20 minute read
Equine America Bundle
RRP: £1,000.
TRULY INNOVATIVE:
Advertisement
NEW MOVEMENT TRACKER
The new Alogo movement sensor has been researched and developed over a number of years and is the most accurate technology ever implemented in an equine sensor.
The sensor has the ability to visualise the real jump trajectory or stride pattern of a horse. With this information riders and trainers then have the ability to identify the optimum parameters such as reach, level, athleticism to help prevent injuries by analysing the smallest variations. All the data provided from the sensor can be made available to your smartphone, tablet or laptop, allowing riders, owners and instructors to develop a training regime to help horse and rider reach goals quicker and more efficiently.
www.zebraproducts.co.uk
Administering prescribed medication without Veterinary consent Most horse owners have got the odd sachet of bute kicking around at the bottom of their first aid kit and it can be tempting to administer it to your horse without speaking to your Vet first. Bute can obviously mask pain, especially if your horse is lame which can make it incredibly difficult for your Vet to perform a lameness examination effectively.
Not vaccinating Horses should be routinely vaccinated to prevent disease and help reduce the spread of infection. It is a myth to believe that your horse doesn’t need vaccinating because they are old or they don’t leave the yard to compete. If your horse is not vaccinated against Tetanus even the smallest puncture wound can provide an entry point for the infection to thrive. The survival rate for horses suffering from Tetanus is poor and for those that do get better it is a long road to recovery.
www.robinson healthcare.com
WIN! WIN!
ONE LUCKY READER WILL WIN A PRIZE BUNDLE FROM EQUINE AMERICA!
We’ve teamed up with Equine America to offer one lucky reader the chance to win the following prizes: 3 Equine America Branded White Saddle Cloth - RRP £35 3 Equine America Baseball Cap - RRP 10.99 3 Equine America Reusable Face Mask - RRP £5.99 3 Equine America Gillet - RRP £46.99 3 1kg Glucosamine 12:10 Plus - RRP £41.99 3 900gm Pro Gut Balancer - RRP £26.99 3 Dermagel 100ml - RRP £18.00 Glucosamine 12:10 Plus provides key ingredients to provide nutritional support for cartilage repair and to help maintain healthy joint fluid to lubricate and nourish the joint, maintaining the vital shock-absorbing properties in hard working joints. Pro Gut Balancer is a unique combination of pre and probiotics, together with a mannan oligosaccharide (MOS), to help maintain the health of the gut microbiome The number one herbal skin hydrogel, for intensive and rapid skin care, plus a protective barrier effective against foreign contaminants. Derma Gel provides and maintains a moist, epidermal environment with the ability to help clean the surface, encourage natural hair re-growth and maximise skin smoothness.
www.equine-america.co.uk
To enter: Visit www.absolutehorsemagazine.com and click on the Competitions page. Entries open 1st September and close 31st October 2021.
MAGGOT-INFESTED RESCUED FOAL: TRANSFORMS INTO SHOW RING STAR
other horses is very new to him. He did such a good job in the ring and a lovely trot for the Judges. “I think Matty shows the joy of the process of rehoming. When he came to Redwings he was as sick as sick can be but, with the care he received, he made a full recovery and is now able to enjoy life in a home and opportunities like this to show what rescued ponies can do. I’m glad the Judges could see in him what I do – he is a lovely boy!” Matty came to Redwings in 2013 at just eight weeks old. A passer-by had found him abandoned in a field in Norfolk and barely able to move. On arrival at the Sanctuary, it was clear that Matty was severely dehydrated, very thin and with an untreated wound on his leg that was completely covered in flies and maggots. A veterinary examination also discovered that maggots had entered his hoof capsule and were eating away at it from the inside, causing him extreme pain. It is likely that Matty, whose name was inspired by the once densely matted state of his coat, was abandoned due to the severity of his condition and, if it hadn’t been for the swift actions of that member of the public
Arescued pony who was discovered emaciated with maggot-infested wounds as a foal is now a rosette winner in the show ring.
