January Equi-Ads 2012

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January 2012

The UK’s No.1 Equine Health, Management and Training Magazine

Mud Fever

How You Should Feed Your Horse

Do Horses Have Rights?

Horse Holidays

Flexion versus Bend

New series:

Schooling your horse Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome

Massage Therapy

Healthcare - News

Contents Healthcare

1, 2, 4, 7,

21 – 33,

42, 48

News

1, 44

Field & Stable

2, 40, 48

Tack & Turnout

2, 4, 33, 44

Bedding

4, 7

Feeding

4, 7, 9 - 20

Directory

7

Gastric Ulcers

9

How to feed

12

Worming

24, 42

Schooling

24

Mud Fever

25 - 29

Horse Behaviour

30

Holidays

34 – 36

Training

36

Insurance

37, 41, 42

Massage

38, 41

Breeding

38

Livery

41

Monty Roberts Tour

43

Transport

48

Copy Deadline

10th of the preceding month Available on the 1st of the month Equi-Ads is published monthly by:

Equi-Ads Limited Office 1, Tay View Estate, Friarton Road, Perth PH2 8DG To advertise, please call

01738 567700 Fax: 01738 567776

www.equiads.net Please send editorial to: Office 1, Tay View Estate, Friarton Road, Perth PH2 8DG Fax: 01738 567776 Email: info@equiads.net

Win a VIP trip to see War Horse and £500 worth of SPILLERS® feed

Search For The 2012 EquestrianClearance.com Unsung Hero of the Year Do you know someone who gives up hours of free time to help out at equestrian events or has spent many years running or organising shows, training or competitions at your local Riding Club or Pony Club?

Do you have a friend who is always there if you need someone to groom for you at a show?

Or is there a special person in your life who you simply couldn’t manage without when it comes to the horses?

If so the team at EquestrianClearance. com want to hear from you and your own unsung hero could soon be in the spotlight.

The winner of the 2012 EquestrianClearance.com Unsung Hero of the Year will be rewarded for all their hard work with £250 to spend on line at EquestrianClearance.com Here’s your chance to get your unsung hero noticed and to win some great prizes at the same time.

SPILLERS® has teamed up with the Broadway Show War Horse to give you the chance to win an exclusive VIP trip to London to see the fabulous War Horse production and to receive £500 worth of SPILLERS® feed.

Described as ‘an astonishing piece of theatre’, War Horse is the moving tale of a horse immersed in the chaos of World War I. Based on a book by Michael Morpurgo, the show has become so successful that it has recently been made into a film.

SPILLERS® has put together an amazing, exclusive prize for one lucky winner and a friend. It includes the opportunity to meet the incredible horse puppets used in the Show, an overnight stay at a luxurious Central London Hotel and pre-theatre dinner. SPILLERS® is also including £500

worth of free SPILLERS® feed for the winner.

The competition is being run in association with SPILLERS® High Fibre Cubes, the original low starch, high fibre cube, that is safe for horses and ponies prone to laminitis and can also be soaked to make a palatable mash for veterans. To enter simply complete and send off the prize entry form on the side of the SPILLERS® High Fibre Cubes pack before the closing date of 28th February 2012. For full terms and conditions please visit Team SPILLERS® on Facebook or see the side of SPILLERS® High Fibre Cubes packs.

To find out more contact the SPILLERS® team via the SPILLERS® Care-Line on 01908 226626 or ask the SPILLERS® Helpers on Facebook.

All you have to do is write in and tell us why you think the person you want to nominate should be crowned the EquestrianClearance.com Unsung Hero of the Year.

What do they do that is so helpful or special, why do they deserve to win the award and what difference would it make to them?

Send your nominated entry to: EquestrianClearance.com Unsung Hero 2010, TSM Ltd, 1 Doncaster Road, Gunness, North Lincolnshire, DN15 8TG or email to sarahm.tsmltd@btconnect. com Closing Date, February 28, 2011.

For further information visit www.equestrianclearance.com

January 2012 - Equi-Ads - 1

Field & Stable - Healthcare - Tack & Turnout

Rug Jargon Buster!

So you know you need a new rug this winter but you’ve become confused by the choice. Do you need a lightweight, medium weight or heavyweight. Should it have a fixed neck and does it need to be ripstop?

So many questions to ensure you end up with the right rug for the right season.

In this issue we have teamed up with the experts at Masta to take the mystery out of buying a rug and turn the technical jargon into – ‘ah that’s what they mean’!

Fixed Neck - means your rug will permanently include a neck cover.

Heavyweight - rugs are intended to protect against the coldest elements, so usually start above 260g going up to 400g.

Lightweight - rugs are perfect for the autumn, and can contain anywhere from no filling up to 115g.

Middleweight - rugs are used for the cooler conditions, ranging from anything between 180g and 240g.

Neck Covers - are usually bought separately and can be attached to add extra warmth and coverage to a horse’s rug.

Desperate times result in increase in thefts A downturn in the economy will mean an upturn in crime - so don’t let your horse or pony become a crime statistic – get them freeze marked.

It is inevitable that when times are hard there are going to be more thefts and because horses and ponies are so trusting of humans, they are going to be extremely vulnerable. Therefore, you must take as many precautions as possible to keep them safe and sound.

You cannot oversee your animals on a 24 hour basis and you can use as many locks as you like, but often these can be overcome by the thieves. The most important thing you can do is to get your horses freeze marked. Visible marks deter theft – you see them, but most important of all, so do the thieves!

To help you protect your horses and save money, equine security specialist, Freezemark is operating a winter sale giving you 10% discount per freeze mark and the first year’s registration free of charge.

Don’t forget you can even personalise your mark and by doing so you have a mark that you remember and one that stands out amongst others giving even more protection!

For full details call Freezemark on 01295 788226 or visit www.freezemark.biz. Be sure to mention Equi-Ads to obtain your discount.

DON’T DELAY – TOMORROW MAY BE TOO LATE.

The Jargon Buster Anti-rub satin chest lining - will help stop rubbing from the rug.

Breathable - rugs allow sweat and moisture from a horse out through the rug, ensuring that the horse stays dry and warm, not damp and cold.

Check Tech - collection has a distinctive look with superb durability and high resilience to the elements, featuring a wide range of thicknesses and colours.

Cross Surcingles - will eliminate any pressure to the spine.

Denier - is the weight of yarn used in the fabric, the higher the number the stronger the rug, ranging from 600 to 1200.

Dynamix - turnout collection is design to be super tough and comfortable, combining technology with needs of your horse.

Become a Global Herbs Blog Star!

Global Herbs, the veterinary based herbal service, has a brilliant new blog, with top-tips, product information, competitions, giveaways and much, much more.

