PREMIER - July 2024 by PremierSires

Focused: Jacobs Family Gives Back Through Company

The Jacobs family has been in the horse business for decades. Randy Jacobs built a successful career training and showing halter horses. His children, Molli and RJ, continued their father’s love for horses through successful youth careers in the all-around and halter respectively. “I’ve been in the horse world my whole life,” says RJ. “My sister and I grew up on the road going to horse shows. I showed halter as a youth and was fortunate to win the AQHYA Youth World several times. My sister, Molli, did the all-around. She is still competing as an amateur and has also been very successful. My whole life has been in the horse world.”

RJ’s wife Aubrey competed on the equestrian team for Southern Methodist University and Molli competed for Texas A&M. Though RJ no longer shows, Aubrey competes in the pleasure with her three-year-old mare HayDay, by Hay Goodlookn, under the guidance of Mark and Judy Zeitler. Horse showing is still a family affair for RJ and Aubrey and their extended families. “Horse shows now are a time when we can get together and enjoy spending time with our parents and longtime friends and family,” says RJ.

It’s no secret that the key to success in the show ring, especially the halter arena, rests in a well-fitted horse. For Randy Jacobs, part of that secret recipe came in the form of the Direct Action Company Inc, aka dac® Vitamins and Minerals. “My dad always said that dac® products were the secret to his success in the horse world,” says son RJ. “He used all the dac® supplements while he was training. Every time he fed the products, he could see the results and the change in the horses. Those changes added up to a lot of success in the show ring.”

Randy was such a believer in dac®’s products that 18 years ago he invested in the company.

RJ shares, “My dad showed for over 30 years for a living. He always used dac® products in his operation. After a lengthy career on the road, he started to get tired of traveling. When I was still in high school, he bought the business. He purchased the company with a few business partners and eventually bought them out. Today, dac® is a completely, family-owned company.”

For the Jacobs family, whether competing or managing their company, the health, welfare, and success of their equine companions is the why behind everything they do. “For us, it has always been about the love and care of the horses. We want people to be able to go show their horse, enjoy them, be competitive and do well in the end,” says RJ.

He adds, “My dad believed so much in dac® products that he wanted to share them with other trainers, owners, and exhibitors. It’s been important to him to pass down that education and help others see the transformation and success that can come with using high-quality products like dac® Vitamins and Minerals.”

Founded in 1983, dac® offers equine, livestock, deer and pet supplements. The company’s first product—Direct Action—speaks to both the results and the technology that have become a hallmark of the company. Direct Action was based on what, at the time, was a new feed technology that wrapped a mineral with an enzyme to naturally enhance the utilization of that mineral.

Since then, dac® has been an industry leader in the ever-growing area of biotechnology in the feed business. Today’s customers count on dac®’s timetested research and technology that delivers products that enhance performance for their equine partners. With over 40 products available, RJ shares that dac® offers products to meet multiple goals in performance horses including weight gain, joint support, hair and coat enhancement, gut health, calming, and more.

“When my dad was showing he was fortunate to have multiple sponsors. He would often talk about the products and say that he wished certain products did this or that. That is why we are so focused on constantly improving our products so that we can meet the needs of our customers,” says RJ.

Dac® takes quality and results seriously. As a founding member of the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC), dac® was one of the first supplement companies to earn the NASC Quality Seal. According to their website, “The NASC is an industry group dedicated to protecting and enhancing the health of companion animals and horses by adopting and enforcing strict quality control standards for the animal health supplement industry.”

The NASC’s Quality Seal program lets consumers know that they are purchasing a product from a reputable manufacturer whose facility has been audited for quality and safety standards. On top of earning the prestigious NASC Quality Seal, RJ notes that the dac® products are backed by two full-time nutritionists. “Our nutritionists are always working to improve our products and develop new ones to give dac® the leading edge in the supplement market.”

That leading edge carries over to the show ring as well. With a diverse product line, dac® offers solutions for multiple needs. “We try to look at all the different aspects that exhibitors need to address, from weight gain to hair coat to hoof growth. What sets our products apart is the fact that they are fully chelated, meaning they are attached to a protein which allows for complete absorption. You know that with dac® products, the animals are getting everything from that supplement,” RJ explains.

The proof is in the results, and for RJ one of the best parts of the job is witnessing their customers’ success. “We have had winners and success stories from multiple breeds. That has been a fun part of this,” he says, “to see winners from across the horse industry, not just in stock horses. Last year the Belmont winner was one of our customers; we have a lot of horses in the racing industry using dac® products too.”

On top of their highly successful equine product line, dac® offers supplements for dogs, livestock, and deer. While the majority of sales are conducted through nationwide dac® dealers, the products are also available through Tractor Supply Company, Chewy, and Amazon.

At the heart of the company is family, a love for animals, and a passion for success. Randy recently retired from training and showing, though he still judges. Whether running a training barn or a supplement company, business is all in the family for the Jacobs. RJ serves as the company’s general manager and his wife, Aubrey, manages compliance and social media for the company. “Dad has owned the company for 18 years,” says RJ. “He is slowly stepping back. My mom, Holli, just retired after 34 years as a schoolteacher.” As the next generation, RJ is eager to take the lead and continue the success his parents built.

Aubrey & HayDay

As general manager, RJ wears multiple hats including working in the warehouse, sales, and delivery. The job keeps him on the road, but after growing up in the industry, he would not have it any other way. “I travel a lot to shows. It is important to us to support the industry. dac® is the official supplement of the NSBA World Show and corporate sponsor of the AllAmerican Quarter Horse Congress. We also sponsored The Premier, The Madness and the dac® Novice Horse Open Western Pleasure class at the Back to Berrien Futurity. We love to sponsor shows and classes and give back to our customers. More than anything, we want to see our customers succeeding, enjoying their horses, and most importantly having fun,” says RJ.

It is clear that life for the Jacobs family still revolves entirely around horses and giving back to an industry they love. The July cover of Premier Magazine supports Alec and Kierstin Cochran who face a long road to recovery after suffering severe injuries in a

car accident. “We are good friends with Andy and Katie,” says RJ. “We wanted to do something to give back and support Alec and Kierstin.”

As a family-oriented company, the Jacobs family understands the importance of supporting the industry they have devoted their lives to. “One of the things I love most about this industry is how we come together when someone is in need,” says RJ. “The horse industry is a close-knit group. Being raised in this industry has made me the person I am today. It’s taught me a lot. I hope to someday raise children in the industry. It’s where my parents met. It’s where Aubrey’s parents met. I guess you could say it’s deep in our blood. That is why I am so proud that we come together when someone is in need.”

Article Written by: Elizabeth Arnold