Seven-year-old cob Matty, who received emergency treatment at Redwings Horse Sanctuary and has since been rehomed to Guardian Sarah Prior, was placed third in the Rescue Inhand Class at the Royal Norfolk Show on 28th July. Fellow Redwings rehomed pony, 19-year-old Welsh Shetland cross Domino, also placed fourth in the same class. Guardian Sarah, who works as a veterinary surgeon at Redwings and played a key role in Matty’s recovery, said: “I’m so proud of Matty and our rosette! We haven’t been out showing much and to be here at the Norfolk Showground with so many
Redwings Matty and Redwings Oak going out for a hack
and the Redwings Rescue team, he would have died in days. Meanwhile, Sarah had just started working at the charity’s Horse Hospital and was one of the team who provided little Matty with round the clock intensive care. She said: “It was love at first sight and I knew that one day I would like to offer Matty a home with me. At the time, Redwings waited until horses had turned four before considering them as candidates for its Guardianship rehoming scheme so I waited patiently until 2018 when I could then take my special boy home. “Matty is so brave and so trusting despite what he went through as a foal. He still always drinks when offered a bucket of water, just like he did so desperately the day he was rescued. He loves a good wither scratch and being groomed.” Sarah rehomed Matty as an unbacked project, meaning that she took on the responsibility of teaching him how to be ridden after he had received basic training at Redwings. And last year, she offered a home to another Redwings rescued pony, 23year-old Native cross Oak, to become Matty’s companion and the pair are now inseparable.
To find out more about Redwings’ Guardianship Scheme and the rescued horses currently looking for new homes, please visit www.redwings.org.uk/ rehoming. Strangles Awareness Week will return in 2022 after this year’s campaign reached more than two million people across the world.
Over 180 Ambassadors, including equestrians, livery yards, riding centres, vet practices and equine professionals, signed up to share messages through social media during the Week, which ran from 3rd to 9th May 2021, with the aim of raising awareness amongst horse owners of the world’s most-commonly diagnosed infectious equine disease. For the first time, international equine and veterinary organisations, including Sweden’s National Veterinary Institute and its twenty member organisations, the Royal GD and MSD Animal Health in the Netherlands, and the University of Melbourne and the Equine Veterinarian membership body in Australia also supported the Week. In all, more than 310,000 people were reached online, while a further 2.5 million readers received the Week’s messages through articles in worldwide equine and veterinary publications. Organisers, including Redwings, are now encouraging even more people from across the equine
community to show their interest in becoming Ambassadors ready for next year’s campaign, which will take place from 2nd to 8th May 2022. Ambassadors will join a mailing list to receive exclusive Strangles Awareness Week content for their social media channels, as well as guidance on how to share their own experiences of the disease and encourage others to speak up too. Anyone wishing to sign-up as an Ambassador for Strangles Awareness Week 2022 and be kept up-to-date with the latest news from the campaign can email campaigns@redwings.co.uk
YES, HORSE PRICES HAVE ROCKETED
The rising price of horses, ponies and young stock has been the talk of the tack room through the pandemic, as people abandon holiday plans and instead focus on sport, hobbies and adventure closer to home.
Now Europe’s leading horses for sale website ehorses.com and its UK counterpart ehorses.co.uk has proof that prices HAVE risen steeply through the pandemic apparently by over 30%! ehorses advertises between 700 and 3,250 horses a month on its market-leading website, across Germany, Europe — including Britain — and around the world. Since ads are removed after three months, the inventory is always up to date. The firm recently analysed the prices at which these horses are advertised (where prices were stated), first removing the top and bottom 10% by price. The startling findings showed that prices increased by over 14% year-on-year from 2019 to 2020 and, in the first half of 2021, they are increasing by a further 37% year-on-year. ehorses.co.uk's CEO Lena Büker says: “While ehorses is not privy to the final prices horses sell for, this data clearly proves that asking prices for horses and ponies have increased steeply through the pandemic. The fact we have also seen huge growth in the use of ehorses, with over 3,000 horses advertised on our site in some months, adds strength to this data.”
DIGITAL REVOLUTION FOR LIVERY YARDS
An award-winning livery yard manager has embraced the digital revolution and launched an equestrian management app designed to make yard management safer, more streamlined, and more professional.