The Global Herbs team are keen to hear more of your stories and experiences with their products and would love to see your 2 - Equi-Ads - January 2012

pictures on their blog. If you have any feedback on the products available please get in touch via their facebook page, twitter or website.

full of Global Herbs products.

Anybody who is featured on the blog will automatically be entered into the “rider of the month” competition. The best post of each month will win a fantastic goody bag

If you require any further information on any of Global Herbs’ products please call the Advice Line on 01243 773363 or visit www.globalherbs.co.uk.

To find the blog simply visit the Global Herbs facebook page and follow the links.

One click Fittings - are easy fastening fast clips made from zinc dyecast steel, which make rugging up quick, safe and easy.

Ripstop - is the pattern created within the fabric, giving the appearance of lots of little squares, these ensure if the rug rips, it will only go through one square, instead of the entire rug.

Shoulder Gussets - expand with your horses movements to allow freedom around the shoulder and chest area.

Thermal Filling - is measured in grams and ounces, the heavier the filling the warmer the rug.

Waterproof - guarantees that the outer part of the rug will not let in water during rain showers.

For further information please contact Masta on 01274 711101 or visit www.masta.co.uk

Competition - News

January 2012 - Equi-Ads - 3

Bedding - Feeding - Healthcare - Tack & Turnout

Magnacalm For horses who live out or don’t have hard feed, supplying a calming supplement can be a challenge, but not with Magnacalm.

Magnacalm contains bioavailable magnesium, something that, when deficient, can cause nervousness, excitability, and other stress related issues. To ensure consistent intakes, the magnesium is combined with cerelose dextrose, and it also contains salt, an essential part of the horse’s diet.

The 1.8kg lick fits neatly in to a conventional salt lick holder, and that’s all

the owner needs to do, as the horse will help itself.

Magnacalm retails at £4.99.

For more information, see www. rockies.co.uk or call 01606 595025.

Have your say Top riders Equi-Ads would like to invite readers to have their say. Voltaire famously remarked: “I may not agree with what you say, but I’ll fight to the death to let you say it, so if you have views that you would like to share, or you do not agree with something you have read in Equi-Ads, then feel free to have your say......we welcome it.

Send your views to info@equiads. net Subject: Have Your Say.

Happy New Year to all from the Equi-Ads team.

promote easibed easibed equine bedding is gearing up for a busy winter as its sponsored riders prove bedding their horses on a premium product helps them stay at the top of their game. easibed, a clean, dust free wood fibre bedding, is used by international show jumpers Billy Twomey and Ellen Whitaker, and triple Olympian Richard Davison. And as anyone following the riders will know, all three are at the top of their sport.

All three riders believe easibed plays a crucial role in helping their horses remain fit and healthy. easibed is now produced in a new-look bale with more robust packaging and is on the market at the RRP of £6 to £6.50 per bale.

The bedding provides a dust-free, supportive bed. The consistency of easibed allows the wet to drain through to the base where it is absorbed, leaving the top dry and comfortable for your horse.

It is economical to use, easy to muck out and it produces a smaller muck heap. easibed’s dust free qualities make it a healthier choice for the rider and the horse.

For more information contact easibed on 0161 370 2360 or visit www.easibed. co.uk 4 - Equi-Ads - January 2012

Tack & Turnout - Transport - Parelli Giveaway

January 2012 - Equi-Ads - 5

Field & Stable - Insurance - Photography - Tack & Turnout - Transport

6 - Equi-Ads - January 2012

Bedding - Directory - Feeding - Healthcare

Special new year offer for Equi-Ads readers for Non invasive, natural Sarcoids treatment.....

Using a non invasive approach, Forest Farmacy has created an innovative way to rid the body of sarcoids.

Research has shown that sarcoids thrive on an acidic internal state, so alkalising the body from the inside stops the virus from feeding, making it harder for them to grow and establish.

Organic Horse’s Power Against Sarcoids is an alkalising herbal concentrate containing Alkanet Root, Titanium Clay, Fenugreek as well as other alkalising herbs, designed to encourage the body to produce an alkaline state, strengthen the immune system, support the body’s natural defences and make the bowel lining as resilient as possible.

Laura Munson tried Power Against Sarcoids with her mare Rosie because she wanted something that would eradicate the sarcoids in delicate areas without an aggressive approach. “Since using Power Against Sarcoids, these have shrunk dramatically. The sarcoid on her

ear - which was very obvious - is barely noticeable and she is far happier about having her ears touched! I would highly recommend this product.”

Special offer for January for Equi-Ads readers our special sarcoid care pack 3.5 months supply of Power Against Sarcoids

Mrs Morris tried Power against Sarcoids with her horse

Thuja cream and Thuja tincture all for £80 normal RRP £95

‘We used Power Against Sacroids, and it was like a miracle. My horse had one on his face about 1 to 2 inches round.

For more information, tel: 0800 970 9421 / 07736 282 729 or visit www.forestfarmacy.com

The vet recommended a course of treatment, but we decided against it.

We then scoured the internet for information and come across your website, we decided to try your powder in his feed,and was amazed at the results.

The sarcoid healed up and it has not come back. Thank you.

Power Against Sarcoids also works on other lumps and bumps and has shown to help reduce melanomas.

Easy Pack Haylage and Bedding For a stable that is cosy, inviting and a place your horse wants to be this winter, choose Easy Pack’s locally grown Haylage and specialised Bedding for horses.

Good quality fibre is essential for your horse’s health this winter. The slow process of chewing and digesting good quality fibre keeps your horse entertained for longer whilst producing heat to keep him warm. Easy Pack Haylage is available in three delicious varieties, each pack full of good quality fibre and nutrients for varying levels of energy and protein to suit your horse’s individual needs. As Easy Pack Haylage is dust and spore free there is no need for soaking haynets this winter!

For the best bedding choose either Easy Pack Chopped Straw or Easy Pack Miscanthus to reduce stable odour and dust, whilst creating a comfortable supportive bed. Both Easy Pack Chopped Straw and Easy Pack Miscanthus are high in absorbency, ideal for horses spending longer in their stables this winter.

Directory Crematorium

Horse & Pony Cremation Genuine Individual Cremation.

Leyland & Cheshire Pet Crematorium.

Tel: 01772 622466

Property Abroad

Brittany & Normandy Cardyke Overseas Properties Properties suitable for horses at a fraction of UK prices.

Tel: 01775 630 008

Saddlery

South East Andrew Reilly Saddlers Spoods Farm, Tinkers Lane, Hadlow Down, East Sussex TN22 4ET. Tel: 01825 830484.

Worming

Easy Pack Haylage and Bedding for a healthy and happy horse this winter.

For more information go to www. easypackhaylage.com

East Regular worm egg counts can save money! 6-8 weekly spring through autumn £5 each. Church Farm FEC churchfarmfec@hotmail.co.uk or 01728685638

FEEDING

The Haylage Co. A cost effective alternative to hay.

