Part 1 – Biography
Anny, you are a biologist – how does this background shape your work with the dogs?
Very deeply. For me, being a biologist and living the musher's life are inseparable. My passion for biology grew out of a natural curiosity about life and the world around me – the kind of curiosity that drives you to observe, to ask, to discover. As a child I would sit outside for hours, completely absorbed in watching animals interact in their habitat. That sense of wonder is what made me want to become a biologist.
Being a biologist fits the musher's way of life because both demand the same things: a deep respect for nature, resilience in the outdoors, and an explorer's spirit. As a scientist I observe constantly, keep learning, and connect knowledge from different fields – skills that serve me just as well with a dog team in the wilderness. Most biologists love nature, and I do too; mushing lets me live that passion to the full. The adventurous, curious mindset that led me to biology fits the daily life of a musher perfectly: every day brings new challenges, new discoveries, and new ways to deepen the bond with nature and with my dogs.
How did you both get into mushing, what role did your children play, and how has your career developed over the years?
Marco started mushing at ten, taking care of his uncle's dogs, who ran a tourism business. By eleven he was already racing mid-distance in Québec, 50 to 60 km, and soon collected his first trophies and medals. He already had a kennel of around sixty dogs back then, and his whole family ran their own teams.
I came to it late, at 25. Marco introduced me to the sport – we still joke that he used his four-legged friends to court me. Every evening after work he would take me out on his sled, and we would run for kilometres.
I ran my first 50 km race in 1996 – that's when the adventure truly began.
The following year we considered going to Alaska to work as handlers for a musher and learn the sport where it is a national pastime. In 1998 we made the trip, after contacting Joee Redington, a specialist in the longest sprint distances.
It was the experience of a lifetime – eight months learning everything about bloodlines, training, equipment and trails. Pure paradise.
Back in Québec we ran several races on the provincial circuit. But the distances kept getting shorter, and we longed for bigger challenges. In 2002 we returned to Alaska to run the ONAC. Marco raced with young dogs that would later become the foundation of our bloodline. Our first son, Tristan, was nine months old. Marco and I agreed: as long as the children lived at home, this would be a family adventure. Along the way we stopped on the western Canadian circuit – we loved those 60 km races over three days with mass starts. We kept coming back with our little family, which had grown with Elliot, our second son. Those races taught us the most about the qualities we look for in our athletes: long distances, often bitter cold, and above all high speed. Our breeding programme began to focus on exactly these traits. We raced there until 2010.
That year I learned I had breast cancer, and my life was put on hold for two years. We reduced the kennel and scaled back our activities to take care of ourselves.
During my remission in 2012 we treated ourselves to a trip with the dogs to the famous Pedigree Stage Stop in Wyoming. Marco ran the team while I enjoyed the scenery with the children.
After that hard time, Marco handed me the competition team. He had done it long enough, he said – now it was my turn. From then on, winter after winter brought a trip to western Canada and the United States, with the family, the dogs and our trailer.
It is always teamwork; we do everything together. And even though the children are grown now, they are never far from the kennel.
Today we race all winter long with our forty dogs on the mid-distance circuit and in stage races.
Part 2 – Everyday Life with the Dogs
What does a normal day at your kennel look like?
The day starts with the morning clean-up, followed by watering. Training varies with the season: by sled in winter, otherwise by quad as long as the temperature is below 12 °C. In between there is playtime in the yard with puppies and adult dogs, or walks on the leash. These tasks spread across the whole day. The day ends with feeding.
How much time do you spend each day on feeding and care?
On average around 3 hours a day when we are not hooking up. On training and race days it is closer to 5.
How do you coordinate training, feeding and recovery?
When the temperature allows, we hook up year-round, and from mid-August we train consistently every other day. That schedule lets each dog recover after a run. Feeding happens in the morning before training, with a light soup right afterwards. The main meal comes in the evening.
Part 3 – Feeding Principles
What are your basic feeding principles? Do you feed raw meat, kibble, or a combination?
Our basic principle: every dog gets a complete meal of high-quality commercial kibble (protein/fat 32/20). To that we add about half a kilo of fairly lean beef, thawed and mixed into the kibble with water. During training we feed at least three times a day: a light soup in the morning, a richer one after training, and the most substantial in the evening.
How do you adapt the diet for young dogs, active dogs and retired dogs?
The difference is mainly in the quantity – they all eat the same food. Puppies and the mothers are fed twice a day.
How do you handle picky eaters?
We feed smaller amounts more often, but that is rarely the real problem – getting them to drink is harder. In the truck, the biggest challenge is almost always making sure they take in enough water, not food. Sometimes we mix in something soft like wet food to make the water more appealing.
Part 4 – Feeding in Training and Racing
How do you feed during training?
