ETN (Equestrian Trade News) - September 2019

September 2019

Volume 43, No 9 Monthly

GET WORM-WISE Winter strategies that work

FEEDING A NEED

ETN is the official media partner of BETA International

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• AMTRA accredited SQP CPD feature and quiz • New products to stock • Best thing since the horseshoe?

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Editor’s Comment Tamzin Furtado’s presentation to this year’s BETA Feed Industry Conference was brilliant. Talking about how owners conceptualise their horses’ body condition, she noted that while we treat dogs’ exercise (“walkies”) as fun for the animal, exercise for horses (“schooling”, “work”, “training”) is often seen as hard labour.

Of course, that’s generalising.

Gundogs train and many horses enjoy hacking. But perception is the point when it comes to motivating owners to exercise their animals.

Dogs love being people’s companions, workmates and protectors. Apparently, a dog would rather be with its owner than eat; bringing to mind the homeless person and canine friend huddled together against the world.

Horses, on the other hand, recognise and relate to humans. But left to choose, their innate needs – including being with their own kind – have a stronger pull. Maybe that’s why we’re so privileged when a horse willingly carries us on his back? It’s certainly something to be happy about and never a chore.

Next month, ETN relaunches our Dogs At Work series. We want to hear about the dogs who enjoy your company in your business or at home. You may have a dog who ‘works’ in your shop, one who travels with you to see customers, an energetic dog who exercises you after work, or an office dog who helps make the tea. Your dog could be a gundog, a rescue dog or a lorry dog.

Let us know if you and your dog(s) would like to take part – initially email editor@equestriantradenews.com.

Meanwhile, happy hacking and walkies!

During international dressage and eventing competitions in Aachen this summer, three combinations were eliminated under the ‘blood’ rule.

That’s to say, riders had broken the skin and drawn blood from their horses’ sides.

In this issue...

NEWS Latest happenings

PRODUCT NEWS New on the market

8

RETAILER PROFILE

Whether the cause was inept or abusive use of spurs, the effect is the same; 15 minutes of infamy. To Joe Public, horses with bleeding sides where they’ve been spurred must seem barbaric. It’s one occasion when I’m glad horse sports aren’t making headlines…

It’s 20 years since air cushioned whips appeared in racing; bits have come on apace in the last decade – so is it time for spurs to be reinvented? Or is it simply down to bad riding?

Meet Foss Feeds

12

BETA INTERNATIONAL 2020 Previewing January’s show

Isn’t it amazing how Nature balances things? This time last year, following a hard winter and dry summer, hay supplies were down and prices up.

12 months on, and there’s loads of well-made hay about. I’ve not seen it advertised at £2.50 a small bale for many years…

Trouble is, while this summer’s glut of grass might be beneficial to horse owners’ pockets, it’s done the opposite for their equines’ waistlines. Too many horses and ponies have piled on the pounds and are dangerously unlikely to shift it.

Clare Barfoot adds another twist to the equine obesity tale in this issue of ETN. Our winters are not only getting milder, she points out, but shorter too.

So that’s another challenge; less time for horses to lose ‘condition’ – or more accurately, ‘fat’.

14

BETTER BUSINESS Measuring success

16

TURNING BACK THE PAGES What ETN reported five, ten, 20 and 30 years ago

18

CLIPPERS & RUGS Ready for winter

19

SPECIAL REPORT Best thing since the horseshoe?

22

FEED FEATURE Winter condition explored Sustainability is big news NOPS ten years on Product gallery

24 26 28 32

LEGAL DIGEST A question of staff

39

PEOPLE Who’s new, who’s moved?

40

WORMING News and developments

42

AMTRA ACCREDITED SQP CPD Be worm-wise this winter

44

BENCH SADDLER OF THE MONTH This month’s winner named

48

BETA MEMBERS’ PAGE News from your trade association

49

COUNTY COURT JUDGMENTS ETN’s exclusive listing

50

Liz Benwell

12

FRONT COVER: Dengie sponsored rider Lucy Jackson riding Superstition II, owned by Gillian Greenlees, at Bramham International Horse Trials. They achieved a double clear finishing on their dressage score of 33 for 5th place in the CCI4*. (Photo: Tim Wilkinson).

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35 Resource Reg. No. 2110

EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS SEPTEMBER 2019 | 3

ETN|NEWS

News

£20m scheme “will benefit us” says manufacturer Abbey England has joined a £20 million governmentbacked scheme for manufacturers in the north-west of England.

The Made Smarter Leadership Programme, in collaboration with Lancaster University Management School (LUMS), assists businesses in their pursuit of ‘smarter’ manufacturing.

The eight-month long programme includes workshops and site visits to regional SME manufacturers with outstanding vision and skills. It aims to help companies adopt high tech and digital manufacturing techniques.

Cheshire based Abbey England supplies saddlery workshop materials and manufactures metalwork such as harness decorations, buckles and brass plaques, as well as Equus-branded rubber items like overreach boots.

Peter Phillips of Abbey England (centre) meets two other business leaders involved with the Made Smart scheme, Gerry Weston of DT Engineering (left) and Alan Ryan of Technoprint (right).

“Because our manufacturing process is very traditional, we’re aware that our business still has a long way to go technologically,” said Peter Phillips, IT director at Abbey England.

“We’ve started to engage with Made Smarter on some potential technologies and even though they are small steps for now, I can already see things that will benefit us and that we can apply to our business.”

EQUINE CARE BRAND IN DISTRIBUTION DEAL Equine healthcare brand Nettex says it’s appointed Trilanco as its logistics partner “to enhance service levels for the equine retail market.”

Nettex manufactures most of its products in the UK, in Kent and Burton-on-Trent.

“We are delighted to be working with Trilanco, increasing distribution and availability of Nettex products,” said the company’s managing director Roddy Webster.

Want more news?

Sign up to receive ETN’s weekly e-newsletter. Visit www.equestriantradenews.com or call 01937 582111.

If you’d like to air your views, contact editor@equestriantradenews.com Please include your name and business name.

Equestrian Trade News East Wing, Stockeld Park, Wetherby, West Yorkshire, LS22 4AW Tel: 01937 582111 Email: info@equestriantradenews.com Website: www.equestriantradenews.com Subscriptions Distributed on a controlled-circulation basis to the retail trade. Paid-for annual subscriptions are £39.95 (UK), £73.00 (Europe), £86.00 (rest of the world).

Design & Print Elliot Cierpiol Resource, 78 Armley Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS12 2EJ Tel: 0113 200 5000 Email: ec@weareresource.co.uk Web: www.weareresource.co.uk ISSN 1462-9526 Publisher Equestrian Management Consultants Ltd

4 | EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS SEPTEMBER 2019

Editor Liz Benwell Email: editor@equestriantradenews.com Tel: 0345 6185007 Senior Advertising Executive Beth Crow Email: bethc@beta-int.com Tel: 01937 582111 Fax: 01937 582778 Digital Manager Nicki Lewis Email: nickil@beta-int.com Tel: 01937 582111 The magazine is independent of all groups. Editorial views expressed in ETN are not necessarily the official view of any organisation or group.

Copyright All material is copyright Equestrian Management Consultants Ltd.

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Extra shopping day for Burghley The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials will open for five days in September 2020.

An extra day – the Wednesday – has been added to accommodate an amateur event riders’ championship. The first horse inspection for the main competition is that day too.

Burghley’s shopping will be open on the Wednesday.

However, while traders may welcome the opportunity to do business with additional visitors supporting Wednesday’s grassroots competitors, the organisers are unable to say at what cost.

“Tradestand charges will not be decided until nearer the time,” Burghley director Elizabeth Inman told ETN, “but they have never been based on the number of days that the event is open.

“It is hoped this extra day will afford the majority of our retailers a great opportunity to maximise on their week at Land Rover Burghley.”

The 2020 dates for the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials are Wednesday to Sunday, 2 – 6 September.

This year’s event takes place this month, on Thursday to Sunday, 5 – 8 September.

BETA WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS The following companies were approved as new members of the British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) at its latest Council meeting.

• RTD (Results Through Digital) – digital marketing (Associate member) • Sara Blackshaw Consultancy – equine consultancy (Associate member) • J & A Smales – farming (Trade member) • Tourer Techs Caravan Services – caravan/motorhome repair (Associate member) • Timmerman Groenvoederdrogerrij bu – feed (Overseas Trade member) • Drimee – manufacturer of horse solariums (Trade member)

Glyn Jones, a key account manager with Dodson & Horrell, died on 11 July, six days after collapsing with a heart attack while taking part in a cycling event. He was 55.

As well as being a tremendously popular figure in the trade, Glyn was a lifelong endurance athlete who completed the London Marathon on four occasions.

“Glyn’s knowledge and enthusiasm always shone through, along with a determination to do the

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right thing by customers, shoppers and D&H alike,” said a spokesman for the feed company.

“He will be sorely missed professionally but more so personally as he always had time for those around him and a joke or tale for any situation. Glyn’s legacy of passion, care and fun will forever be with the people he met.”

Based in Berkshire, Glyn worked for Dodson & Horrell for four years. He leaves his wife Nicki, son Ollie and daughter Ella.

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ETN|NEWS

IN BRIEF • Saracen Horse Feeds has appointed The Veterinary Group (TVG) as its new distribution partner in the Middle East.

• Cavalleria Toscana is now available to the UK trade through distributor Zebra Products. The Italian brand was founded in 2008 with ambitions to make technical sportswear look elegant. “We’re excited to be working with well-known equestrian distributor Zebra Products and are looking forward to developing our technical-led collection further in the UK,” said Carol Boni of Cavalleria Toscana.

• Swish Bedding has been named HOYS official bedding supplier. The pure rape straw bedding is manufactured in Staffordshire on Rob and Kate Dale’s family farm.

• The team at Horslyx led the cheers when Khadijah Mellah became the first woman to ride in a British horse race wearing a hijab. The company has for the past year supported the Ebony Horse Club in Brixton where the 18 year old learnt to ride. As a young Muslim woman, Khadijah’s participation in the Magnolia Cup was always going to make headlines. But her win aboard Haverland in the ladies’ charity race at ‘Glorious Goodwood’ even made the 10 o’clock TV news. Khadijah (right) is pictured with Naomi Howgate of Ebony Horse Club.

• Italian equine leg protection manufacturer Zandona are sponsoring three time Olympic gold medallist Andrew Hoy. The two are working together to create an Andrew Hoy collection due to launch later in this year.

• Audit Bureau Circulations (ABC) points out that as well as auditing national newspapers, regional newspapers, consumer magazines and events (including BETA International), it also audits approaching 350 trade magazines that range in circulation from 1,800 to 137,000 average copies.

ABC was responding to Editor’s Comment (ETN, July issue). ETN recently introduced the publication of a printer’s certificate, verifying the number of copies produced of the previous month’s issue. You can find this figure on the address sheet that comes with each ETN.

• Supreme Products has become title sponsor of the Supreme Products Horse of the Year Championship at next month’s Horse of the Year Show (HOYS).

The winner is chosen from the 29 different showing championships held throughout the week. Said Laura Clegg, brand manager for Supreme Products: “It’s the one show everyone wants to be at and to go ‘supreme’ is what dreams are made of.”

• Frank Baines Saddlery has renovated its Walsall premises. The building in Northcote Street has been its home since the saddle-maker was established by Frank Baines in 1980. There’s a separate goods-in area, new cutting and preparation rooms, a workshop with more natural light and bench space plus a larger saddle storeroom and showroom.

Despite Brexit, the company is experiencing more interest than ever in its hand-made saddles, said director Victoria Coleman.

• The Henry Bell Wild Bird Care range, new from the manufacturer of EquiGlo horse feeds, features more than 100 different products for all types of garden birds.

Henry Bell, which for 20 years has supplied private-label wild bird foods, now offers mixed seeds, straights such as peanuts and sunflower seeds, mealworms, and suet and fat balls under its own brand.

It has also unveiled Henry Bell Will Bird Care feeders and feeding stations.

“We have a strong pedigree in the animal and pet feed industry and it was a natural step for us to launch our own wild bird feed range,” said trading director Simon Parker.

Henry Bell’s new bird feeds join its Mr Johnson’s small animal brand, Dog Gone Fishin’ canine treats and EquiGlo horse feeds.

6 | EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS SEPTEMBER 2019

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“I was delighted, Monty was much more settled and focused.”

Debbie Cherry & Monty

“NAF GastriAid is a must for my mare.”

“I was amazed at how much it helped my horse.”

Maria Guselli & Bailey

Ashling Denny & Sparky

“I use Five Star PROFEET to improve Phoenix’s feet.”

Karen Long & Phoenix

Professional riders across the world feed NAF supplements to improve the diet and performance of their horses ELDER KLATZKO EMILE FAURIE EMMA MASSINGALE ERIN ORFORD EVE STAVELEY GEMMA TATTERSALL GUY WILLIAMS HENRIETTE ANDERSEN & ULRIK MOLGAARD JAMES BROOME JAY HALIM JONTY EVANS LAURA COLLETT EVENTING LUCY WIEGERSMA MARK TODD PADRAIG MCCARTHY PAUL TAPNER TEAM CHARLES SPENCER WILTON SUZANNA HEXT TEAM MENDOZA TOM McEWEN WILLA NEWTON JOHNATHON BOWMAN LUDWIG SVENNERSTAL ABBI TENNANT ALICE OPPENHEIMER BECKY EDWARDS CHARLOTTE ARMSTRONG CHRIS FRANKS CHRISTOPHER WHITTLE DANIEL MEGSON DAN WILLIAMS EILIDH GRANT EMILY BALDWIN GLOUCESTERSHIRE MOUNTED POLICE HOLDER SHOW TEAM HOLLY WOODHEAD IAN SMEETH IMOGEN GLOAG JAMES M SMITH JODIE AMOS JODIE HALL McATEER NATALIE ALLEN TOM GOODE NATASHA ADKINSON PHOEBE PETERS ROBYN SMITH RUBY FRYER SAFFIE OSBORNE TOBY PIGOTT WILL MURRAY HARRY PAYNE JANE SKINNER ROSIE THOMAS SUSAN SKEGGS KARIM LAGHOUAG JUR VRIELING SEVERO JURADO LÓPEZ IRMA KARLSSON OTTO BECKER VAN OLST HORSES

For more details please contact your NAF Area Sales Manager, or the NAF Sales Office on 01600 710726 or email info@naf-uk.com

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EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS SEPTEMBER 2019 | 7

ETN|PRODUCT NEWS

Product News Lovely lavender Lavender No-Rinse Wash soothes, calms and cools a horse after a strenuous workout.