Based South Hertfordshire, we deliver to locations nationwide.

Telephone: 07836 514 435 or 07831 454 166 Email: guybrook@btinternet.com Website- www.poloforage.com

January 2012 - Equi-Ads - 7

Feeding

8 - Equi-Ads - January 2012

Feeding

Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS) - a nutritional perspective Dr Derek Cuddeford, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh

The term syndrome is used because clinical symptoms and causes can vary; in other words it is a rather complicated disease. It occurs in both foals and adult horse populations, the prevalence depending on the age of the animal, the type of animals sampled and what they are used for. Before the development of long endoscopes it was only possible to detect ulcers post mortem and by doing this, it was discovered that the prevalence could be up to 90% in racehorses. Nowadays, with the extensive use of endoscopes, people are realizing that gastric ulceration is a more widespread problem amongst the horse population. I propose to limit my comments to gastric ulceration that occurs in adult horses.

In order to properly understand how ulceration occurs we have to remind ourselves about the structure and functionality of the adult horse’s stomach. In terms of size it is an unimpressive organ! It can only hold 10 to 15 litres. Contrast this with a similar sized herbivore, the cow, which can accommodate more than 10x this amount. The small size of the horse’s stomach (relative to body size) means that it cannot store food in the same way that a dog’s stomach can, so in the horse, the stomach acts as a “transit lounge” rather than as a “waiting room”. Food more or less flows continuously out of it which is just as well since the horse naturally grazes for 16 out of every 24 hours so there is an almost continuous inflow of material.

Unlike us, the horse cannot vomit.

If we ingest too much alcohol or eat contaminated sea food we can get rid of it using the same route as it took on the way in. The horse has a very strong sphincter muscle (cardiac sphincter) that does not allow food to return out of the stomach into the oesophagus so if things “go wrong” in the stomach, such as aberrant gas fermentation, the stomach may rupture. There are two well-defined areas within the horse’s stomach separated by a ridge of material called the margo plicata.

There is a non-glandular area in the oesophageal region called the saccus caecus that is covered by squamous cont. on p.10

20kg Equilibra 500 + Omega 3 to stay at launch price Since its launch earlier in 2011, sales of new Equilibra 500 + Omega 3 feed balancer have exceeded all expectations.

£23.99, maintaining its position as an affordable, high quality, complementary feed, during these challenging financial times.

Repeat business is a sure sign of the quality and effectiveness of any product. The competitive launch price has attracted customers new to the benefits of a feed balancer, as well as die hard supporters of other brands.

Equilibra 500 + Omega 3 is the ONLY feed balancer you will ever need – all horses and ponies digest their feed the same way regardless of age, size or work load.

As a result GWF Nutrition has now scrapped their plans for the price increase due on the 1st of January 2012. Equilibra 500 + Omega 3 will remain at

For more information, stockist details or to order, please visit: www. gwfnutrition.com or call GWF Nutrition direct on 01225 708482.

January 2012 - Equi-Ads - 9

Feeding cont. from p.9

epithelium, the same type of cells that line your mouth. The other part is the so-called glandular area where the cells have a secretory function producing the enzyme pepsin for protein breakdown, mucus, bicarbonate and hydrochloric acid; the latter is responsible for pH reduction in the stomach and for maintaining the acid environment. You might like to think of the stomach as a bucket with the top third being nonglandular and the bottom two thirds, the glandular region being separated by a ridge of tissue. The pH varies throughout the regions of the stomach.

Ensalivated food entering the stomach will have a near neutral ph (~7) so the saccus caecus is virtually acid-free but as you go down the bucket and get to the beginning of the glandular region (margo plicata) the pH will be between 3 to 6 and nearer the bottom of the bucket next to the exit from the stomach to the small intestine the pH can be as low as 1.5! It has been estimated that 1.5 litres of acid-rich gastric juice is produced hourly by the horse so the animal has to handle a lot of acid.

The only protection the non-glandular area of the stomach has is in terms of salivary mucus and bicarbonate that enters with the food; in contrast, the glandular area produces its own protective substances. Not surprisingly, gastric ulceration occurs mostly in the non-glandular region whose lining may at times be unprotected; imagine the

10 - Equi-Ads - January 2012

effect of strong acid inside your mouth!

For those of you who have ever suffered gastric reflux you will be very familiar with the impact of gastric acid on the unprotected squamous epithelium of your oesophagus (heartburn).

When eating, a 500kg horse can produce between 3 and 5 litres of saliva hourly, the exact quantity depending on the nature of the diet and the intensity of eating. There is also a resting flow of ~120ml/h when not eating but this is insufficient to buffer significant amounts of gastric acid. A naturally fed horse will eat little and often and thus salivary bicarbonate and mucus will keep flowing into the stomach, able to buffer acid production. The consistency of the material entering the stomach will vary according to what is being fed. Grass will result in a semi-liquid whereas a pelleted concentrate will remain fairly dry as there will be little chewing and thus little saliva added. Differences in physical format will affect how easily gastric juices can mix with the incoming material-stomach contractions aid by squeezing and pushing the material around inside the stomach. Once everything is well mixed then pH can stabilize and enzyme activity will optimize and acid production can wane. Unfortunately meal-fed horses that are given large amounts of dry concentrate do not achieve this happy state of affairs so that gastric acid

production is maintained. Fasting is a key factor in the formation of ulcers because gastric acid from the bottom of the bucket can slosh onto the unprotected non-glandular region just above the margo plicata. Meal-fed horses undergo periods of fasting (the inter-meal period) when gastric pH can fall very low (~1.5) when compared to continuously fed horses who have been measured to have a mean gastric pH of 3.

Based on the foregoing it should be clear that the nutrition of horses and the way in which they are fed is critical to the formation of gastric ulcers.

This is not surprising considering that the horse’s physiology has evolved to deal with little and often feeding behaviour. Long inter-meal periods are dangerous because very little protective substances (salivary mucus and bicarbonate) are entering the stomach during these times. However, this can be offset to some degree if salivation can be stimulated by other means during the period when there is limited feed availability. The provision of “licks� in whatever form (blocks/stable toys/ etc) that encourage the horse to lick results in tongue and jaw movements that increase salivation which can be clearly seen when the animal uses the device.

The nature of the feed is important as it affects the liquidity of the material

entering the stomach and in this context, low dry matter feeds such as grass are best. Effective mixing of gastric content is thus achieved. Apart from dry matter content, there are other important characteristics of a feed that can have a preventative activity which may be summarized as the buffering capacity of the feed. The content of calcium, protein and the type of plant fibre all combine to affect feed buffering capacity. Laboratory tests have shown that energy feeds are the lowest, low protein feeds and grass forages are intermediate whereas high protein feeds and legume forages have the highest buffering capacity and are thus most effective in protecting the animal.