The newly launched Livery Live app removes the need for paper diaries or the traditional yard whiteboards. Instead, Livery Live captures every owner request and individual equine requirements, stores emergency contacts, automates billing, and enhances communication between management, staff, and clients. Designed to simplify and streamline, Livery Live puts professional yard management quite literally in the palm of your hand. Livery Live creator, and manager of the SEIB Livery Yard of the Year 2020, Adrienne Devonish, commented. “We use apps for other aspects of our daily lives, and it struck me that running and managing the yard would be much easier with an app. An injured horse or a member of staff calling in sick can interrupt the normal routine; the app makes this instantly easier to see and respond to.” With Livery Live, yard owners and managers can review individual horse care plans, monitor feed orders and deliveries, ensure additional service requests from owners are recorded and invoiced correctly, and enables management and staff to access emergency contact details 24/7. Horse owners can use the app to request services, personalise their horse’s profile, notify the yard of changes to care plans and check their billing at any point, allowing them to budget more effectively. Due to the unpredictable nature of live animal environments, yards work better when people can communicate clearly, effectively and respond quickly. Livery Live gives users the information and connectivity they need to run a safe, successful, and professional yard. Data is updated in real-time to enable instant decision making. Task allocation, invoicing and ordering are streamlined, making yard management faster, easier, and more efficient. Subscription models are affordable for businesses and individual horse owners. Starting from £2 per month per horse, following a 6-week free trial period.
www.liverylive.com
Article by Cheryl Johns, ABRS+ Trustee
ASKING THE RIGHT QUESTIONS
WHEN LOOKING FOR A NEW YARD
The livery industry is competitive, and many horse owners do not realise it is completely unregulated. Whilst there are legal obligations for any business regarding insurance, taxes and H&S, anybody at all regardless of experience, competence, or knowledge of equines - can open a livery yard.
Whilst investigating the packages and the services or facilities available, it is also important to ensure you are placing your equine in the care of a yard that is run professionally, legally and with the competence you would expect for the care of your equine, and not just basing your decision on cost or facilities. It is important for horse owners to understand the important questions they must ask when contacting a potential yard. Any good yard should be able to show you evidence to prove they run a professional and competent yard. You should expect them to hold a professional insurance policy, and to include care, custody and control (CCC) insurance if they offer services. You should also be able to request details of any qualifications, experience or training claimed to be held by the yard owner or their staff. You would expect there to be a good level of knowledge in horse management, welfare, and basic veterinary care at the very least. You should request a copy of their livery contract. This will indicate their expectations of the arrangements, payments and terms of notice and are designed to protect both parties. Horse owners are often deterred by yards they feel have too many rules or a lengthy contract. However, it is important to understand why these are in place, and that the job of a responsible yard owner is to ensure the horses in their care are in an established routine, and that all on the yard act appropriately. They should be able to explain their H&S policy to demonstrate a responsible attitude towards the safety of all on the yard, and be able to advise on biosecurity practices, and what steps they take to prevent infectious disease from new arrivals or cross-contamination. After all, welfare of the equines should be of primary importance on the yard. Ensure you question any points you feel are important and raise any queries that may crop up during a viewing. Whilst yards may not have all the information, their responses will indicate their competence in these areas. The ABRS+ has put these considerations at the forefront SINCE 1954, THE ABRS+ HAS BEEN THE ONLY ASSOCIATION DEDICATED TO REPRESENTING EQUESTRIAN ESTABLISHMENTS. THE ABRS+ CERTIFIED AND APPROVED SCHEMES FOR RIDING ESTABLISHMENTS, LIVERY YARDS AND EQUESTRIAN CENTRES OFFER A HALLMARK OF QUALITY, PROMOTE PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS AND PROVIDE SUPPORT FROM A TRUSTED ASSOCIATION.