To use, just pop a couple of capfuls in a bucket of water and drench the horse all over with a sponge. There’s no need to rinse, just remove excess water with a sweat scraper.

Carl Hester’s groom Alan Davies says: “We use it after exercise because it removes sweat and dirt really effectively and leaves the horses’ coats feeling and smelling really fresh.”

The concentrated, aromatic wash contains a natural bactericide. It’s also available in peppermint.

SADDLE FITTING ON TAP

Master Saddler and Master Saddle Fitter Kay Hastilow shares her 50 years’ experience in a two-part video series.

Saddle Fitting Know How – For Riders and Trainers is a valuable resource for riders, trainers and would be saddle fitters.

The videos are available for unlimited download or streaming from Kay’s Vimeo On Demand page for a one-off charge of £35 each.

New dog food is VAT free VetSpec – TopSpec’s sister brand – has launched two new super premium working dog foods. Both are VAT free.

VetSpec Working Dog Food, Adult Formula and VetSpec Working Dog Food, Puppy & Junior Formula are made with 44% chicken with added rice, vegetables and herbs.

The adult formula includes an outstanding veterinary specification healthy dog adult supplement with biotin and other associated nutrients to improve the coat and promote a supple skin for dogs.

Prebiotics in the supplement help to maintain a healthy gut in dogs with sensitive stomachs. The formula also contains a joint supplement.

VetSpec Working Dog, Adult Formula Chicken & Rice is wheat gluten free and a complete balanced

diet suitable for all dogs over one year old. It’s ideal for dogs needing a highly nutritious diet for hard work, building muscle, maintaining strong bones and tendons, supporting a healthy immune system, healthy skin and good coats plus supporting joints.

New VetSpec Working Dog, Puppy & Junior Formula contains specific supplements to ensure optimum growth and development of young dogs from four weeks to 12 months old. After that, dogs can be successfully transferred to VetSpec Working Dog, Adult Formula.

RRPs are VetSpec Working Dog Food, Adult Formula (15kg) £34.50; VetSpec Working Dog, Puppy & Junior Formula (15kg) £34.95.

By Appointment to Her Majesty The Queen Manufacturer of Horse Bedding Bedmax Limited, Northumberland

By Appointment to HRH The Prince of Wales Manufacturer of Horse Bedding Bedmax Limited, Northumberland

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PRODUCT NEWS|ETN

GIFTS FOR HOME AND GARDEN Abbey England has introduced a collection of hand-crafted brassware, made in its UK foundry.

With Christmas shopping on the horizon, your customers will love these traditional brass door knockers. Contemporary styles are also available, adorned with horses, dogs, lions and owls, plus foxes inspired by Roald Dahl’s Fantastic Mr Fox. Abbey’s brassware range also includes 23 elegant sundials in round, square and octagonal designs to make a statement in any garden. All items come in polished brass or with a nickel-plate finish.

Inspired by show jumper A collection by French showjumper Penelope Leprevost is seeking a select number of UK stockists.

“The range comprises competition clothing and sportswear for women and girls, horse clothing and leather goods,” says UK representative Andrea Sexton.

The styling is feminine and elegant, befitting a quintessentially French brand.

Hot property

Hotmax heat logs, a by-product of Bedmax Shavings, have been certified as a low polluting fuel.

The logs have been accredited by Woodsure Ready to Burn, a scheme supported by DEFRA. Hotmax, supplied in 10kg and 20kg bags, can be used on wood burning stoves to heat homes in winter or for summer barbeques. Tim Smalley of Bedmax is pictured (left) with Andrew Hopton of Woodsure.

Bite-sized rewards New Vegi-bites from Lincoln Horse Care come in beetroot, carrot and spinach flavours. They’re low in calories and molasses free.

When fed in small amounts in a stable toy, they help keep horses amused. They also make great rewards for training or incentives for stretching.

“During trials, the horses and ponies absolutely loved the Vegi-bites – they had them asking for more,” said brand manager Sally Howard.

The treats come in 1kg resealable packs with an RRP of £4.99. Lincoln Horse Care is available from Battles.

ETN|PRODUCT NEWS

HEADCOLLARS TO TREASURE

HEY, LOOK AT THESE!

These beautifully shaped, leather headcollars from Rhinegold are now in stock at exclusive distributor Snowhill.

The Rhinegold Anatomical Leather Headcollar comes in gorgeous dark tan leather with a softee leather lined headpiece and noseband.

The anatomically shaped headpiece curves gently behind the ears, alleviating pressure. This distinctive headcollar, with an adjustable noseband and trigger clip throat latch, is perfect for everyday or show days. The RRP is £54.50.

JFC Equine’s new Teardrop Hay Feeder is made from polyethylene and comes in green, blue or purple.

Two designs are available; one to be wall mounted, for the other to fit into a corner. They can be placed at any height.

The hay feeders slow down feeding and reduce waste.

They’re also easily cleaned, so useful for maintaining stable bio-security.

The corner feeder has a capacity of 110kg; the wall version takes 50kg. The latter can also be used in horseboxes and enables the full feeder to be weighed which is useful for managing hay intake.

RRPs are £77 for the corner feeder and £92.50 for the wall mounted product.

In classic black leather, the Rhinegold Softee ProAnatomical Leather Headcollar has cushioned softee leather on the headpiece and noseband. Again, it curves gently behind the ears. The RRP is £64.50.

Dragon Display Systems

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Horslyx Pro Digest Balancer contains a combination of ingredients to support the digestive system from the stomach to the hindgut.

In addition, the process of licking enhances saliva production which helps buffer stomach acidity.

Manufacturers of flexible wall and centre-shop hanging and shelving systems, with 4 different systems and design-your-own gondolas & merchandising units.

The product contains mucilage in the form of slippery elm and seaweed meal. Mucilage is a soluble fibre that absorbs water within the gastrointestinal tract and can form a soothing barrier between the intestinal tract wall and transient feed, says Horsylx.

Horslyx Pro Digest Balancer offers prebiotics and probiotics and includes a comprehensive vitamin, mineral and trace element package.

Oils are present too, ensuring horses lo ook good as well as receiving the bene efits of maintaining a healthy digestive system.

www.dragondisplay.co.uk Display Systems Ltd

Tel 01952 290055 • Fax: 01952 290056 • sales@dragondisplay.co.uk

10 | EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS SEPTEMBER 2019

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ETN|RETAILER PROFILE

Malcolm Smith (left) and daughter Gemma (right) are joined at Foss Feeds by staff including Jack Ryder and Fiona Richardson – and not forgetting Buster the Jack Russell.

From hamsters to horses

Deborah Hayward visits Foss Feeds to find out how this family business has grown over the past 27 years.

W

hether customers have hungry horses, peckish chickens or llamas in need of a tasty treat, Foss Feeds probably has exactly what they’re looking for.

Based on a farm just outside the village of Acaster Malbis, near York, this independent family firm stocks a wide range of feeds to keep animals and birds happy and healthy.

Run by Malcolm and Sue Smith with their daughter Gemma Smith – who’s come on board to drive online sales onwards and upwards – Foss Feeds has been serving the region since 1992.

The store caters for an eclectic mix of customers, from single pet owners to those with a menagerie of horses, dogs, cats and chickens. One of the best buyers of home-grown hay happens to be a rabbit rescue centre near Scotch Corner – around 50 miles away.

COUNTRY SHOPPING EXPERIENCE “We have a lot of loyal customers – many from the early days are still with us,” says Malcolm. “People like being able to come out into the country to do their shopping.

“They could go to Clifton Moor [a large out-of-town retail park on the edge of York], but they choose to come here, where they can park outside, and we carry their bags to the car for them. We also operate a delivery service using our own van to take out feed and bedding.”

Foss Feeds was set up

by Malcolm and Sue as a diversification scheme.

The farm had been in the family since 1938 and, in 1992, they decided to open a feed shop from a small Portakabin.

which gave us the idea to expand,” explains Malcolm.

“We started off with equine feed and then things began to grow.

“After two or three years, we employed another person and we now have quite a team. I take care of the hay, shop and deliveries, Gemma does online, Sue deals with accounts, then we have three full-time employees – brother and sister Fiona and Danny Richardson, and Jack Ryder.”

CLICK AND COLLECT With the bricks-and-mortar store capacity well established, digital development seemed a no-brainer. So Gemma left her management job with

Natural England to join her parents in the business.

“I studied cartography and geography at university – skills that are quite different from retail,” she says. “I had been looking for a new challenge and joining Mum and Dad to help them grow the business seemed an exciting prospect.”

Gemma’s priority was to set up an attractive e-commerce website.

“Mum and I designed it and we got a developer to build it,” she explains. “We went through quite a few variations before we settled on the final look, deciding what products to include online. Then about nine months later we launched the site.

“Farming was getting really difficult, but we were selling our own hay, haylage and straw to local horse people,

12 | EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS SEPTEMBER 2019

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RETAILER PROFILE|ETN “It’s going really well and has grown our business.

As well as delivering orders across the UK, we offer a click-and-collect service for local customers and have introduced a pet points loyalty scheme where customers earn points as they buy, then redeem them online to save money on future orders.”

OWN BRANDS The store offers a variety of animal feeds – for everything "from hamsters to horses", as its strapline says – as well as accessories over two sales floors.

Foss Feeds’ own-brand ranges can be found on display alongside all the big brands.

“We have our own equine feed,” says Gemma. “We also have our own range of dog foods, from an economy working dog range to our SuperPremium and Grain-Free, which is one of our bestselling brands in-store.”

HELP AND ADVICE The Foss Feeds team undertake product training to help them to deal with customer queries. “On the

equine side, one thing we’ve found is that people need help understanding what a balancer is and why it should be used,” says Gemma.

“Then, there are supplements and veteran feeds, feeding rates, condition scores – it can all be very confusing.

If we have anything that’s too technical, we refer customers to feed helplines.

“With dog food, we are often asked about different diets, including understanding the difference between grainfree and non-grain-free, and what to feed a working dog and non-working dog.”

What brands do you sell?

We have many top names, including Burns Pet Nutrition, James Wellbeloved, Mr Johnson’s, Lily’s Kitchen, TopSpec, Baileys, Allen & Page and Dodson & Horrell.

Who is your feed wholesaler?

We use Armstrong Richardson, which delivers twice a week, as does Bestpets. Pedigree Wholesale comes every two to three weeks and we have direct accounts with other manufacturers.

Quick-Soaking Unmolassed Beet Flakes

PROMOTING THE STORE Digital platforms have turned out to be a great way to highlight the business and its feeds to potential customers.

“We’re on Google Shopping and social media in a big way,” adds Gemma.

“We use Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to showcase new products, run competitions and special offers – and generally let people know who we are. It’s all about brand awareness.”

ETN ASKS MALCOLM & GEMMA… In addition to feed, what other items do you sell?

Dog toys, leads and collars, garden compost and seeds. At Christmas, we sell more than 800 Christmas trees.

SUPERIOR

Do you get better margins with equine or companion animal feed?

Definitely companion animal.

Do you ride or own horses?

No, but we have three cats and a Jack Russell called Buster, who is the face of some of our marketing campaigns.

Have you noticed a change in feeding trends?

Yes, people are continuing to feed throughout the summer and turning horses out more in our milder winters with just haylage.

They then get into spring and find the horse has lost weight and come to us for something to help improve their condition.

Foss Feeds’ store, outside York, opened 27RRP years ago.

£9.95

Great value for horse owners reining in their spending

WHY PAY MORE? equiglohorsefeeds.co.uk facebook.com/equiglohorsefeeds/

twitter.com/EQUIGLOFEED

instagram.com/equiglohorsefeeds/ WWW.EQUESTRIANTRADENEWS.COM

® are registered EQUIGLO® and EQUESTRIAN 10 MINUTE BEETTRADE of Henry NEWS trademarks SEPTEMBER 2019Bell | 13& Co

ETN|PRODUCT NEWS

SETTING THE ST FOR BETA INTER

Exciting new features join tried-and-tested favourites at BETA International 2020. Here, we look at some of those you can expect to find at the NEC, Birmingham, from 19 to 21 January.

FIVE MINUTES WITH MARCUS CRIDLAND We chat to Marcus Cridland, Shires Equestrian’s joint managing director, to find out his reaction to BETA International’s planned PET SHOW WITHIN A SHOW. Q: How do you feel about the new pet trade show within a show?

I think it is a positive move, as pet is an obvious add-on. It should strengthen the show if pet retailers and distributors support all the organising team’s efforts.

Q: Will it affect how you market Shires’ presence at the show?

Probably not for 2020, but we have discussed having a separate stand for our Digby & Fox brand of dog equipment.

Q: Will you display a wider range of pet products on the stand?

We will bring our full range of pet to the 2020 show. We would have done so anyway but, as there is a new focus on pet, we will make sure that we promote the Digby & Fox brand more predominantly than we did this year.

Q: Do you have any advice for equestrian retailers who are considering investing in some pet products?

They should listen to their suppliers and do some market research with their customer base. Suppliers should be able to provide honest feedback on top sellers for retailers to focus on initially. They can then make a more calculated decision on the types of product their customers buy, together with price points.

SHIRES EQUESTRIAN PET The company has sold dog coats for many years, but the full canine range began to expand around three years ago. It currently offers more than 40 different lines as part of its own Digby & Fox brand.

PAVILION PROVIDES BOOST FOR SADDLERY INDUSTRY The BETA International SADDLERY PAVILION – supported by the Society of Master Saddlers and the Worshipful Company of Saddlers – offers saddle and leatherwork companies an exciting opportunity to put their products on the world stage.

It was launched last year as part of a drive to support the British saddle industry, allowing companies that had not previously exhibited, or those that had not done so for a while, to benefit from exposure to the show’s global audience.

DLF Saddlery, a family company established in 2012 by David Faultless, a master saddler maker with the Society of Master Saddlers, and the Ideal Saddle Company & WRS, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of leather saddles with wooden trees, both took the opportunity to exhibit back in January and are signed up and looking forward to appearing in the pavilion at the 2020 show.

“It was a great way to push the DLF brand forward, to show our quality and workmanship,” said company co-founder Lesley Faultless. “The feedback we received was very positive, with people particularly liking

14 | EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS SEPTEMBER 2019

the finish and design of our traditional saddles. Exhibiting once again gives us a chance to showcase our new saddle designs and reinforces that DLF is an up-and-coming company.