Feeding experiments have confirmed this and replacing grass hay with Lucerne hay has been shown to reduce the severity of gastric ulcers.

In conclusion, if your horse has gastric ulcers change it onto legume roughage.

In order to reduce the risk of gastric ulcer formation, feed little and often and, if possible, reduce the dietary dry matter (eg., haylage instead of hay) of the diet and you can of course feed supplementary calcium. If it is impossible to provide continuous access to forage to enable the horse to perform its normal feeding behaviour then you can encourage inter-meal salivation by the provision of licks whilst at the same time giving some occupational therapy.

Feeding

January 2012 - Equi-Ads - 11

Feeding

GastriAid and GastriVet for a ‘Smiley Tummy’…

Latest research is repeatedly highlighting the prevalence of Ulcers in horses, and, that’s not just in racehorses but in your horses. NAF have responded in true market leading fashion with the research and development of GastriAid, a brand new leading edge supplement to maintain your horse’s stomach in healthy, happy condition and support an ulcer free environment.

Home & Away

I may a super-athletebe t I like my home cobu mforts too...’

Without a gastroscope it is difficult to detect ulcers in the stomach. However, there are ways of assessing that your horse might be prone, or showing signs of ulcer formation in his stomach. Horses who are kept stabled for long hours, eat a high grain diet, work hard and regularly travel are fairly high risk, especially if they are of a stressy, highly strung nature. There are also characteristic behaviour patterns that may indicate the possibility of a stomach ulcer. These habits include: box walking, wind sucking, crib biting, a ‘cold back’ or displaying irritability when being girthed up, a poor attitude or unwillingness to work, whilst a dull coat or loose droppings can also be tell tail signs.

New GastriAid is designed to naturally support the absence of ulcers in the stomach by defending the stomach wall from acid build up and help maintain the pH balance in the gut, and thereby, providing daily protection from stress related gastric problems including ulceration. This advanced formulation has been created by world leading veterinary nutritionists.

It contains antacids, pre and pro biotics, together with herbal support to provide daily protection and maintenance of the gut, at an affordable cost per day.

RRP £29.95 for a 30 day supply.

Clinically proven GastriVet hits the market New GastriVet from NAF is launched with the support of published clinical trials. Until now the only choice available to horse owners, following a positive gastroscope result has been that of veterinary prescribed medicine. This is not always a popular option, especially when the horse is a competition horse or when the owner has a reluctance to use chemically based synthetic treatments.

However, as of now, there is another answer…

GastriVet, a totally natural, nutritional formula developed by world leading veterinarians and nutritionists, and, recommended by vets.

GastriVet has been formulated to support the natural anti-inflammatory processes of the gut, soothe and protect the stomach walls from splashing acid, and to balance the pH levels in the gut. RRP: £75.00 for a 30 day supply.

GastriAid and GastriVet are newly launched and available to order from NAF stockists nationwide. For more details about GastriVet and GastriAid and to find out details of your nearest stockist please call the NAF Freephone Advice Line: 0800 373106

Feeding for Sensitive Digestion Lenny’s competit ion travel kit

Horses are trickle feeders, having evolved to graze for up to 18 hours a day. Their natural diet is fibre based, so there should always be a constant flow of fibre moving through for their system to stay healthy. In deepest winter however increased time in the stable coupled with less exercise can leave horses and ponies with disrupted digestion. Long periods stabled without access to grass or alternative fibre sources can lead to a build up of stomach acid and digestive problems that can affect behaviour and performance.

“As a general rule, sticking to a high fibre, low starch and low sugar diet is recommended year round, particularly for horses whose digestion is known to be sensitive,” says Allen & Page Nutritionist Rachel Parrott. “By mimicking the horse’s natural diet and feeding patterns, we can go some way to avoiding many digestive problems.”

Allen & Page’s Fast Fibre is free from barley and molasses making it very low in starch and sugar and suitable for horses and ponies that may have sensitive stomachs. Fast Fibre contains quality fibre sources for energy and healthy digestion and can be fed as a partial or complete hay replacement. Quick soak in just 30–60 seconds, Fast Fibre is palatable and easy to chew for horses and ponies of all ages.

Fast Fibre RRP: £7.50 – £9.30, prices may vary depending on location.

For friendly and helpful advice on feeding a horse with a sensitive stomach or food intolerance, call the Allen & Page nutritional advice line on 01362 822902 or visit www. allenandpage.com

How we feed horses g er competin ... and aftve a Likit Sport a I always hplace lost salts to re

From the moment the horse has selected his food with his lips, the journey begins. From the saliva produced by chewing that helps to lubricate food and neutralise stomach acid, all the way through the large intestine where goodness is extracted from forage… and we all know what happens next!

However, the exact journey the food takes varies depending from what it is- for example, did you know that 1kg of hay is chewed between 3500-4500 times before swallowed, compared to around 850 for the same weight of cereal? How about that the bacteria in the horse’s gut produces volatile fatty acids when digesting starch? What about that whilst hay contains

12 - Equi-Ads - January 2012

1-3% starch, some competition mixes contain up to 40%?

If you think feeding fibre could be beneficial to your horse, but you’re worried he’ll miss out on important vitamins and minerals, all you might need is a high specification balancer like Advance, to help keep him in top condition.

The full article is available from Equimins, just email sales@equimins.com, and ask for a copy of their Bedtime Reading.

For more information see www.equimins.com.

Feeding

January 2012 - Equi-Ads - 13

Feeding

Scientific Advances in how we feed horses Feeding horses is a constantly changing art form, with new scientific advances in raw materials and improvements in the way that the feed is manufactured. Leading feed companies are always looking at ways to improve their products and Blue Chip Feed Limited is known for being one of the first to bring new advances to the equine world. For fifteen years Blue Chip has constantly updated their products to keep ahead of the game using the latest advances in equine nutrition.

Once again, Blue Chip is the first company to bring a revolutionary product to the UK’s horse feed market; Nucleotides. Nucleotides, are the building blocks for RNA and DNA. These are found in the horse’s diet at low levels; however performance horses or those with health issues have a greatly

increased requirement for Nucleotides.

Blue Chip now includes Nucleotides across their entire balancer range.

Nucleotides have many benefits which include: supporting the immune system and facilitating the immune cells and helping to fight viral and bacterial infections. It also increases faster red blood cell replication, which improves oxygen uptake and transport, improves recovery rates and in turn reduces the amount of lactic acid produced, which delays fatigue and improves recovery rates. Nucleotides also help by increasing the length and surface area of the intestinal villi, helping to improve nutrient absorption and overall gut health.

in cases can even double the horse’s ability to digest fibre, meaning they are getting even more goodness from their diet.

