrition based on the horse’s natural needs. Owner and veterinarian Annette van Weezel Errens is showing great courage in challenging our set, traditional feeding ways,” the judges remarked.

Annette has been dedicated to horse/animal rights and welfare, starting in 2000 with her application for a free field of study in veterinary medicine, as it was Annette’s opinion that the faculty for veterinary medicine had placed the animal’s natural needs secondary to the stakes of the industry. Encountering much resistance at the University, she was able to obtain her degree in a free field of study in veterinary medicine nonetheless.

She has been developing her ‘New Feeding Concept’ for over ten years. This radically different vision on the horse’s natural nutritional needs was ratified last year with the establishment of the international equine welfare norm. Horses need twice as much fibres from roughage than had previously been assumed, to be able to keep their bodies healthy. The necessary supplementation of this (by the traditional concentrates) should be adapted so the animals are not at risk of becoming overweight and can continue to feel fit and healthy. Equilin® products cater to this changed perspective in nutritional requirements.