for horse owners with their new Certified or Approved Livery Yard scheme and an emphasis on the education for horse owners as to what makes a ‘good yard’. This gives horse owners peace of mind that the member yards have already been appropriately verified for such competences and documentation. By taking the additional steps to research and scrutinize any yards you are considering, you are more likely to find a professionally run yard with the competence to provide livery services you would expect. This is proven to lead to a much longer home for your equine and happy liveries! An extended guide to ‘Finding Livery’ can be found on the ABRS+ website
www.abrs-info.org/guides
EQUINE GLANDULAR GASTRIC ULCERATION
Written by Sarah Voss Equine Internal Medicine Clinical Teaching Associate
Erythematous (red arrow) and fibrinosuppurative (blue arrow) EGGD lesions Haemorrhagic (red arrow) and fibrinosuppurative (blue arrow) EGGD lesions
Equine gastric ulceration syndrome (EGUS) is commonly diagnosed, but despite being used broadly, EGUS is a syndrome encompassing two diseases, classified according to which part of the stomach is affected.
The stomach has two different mucosal linings. The ‘squamous’ portion which is not designed to sit in acid; and the ‘glandular’ portion which is very acid-resistant. This article focuses on equine glandular gastric disease (EGGD). Signs of EGGD are variable, including change in temperament, altered appetite, poor performance, and increased sensitivity to grooming, girthing, and rugging. The only way to diagnose EGGD is with gastroscopy. While we apply a grading system to squamous ulcers, EGGD should not be graded because there is poor correlation between the pathology present and the hierarchical grading systems that were in use, so descriptive terms are used instead. We still do not fully understand what causes EGGD, but it is likely a combination of several factors. EGGD is often harder to treat than squamous disease. First line treatment for EGGD is oral omeprazole paste combined with sucralfate. Omeprazole acts to decrease the acidity in the stomach, providing a better environment for healing. Sucralfate has a number of beneficial effects, including creating a protective coating over lesions and improving blood flow to promote healing. Horses are treated for four weeks initially, then gastroscopy is repeated. If there has not been sufficient improvement we must decide whether to extend the initial course of treatment, or to switch to an alternative medication. There are two main alternatives: injectable omeprazole, or oral misoprostol. Some horses do not acidsuppress as well as others with oral omeprazole, and we may then see a better response when we change to omeprazole injections. Oral misoprostol works by supplying a synthetic prostaglandin, a chemical normally produced by the stomach to protect itself from acid, which promotes healing. Occasionally horses will respond to none of these treatments, and we may need to pursue further investigation or trial alternative treatments. It is well established that optimising health through good management is particularly important when managing horses prone to EGUS. There is evidence to suggest horses that exercise (at any level) more than five days a week are more prone to EGGD, so building in rest days is important. Stress is likely to be a factor predisposing horses to EGGD, so minimising stress as much as possible is important. This will look different for each individual, however keeping to a regular routine, and ensuring horses can exhibit natural behaviours such as spending time with herd-mates is probably beneficial. We also carefully discuss dietary modification with the owner, but ensuring access to forage and reducing starchy feed are particularly important.
Article supplied by:
Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge
www.vet.cam.ac.uk
TRY BEFORE YOU BUY
A SOBERING TALE OF BUYING HORSES UNSEEN
Laddie and Angel came into the care of World Horse Welfare in March 2021 after the pair’s new owner had bought them both unseen online from a horse dealer in Essex.
Laddie, a bay Thoroughbred cross gelding, was a sad sight: dreadfully underweight and, having been recently fully clipped by the dealer, his ribs were also clearly visible with his hip bone and spine protruding through his skin – a stark contrast to the advertised stunning, schoolmaster horse that was depicted in the videos and pictures sent by the dealer to the potential buyer. Angel was in good body condition but was nervous, skittish and flighty – not the bombproof hacking pony advertised. The new owners asked World Horse Welfare to help these horses when they realised the specialist care, attention and facilities needed to nurse them back to full health. After several months of specialist care and rehabilitation Laddie and Angel have a bright future. Online shopping has become the norm for many during the Covid-19 pandemic, but World Horse Welfare warns about buying horses without meeting your potential new horse first. Laddie and Angel’s owners paid £7000 for the pair but the hidden costs incurred after buying horses unseen can be much higher. You may have to factor in ongoing veterinary costs of sick animals, specialist feeding and your time nursing your horse back to full health. Sadly, in the end your new horse may still not be fit for use. Although some people do buy horses unseen successfully it is seldom advisable and, where possible, you should always meet the horses to check that they are as described and suitable for your requirements. If you must buy unseen, you should always check seller’s or dealer’s names and reputations online and get animals vetted before parting with your money.
www.worldhorsewelfare.org
RETIREMENT BECKONS FOR TWO EX-POLICE HORSES
Bransby Horses is delighted to announce the arrival of two ex-Greater Manchester Police (GMP) horses into their care after a combined thirteen years of public service. 18-yearold Irish Draught, Captain, and 17-yearold Irish Sport, Steele, will enjoy their retirement in the heart of the Lincolnshire countryside.