By including Nucleotides with the digestive aids already found in Blue Chip feed balancers the beneficial bacteria found in the gut thrive and

The majority of hard feed is ‘bound’ with molasses, but there are many horses that are sensitive to molasses and it has been linked to over-excitability.

Soft ‘n’ Soak Solution Mash Designed for horses requiring a specialist diet Soft ‘n’ Soak Solution Mash is suitable for horses that need a higher calorie diet for conditioning and controlled weight gain whilst being ideal for those that suffer from starch

and sugar intolerance.

With no cereals and a very low starch and sugar content (under 1% total sugar) it is suitable for feeding to horses and ponies that suffer from

Synthetic Vitamin E is often found in horse feed but this has limited availability to the horse, and with scientific advances, natural, fruit derived Vitamin E is now available, this is four to six times more bio available to the horse than the synthetic form. Blue Chip now include natural, fruit derived Vitamin E in all their feed balancers.

Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant and a key part of the cells first line of defence against the damage that free radicals can cause.

Laminitis, Cushings, Insulin Resistance and EPSM. The high fibre content helps to encourage slow rates of digestion throughout the hind gut and it is particularly valuable for horses requiring a diet that is sympathetic on the digestive system.

Forming a soft textured mash once soaked, Solution Mash is extremely palatable for horses that struggle to chew and digest either through old age or injury.

The high levels of oils provide an excellent source of slow release energy whilst helping horses to achieve the required body condition and perfecting a great coat bloom. Super high levels of Vitamin E are also included helping support the immune system

Blue Chip has taken advantage of these new production techniques and now all the feed balancers in their range are molasses and whole cereal free.

By removing the molasses and whole cereal from the balancers the sugar and starch levels have been reduced, which better suits the digestive system of the horse.

In summary with all these advances in scientific technology that Blue Chip has incorporated into their balancers your horse can now thrive and be healthy on a more natural diet.

and maintain healthy antioxidant levels as well as additional Lysine and Methionine for optimal protein balance and protected Bioplex Selenium, Zinc and Copper for improved availability.

Yeasacc 1026 is added for optimum fibre and mineral digestion within the hindgut along with natural herbs garlic, spearmint and fenugreek.

With an advanced vitamin and mineral supplement Solution Mash provides your horse with all the essential nutrients needed for a fully balanced diet, making it ideal for everyday feeding.

For more information contact Rowen Barbary Horse Feeds on 01948 880598 or visit www.rowenbarbary.co.uk

Feed Horslyx from 28p per day!

In this tough economic climate, prices of everything are on the rise, so it is time for us as horse owners to think savvy with our spending without skimping on the welfare of our horse.

Horslyx is a highly nutritious feed lick containing a balance of all the vitamins, minerals and trace elements your horse requires, optimising health and vitality, all in one tub!

Horses have evolved to spend long hours eating forage in a trickle feeding pattern. Forage is natural to the horse and it should be the most important aspect of your horse’s diet. However the modern domestication of horses means they often have reduced time in the field and spend their time grazing in small pastures lacking variation in grasses and nutrients.

Horslyx offer a unique range of licks that all contain high specification vitamin, mineral and trace elements to balance the nutrient deficiencies in cut forage and grazing. Every single product also contains Biotin, Chelated Zinc and Methionine to promote healthy hooves, reducing the need to further supplement 14 - Equi-Ads - January 2012

the diet with extra hoof health boosting additives.

The four formulations available enable horse owners to target nutrition depending on need. Mobility Horslyx contains Glucosamine, MSM and Omega Oils for healthy, supple joints, while Garlic Horslyx provides a simple method of administering the highly beneficial ingredient to provide a host of health benefits all year round and help deter insects in the warmer months.

Respiratory Horslyx contains Menthol, Aniseed and Eucalyptus to help soothe irritated airways, along with a powerful antioxidant package to help maintain healthy respiratory function for all equines, while Original Horslyx provides the perfect all round forage balancer for every equine, including youngstock and horses prone to laminitis (when following recommended feeding guidelines).

Horslyx is extremely cost effective.

For further information tel, (01697) 332 592 or visit www.horslyx.com

Joni Bentley

December 2010 - Equi-Ads - 15

Feeding

Explaining the Winter Spooks It is not uncommon for perfectly well behaved horses to become a little difficult to handle over the winter months. Besides the obvious blusters, bangs and hiding pheasants, there is another more biological reason for this.

Magnesium is needed in the body to regulate muscle, nerve and adrenaline function, several things occur over the winter months that can mean that your horse is not getting enough. The stress of extra stabling and cold weather mean that magnesium requirements are higher during the winter. Feeding more hard feed reduces transit times through the gut so there is less time for magnesium to be absorbed and the extra levels of ions such as potassium and calcium will hinder absorption.

Reduced grazing time and the lower levels of magnesium in grass growing in wet soil mean that less magnesium is being consumed each day. These factors combined often lead to misbehaviour, commonly spooking, tension and a generally less settled demeanour.

Nupafeed MAH® Liquid contains only our exclusive MAH® magnesium compound which has been

pharmaceutically developed to provide unmatched levels of magnesium absorption. This superior level of absorption is crucial to achieving results. Readily available forms of magnesium such as magnesium oxide and magnesium sulphate provide a low rate of absorption which is inadequate to compensate for modern feeding and the stresses experienced by the domesticated horse.

Nupafeed MAH® contains absolutely no sedative calming agents. It has been specifically developed to address the underlying cause of most stress related problems, keeping your horse healthy and relaxed by allowing the body to function normally.

Available as Liquid and Concentrated Syringes, Nupafeed MAH® can be adjusted to suit any requirement. Please call us for information and honest advice as to whether Nupafeed MAH® can help your horse and how best to feed it.

For more information or to order: Tel: 01438 861 900 Email: info@nupafeed.net www.nupafeed.co.uk

Need Help With Condition This Winter?

TopSpec Comprehensive Feed Balancer TopSpec Comprehensive Feed Balancer promotes muscle development and topline. It contains a broad-spectrum supplement and many specialised supplements including a hoof supplement, antioxidants and digestive aids. It is designed to balance the rations of most horses and ponies, whatever their workload, simply by adjusting the rate at which it is fed and the products it is fed with. £36.95.

TopSpec CoolCondition Cubes TopSpec CoolCondition Cubes combine the brilliant properties of being seriously cool and seriously conditioning. They are formulated without the use of any cereal-grains at all, so they are not just ‘oat-free’ or ‘barley-free’ but completely cereal-grain free. At the same time they have a good conditioning index of 12.5MJ/kg, equivalent to most cerealcontaining conditioning compound feeds. The formula is very low in starch and sugar and high in fibre. The calories in TopSpec CoolCondition Cubes work equally well as a source of nonheating energy for maintenance, for performance or for gaining condition.

