Christmas Gift Guide

Nutrition Pyramid for an older horse:

Forage forms the foundation of any healthy horse diet. Whilst adequate forage usually provides enough protein for mature horses, older horses may need an additional protein source such as lucerne hay, soy or lupins. Horses who lose condition on forage alone can obtain extra calories from a hard feed of cereals, legume grains or super fibres. All horses need to have minerals added to balance the rest of their intake. Vitamin E should always be supplemented and older horses also need extra vitamin C. Horses often need extra omega-3 oils added to the diet to balance their intake of omega-6.

VITAMINS &VITAMINS & MINERALSMINERALSVITAMINS &VITAMINS & MINERALSMINERALS VITAMINS &VITAMINS & MINERALSMINERALS OILOIL OILOILOILOIL

on hay for roughage and are fed large rations of omega-6 rich grains and hard feeds. Omega-3 rich supplements such as algal meal, fish oils, linseeds, linseed oil are the best way to improve the omega-3 to -6 ratio across the whole diet.

Many older horses benefit from the addition of other supplements for assisting with particular conditions. Examples include oral joint supplements, live yeast probiotics, mycotoxin binders and antioxidants.

It’s well worth having a qualified nutritionist check your older horse’s ration to ensure that it provides all the necessary nutrients and is well-balanced. Spending a little time and money on a good diet analysis often saves money being wasted on expensive, inefficient or unnecessary feeds.

Larissa Bilston,

BAgrSc (Hons 1), Nutritionist,

Farmalogic.

Choosing Low Sugar Hay Forage for horses with equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) requires constant, detailed attention to sugar and starch levels.

y Ideally, choose hay which has been analysed and has a combined ESC + Starch value of less than 10%.

y Avoid high production grasses such as ryegrass and do not feed cereal (oaten, wheaten) hay or chaff.

y If carbohydrate levels of hay are unknown, soak in warm water for 30 minutes or cold water for 60 minutes to remove soluble sugars.

y Drain and discard soak water before feeding. Soaking hay can reduce water soluble carbohydrates by 30%.

y Discard soaked hay after 12 hours if uneaten. It is the spike in blood glucose and consequently insulin levels that triggers laminitis, so horses with EMS can suffer laminitis without being overweight.

All I want for Christmas ...

( ... besides a HorseVibes subscription)

FIONA TODD: Publisher AMANDA MAC: HorseVibes’ Editor

Dear Santa, It’s that time of year again, and I’d like a set of extra-large boots for my 17hh pony Bonnie! I really like these Lemieux Carbon Mesh Wrap Boots. They’re breathable so they’ll keep her tendons cool, plus they are washable, and quick to put on and take off.

$74.95

And if my pony’s getting new boots, I think I should have a pair too. I’m absolutely loving these Agave Blue Erin Bone vintage look boots. That distressed leather finish, those embroidery accents! And I’ve been super good this year, Santa, so any chance of two pairs?

$750, but on sale for $599 at the time of writing

Hi Santa, I really don’t want to be pushy, but I want, need and absolutely must have this stunning photo of two Brumby stallions by Carol Hancock. To make your life easier, I’ve chosen the size and type: a 16" x 24" Nudirect Acrylic Bolted print, which I won’t even have to have framed.

$298

www.carolhancock.com.au

And I love this beautiful little pony pendant from Inga Genis’ new handcrafted, horse-inspired jewellery collection. So many beautiful pieces to choose from and all so reasonably priced! And Santa, make sure you check out her customised silver pendant range, which gives you the option of having a special keepsake piece crafted using your own horse’s … or reindeer’s … hair.

$145

ingagenis.com

All I want for Christmas ...

( ... besides a HorseVibes subscription)

CHARLIE BRISTER: Columnist & Right Rein Podcast Host

You can’t have too many pairs of socks. Ideally, they’re knee-high and have pink flamingos emblazoned on them. Perfect for riding, securing the britches and giving that extra protection under my chaps. Also, the brighter they are the better it is for funky sock Friday! BTW, Santa, I particularly like these Limited Edition Empower Knee High Socks.

$19.95

www.performaride.com

A dressage whip is another essential that gets daily use. A nicely balanced whip, like this Fleck Perfect Balance Dressage Whip, is ideal for ground work, for teaching a horse to yield, back up, or come forward. It also makes for much easier float loading. One that’s not too bendy suits me so that I can be more accurate with it. NICKY RICHMAN: Social Media Manager

Dear Santa, please, please, please bring me a 400 litre Greystone Paddock Vacc for Christmas! Keeping on top of manure pick-up will be so much quicker and easier. It’ll give me back my weekends so I can spend more time actually riding!

Start at $2,490 inc GST + shipping

I would love to unwrap a Kentucky Boot Bag this Christmas. Not only will it keep my tall boots well protected, it looks super-stylish with diamond quilting and artificial leather piping. The bag has faux rabbit skin on the inside so my boots won’t get scratched, plus a name tag on the front which I can personalise.

$179.95

trailrace.com.au

$49.95

saddlery.com.au