“We manufacture a range of highquality dressage, jumping and generalpurpose saddles for many well-known brands, but our speciality lies in bespoke work, which gives us the freedom to work creatively with individual customers, using a variety of locally made wooden trees and only the finest leather.”

James Hitchen, business development manager of the Ideal Saddle Company & WRS, said that exhibiting in the pavilion in 2019 provided the perfect opportunity to bring retailers and manufacturers together and meet key players in the trade.

“We also soft-launched our new T&T range of saddles, which had a great response, and we took significant pre-orders. Footfall was good and our stand was generally busy. It was great to talk to so many retailers face-toface and discuss their needs directly.

Exhibiting again in 2020 will allow us to consolidate everything we achieved last time.”

Companies exhibiting in the pavilion can do so for a maximum of two years as part of the show’s policy. In 2020, there is space for up to 14 companies, each with stands of up to 6 sq m and available on a first come, first served basis. Please contact Darren Mottershead for further information, telephone +44 (0)1937 582111 or email darrenm@beta-int.com.

WWW.EQUESTRIANTRADENEWS.COM

TAGE RNATIONAL

BITS & BRIDLES|ETN

HENSON FRANKLYN’S GOT SPONSORSHIP IN THE BAG Stand design-and-build specialist Henson Franklyn is sponsoring the show’s EXHIBITOR BAGS for the fourth year in a row. These brightly branded trade fair essentials are handed out to all exhibitors as they arrive.

“Working ‘with’ our clients and not ‘for’ them is our key philosophy,” said the company’s managing director, Tim Henson. “As we approach our 30th year, we understand that the relationship between client and supplier is paramount, and reliability and trustworthiness rise above simple finance.

“Our knowledge and expertise allow us consistently to deliver in unusual spaces – indoor and outdoor. BETA International is a loyal and longstanding customer, and supporting the trade show – where many of our clients exhibit as well – makes perfect sense.”

Event organiser Claire Thomas added: “We are extremely pleased that Tim has agreed to continue the sponsorship for another year and would like to thank him and his team for their support. Putting on the show is a huge undertaking and sponsorship such as this is greatly appreciated.”

CATWALK COOL Country clothing and rider wear will take centre stage once again as Victoria Thomas (pictured above, right), of Red Ice Productions, dons her crown to become Queen of the Catwalk for the FASHION SHOW. A professional dancer with her own performing arts school in Cheshire – and the famous face of ScS TV commercials – Victoria is set to make sure that it’s very much lights, camera, action for some of the best brands in the business as she puts together a world-class fashion extravaganza with striking choreography, dancing models – and a dog showcasing the finest canine accessories for the very first time. Definitely one not to miss!

WWW.EQUESTRIANTRADENEWS.COM

IT’S A WRAP FOR GIFTWARE!

PURE THEATRE

In response to growing demand, BETA International will include a dedicated area in the show’s NewZone for GIFTWARE companies wishing to secure a presence. It includes a range of smaller stands measuring 3 sq m with carpet and furniture – and different coloured fascia for easy identification from only £534.

“This new area is designed to fit the needs of companies operating in this sector,” said show organiser Claire Thomas. “We have listened to their requirements and are pleased to introduce this new initiative for 2020.”

The show will feature a SEMINAR THEATRE for the first time. Located in Hall 7, it puts seminars – many with CPD points – firmly on the map.

Attendance is free and no booking is required. Simply turn up on the day, bringing an AMTRA number where appropriate.

Seminars are available in a wide range of subjects, including worming for equine and companion animals, and rider safety. A full programme of events, with confirmation of points, will be published on the BETA International website, beta-int.com.

EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS SEPTEMBER 2019 | 15

ETN|BETTER BUSINESS

Are you on target to success?

Money? Time? Happiness? Just how do people measure success in business? Sara Walker has been finding out.

Success, in business as in life, is subjective.

The most obvious measurement is financial. But if making more money means you’re working 18 hours a day, paying someone to ride your horse and missing your children’s bedtime, can that still be described as success?

Testing your definition of success is a personal thing. It could be working fewer hours, or building a bigger market share of a particular distribution channel. Customer satisfaction, employee contentment and your contribution to society are other measures.

According to independent business coach Julia Worthington, it’s about working ‘on the business’ rather than ‘in the business’. Recently I said I needed to increase my client base, and a colleague remarked: ‘Do you actually need more work or should you be rethinking your charging structure?’

“That was a light bulb moment. I thought about how I could generate

more income without having to work longer hours. My idea of success is having time to go for a walk with my dog and enjoy the countryside, rather than squeezing it in at 6am before heading to work.”

ANXIETY ATTACKS After suffering anxiety attacks, Andrea Oldham left her job as an HR manager to set up dog-walking business Paws Tours.

“I had to travel abroad a lot and didn’t like leaving my horses and dogs,” she says. “Sometimes I had to have my work phone on 24 hours a day, and I didn’t feel I really had any time off.”

So, deciding that life was too short, Andrea changed career. “I bought Paws Tours, and aligned my pricing with other dog walkers locally. All the business’s customers stayed with me. I went from working 50 hours a week to 24, and my income has actually increased.”

Now feeling healthier, Andrea attributes her success to treating her new venture as “a business rather than as pocket money.” Significantly, she adds: “Now I love going to work!”

NERVOUS SKIERS Staff are often small firms’ key to success, according to coaching consultant Louise Pode. “And if you can create a positive culture where they feel valued, they will go the extra mile for you,” she says.

Small business owners tend to measure their success in terms of values such as improved employee engagement and customer satisfaction. There’s an interesting parallel in another of Louise’s enterprises – coaching nervous skiers.

Andrea Oldham bought her own dog walking business – and now loves going to work.

“The impact our thoughts have on our physical performance is so powerful,” she explains. “The challenge is to overcome that anxiety, whether you’re riding or skiing.” And, indeed, running a business.

16 | EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS SEPTEMBER 2019

Julia Worthington recommends networking with other business owners.

“I thought about how I could generate more income without having to work longer hours.”

“The great positive is when you overcome self-limiting beliefs.

You’re then able to use those skills to overcome other challenges in your life.”

Louise describes coaching one woman who loves the mountains, but was so nervous when skiing she could barely look up. “Her goal was to be able to focus on the surrounding beauty and not let her anxiety distract her. These intrinsic motivators are very powerful in enabling us to attain our goals, be it self-improvement or success in the workplace.”

Experts agree that it’s crucial to keep track of incremental moves towards success. For example, you might decide that in a year’s time you’d like to see a specified increase in your customer base, achieve a particular product certification or have a better work/life balance.

Review your objectives regularly, and in 12 months’ time you could find yourself even more successful.

WWW.EQUESTRIANTRADENEWS.COM

WWW.EQUESTRIANTRADENEWS.COM

EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS SEPTEMBER 2019 | 17

ETN|ETN REPORTING

Turning back the pages…

For four decades, ETN has reported on the equestrian trade.

● Sam Kemp, inventor of the Controller halter, appeared on Dragons’ Den. Although she failed to secure the £105,000 investment she pitched for, ‘dragon’ Deborah Meaden bought a halter for her own horses. Sam had sold her house to fund the product launch.

FIVE YEARS AGO…

In September 2014, ETN reported: ● A Breyer model of Frankel, the all-conquering racehorse, went on sale in Harrods’ revamped toy department. ● A number of retailers had their supplies of Animalife product “terminated” for breaking the supplement company’s terms of sale. Under a scheme designed to support bricks and mortar stores, Animalife no longer permitted its products to be sold online. ● Animal feed manufacturer Harbro expanded its retail operation with the acquisition of R H Miller Agriculture.

The move meant Harbro had 18 country stores across Scotland.

20 YEARS AGO…

In September 1999, ETN reported: ● Northumberland based rug manufacturer Fal revealed it was in negotiations with potential purchasers from Germany, Switzerland and the US. “The very Britishness is its main attraction,” said Nick Hodgkiss who founded Fal, with the help of his wife Jean and a DTI enterprise grant, in September 1996. ● W & H Gidden was acquired by Rolf Schneider whose Mayfair based Schneider Boot Co was virtually next door to the famous London saddlery. ● Some lucky retailers who visited the Weatherbeeta trade show took to the skies in a light aircraft piloted by managing director Joe Singleton.

A smiling Janette Moss was pictured in ETN, but the caption failed to say if she was about to take off - or had just landed.

TEN YEARS AGO…

In September 2009, ETN reported: ● Bristol retailer Jenny’s Tack Shop moved to new premises next door to feed and bedding outlet Nichols.

The two continued to trade independently but joined forces to offer a ‘one-stop shop’ service to customers. They even had an adjoining door between stores.

● International event rider Polly Phillips (30) was killed in a cross country fall while competing at Thirlestane Castle. She was riding Coral Cove, the horse involved in a doping controversy at the previous year’s world championships.

30 YEARS AGO…

In September 1989, ETN reported: ● Gwent based Saddle-Up, reputedly the UK’s biggest retail saddlery outlet, went into voluntary liquidation.

Director Mr K N Richards told a creditors’ meeting that Christmas trading had been disappointing. ● Bates Saddlery Consolidated appointed Hydrophane Laboratories to replace Cottage Industries as the sole UK distributor of Bates, Wintec and Caprilli saddles. Nick Ward, of Hydrophane, said he was “delighted.” ● A device to help riders tighten their girths before mounting was launched. Saddle Safe was invented by body builder Nigel Walker whose riding-mad sister complained that her horse would ‘blow out’ as she saddled up. The ratchet like product, RRP £4.99, was already selling well at the Brittens’ Kippax Saddlery near Leeds.

EQUICOOLDOWNRANGE ISNOWAVAILABLEINTHEUK EQUI COOL DOWN LEG WRAPS

EQUI COOL DOWN HOCK WRAPS

UK Distributor

EQUI COOL DOWN DELUXE EQUINE BODY WRAP

Here at Highland Wear our aim is to ensure that you and your horse are kept at the up-most comfort and style throughout the year.

See our range at:

www.highlandwearuk.co.uk highlandwear.ltd@gmail.com

ETN REPORTING|ETN

Ready for winter….

Clippers and rugs are key to good winter horse management.

ETN checks out the market.

Brand new for this season The winter weight Rhinegold Elite Supa Stable Quilt is hot off the press for autumn/winter 2019/20.

Design features include a soft neoprene collar making it super comfortable for horses to wear.

The Rhinegold Elite Supa has a 600 denier breathable outer with 300gsm polyfill and breathable nylon lining.

The RRP is £49.50.

Three happy customers

(The saddle fitter is the third, of course.)

New colour The popular Rhinegold Aspen Full Neck Outdoor Rug has been revamped with a new colour – classic navy with red highlights – and logo.

Ideal for keeping the elements at bay, it has a 1000 denier, waterproof breathable outer, and heavyweight 350gsm polyfill with breathable nylon lining. It’s also great value with an RRP of £78.50.

Rhinegold is available exclusively from Snowhill Ltd.

S-Series Jump RRP £975

NEW SPIN ON OLD FAVOURITE Thermatex has launched two eye-catching Limited Edition SHR rugs.

They come in the new colour combinations of anthracite bound with kingfisher blue and black, or cool slate bound with cream and burgundy.

The second binding colour is included for free.

Limited Edition SHRs are manufactured using multi-coloured filaments which are spun together at Thermatex’ factory in west Wales. The process gives the rugs’ top layer a subtle 'flecked' look.

Made with three layers of fabric, they also retain other favourite Thermatex properties – excellent wicking, warmth when required, double front closure and a belly strap.

Thermatex has a no minimum order policy and says retailers receive orders within seven days (set colour combinations only).

RRPs are from £139.95.

WWW.EQUESTRIANTRADENEWS.COM

S-Series Universal GP RRP £945

Made in England

7 changeable gullet bar widths

kentandmasters.co.uk working with saddle-fitters

EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS SEPTEMBER 2019 | 19

ETN|CLIPPERS & RUGS

Keep your cool

ANYONE FOR COFFEE?

A touch of therapy The WeatherBeeta ComFiTec stable rug with Therapy-Tec is medium weight with a detachable neck.

It has a 600 denier channel quilted outer with 220g polyfill and side gussets for movement.

Ceramic lining over the neck, shoulders, back and quarters offers therapeutic benefits.

While a memory foam inset at the withers moulds to the horse’s shape and protects this vulnerable area.

The rug has an Ezi-clip front closure, low crossed surcingles and a fillet string.

In black/silver/red, the RRP is £159.99.

The Bucas Freedom range combines great value for money with this brand’s good quality.

Available in navy as standard, new colours chilli and coffee (pictured) have been introduced for this autumn/winter season.

The Freedom turnout comes in classic cut, high neck or full neck; and as a lightweight turnout, medium with 150g of insulation plus 300g filling option.

This waterproof, breathable rug has a rip-stop outer and silk-feel lining along the mane, withers, shoulders and chest to help prevent rubbing.

There’s also an overlap T-bar front closure, crossed surcingles, attachment points for leg straps, tail flap and fillet string. RRPs are from £72.00 to £108. The UK distributor is Zebra Products.

Protection with benefits The Back on Track Equine Frost turnout rug is lined with this brand’s Welltex ceramic infused material.

So as well as protection from the elements, horses wearing it feel the benefits as it helps to support muscles and joints, suppleness and mobility.

The rug has 330g insulating filling. The breathable, 1680 denier outer fabric has a higher than average ‘water column value’ of 3000mm, making it ideal for wet, wintery conditions.

This body wrap is by Equi Cool Down – a range developed in California and distributed in the UK

by Highland Wear.

All eight Equi Cool Down products for horses and humans rely on fabric technology to cool the wearer. No gels or crystals, batteries, pre-freezing or refrigeration are needed.

Instead, the cooling mechanism is activated by absorbing water.

The clever part is that the multi-fibre fabric regulates how long it takes for the water to evaporate, thus enabling progressive cooling.

Equi Cool Down products can be used directly on a horse’s body.

The Equine Frost turnout has shoulder pleats, crossed surcingles, a double, adjustable front closure and tail flap.

The RRP is £230.

NEW - COLOUR COORDINATES Back on Track’s own unique Welltex® fabric works by reflecting the body’s infrared heat due to the infused ceramic particles in the textile, helping to support circulation and ease muscle tension.