After beginning his career with GMP in 2013, Captain attended a number of high profile events and served alongside fellow retiree, Steele, on many occasions. Following increasing lameness earlier this year, Captain was retired in June. Steele is described by his handlers as ‘in a league of his own’; brave, very athletic, affectionate, intelligent and funny, and has retired earlier than expected due to failing eyesight.
www.bransbyhorses.co.uk
RIP: FREDDIE FOX
Gillian Higgins and the team at Horses Inside Out said goodbye recently to Freddie Fox, who after 24-years was gently and sadly laid to rest surrounded by those who loved him.
Freddie Fox has given so much to the world of horses helping to educate thousands of people across the world. He has contributed to raising awareness about equine anatomy, biomechanics, movement, soundness, welfare, riding, training and management practices for the good of horses everywhere.
www.horsesinsideout.com/post/freddie-fox
ASK A Masterminder
Small & Supercharged Mastermind is an online group supporting small equestrian and rural businesses and, as such, is bursting with amazingly knowledgeable people with lots to share. Each month we’ll be asking them a question and members will be sharing their top tips. This month’s question is… ‘NAME YOUR STAND-OUT 'PINCH-ME' MOMENT WHILST RUNNING YOUR BUSINESS’
Faye Robinson, Horseshoe Hearts & Home “Big ‘pinch me’ moment was receiving the product photos from Sophie (Callahan) of our new textiles range. The design - created from my own drawings. printed onto linen fabric and manufactured in the UK - has made a childhood dream come true! I still can't quite believe they exist!”
www.horseshoehearts.co.uk
Amanda Marshall, 3 Donkeys “I had the honour and great pleasure of meeting Charlotte Dujardin CBE on our stand at Your Horse Live 2019 and to then see our photo and the 3 Donkeys name across Charlotte’s social media channels, has to be the ultimate ‘pinch me’ moment.”
www.3donkeys.co.uk
Sophie Callahan, equine and small business photographer “A stand out moment of my career happened just this summer. I was asked by Newhall Publishing and the Royal Windsor Horse Show to collaborate with them on the cover for this year’s Souvenir Programme. I had previously taken a photograph at Horse Guards Parade, that they thought would be perfect. An honour in itself, to be asked. “But when I received a photograph from the show of Her Majesty The Queen holding the programme, with my photo of her horse in full view, this was definitely a ‘pinch me’ moment!”
www.sophiecallahan.com
Cathy Wright, Cathy’s Chocolates “I work with the 2* Michelin Chef Sat Bains for the past nine years, supplying all the after dinner chocolate for his restaurant. After a chance encounter at the end of our meal I spoke with him and was cheeky and asked if I could drop samples of my work in to him. It’s the same chocolate that I use throughout my range.”
www.cathyschocolatesandcakes.co.uk
Tracey Cole, Tracey Cole NLP “When I was being assessed for my accredited NLP Trainer certification, I had to give a presentation. One of the fathers of NLP, Dr Tad James, sat just out of my line of vision. When I finished, he came up to me and said, “That was an exceptional presentation. Great job!” I was so overcome, I couldn’t speak!”
www.traceycolenlp.com
Tiffany Lay, Ladybridge Leatherworks “One of my ‘pinch me’ moments was the first time my beautiful stirrups were used by a rider at an international dressage competition.”
www.ladybridgeleatherworks.co.uk
Jane Brindley, Horse Riding With Confidence Scotland “My stand out moments are simply seeing how happy my clients are when they fulfil their long held goals. When a client sends a photo or returns to see me with huge smile saying ‘guess what I did!’”