16 - Equi-Ads - January 2012

These calories are balanced for protein with high-oil soya and linseed, and with available sources of calcium, magnesium and salt added. £11.50 TopSpec Super Conditioning Flakes TopSpec Super Conditioning Flakes are exceptionally conditioning and represent a breakthrough in equine nutrition. The cooked muesli is 25% more conditioning than traditional conditioning mixes and cubes with a conditioning index of 16MJ/kg.

TopSpec Super Conditioning Flakes improve condition, provide balanced calories and protein for performance, provide a balance of fast-releasing energy with oil for stamina and reduce the weight of current hard feed intake without reducing performance or condition. £14.95 Tel 01845 565030 www.topspec.com

Feeding - Health Care

January 2012 - Equi-Ads - 17

Feeding

It’s not what we feed but how The feeding of horses has become a combination of art and science. The science involves knowledge of the digestive and metabolic processes and each horse’s nutrient requirements.

The art is less complex but yet has a huge impact on the horse’s wellbeing.

It is important that we give serious thought to how we treat them when stabled.

to as ‘trickle feeders.’ It is important that we encourage trickle feeding and that forage is available at all times as this not only helps to keep the digestive system functioning correctly but also helps to ensure that our equines do not become bored. We all know how very unhappy a bored horse can be and how this boredom can lead to stable vices being developed.

“Feed as nature intended “ is a well used slogan and rightfully so. The art of feeding is based on the natural feeding position. A huge amount of money has been spent in all disciplines, trying to improve performance by fine-tuning diet and supplements. Sometimes we miss the obvious. We are all creatures of habit and once into a routine we are very loathed to alter our ways. Do we ever stop to think not what we feed but how we feed it? It is essential that we do because it effects our horses in so many different ways.

It is essential that we stop to think how we feed the stabled horse. Tradition has dictated racks normally to be filled from overhead hay barns. Then we moved to nets, cheaper, very practical when travelling and very versatile, but did we stop to think what we were doing raising our horse’s heads from the floor to feed?

Horses are fundamentally non ruminant herbivores which means that they are suited to eating high fibre diets. As the horse evolved he lived on fibre from the vegetation. Horses do not ruminate.

They naturally take in small amounts from each site when grazing and then move on, hence they are often referred

The feeding position has a huge impact on a horse’s jaw and teeth.

When the head is raised the jaw goes out of alignment and this unnatural feeding position can lead to dental abnormalities. This increases the chances of developing lateral and medial hooks and speeds up the injestion. Uneven biting and chewing surfaces make it difficult for the horse to fully utilise his feed and get the nutrition it needs for optimum health and performance. The horse’s jaw is

designed for eating while the head is down towards the ground. Feeding hay from haynets and hayracks has been suggested to increase the risk of developing cranial and caudal hooks on the dental arcade.

Any horse that is not comfortable in his mouth soon develops bitting problems and these can be exceedingly difficult to solve. A horse that is unhappy in his mouth can be a major problem. Once a horse becomes bit shy it can be difficult to get his confidence back.

Quidding is often evident when there are dental problems. If these problems are not treated a quidding horse will suffer progressive weight loss and then their general health may be affected. It is essential that we do not neglect their dental health.

Feeding position also has an impact on the digestive system. Horses that feed from the floor take their food more slowly and hence do not bolt it and as a result are far less likely to choke or colic. Bolting food and poor chewing can result in food being swallowed as a large mass that becomes lodged in the oesophagus causing considerable pain as it is slowly forced down into the stomach. The horse is unable to bring food back up and a choke is very distressing and the symptoms can be similar to the onset of colic. It is essential to try to discourage horses from bolting their food as this so easily leads to choke and in severe cases even to colic.

The vetenerians are very pro natural feeding as this position helps to ensure that the sinus drain down and it is also an aid to drainage of the respiratory tract. It is widely recognised that feeding from the floor helps horses that suffer from C.O.P.D. as it encourages drainage of the airways.

Most studs advocate the natural feeding policy. A large number of foals are

18 - Equi-Ads - January 2012

born with far from normal limbs and feeding naturally can help to correct many of these problems, it also helps in the correct development of limb and muscle.

A horse should eat the way the body was designed with the back and neck stretched through it’s topline to a low level and the teeth and jaw working in a natural position. Encouraging the horse to stretch the back and neck muscles helps to ensure that the correct muscles are developed and maintained. Horses that eat from the wall often develop unsightly throat and under neck muscles. The advice we receive from our back experts and our physiotherapists is invariably to encourage our horses to feed from the floor and stretch the back and neck through the topline.

It does not matter what equine discipline you are in we all like our horses to develop a good top line and the natural position helps to make this possible. To get a horse to work in the correct outline is far from easy if the under neck muscles are over developed. It is essential that the top line is well developed.

The list of reasons for feeding the horse from the floor are endless – the reasons for feeding from the wall are purely ones of convenience. The stabled horse deserves to be fed from the floor if only to try to emulate his natural environment for a confined space in a stable is far from normal for them.

Foraging from the floor encourages them to take more time over their food and helps to ensure that they do not become bored. A stabled horse spends many hours in a confined space.

Perhaps it is time we all gave serious thought to not what we feed but how.

Raylia C. Dugmore.

Park Feeders Ltd. ( Hay Bar.)

Feeding - Health Care

January 2012 - Equi-Ads - 19

Feeding

Bailey Returns To Condition - Thanks To Mollichaff!

Bailey, an eight-year-old, 16.3hh Thoroughbred, always struggled to maintain his weight and condition.

His owner, Joanne Smales, tried everything to help Bailey’s condition, from altering his diet and exercise programme, to changing the type of rugs he wore. Some things helped a little but the results were never long lasting.

Before

Said Joanne: “After being clipped in the winter of 2009, his hair didn’t grow back and he still looked as though he had just been clipped by April last year.

He also hadn’t gained any weight. He didn’t seem his usual self to ride and felt like he was becoming weaker. He struggled with any sort of schooling so I was hacking him out as much as possible to try and strengthen him up. The vet took blood tests, x-rays

and used all sorts of other diagnostic techniques but couldn’t find anything.”

Then one day, Joanne went to bring Bailey in and he seemed extremely ill. He kept getting down to roll, then standing up and galloping across the field and then getting down again.

Whilst doing this his back legs kept collapsing underneath him and so she called the vet out immediately. The vet, slightly baffled by Bailey’s behaviour, realised the horse was obviously in great pain. After two attacks of colic later in the day, Bailey was taken to the veterinary hospital for 24 hour care and tests to find out what the problem was. An endoscopy revealed that he had stomach ulcers – a condition that can be very serious for horses and often remain undetected.