Order online or email georgia.keegan@backontrack.com for more information.

prepare perform www.backontrack.com/UK

CLIPPERS & RUGS|ETN

FASHION OR PASSION?

Ultimate protection The Ultimate Heavyweight Stable Rug from Westgate EFI’s Mark Todd Collection returns for another season.

With a robust 1000 denier outer fabric, nylon anti-rub lining and cosy 400g insulation layer, this smart rug has adjustable, quickrelease front fastenings. A neck cover is sold separately.

The Mark Todd Collection is distributed by Trilanco.

Rugs have become a fashion item as owners enjoy spending to stay on trend.

Anyway, it’s fun – jazzy designs can brighten up a winter’s day. So why not…?

An eye-catching design definitely catches the eye and creates a talking point in store too. Make it intriguing, and it could pull shoppers towards your rug display – which in turn needs to be well lit and attractively set out to encourage browsing.

That’s never easy to achieve with big, bulky items. But unpacking one rug of each style and colour and displaying it on an arm at shoppers’ eye level works well. It also enables consumers to touch, feel and examine the quality of the rugs.

Many rugs are supplied in really useful carry bags, so remember to have these on display too. The more robust among them are great for storage, and add value to the item.

Trends for 2019/20?

The indications are that horse owners are either investing in top quality rugs with a three-figure price tag which they envisage will last longer than one season.

Or they’re going for the cheap and cheerful ‘throw it away at the end of winter’ option.

And you can see their point. It makes sense to pay £40 for cleaning and reproofing a £250 rug; but when the item only cost £50 in the first place, it doesn’t.

And as for the million dollar question… what colours are ‘in’ this season? Well, again, polar opposites appear to apply.

So it’s either pink unicorns and pretty polka dots or classic, plain navy.

Be it on price, quality, colour or style, there’s never been more choice to offer your customers. And that can only be positive.

Adding service to sales If you run a retail shop and can feel competition from the Internet breathing down your neck… how about offering services the online competitors can’t easily match?

Horse owners’ busy lives mean that most leave getting their rugs washed and clippers repaired until the last minute – which is now!

While sharpening clipper blades and servicing the machines is a more specialised area, partnering with a supplier to send away blades and clippers takes a great deal of time and trouble off your customers’ shoulders. Importantly, it keeps them coming back to the shop – where they’re bound to buy other items.

Rug washing and re-proofing is much more do-able.

Commercial, rug-sized machines are available from several sources. Leasing can be a useful option and kinder to your cash flow.

If you’re handy with a saddlery type sewing machine and keep a few buckles, patches and straps handy, you can offer repairs too. It may sound like hard work for little return, but it’s all about building loyalty with your customers.

Word will soon get round that you’re the go-to place for spares and repairs, servicing and sharpening. And of course, in this era of environmental awareness, mending – instead of throwing away – is the right thing to do.

ETN|SPECIAL REPORT

The best thing since the horseshoe?

Doug Ehrmann, an American farrier with 30 years’ experience, invented DE Hoof Taps to resolve common hoof problems. Now they’re available in the UK.

ETN: What are DE Hoof Taps?

Doug Ehrmann: They can be used under traditional metal shoes, under glued-on shoes, within a boot, or in unshod equines.

They’re made from hardened steel.

A coating of zinc – which has antibacterial properties – reduces bacteria within the hoof and prevents new bacteria from becoming established.

DE Hoof Taps are significantly less intrusive than horseshoe nails, so they provide farriers with an alternative when hooves are in poor condition.

Who can fit them?

In the UK, legally they must be fitted only by qualified, registered farriers.

Not simply there to hammer a protective piece of metal onto horses’ feet, farriers are highly skilled in trimming and assessing hoof condition, and invaluable in working with other equine professionals to keep horses healthy.

Who can stock DE Hoof Taps?

Retail outlets and farriers can stock them and sell them to consumers.

But they must then be given to a farrier to insert.

What’s the cost?

The price to the retailer/farrier is £28.75 per pack of 25. Generally, two taps are used per hoof, just behind the break-over point [the last part of the hoof to touch the ground before the horse takes another stride]. In some cases, four or five could be used in a hoof, but two is more common.

DE Hoof Taps are less intrusive than conventional horseshoe nails.

Has there been research into their action?

Yes, they’ve been used by Steven Kraus, head of farrier services at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in New York.

In the early days, extensive trials were undertaken using hand-made prototypes; followed by volume trials as the taps went into production. In the US, almost 50,000 units have gone into the market over the past 12 months, producing a great deal of anecdotal evidence. Case studies are documented at www.soundequine.net Significant findings include discovering that the non-chemical action of the zinc coating helps to grow out hoof defects, including wall separation and cracks, while encouraging new improved growth.

It was also found that horses can’t throw a DE Hoof Tap, like they can a shoe. They stay on, even in thick mud.

Are DE Hoof Taps designed for permanent, preventative use or for remedial purposes?

Nothing protecting the hoof is permanent as hoof growth is continuous. The taps are designed to help manage/improve issues in the equine hoof. How long they’re used for will depend on the defect and how quickly it takes to improve or repair.

If used to prevent excessive wear and tear on unshod horses, the taps need to be monitored and replaced when required. They usually last four to six weeks, depending upon the ground conditions and work being undertaken.

When used as an alternative to shoes, do they provide traction and reduce hoof wear?

They do provide traction on certain surfaces, and do reduce excessive wear and tear. DE Hoof Taps are very useful on unshod horses which tend to

22 | EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS SEPTEMBER 2019

DE Hoof Taps are designed to improve hoof condition, as shown here.

wear unevenly as they help to keep the hoof balanced, and prevent them becoming ‘foot sore’.

Importantly, the taps allow the foot to expand naturally upon impact and aid the normal ‘slide’ that occurs as the hoof is planted, reducing shock on impact.

Is training on their use available to farriers?

Yes, we have some online training at www.soundequine.net with more educational videos to come.

For additional advice, contact me [Doug Ehrmann].

Qualified farriers are well aware of legal/correct positioning of nails, so can easily assess the ‘safe’ areas into which to gently ‘tap’ the three anchor points of the curved DE Hoof Tap. Each tap is 3cm long with a nail depth of just 1cm. The barbs on the posts that are driven into the hoof to hold the tap in place are far less intrusive than a nail due to their short length.

Do you see DE Hoof Taps as a means for retailers and farriers to work together?

Most horse owners experience problems with flaky hoof walls, wall separation or cracks at some point. DE Hoof Taps have the scope to manage/ improve these issues, giving farriers an extra tool which will ultimately improve hoof condition, enabling the horse to continue working.

Some marketing will be done to consumers to raise awareness of DE Hoof Taps, providing an opportunity for retailers. Should an owner purchase their taps from a retailer, farriers still maintain the bulk of their fees which are for skill and time.

There hasn’t been a revolutionary product that’s nailed into the hoof since horseshoes were invented.

DE Hoof Taps are a little product with the scope to make a big impact; a win-win for horses, horse owners, retailers and farriers.

•

Vale Bros is the UK distributor of DE Hoof Taps.

WWW.EQUESTRIANTRADENEWS.COM

Patent pending 15339001

NEW – INVENTED BY A FARRIER FOR FARRIERS

D.E. HOOF TAPS can help to resolve issues including: wall separation, cracks, weak/flaky walls and excess wear.

1.25’’ (317mm)

Example: wall separation

First use of D.E. HOOF TAPS

After 5 weeks

Why use D.E. Hoof Taps?

•

Effective aid to help speed up and repair wall/white line separation

•

Help to restore natural hoof balance for horses with collapsed heels and Negative Palmer Angle

•

Repair cracks

•

Protect against excessive wear

•

They do not impede natural hoof flexion

•

Can be used under shoes, under glue-on shoes or on their own

•

D.E. Hoof Taps must be fitted by a qualified farrier into the hoof wall right outside the white line by lightly tapping until flush with the walls bearing surface.

•

The taps are curved to follow the shape of the white line of the hoof and are held secure by the 3 anchor points.

•

The taps are Zinc coated which helps to stop bacteria from spreading.

•

D.E. Hoof Taps come in a container of 25 pieces.

m D.E. Hoof Taps must be fitted by a qualified Farrier. They can be purchased from retail outlets by Equine Podiatrists and horse owners on behalf of their Farrier.

For more information visit: www.soundequine.net or www.facebook.com/hoofprofessional.

To purchase contact UK/Europe: sales@valebrothers.co.uk America: dehrmann.soundequine@gmail.com

£28.75 $37.50 Per pack of 25 MADE IN THE UK

ETN|FEED FEATURE

Living off the fat of the land…

With many horses and ponies about to winter a bit too well, Clare Barfoot has some timely autumnal advice to pass on to your customers.

Shorter, milder winters are having a knock-on effect on the traditional feed season that typically began in September and lasted until the spring grass came through in March.

But while ‘kinder’ winters have changed how and what horses and ponies are fed, there’s still a significant need for nutritional products to support their welfare.

Horses haven’t been immune to the obesity epidemic we’ve seen in people, dogs, cats and other pets.

In fact 70% of some pony populations are now classed as overweight or obese. Contributing factors to equines’ ever-expanding waistlines include: • Improved pastures due to farm diversification.

• More horses and ponies being kept for leisure purposes rather than sport.

• Leisure horses and ponies are often only in very light work, reducing their energy expenditure.

• Milder winters compounded by the over-use of heat insulating rugs.

• Changes in the type of horses owned eg. more cobs and natives that tend to be good-doers.

• Owners unable to recognise when their horse or pony is overweight.

We really want owners to see winter as a weight loss opportunity. In nature, horses and ponies use the fat stores accumulated over the summer months to ‘live off’ during the colder winter – and we need to encourage this approach if we’re going to improve the health of our equine population.

HOW TO HELP To help you advise your customers this winter, here are some typical scenarios you may be asked about.

But, firstly, all owners should learn how to condition (fat) score their horse to spot early signs of change up or down the scale, so they can act quickly by adjusting the diet accordingly.

Podgy pony living out Many ponies prefer living out and do well even during the depths of winter.

If they’re overweight, encourage your customers not to reach for the rugs.

Indeed, if they’re unclipped, a light rug will stop them fluffing up their own coats as nature intended.

Additional forage only needs to be given if the ground is snow covered, if the field has little grass coverage or if the ponies start to lose too much weight. Grass stops growing when the soil temperature is less than 6 degrees centigrade, so this could be a relatively short period in a mild winter.

Suggest to owners to look at their own lawns as a barometer for grass growth. Often, the last cut can be as late as November and the first as early as February.

Although winter grass can often meet the energy and protein requirements of most ponies and native types, you can’t rely on it to provide a balanced diet. So a balancer is ideal as it will provide pasture-balancing nutrients to meet daily requirements without unwanted calories. Balancers also contribute little in the way of sugar and starch due to their low feeding rate, making them ideal for natives and those prone to laminitis.

• Ideal diet* for 13.2hh pony 350 grams daily balancer 500 grams low calorie chopped fibre Hay if required Chunky cob prone to laminitis stabled at night Owners can be lulled into a false sense of security by believing that winter carries less laminitis risk than spring and summer. Winter sunshine and cold frosty mornings can raise the water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) levels in grass so may trigger an attack. So owners should wait a few hours for the frost to lift before turning out.

Follow the ‘podgy pony living out’ tips and advise this cob’s owner to use winter wisely to address weight loss. In addition, a suitable forage should be provided in the stable overnight, ideally of less than 10% WSC. Most feed companies provide an analysis service relatively cheaply.

Another option for reducing the WSC in hay is to soak it; up to 16 hours in tepid water is most effective but even three hours’ soaking has some effect. Unfortunately, WSC loss is variable so soaked hay can’t be guaranteed safe for all lamintics.

To ensure a balanced diet without the addition of unnecessary calories, suggest a balancer mixed with low calorie chopped fibre. Products designed to balance a calorierestricted diet are ideal in this situation, so recommend one high in amino acids such as lysine, which is often lacking in hay.

• Ideal diet* for 14.2hh cob stabled at night 500 grams ‘lite’ balancer 500 grams low calorie chop

Balancers can ensure a diet meets the nutritional needs of a wide range of horses and ponies during the winter.

24 | EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS SEPTEMBER 2019

6.5kg soaked hay (pre-soaked weight)

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FEED FEATURE|ETN

*diet amounts are per day.

• Ideal diet* for warmblood yearling living out 1kg – 1.5kg stud balancer 2kg alfalfa based fibre Ad lib hay/haylage Thin-skinned Thoroughbred Not all Thoroughbreds are poor doers; in fact, some are very good doers. But for customers with any poor doer, there’s plenty of useful advice you can offer.

Firstly, check the owner has ruled out any underlying veterinary or dental issues. Then suggest upping the calories (energy) in the diet. Start by advising the feeding of ad lib, good quality forage. For shy forage feeders, you could suggest a chopped or soaked hay replacer.

If your customer is feeding less than the recommended level of compound feed, they could increase it to the recommended level. If they’re already doing this, suggest they transition to a conditioning feed, ideally one low in sugar and starch as this will help support digestive health and reduce the risk of excitability.

This is especially important for horses and ponies needing a low sugar and starch diet due to clinical problems such as laminitis, EMS, colic, typing up or gastric ulcers. A high oil chopped fibre will provide additional slow releasing calories.

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The grass is often still growing as horses graze in the low winter sunshine.

About the author: Clare Barfoot RNutr is the research and development manager at Spillers.

If you or your customers would like any specific advice, call the Spillers Care-Line on 01908 226626.

• Ideal diet* for poor doer (500kg bodyweight) 3kg low sugar and starch conditioning cubes 1kg high oil conditioning fibre Ad lib hay/haylage

QUICK QUIZ

Just for fun – answers at the bottom of the page 1.

What percentage of some pony populations are now classified as obese?

■ 30% ■ 50% ■ 70%

2. Ideally as a general principle over the winter should horses and ponies ■ Gain weight? ■ Lose weight?

■ Stay the same weight?

3. At what soil temperature does the grass stop growing?

■ Freezing ■ At less than 8 degrees ■ At less than 6 degrees

6. For overweight horses and ponies is it ok to just feed forage?

■ Yes ■ No 7.

Which of the following is an amino acid often lacking in hay?

