If you are shopping for horse supplements in Belgium or the Netherlands, three names come up constantly: Cavalor, Pavo and Horse Tonic. Each has a different approach to formulation, pricing and quality assurance. Here is an honest breakdown to help you decide.
The brands at a glance
Cavalor is a Belgian company founded in 1989, now one of the largest equine supplement brands in Europe. They have an extensive product line covering joints, digestion, calming, coat care and more. Distribution through retailers and vet clinics. Premium pricing.
Pavo is a Dutch brand owned by ForFarmers, one of Europe's largest animal feed companies. Their supplement range is broad and competitively priced. Strong presence in the Netherlands and Germany. Available through feed retailers.
Horse Tonic is a Belgian brand focused on a smaller range of targeted supplements. Sells direct-to-consumer.
Joint supplements compared
This is where the differences become clearest. Cavalor's Arti Matrix is a well-known option, but it uses a powder format. Pavo Flexitop is a pellet. Horse Tonic's Artico Gold is liquid, which makes it easy to measure and add to feed.
On ingredients: Artico Gold contains hydrolyzed collagen, glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, MSM and hyaluronic acid: five active ingredients in one product. Many competitor products use fewer actives or lower concentrations to keep costs down.
Calming supplements
Cavalor Calm uses a herbal blend with tryptophan. Pavo Nerv Control relies on magnesium and B vitamins. Horse Tonic ZEN uses dual magnesium (chloride + citrate) in liquid form. One differentiator: ZEN contains no valerian and no herbal sedatives, which some riders prefer for competition horses. Always check the current FEI rules before competing. Herbal products can have variable effects and some contain substances banned under FEI rules.
Quality documentation
Ask any supplier, including Cavalor and Pavo, what testing and batch documentation they provide for competition horses. For competition riders, having this documentation on hand is essential peace of mind.
Pricing
Cavalor products are generally the most expensive, partly due to their retail distribution model (margins for distributors and shops). Pavo is competitively priced through feed retailers. Horse Tonic sells direct-to-consumer, cutting out the middleman. The result: higher ingredient concentrations at similar or lower price points than the big brands.
When to choose which
Choose Cavalor if you want a wide product range from a well-established brand and value being able to buy in-store at your local equestrian shop.
Choose Pavo if you are looking for affordable, solid supplements and already buy Pavo feed. Good for leisure horses and general maintenance.
Choose Horse Tonic if you want higher active ingredient concentrations, a liquid format that is easy to dose, and direct pricing without retail markup. Always confirm current testing documentation with any supplier before competing.
Our take
All three brands produce decent supplements. The difference comes down to formulation philosophy, testing rigour and distribution model. Horse Tonic invests in what goes inside the bottle. The big brands invest in shelf space and marketing. For sport horse owners who prioritise ingredient quality and competition safety, Horse Tonic delivers the best value.