Bailey was put on strong medication to treat the ulcers and his diet had to be radically reviewed. He needed to be on a high fibre, low starch diet but Joanne also had to make sure he was getting enough in order to gain weight.

He was fed ad-lib high quality forage, lived out at grass and was fed on what seemed to be a suitable diet. Any sort of stressful situations such as travelling were avoided, as these can inflame ulcers further. He looked really well for

the whole summer and Joanne was able to build his work up and progress his schooling to help him gain muscle tone. He went into the winter in good condition but by Christmas he began to lose weight again, although not as dramatically as previously.

By the time spring came along this year, Bailey once again looked in poor condition but was still enthusiastic in his work and always tried hard to please. Joanne feared that his stomach ulcers may have returned. Before going down the route of having another endoscopy and more medication, she decided to re-assess his diet once more, feeling there could still be a more beneficial feed to help him.

Said Joanne: “I tried Mollichaff Condition and have never looked back.

It is exactly the product Bailey needs – a high fibre, low starch diet with the advantage of everything being in one bag! It contains all the vitamins and minerals Bailey requires so I no longer need to buy an expensive balancer or supplements. It contains a variety of fibre sources which ensure the feed is highly digestible and suitable for his condition, and the soya oil keeps his skin and coat looking in show condition all the time! The added benefit of Yea-sacc® and a prebiotic make this a very valuable product. These ingredients help to maintain a healthy digestive system by providing a stable environment in the horse’s hind gut. I now only need to buy one bag of feed and only have one storage container in my feed room which is extremely convenient and it also saves me a lot of money too. Bailey gets 3kg of Mollichaff Condition per day and he absolutely loves it. I don’t give him anything else, just ad-lib high quality forage and he looks and feels better than ever!”

For further information and advice, please ring the HorseHage Helpline on 01803 527257 or visit www.horsehage. co.uk

After

New TopSpec Performance Cubes NEW TopSpec Performance Cubes provide energy for work but are ‘NonHeating’ and are ideal for horses that are a bit sharp or get fizzy on cerealbased competition mixes or cubes.

They are designed to be added to a TopSpec feed balancer or supplement and therefore contain no added vitamins or trace-elements, but do include the major minerals calcium, sodium and magnesium.

TopSpec Performance Cubes are formulated without the use of any cereal-grains, so they are not just ‘oat-free’ or ‘barley-free’ but completely cereal-grain free.

At the same time they have a good calorific index of 12.5MJ/kg, and are low in starch and sugar, but high in fibre.

20 - Equi-Ads - January 2012

TopSpec Performance Cubes are balanced for protein with high-oil soya and linseed, and with available sources of calcium, magnesium and salt added.

The highly digestible fibre in the cubes helps to promote the beneficial bacteria in the hindgut therefore helping to maintain a healthy digestive system.

They are an excellent choice when relaxed and focused performance is required and are perfect for horses and ponies requiring a low-starch/high-fibre diet. £11.75 - 20kg For further information please contact the Multiple Award-Winning Helpline on 01845 565030 or visit www.topspec.com

Feeding

January 2012 - Equi-Ads - 21

Feeding - Health Care - Physiotherapy

22 - Equi-Ads - January 2012

Bedding - Health Care

Animal Rights, Goodwill to all men or a Compensation Culture?

Ben Sturgeon, BSc, BVM&S, Cert EP, MRCVS I hate introducing religion into our monthly mag, especially when it’s Christmas. But consider the Twentythird Psalm and the depiction of the shepherd: “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures, he leadeth me to still waters, he restoreth my soul.”

I have written this year on disease and injury, moral challenges, ethical issues, and even the big bad bully - money. But at the crux of it all is this - what do we want of and for our horses? Do they have “rights”, akin to humans have rights. Or is it simpler to say that they do not have rights but they do have “welfare”, placed under the singular responsibility of the owner or keeper.

Asking someone whether an animal has “rights” or whether it has “welfare” will almost certainly result in the affirmative former. This widespread belief in rights has emerged due to changes in animal, not just horse, use in the Twentieth century. For most of human history, the overwhelming use of animals in society was for agriculture - food, fibre, travel and locomotion, and power. Importantly the key to successful agriculture was symbiotic in respecting an animal’s nature, or putting them in environments for which they were biologically suited and enhancing their innate ability for survival with protection from predation, injury and with the provision of food, water and/or medical attention as required. This approach was called husbandry (from the Old Norse phrase for “bonded to the household”). To return to our Christmas religion (Godforbid), in the Twenty-third Psalm, we want no more from God than the shepherd provides for his sheep (grass, water, peace)!

This is our “contract” - we will take care of our animals and they will take care of us. For centuries this simple unspoken rule provided the stimulus for proper animal care (with or without medical treatment), in other words the self-interest of “you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours.”

Increasingly this ancient contract is being broken as we put animals into environments and circumstances which doesn’t necessarily harm their “productivity” but does harm their well being. Because of vaccines, antibiotics, surgery, hormone replacements, and dietary manipulation for example, we can now suppress their disadvantages

with technological fixes. But with no apparent or arguable compensatory benefit to the animal. These are the diseases of domestication, the diseases of racing, the diseases of breeding, of showing, of dressage, of equitation.

Done in the name of singular selfinterest.

Obesity, metabolic syndrome and laminitis: lush pastures, reliance on commercial diets, under exercise.

Inflammatory airway disease, COPD: increased stabling times, poor quality stable hygiene. Cannon and pelvic fractures, torn tendons, suspensory desmitis: over or inappropriate exercise on a developing skeleton or muscular system. OCD, developmental orthopaedic disease, Wobblers: in-breeding, overfeeding, underexercise . Arguably, gastric ulceration (stress, diet), navicular syndrome (in breeding, poor hoof care), stereotypies (wind sucking, box walking, weaving, crib biting - stress, stabling etc etc), rotavirus, parasitic disease (both intensification), laryngeal hemiplegia (breeding specification), motor neurone disease (competition protocols) to name only a few of the most obvious.

I am not arguing that our horses be returned to the wild but only that our age old contract is not forgotten. As the proper treatment of our horses is no longer natural and integral to our use we do not and should not forget that legal protections or rights of animals for the sake of profit, productivity, and self-enjoyment are not ignored in the face of technological-based husbandry and veterinary expediency.

Christmas is often a time of remembrance all too much hijacked by advertising and rank commercialism.

This will not change but we should evolve with it, without being led by it. Our relationship with our horses has and is changed, not always for the better and because of this we must cease in our denial that our animals have rights and embolden ourselves in the process. Thank you for listening, and a Happy New Year. Here endeth the first lesson.

January 2012 - Equi-Ads - 23

Health Care - Schooling - Worming

Schooling Exercises The purpose of this series is to provide simple “aide memoirs” for people who often ride alone, and to explain the benefits of correctly executing common school movements and exercises. There are many brilliant articles in this magazine every month which are full of information on how to ride classically – this series is designed to be useful to those proponents of classical riding who perhaps get to the arena and then run out of things to do!