■ Lysine ■ Vitamin D ■ Protein

8. At what age can youngsters be fed an adult feed: ■ Over 1 year ■ Over 2 years ■ Over 3 years

4. What does WSC stand for?

■ Water soluble carbohydrate ■ Water soluble calories ■ Water soaked climate

9. What needs increasing in a poor doer’s diet: ■ Starch ■ Calories/energy ■ Protein

5. For horses and ponies prone to laminitis the WSC content in hay should ideally be less than: ■ 10% ■ 6% ■ 3%

10. Which type of feed is nutrient dense but without excess calories?

■ Balancer ■ Cube ■ Mix

Answers: 1. 70%, 2. Lose weight, 3. Less than 6 degrees C, 4. Water soluble carbohydrate, 5. 10%, 6. No, 7. Lysine, 8. Over 2 years, 9. Calories/energy, 10. Balancer

Growing youngster The principles are the same as for feeding an adult horse; be guided by their condition, base the diet on quality fibre sources and ensure they have a balanced diet. Remind your customers not to overfeed growing youngsters as this may fuel growth spurts and increase the risk of development of orthopaedic diseases.

Two years olds onwards can be fed an adult feed designed for maintenance; which product you advise depends on the horse’s current condition, breed and the time of year. Before two years old, recommend a feed designed to support the higher demands of growth. For fast maturing breeds such as Thoroughbreds, a stud feed is ideal. Cubes are generally higher in fibre and the best option to support digestive health and calm behaviour.

For ponies, natives and slower maturing breeds such as warmbloods, a stud balancer is often the best option as they typically don’t require the same level of energy as Thoroughbreds. A well-designed stud balancer will provide optimum levels of protein, amino acids, vitamins and minerals to meet the enhanced nutritional requirements for growth without too many calories.

EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS SEPTEMBER 2019 | 25

ETN|FEED FEATURE

Waste not, want not…

Sustainability is big news at Saracen Horse Feeds, as Stephanie George explains.

Saracen is about to change its energy supplier to one that solely uses renewable energy sources.

Doing ‘the right thing’ by the environment can be challenging when you’re running a business, especially one based in a building that’s over 100 years old.

Nevertheless, sustainability is something we take very seriously at Saracen Horse Feeds. We’re always trying to improve what we do, and how we do it, so our impact on the planet is as minimal as possible.

For example, sourcing raw materials locally has always been central to our business. And while this isn’t possible with them all – as some are not grown in the UK – we’re reducing the impact of non-homegrown ingredients by looking into sourcing more sustainable ingredients.

PACKAGING We’ve insisted our feeds remain in paper sacks.

In 2014, when we began a packaging re-design project, we chose a supplier who is like-minded on environmental matters.

Our sacks, including the oil resistant liners used for some products, are 100% recyclable and made by machines powered by solar energy. The ability to offset carbon like this is a big draw to us when choosing suppliers.

ENERGY EFFICIENT The introduction of the Climate Change Levy encouraged businesses to become more energy efficient, something we saw as a major benefit.

Saracen works with a firm that refurbishes and recycles the pallets used to store and transport feed.

26 | EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS SEPTEMBER 2019

We’ve invested in various upgrades at our mill and warehouse. New roofing allows in more natural light and reduces reliance on electrical lighting; while the LED lighting we use only comes on when movement is sensed.

ZERO TO LANDFILL For nearly a decade, we’ve used a waste management contractor with a ‘zero to landfill’ policy. So any waste produced is recycled where possible.

We also use companies that recycle large volumes of cardboard, plastic wrapping and strapping, as well as a firm that refurbishes and recycles the pallets we use to store and transport feed.

And by complying with the Valpak scheme, we ensure our waste packaging is dealt with in the most appropriate

manner, thus reducing the amount ending up in landfill.

From November, we’re changing our energy supplier to one that solely uses renewable energy sources.

REDUCING SINGLE USE We’re currently re-branding our tubbed supplements and treats, focussing on using packaging made from recycled material that can also be recycled at the end of its life.

We’ll be rolling this out across all supplements we manufacture, starting with our Munchie treats to be launched later in the year. It’s just one of the ways we’re hoping to help to reduce single use items within the equestrian industry.

Get your customers engaged

Tips to help them be more sustainable

• Find out what your local council will take as kerbside recycling. Local authorities often offer more recycling than you think. Check your council’s website for a list of exactly what is recyclable at kerbside – and discover more information about local recycling points for things you never knew were recyclable.

• Take a group trip. Several people travelling in one car helps reduce emissions – so promote car sharing for horsey shopping trips. Consumers should also ask their local feed merchant to deliver feed to the yard to save on individual trips to the feed store.

• Get smart with flexible recycling. Thinking outside the box can reduce waste and negate the need for more single use items. Can you use your empty feed sacks as bin bags? Can supplement tubs be reused as buckets or to store studs, bits, plaiting kit and other small, loose items that need to be kept safe? Ask other owners if they’re looking to get rid of items such as rugs, saddle pads, girths or boots they no longer need. Could you buy them from a friend, rather than buying new, to save them ending up in landfill? Using equestrian table-top sales or selling and swapping via social media groups can also work well.

• Buy in bulk. Club together with friends at the yard to buy items such as garlic, mint or joint supplements that many of you use. This saves on the number of individual plastic tubs and is often a cheaper way of buying supplements too. Consider buying carrots and apples in big nets too; while the nets can’t be recycled, buying in bulk and sharing reduces waste. So big nets are much better than everyone buying their own little, non-recyclable plastic bag of carrots from the supermarket.

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FEED FEATURE|ETN To encourage consumers to recycle too, we’ve set up a Terracycle drop off point in our onsite retail store.

This aims to reduce that ‘hard to recycle’ packaging that most of us accumulate daily – crisp packets, chocolate bar wrappers and biscuit packaging.

This gives our store customers the chance to do their bit for the planet, and also motivates other conscientious people who want to help reduce waste going to landfill. Anyone can turn up during store opening hours to drop off their packaging, whether they’re linked to the equestrian community or not.

Get savvy with recycling • Learn what the different symbols and numbers mean to help you identify how and where your waste can be recycled.

• Don’t take no for an answer. If your kerbside recycling doesn’t offer a wide range of recycling opportunities, look up where you can recycle those items locally.

There’s bound to be somewhere nearby that will.

• Repair and re-use: If something is a little worn or not used anymore, rather than throwing it away or replacing it, can you repair it or even find a new owner for the item? There’s always someone out there who needs something you don’t. One man’s trash truly is another man’s treasure – so take full advantage.

Sourcing raw materials, like these oats, locally has always been central to Saracen’s business.

About the author: Stephanie George MSc RNutr is a nutrition advisor at Saracen – where she’s also known as ‘Sustainable Steph’ thanks to her zealous approach to waste reduction and recycling.

Saracen’s feed sacks are 100% recyclable.

Protect your products, protect your brand Potential contamination of feed products with Naturally Occurring Prohibited Substances (NOPS) represents a real and recognised risk within the animal feed and feed supplements industry, especially for producers supplying into elite-sport markets, where rigorous doping control standards apply.

Testing programmes to support your QC needs

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Highly sensitive and selective testing procedures with the ability to detect contamination at low ppb (part per billion) concentrations using LC-MS/MS

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•

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Ability to offer bespoke testing services to satisfy individual customer requirements – particularly relevant for NOPS of herbal origin Reliable service delivery with rapid turnaround times to suit commercial requirements

For more information on NOPS testing please contact us at ssas@lgcgroup.com or visit lgcgroup.com

EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS SEPTEMBER 2019 | 27

ETN|FEED FEATURE

Feeding a need for a decade

COVER STORY

This autumn – 1 November, to be precise – marks the tenth anniversary of the BETA NOPS scheme which was created to help manufacturers safeguard horse feeds from production to consumption. growing community to understand the vulnerability of the industry.

We had to make it clear to manufacturers that the scheme was about reducing risk at every stage of the manufacturing process, not about demanding or offering guarantees.

(Photo: TI Media)

BETA NOPS is widely recognised by everyone, from growers and manufacturers to retailers and riders, and has become one of the most impactful initiatives ever undertaken by the trade association. BETA executive director Claire Williams answers ETN’s questions on the BETA NOPS feed assurance scheme.

Claire Williams: “Independent auditing means NOPS retains its integrity.”

ETN: What is NOPS? Claire Williams: NOPS stands for naturally occurring prohibited substances and was a term coined by BETA when setting up the scheme to describe a specific list of substances commonly found in equine feed and/ or raw materials.

NOPS are either naturally present within certain feed ingredients or occur as a result of inadvertent crosscontamination during processing. They can appear due to cross-contamination of commonly used materials or through weed seeds or similar.

The NOPS code is an independently audited scheme that helps manufacturers monitor for and reduce the risk of NOPS occurring in finished feed.

The NOPS scheme was set up primarily in response to morphine positives.

What triggered a perceived need for NOPS? The scheme was set up primarily in response to morphine positives occurring in feed that were linked to the growth of opium poppies in the UK. This then highlighted the vulnerability of the feed industry to wider contaminants containing prohibited substances.

The scheme was set up to enable companies to reduce the risk of this contamination and increase awareness of the need for HACCP (hazard analysis and critical control point) based controls to be put in at every stage of the manufacturing process, from raw material sourcing to finished product packing and shipping.

Who was originally behind the initiative?

BETA set up a working group of key members from the feed industry and worked with AIC (the Agricultural Industries Confederation), owner of the UFAS (Universal Feed Assurance Scheme) to which NOPS was originally attached as an appendix.

What was the most difficult thing about getting NOPS off the ground ten years ago?

One of the greatest challenges was getting the sporting regulators to recognise the challenge that manufacturers faced and understand that the problem couldn’t be solved simply by increasing testing. It was also difficult to get the poppy-

28 | EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS SEPTEMBER 2019

How many companies are now signed up to NOPS? There are now more than 80 members accredited to the NOPS scheme, from haylage producers and oil pressers to additive producers and compound feed manufacturers.

How much does it cost a company or product to become NOPS-accredited – and what’s involved?

There is an initial fee of £400 to join the scheme, followed by a lower annual fee that is revised each year.

A form then needs to be completed for BETA and an audit arranged.

All those joining NOPS must have a HACCP-based accreditation scheme in place, such as UFAS or FEMAS. There is a yearly audit by Kiwa for which the fee varies depending on the complexity of the audit. A member must also agree to follow BETA T&Cs, sign up to the early warning scheme and update BETA annually.

Is NOPS’ intellectual property protected?

NOPS is trademarked and word-marked, as are the BETA and BETA NOPS logos.

Only companies audited and part of the scheme The NOPS logo is have the right trademarked and to use the NOPS has become widely acronym. Those recognised across who have their the horse world. own product manufactured by a NOPS member do not automatically have the right to use these words unless their company is part of the scheme as well.

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ETN|FEED FEATURE

“The emergence of cannabidiols poses a potential risk to the industry.”

What’s the most common misconception about NOPS? It’s probably a belief that all banned substances are NOPS when, in fact, they aren’t. The Equine Prohibited Substances List (EPSL), published by the FEI [international horse sports governing body], contains thousands of substances.

The closest list to the NOPS list is the FEI Specified Substances List, which was based on the BETA NOPS list and is generally understood to be substances associated with feed.

When a competitor’s horse tests positive for a substance on the specified list, they face lesser penalties than would otherwise be the case.

What support is available to help suppliers and retailers benefit from NOPS? BETA offers a range of free material for marketing and promotional purposes.

These include tack room wallcharts, shelf wobblers and leaflets.

Regular social media posts and features in magazines (consumer and trade), podcasts and speaking engagements BETA produces free do a great information for retailers job in helping and riders, and is to run to raise a NOPS Conference awareness. next month.

Frequent meetings with regulators and sporting disciplines also help.

NOPS has been embraced by all sectors of the horse world.

That’s quite an achievement!

Why do you think it’s been universally accepted?

It was set up in response to a need expressed by members and has achieved what it set out to do – namely, offer companies a tool to show due diligence and responsible manufacturing processes.

It has developed as knowledge of NOPS sources has improved and made changes as new NOPS have emerged. The independent nature of the auditing process has helped to maintain integrity and it remains the most robust and recognised scheme of its type.

What will be the next challenges facing feed assurance schemes such as NOPS? Keeping up with new sources of NOPS and responding appropriately.

The emergence of CBD and CBDA (cannabidiols) also poses a potential risk to the industry.

How can members of the trade learn more about NOPS? BETA runs regular training courses for companies wishing to enter the NOPS scheme or for staff new to the programme. This year, the trade association is also running its first NOPS Conference, on 3 October at the Hilton East Midlands Airport Hotel, Castle Donington, Leicestershire, with speakers from the international racing industry, horse sport, test houses, auditors and the agronomy sector.

Independent Equine Nutrition Analytical Services including prohibited substances

Supporting the Equine Industry FCS TM – Feed Contaminants Screen HSPSTM – Herbs, Spices and Plants Screen

• Prohibited Substances in Feeds, Supplements and ingredients • Medication screen – Blood analysis Pre / post – horse purchase • Medication screen – Hair analysis • Dispute resolution – analytical services for legal support

Contact us on info@ien.uk.com www.ien.uk.com

ETN|PRODUCT GALLERY

TITLE|ETN

Sales in the bag

Autumn is when many owners review their horses’ condition and therefore their diets.

THE FOUNDATION OF HORSE NUTRITION When owners don’t know where to start when it comes to feeding, it’s worth going back to basics, says Louise Crampton of Omega Equine.

The modern equine is far removed from its wild ancestor. Horses and ponies once foraged all day, eating natural food and subconsciously supplementing their diets.

Today, the opportunity to do this is unfortunately limited. While past equines supplemented their diets instinctively, their modern counterparts rely on their owners to supplement correctly on their behalf.

With countless vitamins and minerals that owners could supplement, it seems like a daunting task. So where should we advise owners to start?

The answer is simple. All horses, now and in the past, require support with condition and stamina.

Historically, it was necessary for survival; now it’s essential for helping the body cope with travel, competition, stabling and living into old age.

There are many ways to improve condition and stamina, however it is important to do so naturally. This mirrors foraging of the past, when horses only had access to fresh, natural ingredients.

At Omega Equine, one of the first supplements developed was indeed for natural conditioning and stamina. And so Omega Rice became the foundation of the Omega Equine brand; to this day it continues to be one of its most loved products.

Rice bran Fed as a feed topper, Omega Rice can be given to horses and ponies at every level, from professional to leisure and everyone in between. Made from stabilised rice bran, linseed, limestone and added vitamin E, it’s 100% natural.