In the morning we serve soup with beef and kibble. After training, the same soup plus Glycocharge for recovery. The main meal adds Omega-3 oil and Hokamix to the kibble and beef. For longer sessions, Impact as well.
What changes do you make to feeding before a race?
During racing season we add probiotics and psyllium husk to the main meal – that is the only change to the recipe. The amounts depend on the type of race and the temperature.
How do you feed during a stage race like the Stage Stop?
For us, consistency is decisive. A solid feeding routine throughout training and racing season is the foundation for keeping the dogs healthy.
What are the challenges of feeding during races?
Keeping to the schedule despite all the travel. And just as important: keeping the dogs well hydrated.
What tricks have proven useful for getting dogs to eat under stress?
Routine is the key. The dogs learn to eat at the same time every day in their assigned box – that removes the stress outside factors would otherwise cause. We get them used to it from a young age: training starts in the trailer when we travel north. With that early start they know the routine and the surroundings, and later they adapt to training and travel with ease.
Part 5 – Supplements and Trends
Do you use supplements – and if so, which?
Glycocharge, Impact, Hokamix, Omega-3 oil, probiotics and psyllium (husk).
When exactly do you supplement?
Glycocharge goes into the soup we give within 30 minutes after exertion. Everything else is added to the main evening meal.
Where do you see the line between sensible and excessive supplementation?
Over the years we have tried a great many supplements and watched closely what they do. We kept only those where we saw a clear improvement in the dogs' well-being. The foundation, for us, is always the quality of the kibble and the meat. No supplement makes up for a poor base diet.
What do you think of trends like grain-free food?
We observe that grain-free kibble is easier to digest – the dogs absorb more nutrients from it. We also have the option of adding raw meat on top, a very good natural source of protein and fat.
How do you judge the flood of powders and additives on the market?
As I said – over our career we have tested many things and now stick with what has proven itself. We follow new studies and products, but we take our time to examine them.
Part 6 – Health & Prevention
What role does feeding play in the dogs' long-term health?
EVERYTHING!!!! You have to understand: cheap kibble or smaller rations look like a saving in the short term. In reality it backfires – health and performance suffer. Inadequate nutrition lowers well-being, can shorten lifespan, and reduces quality of life. And it feeds straight through to athletic performance.
"We are what we eat." Nutrition, for us, is not one factor among many – it is the foundation of everything.
How important is it for joints, coat and immune system?
Again: EVERYTHING!!! We are what we eat – that holds for joints, coat and immune system just as much as for performance.
How do you feed after a hard training session or a race?
The difference is in the amount – and in a great deal of water. On a race day a dog drinks 4.5 to 5 litres.
Part 7 – Organisation & Logistics
How do you organise feeding on long trips or at international races?
During racing season we are away from home for over three months, with the dogs. To keep feeding consistent, we bring everything: 1350 kg of beef, 900 kg of kibble, and plenty of Glycocharge, Impact, psyllium, Hokamix and probiotics. Over the years one method has proven most efficient: we measure each ingredient straight into the individual bowl and mix it there. For the main meal we thaw the meat daily and combine it with kibble and the needed supplements, plus a 1/3 to 1/2 litre of warm water. For the morning soup the meat thaws overnight in a large cooler (10 litres) in hot water. In the morning we add kibble and – depending on whether we feed before or after exertion – Impact or Glycocharge.
How do you ensure hygiene when handling meat and broths?
Daily cleaning with warm water, and bleach now and then.
How much does it cost to feed a team?
Honestly, we don't really work it out for a single team – we feed the whole kennel almost the same. Maybe we'd rather not know the exact figure, haha!
Do you work with sponsors or partners on feeding?
No. We prefer to stay free in our choice of nutrient sources.
Part 8 – Race Strategy
How important is nutrition to your race strategy?
Feeding has to be tuned precisely to the type of race, the conditions, and each dog's target weight before the start. The overriding goal is to keep every dog healthy and in optimal condition. With nutrition under control, you bring each dog to its ideal weight and hold it there – the precondition for the best possible performance.
Do you adapt the diet according to the type of stage?
Yes. In planning, environment and trail are what count. Cold plus long distance plus hilly terrain means: more food. Such conditions cost a lot of energy, so the ration has to cover the higher calorie demand. Conversely, in warm weather, on short distances or flat trails, the dogs use less – then we cut the amount and put the emphasis on hydration.
How do you recognise when a dog is not getting enough energy?
Because we live so closely with the dogs during racing season, we observe them constantly. That way we know exactly when each one is at its ideal weight. Even the smallest change is noticed at once, and we adjust the diet immediately. You must never lose control of a dog's weight: a marked drop pulls the energy level down with it. Once a dog is in an energy deficit, it takes many days to bring it back to top form. So we monitor each dog's condition closely and correct at once, before performance or health suffer.
