🎙 Meet Yves Joosen, Managing Director of Kevin Bacon's Horse Care.
👉 Following in his father-in-law's footsteps, he developed a range of 100% natural products dedicated to the proper functioning of the hoof horn to keep horses' hooves in perfect health. Since a few weeks, it’s distributed by Ekkia.
How did you first get into equestrianism?
As far back as I can remember, I’ve always loved being outdoors, in contact with animals. It was my father-in-law who passed on the passion for horses to me. In the early 1980s, the mare he had just acquired suffered from a heel tear and, unable to find the right product, he created the original Hoof Dressing to regrow the hoof. Following in his footsteps, I watched the company grow. I trained in agronomy and then specialized in farriery and sports orthopedics. This allowed me, among other things, to participate in the London Olympics in 2012, where I treated the horses of the Saudi Arabian team, who won a bronze medal in show jumping.
And when it came to passing on the family business, Kevin Bacon’s, you naturally took over in 2019.
Indeed, I bought it from my father-in-law. The factory is located near Liège, Belgium, and we produce about 700 kilos of grease per day. We have three ranges: hoof care, dietary supplements, and skin care. Today, more than 4,000 farriers use and sell my products in Europe. Not to mention veterinarians, professional riders, and other equine professionals who are sensitive to their horse's well-being and want 100% natural care products.
What differentiates the customer from the 1980s, at the beginning of the business, from today's customer?
Our customers, who are not only professionals but mostly amateur riders, are curious. They seek to understand: the pathology to be treated, the product, its composition, the expected benefits... That’s why we go out to meet our customers by participating in more and more horse fairs and shows. It’s up to us to make them prefer our product over another through this approach. Inevitably, they are also very price-conscious, especially since the pandemic and then Ukraine have not been very favorable to us! But we are proud to have never compromised on product quality or speculated on prices, in order to continue to offer quality products at affordable prices.
How did the meeting with Ekkia happen?
In 2023, my sales manager contacted Xavier Darage, whom my father-in-law had known for a long time, even before he was in charge of Ekkia’s purchases. We officially sealed our partnership at Spoga in February. I recently presented the ranges to the sales teams and the hundred store managers of Padd. The adventure is just beginning.
What qualities do you appreciate in others?
First and foremost, honesty. I need to know that the person I’m dealing with is trustworthy. Conversely, I have issues with intrusive people, those who don’t listen or aren’t interested.
Do you find time to do anything other than run your business?
With my wife Amélie, who is originally an equine dentist, we have a farm in the suburbs of Liège, with 32 horses and foals. Mostly show jumping horses, including Kel’Star du Vingt Pont, a 15-year-old black gelding ridden by Jérôme Guerry. Outside of equestrianism, my big hobby is skydiving.
Your motto?
Always believe in yourself and your team.
Ekkia in one word?
Applies to both Ekkia and Padd: efficiency.
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