These ingredients contain valuable conditioning oil, omega 3 fatty acids and body-repairing antioxidants. continued over the page WWW.EQUESTRIANTRADENEWS.COM

EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS SEPTEMBER 2019 | 31

ETN|PRODUCT GALLERY continued from page 31

Come rain or shine…

EquiGlo Quick Soak 10 Minute Beet’s low-starch, low-sugar formula is perfect when owners are worried about the effects of this summer’s sun-and-rain fuelled rich grass.

• The linseed aids stamina.

Oily and energy dense, it’s a recognised slowrelease form of energy, unlikely to cause excitable behaviour. It keeps horses going at a level pace for longer.

• The stabilised rice bran offers a rich natural source of antioxidants and vital omega 3 fatty acids, all of which help to sustain healthy condition, coat and skin. This is particularly important for older horses. Rice bran is very palatable, making it great for fussy feeders.

• The addition of limestone provides calcium, which benefits bone growth and overall bone health at all ages.

So when owners don’t know where to start with supplements, the best thing to do is begin with the basics – natural feeding for conditioning and stamina. Getting this right is the foundation of equine nutrition.

High fibre EquiGlo helps to maintain condition and naturally supports healthy gut function.

It’s made from micronized, unmolassed beet flakes and provides non-heating energy for all horses and ponies, including those prone to, or at risk from, laminitis.

Fast soaking EquiGlo can be used to replace cerealbased feeds or as a partial forage substitute. It’s accredited to BETA NOPS and the BETA feed assurance scheme flagging up products suitable for horses prone to equine gastric ulcers.

25% MORE CONDITIONING TopSpec Super Conditioning Flakes are 25% more conditioning than traditional conditioning mixes and cubes.

The muesli blend includes cooked naked oats for fast-releasing energy.

Designed to be added to a TopSpec Feed Balancer or supplement, Super Conditioning Flakes are supplemented with the major minerals calcium and sodium. So, for example, feeding them to broodmares instead of oats should eliminate the need to add a source of calcium, such as limestone.

Super Conditioning Flakes are full of naturally oil-rich ingredients and are very palatable.

Complete conditioner Mollichaff Condition Complete is a highly digestible, high fibre, high oil and low starch blend. It can be fed as a complete concentrate feed alongside good quality forage.

It offers alfalfa, dried grass, oat straw, fibre pellets, barley, soya flakes, soya oil and mint, plus Yea-sacc live yeast culture, and a prebiotic.

Mollichaff Condition Complete can encourage weight gain and help to maintain condition in competition horses. The mint gives it an appealing taste and aroma, so horses enjoy it.

32 | EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS SEPTEMBER 2019

BITE-SIZED CHUNKS Cavalor Vitacrunch blocks, distributed

by Zebra Products, are made from compressed alfalfa.

They provide vitamins and minerals, are low in sugar and starch, and are oat and gluten free.

Said to be good for horses’ teeth, the blocks can help to prevent boredom in stabled horses.

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FEED FEATURE|ETN

Equine

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ETN|PRODUCT GALLERY

The item they all need…

There are about as many feeding regimes as there are horses and owners!

But whether your customers feed a balancer or a mix, flakes or fibre, cubes or a combination of products, they all need something in which to dish it up.

So for retailers, it’s a safe bet that stocking market leading feed bowls will lead to consistent sales.

Red Gorilla products are the result of years of experience in products and marketing. So you can buy into the whole system… top quality designs and manufacture with fantastic point of sale aids.

As well as brightening up your shop floor, Red Gorilla’s range of colours encourages your customers to join in with the matchy-matchy craze. Different coloured feed bowls also have the practical advantage of helping identify whose feed is whose.

So whatever feeds you stock, be sure to add Red Gorilla to the mix for optimum add-on sales.

FUEL FOR ATHLETES Saracen Horse Feeds’ EnduroPerformance uses alternative energy sources to reduce reliance on starch and to provide sustainable, slow release energy.

The mix is based on highly digestible super-fibres and oils with a small inclusion of cereals for up-front sparkle and to replace glycogen post exercise.

High quality protein sources optimise peak muscle health when fed in conjunction with a suitable exercise regime.

Enduro-Performance is fortified with vitamins, minerals, an antioxidant package and live yeast.

Improves condition in two weeks Containing oil and controlled levels of starch, Spillers Conditioning Cubes can improve condition in as little as two weeks.

They’re also a good choice for horses that get excitable on traditional conditioning feeds.

Spillers Conditioning Fibre is premium quality, short chop designed to complement conditioning feeds.

It contains protein to support muscle tone and oil for non-heating calories and coat shine.

It’s enriched with vitamins and minerals.

Rodent control, effective baits for every situation.

NEW LOOK PACKAGING IN STORE SOON!

Rodent problems vary across different environments and conditions, that’s why PelGar has developed a novel and innovative range of 3 actives and 7 formulations. Specially formulated to be highly palatable and effective, the comprehensive range of baits ensures you always have the most effective solution for your rodent problems.

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Use rodenticides safely. Always read the label and product information before use.

34 | EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS SEPTEMBER 2019

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PRODUCT GALLERY|ETN

“It’s a way of life” Just how did the feed grown on a Lincolnshire family’s farm come to power a world champion’s horses? Sarah Poucher of Emerald Green Feeds explains.

Our family has been farming for five generations; it’s a way of life for us, not just a job.

Currently, members of the fourth and fifth generations help to produce our 100% natural feed range.

Emerald Green Feeds was born in 2012 from an idea developed around the table in the office. It’s since gone nationwide.

In a bid to get the brand ‘out there’ when we started, we coupled up with an up-and-coming local event rider. Ros Canter had started using our feed when it became available in her usual feed store.

Ros Canter has fed Emerald Green Feeds throughout her journey from up-and-coming eventer to world champion.

Incredibly for us and Ros, she and Allstar B won the world championship in Tryon, USA last year.

Ros is a fabulous brand ambassador for Emerald Green Feeds. Her horses look amazing fed on our grass and alfalfa products, and she really believes in the feed – and tells people so regularly.

We also work with other brand ambassadors including carriage driver Libby Priest, 14 year old para show jumper Flossie England and five star eventer Sarah Bullimore.

Being a British company – and a Lincolnshire company – is important to us. The grass and alfalfa that go into Emerald Green From field to finished product: the whole Emerald Green Feeds process takes place on the Poucher family farm.

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Feeds are all grown here on the farm.

This makes us unique in the feed business, well probably in any business sector really, because we handle the whole process.

We are the farmers that grow the crops, we harvest them and return them to our drying plant where we prepare them for pelleting or chop. We then bag and bale the products on site ready to be delivered to customers.

It’s even us on the stands at the shows we attend. We like to do this ourselves because we’re so passionate about the feeds we grow and we hope this comes across when we meet consumers.

In return, we get great satisfaction listening to horse owners’ needs and helping them solve feeding problems and queries.

Full ownership of the whole process also means we have total traceability of our products, even down to the time each bag was packaged.

EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS SEPTEMBER 2019 | 35

ETN|PRODUCT GALLERY

Conditioning with benefits Fibre-Beet is a super-fibre conditioning feed from British Horse Feeds.

It contains all the benefits of Speedi-Beet, with added alfalfa for optimum condition and to provide quality protein for muscle tone and function.

Fibre-Beet offers minerals, trace elements and amino acids. It’s high in fibre with a low sugar content, providing slow release energy without the ‘fizz’.

Ideal for horses prone to digestive upsets and very palatable, Fibre-Beet has added biotin for hoof quality and is suitable for those susceptible to laminitis.

FOR UNBEATABLE BLOOM

Based on fibre and oil, Dengie Alfa-A Oil provides slow release energy for condition without fizz.

Oil is energy-dense, making Dengie Alfa-A Oil suitable for horses needing to maintain or gain weight or those in hard work – while promoting healthy skin, coat shine and unbeatable bloom.

With 12.5MJ/kg digestible energy, equivalent to a conditioning mix/cube, Dengie Alfa-A Oil contains no added sugar, is low in starch and free from molasses, preservatives, cereals and straw.

It’s accredited by BETA as suitable for equines prone to gastric ulcers as part of a balanced diet.

Soaked and ready to feed in 45 minutes in cold water, or 15 minutes in warm water, Fibre-Beet is ideal for veterans even if teeth are poor or missing.

Quality Horse Feeds

Trusted since 1675

Conditioning Mash • Quick-soaking mash for horses that need to gain weight and condition.

• Low levels of starch, ‘Non-Heating’ formula.

Cool Mash • Quick-soaking mash for horses that need a low energy feed.

• Cereal-Grain-Free, low levels of starch and ‘Non-Heating’ formula.

Minty Treats • A healthy treat option, Minty Treats are fibrebased nuggets, low in sugar and are ‘NonHeating’ and cerealgrain-free so they won’t cause any problems or ‘fizz’.

01845 565640 (062) 85401 www.equerryhorsefeeds.com

PRODUCT GALLERY|ETN

Stock up for the championships The summer season is drawing to a close, which means one thing only – championships, writes Kate Hore, senior nutritionist at NAF. From the NAF British Riding Clubs Championships to the British Dressage ‘Nationals’ and Horse of the Year Show or a local final for which they’ve qualified, your customers want to be ready for their big day. So make sure your shelves are stocked with championship essentials, then everyone can be a winner.

Firstly, we need to make sure that customers’ horses stay fit and sound. It’s likely that their horses’ work has increased in past weeks and, together with the harder ground we often see in late summer, joints may come under additional challenge.

Support sound, flexible joints with NAF Superflex and Superflex Senior to provide unique synergistic

Grow. Mow. Bag. Nag.

blends of the key nutrients required.

Customers who’ve been using Magic calmer all season will definitely want to stock up now. Even horses who are quite chilled at their local, smaller shows may benefit from targeted nutritional support of the nervous system in a championship atmosphere.

Independently trialled with published results, Magic is proven to support calm concentration and focused cognition. NAF Instant Magic delivers all the bio-actives of Magic when it’s most needed.

Championship contenders will definitely be stocking up their lorries’ grooming kits with preparation products such as Show Off shampoo, Plait it Up and Razzle Dazzle, plus essentials like the

refreshing post-class rinse Cooling Wash. Don’t forget the power of Muck Off for removing annoying, last minute stains.

Whether it’s rhythmic dressage paces in the arena, or standing quietly in the showing line-up, the one thing guaranteed to put paid to months of hard work is an insect bite at the wrong time!

Owners should stick with a fly repellent they know works for their horse, as the registered active ingredients can have differing efficacy on different individuals. A championship is not the time to be experimenting with new brands; trust NAF OFF Deet Power Performance and NAF OFF Extra Effect.

Travelling and competing take it out of horses. So to ensure they stay performing at their best, it’s important to replace what’s lost through sweat. For horses with several classes through

the day, recommend giving a small, well-soaked fibre feed with added NAF Electrosalts in the breaks.

Clean, fresh water must always be offered alongside to help them stay hydrated throughout the day.

Whether they’re competing over several days, or at home looking forward to the next challenge, we need to support horses’ own natural recovery.

NAF Recover is a unique, concentrated antioxidant formula, ideal for use following strenuous exercise and competition. It’s fed as a five day course to ensure athletic potential and natural recovery are maintained.

HIGH QUALITY LOW IN STARCH & HIGH IN FIBRE FROM VITAMIN A TO ZINC FULLY TRACEABLE SLOW RELEASE ENERGY

To see our full range of products or to become a stockist visit: www.emeraldgreenfeeds.co.uk

ETN|PRODUCT GALLERY

Quick-soaking mash Equerry Conditioning Mash is a quick-soaking mash for horses that need to gain weight and condition.

Its non-heating formula has low levels of starch and a good level of protein for muscle development and topline.

Highly-digestible fibre sources include sugar beet; while oil and linseed promote condition and a shiny coat.

A high level of yeast promotes a healthy digestive system, with added vitamins and minerals including magnesium.

CONCENTRATED CALORIES Dodson & Horrell’s Build & Glow is calorie-rich to help aid weight gain and coat condition.

It contains rice bran, linseed and soya.

Non-heating Build & Glow is designed for show and performance horses and ponies, poor doers or individuals going through a period of unwanted weight loss.

NEXT MONTH: ETN brings you the best balancers and supplements.

38 | EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS SEPTEMBER 2019

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A question of staff Every day, the experts at Croner advise companies on employee issues. Here they answer some commonly asked questions.

Q. My employee was due to go on holiday on Friday; but has now handed in a two week sick note. Should that time be considered as holiday or sickness?

A. Employees who are sick before or during a period of annual leave are entitled to request the holiday be taken at a different time. However, this needs to be requested by the employee and is not automatic.

An employee who falls sick during a period of annual leave needs to follow the same absence reporting procedure as they would for a period of incapacity for work.

If there’s insufficient time left within the leave year for the annual leave to be rescheduled, this must be allowed to be carried into the next annual leave year.

Q. We run a bonus scheme that hasn’t been amended for eight years.

We state that the bonus is at the company’s discretion – so can we now remove this from employees’ contracts?

A. Disputes can arise when a term is being discussed as contractual or discretionary. If a bonus scheme has not changed for eight years, and it is generally accepted by everyone that the bonus will be paid, the bonus is likely to be contractual – and thus binding.

To prevent this uncertainty, and potential claims for a breach of contract, Training should be explored before an employee is dismissed for being incapable.

bonus schemes should be regularly reviewed and updated.

Q. An employee who has been with us for four years is struggling to do his role.

We’d like to dismiss him due to capability – can we do this?

A. It is a possibility to dismiss someone on the grounds of capability.

However, for it to be a fair dismissal, there needs to be a series of disciplinary warnings first.

An employment tribunal would also expect to see that you had taken time to try to help the employee improve, particularly given that he is so long serving.

It would be expected for training to be explored to help the employee to perform within his role.

If you’ve tried everything you can to help the employee improve, but without success, you might need to issue a capability warning. This should including setting clear targets explaining what’s required. You should also make it clear that a lack of improvement could lead to a further warning, and ultimately to dismissal.

Don’t rush to dismiss. You should focus first on what you can do to help the employee achieve the required standard.

About the author: Croner is BETA’s HR partner. BETA member companies have access to free, specialist advice on any of these areas – as well as wider HR, employment, safety and tax matters – by calling 0844 561 8133.

