Testimonial from Thibaut Branquart – Excelsior Mushing: 12 Alaskan Huskies 
Long-distance musher, member of the Excelsior Mushing team – Filmmaker, photographer, and adventurer
The demands of long-distance mushing
My name is Thibaut Branquart, and I’ve been a long-distance musher for ten years. This demanding sport involves racing hundreds of kilometers while being entirely self-reliant in caring for the dogs throughout the competition. Each stage ranges from 60 to 130 kilometers, with overall distances from 180 to 600 kilometers. These races take place in Scandinavia and include checkpoints where rest time is chosen by the musher and counted in the total race time.
One of my most memorable experiences was the Finnmarksløpet, a race entirely above the Arctic Circle. We completed the 600-kilometer course in under four days. I also earned the title of Vice World Champion in 2022 at the Polar Distans 300 and placed second at the Amundsen Race 180 in 2024.
Athletic dogs and lifelong companions
My dogs are Alaskan Huskies, a non-registered breed developed during the gold rush in Alaska. They were selectively bred from village dogs, Siberian huskies, hunting and herding breeds—and even wolves—to optimize traits like endurance, appetite, coat quality, foot strength, and the famous “will to go.” Today, they’re the top-performing dogs in long-distance races.
I work with 12 dogs and compete in the 8-dog category. My training is tailored to each dog’s individual strengths to bring out the best in them. These dogs are not only my teammates—they’re my closest friends. Their health and happiness are my top priorities. That mindset guides everything we do at Excelsior Mushing.
Nutrition as a performance foundation
Nutrition is just as crucial as training, care, and recovery. Without proper food, no athlete can thrive—and it’s no different for our dogs. This past winter, I discovered PRO TEAM Endurance 4400 kibble, and I’ve been completely satisfied.
The palatability was immediately impressive—a key factor in long-distance mushing. From day one, my dogs loved it, and 
they continued eating with enthusiasm throughout the entire season in Norway, even in the coldest conditions or after the most intense workouts.
Their body condition stayed excellent, a sign of optimal digestibility and nutrient absorption. That’s why I’ll continue feeding them PRO TEAM ENDURANCE—it’s perfectly formulated for top-level canine athletes.
A smart addition: the PRO TEAM Long Run bar
I also tried the PRO TEAM Long Run energy bar, which my dogs truly enjoy. It’s become a great tool for pre- and post-exercise carbohydrate reloading. Until now, I mainly focused on protein and fat intake. This product made me rethink the value of carbs in our nutritional strategy.
To my knowledge, it’s a unique product on the market. It has clearly earned a permanent place in my team’s feeding plan at Excelsior Mushing.
PRO TEAM ENDURANCE: A Recipe for Athletic Dogs
PRO TEAM ENDURANCE 4400 is specially adapted for dogs with intense and long-duration activities. This complete adult dog food offers a very high caloric content and high assimilation. Free from added legumes and tubers, it optimizes dogs’ intestinal transit and reduces flatulence. With a composition rich in fats (29%) and highly digestible animal proteins from chicken, fish, and eggs, this food is perfect for our active dogs.
The presence of 2000 mg/Kg of L-Carnitine in PRO TEAM ENDURANCE 4400 promotes fat mobilization and assimilation, while the high omega-3 (EPA-DHA) content protects joints. Additionally, the MOS (Manno-Oligosaccharides) in the recipe strengthen immune defenses. Made in France, this recipe without added colorants or artificial flavors is suitable for adult dogs of all breeds requiring extremely high caloric intake.
PRO TEAM LONG RUN
The PRO TEAM LONG RUN bar has now become a key part of Excelsior Mushing’s nutritional program.
Developed in collaboration with Dr. Maud Clavel, a veterinarian specialized in canine nutrition, this energy bar is designed for sporting dogs involved in mid- to long-distance efforts.
It combines two complementary energy sources: fast-acting carbohydrates for immediate energy, and lipids for longer-lasting endurance. This profile helps sustain physical effort while preventing energy crashes.
Hypoallergenic, the formula excludes common allergens like chicken, beef, or dairy. It features plant-based proteins (soy, almonds) and highly digestible egg protein.
Free from gluten and legumes, it’s enriched with natural prebiotics (FOS) from dates, supporting digestive health even in extreme conditions. Made in France in a facility specialized in human-grade nutrition, PRO TEAM LONG RUN meets the highest quality standards.
Conclusion
This feedback highlights the importance of perfectly adapted nutrition for dogs involved in demanding disciplines such as long-distance mushing. Thanks to PRO TEAM ENDURANCE 4400 kibble and the PRO TEAM LONG RUN energy bar, Thibaut Branquart’s dogs – from the Excelsior Mushing team – were able to maintain their physical condition, appetite, and motivation throughout the season. PRO TEAM stands out as a trusted solution to meet the needs of athletic dogs in terms of performance, recovery, and overall well-being.
You can follow Thibaut and his Excelsior Mushing team on Instagram.
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