Which experiences have shaped your feeding strategy the most?
What shaped us most were the travels. On the road, dogs and humans alike are under more stress – that demands special attention and flexibility in feeding. Then there are the different race formats: each brings its own demands and has forced us to feed ever more precisely. Endurance over long distances, speed on flat trails, changing weather – all of it taught us to match nutrition exactly to the dogs' needs.
Part 9 – The Mental & Emotional Side
What role does feeding play in the trust between you and the dogs?
Feeding is a central, daily element – a thread running through our relationship with the dogs. It is tied to everything: upbringing, training, care. Every meal is more than routine. It strengthens trust, secures well-being, and supports the dog's development in every respect.
"Every meal is more than routine – it is a moment that builds trust."
Do you see a connection between feeding and behaviour?
Absolutely. How a dog eats reveals a great deal about its state. From eating habits you can read fatigue, injury, stress or anxiety. So feeding becomes an important moment for observing behaviour and overall condition – and for catching changes early and responding to them.
How does your family's involvement affect the dogs?
Our children grew up in the kennel; they were always part of daily life with the dogs. Even now that they go their own ways, they come back regularly and pitch in – cleaning, feeding, training, sometimes even racing. That shared passion strengthens our family bond and creates a good atmosphere for everyone. The dogs in particular benefit from our children's constant presence and attention: it fosters familiarity, trust and motivation in the kennel.
Is feeding also a moment of joy and motivation for the dogs?
As I said, feeding time means something special to us and to the dogs. Every meal is not just routine but a cherished moment that strengthens our bond. It offers a chance for positive contact and reinforces mutual trust. In these moments we see the dogs' joy and motivation – they are excited, and we know: they are happy!
Part 10 – Transfer to Family Dogs
What can ordinary dog owners learn from your feeding practices?
Prioritise quality: the food should come from a reliable source of nutrients. High-quality ingredients support health, well-being and energy.
Keep a fixed routine: regular feeding times give security and contentment. Predictable patterns build trust.
Match the amount to the activity level: the ration must fit the dog's level of exercise, so that energy and nutrients are right.
Which principles also apply to family dogs?
The same – and beyond that this: the daily feed is never merely a chore. Every meal is a valuable chance to observe the dog. If you pay attention, you notice subtle changes in behaviour, appetite and health early. That strengthens both the dog's well-being and the bond between human and animal.
What mistakes do you often see in dog owners?
Cheap kibble – and portions that are too large.
What do you make of grass-eating – deficiency or normal?
In over 30 years of keeping dogs I have observed: when dogs are allowed to roam freely, they often chew wood, eat grass, nibble at bushes, even ingest soil. This is common and, in my experience, does not necessarily point to a deficiency.
What do you think of online nutrition advisers?
I don't read anything about nutrition on social media.
Which myth about dog feeding would you like to dispel?
That raw meat is dangerous or bad for dogs.
What does species-appropriate feeding mean to you?
For us the debate comes down to one question: carnivore or herbivore? The dog is by nature geared towards meat – that is our starting point for any species-appropriate diet. Everything else follows from it.
Can you sum up your feeding philosophy in one sentence?
Feeding is one of a dog's three basic needs – it calls for quality food, the right amount, and a fixed routine.
Additional Notes
Hygiene on the road: one main reason we don't feed chicken is the hygiene problems on winter trips. With changing climate zones and temperatures, chicken spoils faster because of its higher fat content – freshness and safety are harder to guarantee.
Preferences in warm weather: we have also found that our dogs avoid fatty chicken in warm weather. Their reluctance shows it agrees with them less in the heat.
Under stress, for example after surgery, dogs digest better when small portions are spread across the day.
Probiotics and psyllium help with diarrhoea – and can also be used preventively.
Omega-3: recent research comparing Omega-3 with glucosamine for osteoarthritis shows Omega-3 to be markedly more effective (2022 Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Enriched Therapeutic Diets and Nutraceuticals in Canine and Feline Osteoarthritis, PMC).
On the evening of a race we let the dogs run free and provide clean water so they drink enough.
In this interview, Anny Malo and Marco Rivest grant a rare and valuable insight into the world of professional mushing. That athletes at this level should share their feeding and training methods so openly is unusual – a mark of true greatness and of a team that sets the standard not only on the trail but as role models. I thank Anny and Marco from the heart for their time, their openness, and the passion that comes through in every answer. For me – and surely for many others – this interview is the gold standard. — Tanino Chiavaro
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Launching soonInterview conducted 2025 · Kennel Malo-Rivest · Québec, Canada · mentecanina.ch