JWS056 Overton Saddle in Black

ETN|LEGAL DIGEST

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EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS SEPTEMBER 2019 | 39

ETN|PEOPLE

People ALEXANDRA ANDERSON

RICKY MALONEY

Alexandra Anderson has joined feed company Dodson & Horrell as head of marketing. Her career to date has been with Barclays, most recently as brand director heading up campaigns and sponsorship programmes. Alex has had horses for many years and plays polo.

From the ‘glorious twelfth’ of August to the end of the game season in February, top gundog trainer Ricky Moloney and his Ribblesdale Labradors are flat out.

Such endeavour requires the dogs to receive the best possible nutrition – something Ricky relies on VetSpec’s new Working Dog Adult Formula complete food to achieve.

Cotswolds based Ricky is set to demonstrate his gundog handling skills at BETA International on 19 – 21 January.

CLAIRE TEW Claire Tew (née Hogarth) has returned to Tim Smith Marketing (TSM) following a three year break. In the interim, she worked as marketing manager at equine welfare charity Bransby Horses, then completed a fixed term contract as communications manager at the NHS. “I’m delighted to re-join the team at TSM and look forward to delivering highly successful marketing campaigns for clients,” said Claire who’s currently studying with the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM).

JULIA BRADBURY TV presenter Julia Bradbury is to front Countryside Live, the two-day show at the Great Yorkshire Showground on 19/20 October.

Well-known from BBC’s Countryfile and ITV’s Britain's Best Walks, Julia has founded a ‘where to walk, where to stay’ website called The Outdoor Guide (TOG).

WILLIAM FOX-PITT Four-time world number one event rider William Fox-Pitt has become a brand ambassador for Boehringer Ingelheim’s flagship supplement range Equitop.

“I’ve always been a fan of Equitop and we use both Equitop Myoplast and Equitop GLME for many of the horses here,” said William. Equitop brand manager Warren Ball said signing the popular rider was “a fantastic coup.”

NICK FELLOWS British Showjumping’s CEO Iain Graham has taken the helm at the British Equestrian Federation (BEF) following the resignation of its chief executive Nick Fellows after just 16 months in the job.

The BEF is recruiting for a new boss.

40 | EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS SEPTEMBER 2019

SIR MARK TODD Sir Mark Todd quit eventing this summer, but the multi-medal winning rider says his involvement with the Mark Todd Collection will continue.

The New Zealander remains in the UK, and already has 11 Thoroughbreds in training – plenty of horses to showcase the Mark Todd Collection.

CLARE BLASKEY Blue Chip Feed’s founder Clare Blaskey has been enjoying a cracking show season with her small hunter Greenhall Cecil.

They were a creditable eighth in a class of 32 at the Royal International. Clare and ‘Cecil’ also won the amateur hunter championship at the North of England Summer Show, receiving a rug from Mole Valley Farmers.

SARA BLACKSHAW After 22 years as a senior buyer in the retail industry, Sara Blackshaw has set up her own consultancy.

Sara worked in the fashion business for over a decade, including a six year stint as head buyer for the Alexon Group. Having ridden all her life, she joined Countrywide 13 years ago. While with the retail chain, she created and launched the Kadence brand of accessories, horse rugs and rider clothing.

Of her new consultancy service, Sara says: “Offering the same product in what I believe to be a very saturated industry is no longer an option. We need innovation, newness and ‘a reason for people to buy your products’.”

WWW.EQUESTRIANTRADENEWS.COM

REASONS TO EXHIBIT AT BETA INTERNATIONAL 2020 Exhibiting at BETA International means that companies can secure significant brand exposure and put themselves in front of a global audience of industry buyers. Here are our top 10 reasons for you making it a priority to have a presence.

1

Introduce your products to the show’s 3,500 visitors from the UK and overseas.

2

Diversification potential is huge, so be one of the first in line to reach out to new markets.

3

Benefit from our support every step of the way with a great range of exhibitor solutions, starting with our popular NewZone stands from as little as £1,068 plus VAT.

4

Save money by booking before the end of September to receive an earlybird rate.

5

Shout about your products in an exciting range of show features, including the Fashion Show, New Product Gallery and Pet Product Gallery.

6

Offer a range of cost-cutting show exclusives to attract even more footfall to your stand.

7

If you have something new and that “little bit different”, you can secure industry and media attention by entering the show’s Innovation Awards.

8

Have us backing your corner by including you in our marketing campaigns, featuring you in ETN magazine – our official media partner – and listing you in the show catalogue and on the website.

9

Enjoy a priceless opportunity to network with industry representatives and retailers during the show and at our free After-Show Drinks on Sunday evening.

10

Enjoy the kudos of taking part in a highly respected show with more than four decades under its belt.

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Main Sponsor TRADE SHOW SUPPORTING THE EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS SEPTEMBER 2019 | 41 INDUSTRY

ETN|WORMING

Worming matters

WEIGHTY MATTERS

Keeping you updated on parasite control.

THE ONLY ONES AVAILABLE

The 2017 winner, vet nurse Lisa Taylor, receives her award from Virbac sponsored rider Katie Jerram and Virbac’s Fraser Hodgson.

DO YOU KNOW A WINNING SQP? Nominations are open for the 2019 Virbac 3D Worming Equine SQP of the Year.

This award recognises the vital role played by SQPs in advising horse owners on correct worming practices amid increasing concerns over resistance to wormers.

It’s all part of Virbac’s commitment to education and responsible worming, says the manufacturer of Equimax and Eraquell wormer brands.

Since its launch in 2010, the Virbac 3D Worming Equine SQP of the Year award has grown in prestige to become a highly soughtafter industry accolade.

Horse owners, business proprietors and staff are invited to nominate someone who, in their opinion, gives exemplary customer service when offering guidance on worming.

“SQPs have a large responsibility to provide horse owners with responsible advice on horse worming, while being aware of their wider obligations under the Veterinary Medicines Regulations” said Virbac equine technical product manager Dr Rosie Naylor.

“Through the Virbac 3D Worming SQP of the

Year award, we’re proud to recognise the hard work of SQPs and promote sustainable worming practices.”

For businesses, having an award winning SQP on hand comes with obvious rewards. The retailer is recognised for the quality of its service and advice, while the publicity surrounding being home to a winning SQP is an added bonus.

How it works: P Visit the Virbac 3D Worming website 3dworming.co.uk/ nominate-your-sqp and fill in the nomination form.

P Provide your nominee’s name and place of work.

P Give a brief explanation of why they deserve to win the Virbac SQP of the Year 2019.

Finalists selected from initial nominations go forward to a final judging via telephone interview. All finalists receive a certificate.

The winner will enjoy a VIP experience at Olympia, the London International Horse Show. He or she also receives a certificate, trophy and bespoke press release issued to the equestrian media.

Don’t delay – nominations close at the end of this month (September).

42 | EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS SEPTEMBER 2019

Equest and Equest Pramox are the only products available to treat for encysted small redworm in a single dose.

Equest is an oral gel containing moxidectin for single dose control of roundworms – including encysted larval stages of small redworms, and bots.

Equest Pramox is an oral gel containing moxidectin and praziquantel for single dose control of all three species of tapeworm, roundworms – including encysted larval stages of small redworms – and bots.

Equest and Equest Pramox are licensed for use in breeding, pregnant and lactating mares and have been shown not to adversely affect the fertility of mares.

Equest and Equest Pramox are available in 700kg syringes and have the longest egg reappearance period (13 weeks) of any equine wormer currently available.

ON THE FRONT LINE

Accurate worming starts with knowing a horse’s weight.

These branded weigh tapes from Bequestrian mean your customers can monitor their horses’ weight while also having your brand in their hands.

Research shows that 89% of people keep a promotional product, if it’s practical, says Bequestrian.

And they don’t come much more practical than this.

These handy, UK made weigh tapes can be printed in full colour with your company logo and contact details – making them a great giveaway prize or promotional offer that will work hard to promote your company.

Prices start from £1.10 per tape with minimum order quantities from just 250 units.

“Not only is it one of the most common issues, it’s also one of the most preventable. Thanks to our partnership with Westgate, we can now better support horse owners in understanding the importance of faecal egg counts and an appropriate worming programme, which will really help us to improve horses’ welfare.”

Praising the charity’s “amazing work,” Westgate Labs director Claire Shand added: “If we can help prevent a horse’s suffering or educate an owner with this partnership, then it’s been worthwhile.

Leading laboratory Westgate Labs is working with World Horse Welfare to tackle the ever present threat of parasite infection in horses.

Worm burdens are a significant feature of the nearly 2,000 welfare situations that the equine charity’s 16 field officers attend annually.

Westgate Labs is providing free worm egg count tests to help identify potentially life threatening problems and give meaningful evidence to help officers engage with horse owners.

“Parasite damage is one of the most common welfare problems our field officers encounter when investigating reports of equine neglect,” said Claire Gordon, World Working to prevent parasite damage: Claire Shand (red top) of Westgate Labs Horse Welfare’s with field officers from World Horse Welfare. chief field officer.

WWW.EQUESTRIANTRADENEWS.COM

ETN|BELOW THE BELT

MN AUTU ER WINT

CLEAR THE CHALLENGE

OF ENCYSTED SMALL REDWORM

Prescribe

or

the ONLY single dose control for encysted small redworm @horsedialog

HorseDialog

EQUEST contains moxidectin. EQUEST PRAMOX contains moxidectin and praziquantel. POM-VPS .

Further information is available on the SPC or contact Zoetis UK Limited, First Floor, Birchwood Building, SpringďŹ eld Drive, Leatherhead, Surrey, KT22 7LP. EQUEST & EQUEST PRAMOX are registered trademarks of Zoetis UK Ltd. Date of preparation: August 2019 MM-06366

Use medicines responsibly: www.noah.co.uk/responsible.

ETN|CPD FEATURE

ETN’s series of CPD features helps SQPs (Suitably Qualified Persons) earn the CPD (continuing professional development) points they need. The features are accredited

by AMTRA, and highlight some of the most important subject areas for SQPs specialising in equine and companion animal medicine.

AMTRA is required by the Veterinary Medicines Regulations to ensure its SQPs undertake CPD. All SQPs must earn a certain number of CPD points in a given period of time in order to retain their qualification. SQPs who read the following feature and submit correct answers to the questions below will receive two CPD points. For more about AMTRA and becoming an SQP, visit www.amtra.org.uk

Be worm-wise

this winter

By Wendy Talbot, national equine veterinary manager at Zoetis.

During the grazing season from February to October, it’s easy for your customers to be guided by faecal worm egg counts (FWECs).1 They simply need to remember to conduct them every eight to 12 weeks, and then worm according to the results.

No complicated explanations

are needed about strategic dosing for those elusive parasites that don’t reveal themselves in FWECs, apart from testing or treating for tapeworm in the spring and autumn.

But with winter on the way, it’s now time to talk about strategic worming that

includes treatment for encysted small redworm, tapeworm and bots.

SEEING RED Small redworm, also known as cyathastomins, are the most prevalent parasite in horses in the UK. They can be found in the horse’s

large intestine in the caecum/colon area. 2 Small redworm are bright red in colour and can range from 1.5-2.5cm in length.

The encysted larval stages are the most dangerous and all horses (over approximately six months of age) should be treated

Tapeworm are transmitted by the forage mite, which is mainly found on pasture.

44 | EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS SEPTEMBER 2019

WWW.EQUESTRIANTRADENEWS.COM

CPD FEATURE|ETN during the late autumn/ early winter. 3

WHY ARE ENCYSTED SMALL REDWORM SUCH A PROBLEM?

and has a mortality rate of up to 50%. Horses of less than five years old tend to be more susceptible. 2

In the UK the highest burdens of tapeworm are seen at the end of the grazing season. 5

Consequences of using the wrong wormer

THE RIGHT TAPEWORM TREATMENT

As a part of their lifecycle, small redworm eggs hatch on the pasture and the larvae emerge. They have to go through three developmental stages before they are able to re-infect horses. Warm wet weather, typical of spring and summer, is optimal for their development and during this time the larval burden on the pasture is high and horses will be continually re-infected by unintentionally ingesting larvae as they graze.4

Treating with a wormer that does not specifically target the encysted stages (ivermectin, pyrantel or single dose fenbendazole) during later autumn and early winter can actually increase the risk of a horse with a high encysted small redworm burden developing larval cyathostominosis. 5

Once ingested, the larvae travel through the digestive system to the large intestine where they burrow into the inner lining of the gut where cyst-like structures form around them. Within the cysts, they can either continue to develop through the larval stages before emerging back into the intestinal lumen, or they can halt development and enter a 'hibernation' state.

There are only two active ingredients effective against ESRW: a single dose of moxidectin or a five-day course of fenbendazole.

The larvae within cysts in the intestinal wall are known as Encysted Small Redworm (ESRW). Hidden here, encysted stages can account for up to 90% of the small redworm burden in a horse. A horse may have several million larvae yet show a negative or low faecal worm egg count. 3,5,6

DAMAGE CAUSED

BY ENCYSTED SMALL REDWORM Late winter/early spring eruption In the late winter/early spring, the encysted small redworm larvae can erupt from their hibernation in large numbers, breaking and damaging the lining of the intestinal wall, which can cause diarrhoea, weight loss and colic.

This potentially fatal condition is known as larval cyathostominosis

THE RIGHT ENCYSTED SMALL REDWORM TREATMENT

Moxidectin has high efficacy against adult small redworm including encysted mucosal larvae. It actually kills the larvae in situ, reducing the inflammation of the gut wall.7 There is widespread evidence of resistance in small redworm to fenbendazole, so a Faecal Egg Count reduction test (FECRT or 'resistance test') is recommended before using it.

To control tapeworm horses should be dosed with praziquantel in a combination wormer or a double dose of pyrantel twice yearly at six-monthly intervals with one of these treatments falling in the autumn to reduce the high burdens acquired during the previous grazing season. 8 Alternatively, a test can be carried out to establish antibody levels.

BOT OUT Bots are the insect larvae of the bot fly and are a common adult parasite found within the horse’s stomach. The female bot fly can lay up to 1,000 distinctive yellow eggs on

In the late winter/early spring, the encysted small redworm larvae can erupt from their hibernation in large numbers.

the hair of the horse’s legs and shoulders or around the eyes, mouth and nose.

The eggs are accidentally eaten by horses as they groom themselves or a companion. They then develop into larvae inside the horse, usually attaching to the stomach lining.

While bot eggs are easy to identify, bot larvae infection isn’t so obvious. Clinical signs are rare but infection can show as mouth irritation, ulcers or stomach irritation.5

Westgate Laboratories POSTAL WORM COUNTS & TESTS

• Promote routine testing not routine worming with our reliable laboratory worm count services • Tested using the modified McMaster technique • Easy to use and profitable • FREE SQP support & point of sale material

GET IT TAPED Tapeworm are transmitted by the forage mite, which is mainly found on pasture.

This parasite is a white flat, segmented worm, usually found at the junction of the small and large intestine in horses.

Tapeworm use suckers to attach themselves to the gut wall. They can result in a number of health-related problems, ranging from weight loss to diarrhoea and colic. An infected horse has been shown to be 26 times more likely to develop ileal impaction colic than a non-infected horse and eight times more likely to experience spasmodic colic.8

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Ser v

ice R

ated 144 r eview s

Worm count kits Everything to take and send a sample; same day testing & results; vet approved advice.

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EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS SEPTEMBER 2019 | 45

ETN|CPD FEATURE

THE RIGHT BOT TREATMENT To control bots, horses need a wormer containing ivermectin or moxidectin, administered in the winter after the first frost when the adult flies have died and before the bots mature.

TOP TIP Treat all adult horses over the age of six months for encysted small redworm regardless of faecal worm egg count, test or treat for tapeworm and treat for bots at the end of November/beginning of December. A single dose of Equest Pramox will treat for encysted small redworm, tapeworm and bots.9

FURTHER LEARNING For SQPs: Zoetis is committed to supporting learning across the equestrian industry. The company offers a series of Equine Worming Online Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses for SQPs https://sqptraining.learnupon.com.

For your customers: Zoetis has produced a sustainable worm control module for The British Horse Society’s Stage 3 Care Award www.bhs.org.uk/ pathways; and an educational website for horse owners www.horsedialog.co. uk contains a wide selection of articles on equine health and wellbeing.

References 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

Rendle (2017) De-worming targeted plans. Vet Times, Equine, Vol.3 Issue 1 p16-18 Love S, Murphy D et al. Pathogenicity of cyathostome infection. Vet Parasitol.

1999;85(2-3):113-21;discussion 21-2, 215-25 JB Matthews, An update on cyathostomins: Anthelmintic resistance and worm control. Equine Vet Educ.

(2008) AAEP Parasite Control Sub Committee.

AAEP Parasite Control Guidelines 2013.

Reinmeyer CR, and Nielsen MK, Handbook of equine parasite control 2013. Wiley Black Dowdall SM, Matthews JB, et al.

Antigen-specific lgG(T) responses in natural and experimental cyathostominae infection in horses.

Vet Parasitol. 2002;106(3): 225-42 Bairden (2006) Vet record 158, 766-768 also add ref. Steinbach for the reduced Inflammation CJ Proudman. Diagnosis treatment and Prevention of Tapeworm-associated Colic. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science January 2003 Vol 23 Number 1 Matthews JB. To worm or not to worm.

London Vet Show 2015 (Nov) 157

ETN CPD QUESTIONS

Worming

SQP CP Questio D ns

SELECT YOUR ANSWERS AND TICK THE BOXES 1. What is the name of the most common worm found in horses today?

■ Small redworm ■ Large redworm ■ Tapeworm 2. Where in the horse do encysted small redworm hibernate?

■ Small intestine ■ Large intestine ■ Liver 3. How many developmental stages do small redworm larvae have to go through before they are able to reinfect horses?

■ One ■ Two ■ Three 4. When might larval cyathostominosis typically occur (two answers)?

■ Spring/summer Autumn/ early winter ■ Late winter/early spring ■ Following treatment with a wormer that does not treat for the encysted stages 5. Which group of horses are more susceptible to larval cyathostominosis?

■ Those of five years and under ■ Native ponies ■ Those five years and over

SEPTEMBER 2019

6. Which of the following actives can be used to treat for encysted small redworm in a single dose?

■ Ivermectin ■ Moxidectin ■ Fenbendazole ■ Pyrantel 7. To which active has encysted small redworm shown widespread resistance?

■ Ivermectin ■ Moxidectin ■ Fenbendazole ■ Pyrantel 8. When are the highest burdens of tapeworm usually seen?

■ At the start of the grazing season ■ At the end of the grazing season ■ In mid- summer?

9. What is the recommended frequency of testing or treating for tapeworm control?

■ Once a year ■ Twice a year ■ Four times a year 10. Which two of the following may be signs of bot larvae infection?

■ Mouth irritation ■ Ulcers ■ Lumps on the skin ■ Swollen limbs

2 CPD points Full name

Company name/ address Email Telephone number SQP number Send your completed answers to: ETN/CPD Feature, Equestrian Trade News, East Wing, Stockeld Park, Wetherby, West Yorks, LS22 4AW. FIND IT ON-LINE: ETN’s CPD features are also available at www.equestriantradenews.com If you submit answers to the quiz on-line, please do not submit them by filling out the printed form as well – and vice versa.

46 | EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS SEPTEMBER 2019

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Shaping the future of animal health Further information can be found in the SPC available from Virbac Ltd, Woolpit Business Park, Windmill Avenue, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP30 9UP. Tel 01359 243243 www.virbac.co.uk Equimax contains ivermectin / praziquantel. UK only. POM-VPS . Eraquell contains ivermectin. POM-VPS .

Use medicines responsibly www.noah.co.uk/responsible

ETN|BENCH SADDLER OF THE MONTH

Celebrating the best bench saddlers…

This award, presented in conjunction with the Society of Master Saddlers (SMS), recognises those who uphold the highest standards of leather craft skills.

Mark Romain coaches a student at the Saddlery Training Centre he runs with his wife Dawn.

Devoted to training After 13 years working for Sydney Ingram & Son, Mark joined CoSIRA (the Council of Small Industries in Rural Areas) as their training adviser.

He remained there through all its various guises until it closed in 2000.

Now, with a wealth of saddlery and training skills to his name, Mark decided the time was right to set up the Saddlery Training Centre with his wife Dawn; and they have never looked back. Mark is keen to point out that without Dawn’s support, none of this would have been possible. Indeed anyone who has attended courses at the centre will have benefitted from Dawn’s help and advice.

The Saddlery Training Centre, which offers both apprentice training and courses, is now internationally renowned as a training provider.

It’s the UK’s only training centre to provide a government apprenticeship scheme in the saddlery industry.

Over the years, Mark has played a major role in developing the NVQ for the saddlery industry, and revising the City & Guilds National Saddlery Skill Assessment and Qualification Scheme. He is also a key figure in implementing the Millennium and Saddlery (formerly Modern) Apprenticeship Schemes.

AND THE WINNER IS… MARK ROMAIN Nominated by: Amy Baldwin, of The Saddlers Den, Southport, who says: “I’ve trained with Mark [at the Saddlery Training Centre] since setting out to become a qualified saddler, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed learning from his many years’ experience in saddlery.

“Not only is Mark’s knowledge second to none, but he’s also great fun to train with – always smiling and so encouraging, which really inspires you to improve and make the most of the opportunities the industry provides.”

Mark Romain MBE: always smiling and encouraging young saddlers.

About Mark Romain Based at the Saddlery Training Centre in Salisbury, Mark was awarded an MBE in 2014 in recognition of his commitment to the industry.

Before moving into training, Mark worked for many years as a bench saddler, showcasing his skills and artistry at the highest level. “When it comes to leather, people expect you make it or mend it,” he says modestly.

A Master Saddler and former president of the SMS, Mark admits he rather ‘fell into’ the saddlery industry.

As a teenager, knowing he wanted to do something practical, rather than sit behind a desk, he started an apprenticeship with a lorry body building company. After just two months, however, Mark was beginning to realise the job wasn’t for him.

One day, a new apprentice arrived at the lorry firm. He told Mark he’d just given up a position with saddlery and leathergoods firm Sydney Ingram in Salisbury. Mark was intrigued, went to see them – and secured a new role which was to take him in a completely different direction.

48 | EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS SEPTEMBER 2019

Mark has been a member of the SMS executive committee since 1991, is the society’s training adviser and has contributed to the training of more than 200 apprentices and well over 1,500 saddlers from around the world.

“I feel very fortunate to work in an industry I am passionate about,” he says. “I enjoy the company of all the students we meet each year – it’s great to see them improve and get their qualifications.”

HOW TO NOMINATE Everyone is invited to nominate candidates for the ETN Bench Saddler of the Month. Nominees can be working in a factory or workshop setting, for an employer or self-employed. They can be based anywhere in the world.

To nominate a bench saddler (or more than one), email editor@equestriantradenews.com and tell us why this person deserves to be put in the spotlight.

Please include the bench saddler’s name and business name too.

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BETA MEMBERS’ PAGE|ETN

BETA NOPS CONFERENCE We are pleased to confirm that next month’s BETA NOPS Conference, on Thursday 3 October, will take place at the Hilton East Midlands Airport hotel, Castle Donington, Leicestershire. There is also an opportunity for an overnight stay with dinner the previous night (2 October). Please get in touch with the BETA office if you would like further information or to book a place.

members’ page

NEWS FROM BETA HQ Hitting the ground running…

KEEPING YOU POSTED

Your Summer/Autumn BETA Newsletter should now have arrived. It features all the latest news and developments from the trade association, plus the programme and booking form for the annual BETA Conference, set to take place on Monday 28 October at the De Vere Staverton Estate, near Daventry, Northamptonshire. Please complete the form and return it to us ASAP if you would like to attend.

True or false?

Things have certainly been busy in the BETA office over the past few weeks, which has helped me to settle into my new job very quickly.

Getting to grips with BETA’s two feed assurance schemes – NOPS and the approval mark for feeds best suited to horses and ponies that are prone to equine gastric ulcer syndrome – has been top of my list, as I will be taking care of all the administration and organisation of them from now on.

I have also been working alongside my colleague Tina Hustler to produce the members’ annual invoices.

On top of this, there has been lots of planning and prep for BETA’s appearances at Blair Castle International Horse Trials, Spoga and Your Horse Live – the latter still

ongoing, although we are pleased to report that we have already secured all the spot prizes needed for the event’s main arena, thanks to the generosity of our member companies.

In July, I enjoyed the chance to venture outside the office to attend my first BETA Council meeting, which took place at Stoneleigh Park. It was great to get out there and meet some of BETA’s many members. Everyone was really kind and wished me well in my new role. I’m really looking forward to meeting more members as time goes on. I’m sure that many of you will be attending BETA International, so please come to the BETA stand to say hello.

Test your knowledge by answering True or False to the statement below. The answer can be found at the side of the page.

The BETA feed assurance scheme for feeds best suited to horses and ponies prone to equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) has 14 approved products.

Agy Mossakowska-Knast

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT TINA HUSTLER AT BETA

* True

Tel: 01937 587062 Website: www.beta-uk.org Email: tina@beta-uk.org East Wing, Stockeld Park, Wetherby, West Yorkshire LS22 4AW Claire Williams, Executive Director, claire@beta-uk.org Tricia Nassau-Williams, Field Officer, tricia@beta-uk.org Ann FitzGerald, Secretary, ann@beta-uk.org Deborah Hayward, Press Officer, deborahh@beta-int.com Agy Mossakowska-Knast, Admin Assistant, agy@beta-uk.org

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EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS SEPTEMBER 2019 | 49

ETN|CLASSIFIED

Classified Tel: +44 (0) 1937 582111 Fax: +44 (0) 1937 582778 Email: sales@equestriantradenews.com

Conference

Designed by

BOOK NOW!

Thursday 3 October BETA NOPS Conference

Hilton East Midlands Airport hotel, Castle Donington, Leicestershire +44 (0)1937 587062

beta-uk.org

Business for Sale

CCJs

County Court Judgments from England and Wales and the Scottish version, which are called Court Decrees.

The judgments listed are those recorded by the Registry Trust Ltd and appear to be of a commercial nature.

Judgments/Decrees can be for damages rather than debts, and their listing here does not imply an inability to pay.

NEW & PRE- LOVED HORSE TACK WEST YORKSHRE 17 WESTFIELD MARKET UNITS THE MARKET NORMANTON £79 LIBBYS HORSE TACK LIMITED UNIT C MAUNSIDE GREENLINE INDUSTRIAL ESTATE HERMITAGE LANE NG18 5GU £482 PINEAPPLE STUD LIMITED 1ST FLOOR 168 HIGH STREET WATFORD HERTS WD17 2EG £1672 HORSE SPIRIT STUD LIMITED PENTHOUSE PINE GRANGE 22/24 BATH ROAD BOURNEMOUTH UNITED KINGDOM BH1 2PW £902

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FLEUR FLOWER T/AS GRAZE EQUINE TRANSPORT GRAIG FACH LODGE CAERFFILI £2,261 DIVINE EQUINE LIMITED 32 BOSHAM WALK GOSPORT PO13 0QJ £247 EQUINE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LTD T/AS AM RACING GRANTA LODGE MALVERN WR14 2JS £1,060 W N EQUINE LTD TROENE NORTH STREET WINKFIELD WINDSOR SL4 4TH £397

SQ EQUESTRIAN PRODUCTS LIMITED WREAKE HOUSE FARM REGENT STREET THRUSSINGTON LEICESTER LE7 4UB £292 EQUESTRIVAN LIMITED FIELD BARN FARM BEENHAM HILL BEENHAM READING RG7 5LT £482 LONGHEDGE FARM EQUESTRIAN LTD LONGHEDGE FARM LONGHEDGE CORSLEY WARMINSTER BA12 7QZ £482 ZOE DUFFY T/AS ZD EQUESTRIAN COACH 90 MILLFIELDS WRITTLE CHELMSFORD CM1 3LW £178 SEAFORTH SADDLERS LTD 20 AIGNISH GARDENS INVERNESS IV2 6EU £3,593 SEAFORTH SADDLERS LTD 23 HARBOUR ROAD INVERNESS IV1 1SY £2,895 Appointment of Liquidator

KEALDERRA HORSE TRAINING LIMITED 13A MIDLAND ROAD OLNEY ENGLAND MK46 4BL £247

50 | EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS SEPTEMBER 2019

INGLIS ELITE HORSES LIMITED BROXMEAD FARM BROXMEAD LANE CUCKFIELD SUSSEX RH17 5JH £3,987

D'MONTT EQUESTRIAN LTD GUARDIAN HOUSE CAPRICORN PARK BLAKEWATER ROAD BLACKBURN BB1 5QR

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52 | EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS SEPTEMBER 2019

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