Exercise 1: the 20m circle • Symmetry in organic structures indicates health, and in art, beauty. A 20m circle may seem like a very simple movement, but ridden correctly in both directions, it promotes a supple and athletic horse.

Always in one direction the horse will be stiffer, but by paying careful attention to the actual shape you guide him on, you will help develop his ability to stretch both sides of his body equally. On a circle the horse should have a uniform bend throughout his body in the direction of travel and a slight flexion at the poll to the inside. His inside hind leg should step forwards towards the footprint of the inside front foot.

• Accuracy is key in riding a circle correctly. Look at the diagram to the left. You will see 4 “tangent points” marked in red on each circle. The aim is to guide the horse in a smooth curve from one point to the next. Do not pull him around by the reins – use your legs to guide his body and always look ahead to the next point.

24 - Equi-Ads - January 2012

Rowan Tweddle BHSII (SM) B.Sc Hons, Senior Coach, The Gleneagles Equestrian School

• Start at A. Note that the next point you need to be on the track at is not the quarter marker, (6m from corner) but the “tangent point” which is 10m in from the corner. Perhaps go out on foot first and put a stone or ribbon on the fence post at this point.

Slightly cut the corner and be on the track for just 1 or 2 strides at the tangent point. Now leave the track and ride in a smooth curve to X. Then again ride in a curve to the next tangent point, again you must only be on the track for 1 or 2 steps. If you follow the fence further, you are riding a straight line, not a curve! Another curve to A and your have ridden a circle!

• This circle should be ridden on both reins and can be ridden in all three paces. To advance the exercise, progress to a figure 8 by linking two 20m circles at A and C with a change of direction through X. If you are riding it in canter you will need to change leads through either trot or walk over X. • The dashed lines on the diagram show how people commonly, and inaccurately, ride 20m circles. Riding the circles accurately will promote suppleness in your horse. (Plus your dressage scores will improve!) Check that the rhythm of whatever pace you are in remains even around the circles, and try to achieve the same results in both directions. Remember most horses will fall in in one direction and out in the other – this is normal and in riding the circles exactly and accurately you will strengthen your horse.

X

Bedding - Mud Fever

Effective Treatment for Winter Ailments Along with winter comes the endless list of ailments that horses are more susceptible to during the cold, wet and muddy weather. Mud Fever, Rain Scald, Thrush and Hoof Abscesses are just some of the problems that will need immediate attention should they occur.

Robinson Animal Healthcare have a range of high quality products available to help prevent and to treat Mud Fever and Rain Scald. Activ Wash®, Veterinary Gamgee®, Animalintex® and Equiwrap® are all suitable.

Also available from Robinson Animal Healthcare, Animalintex® Hoof Treatment is ideal for the treatment of Hoof Abscesses and Thrush when advised by a vet. Suitable for the rapid treatment of foot conditions it is the only veterinary licensed poultice on the market for equine treatment. Highly absorbent, it is extremely versatile and can be applied either as a wet, hot or cold poultice, or as a dry dressing.

For more information contact Robinson Animal Healthcare on 01909 735000 or visit www.robinsonhealthcare.com

January 2012 - Equi-Ads - 25

Mud Fever

Mud Fever and Rain Scald Rain scald and mud fever are common conditions affecting horses and other equines during the wetter months of the year. These conditions are caused by the bacteria Dermatophilus congolensis.

The term ‘rain scald’ is commonly used as it is horses that have a persistently wetted hair-coat that develop the condition. Areas of the body affected include the face, limbs and other water run-off areas such as the chest, back and rump. The constant damp environment at the skin surface allows Dermatophilus to thrive and quickly an overgrowth of the bacteria occurs. The skin becomes weakened and softened with this persistent moisture and the bacterial overgrowth quickly becomes established causing a localised inflammatory response and a resulting exudative dermatitis. Areas affected form pustules and ooze serum which forms a crust within the hair-coat often resulting in a wooden or cardboard

feel to affected areas. When these crusted areas are removed they can appear tassel-like and are typically named ‘paintbrush lesions’. There is often a cheesy green material (‘pus’) present underneath which is formed from an accumulation of the bacteria and dead and dying skin cells. The underlying skin is often pink and can be shiny due to loss of hair from affected follicles. Rain scald tends not to be itchy, but can be painful and often gets secondarily infected with staph or strep species which complicates the condition. With mud-fever of the limbs lesions present the same as for rain scald, but commonly affect the pastern area initially. If severely affected then generalised swelling (oedema) and lymphangitis may also result. This will also cause a variable degree of lameness in the horse.

Certain breeds of horses (e.g. Arab, TB) are more susceptible to infection due to the limited presence of guard hairs

Holly Davidson BVM&S, MRCVS

on the hair-coat acting as a showerproof barrier. Horses suffering from underlying disease such as Cushing’s or malnourishment are also at an increased risk as are horses with areas of pink skin. However, every horse has the potential to develop this disease under the conditions mentioned above.

Horses with heavy feathering may be at increased risk of developing mud-fever.

This is because the heavy feather promotes a warm moist environment to the lower limb – perfect conditions for Dermatophilus to thrive.

Certain conditions both of the horse and its environment also act as contributing factors to Dermatophilus infection.

Exercise in wet, deep, sand schools or on long grass can traumatise the skin or the lower limbs and make them more at-risk of infection. Related to this, brushing the limbs whilst still wet will also traumatise the skin similarly.

Constant turnout in wet, boggy fields causes persistent moisture to be present at the skin surface, especially if boots are used. Fencing off these areas or providing an area of concrete for hard-standing will prove helpful.

Ectoparasite infection of the limbs (generally Chorioptes the feather mite) will also exacerbate problems, so this must also be treated.

Diagnosis of infection is based primarily on the clinical signs previously discussed. If clinical signs are not distinct enough to make a clear diagnosis or for confirmation, your Vet may take a swab of the ‘pus’ from affected lesions, or may take a portion of the lesion to examine more closely under the microscope. These tests will confirm if Dermatophilus is involved

and also whether there is another problem bacteria present which could be complicating the condition.

Prevention of this condition is aimed at targeting the skin environment that allows for this bacterial overgrowth.

This generally means keeping horses as dry as possible, either with stabling during wet weather or by using effective weatherproof rugs. Not rugging-up an already wet horse and avoiding using wet-through rugs will also maintain a healthier, drier skin environment.

Limbs can be protected using an effective barrier cream prior to turnout/ wet weather conditions. Horses prone to mud-fever may benefit from clipping the affected area so that the underlying skin may be more easily managed.

Treatment of affected horses involves the measures mentioned above – most importantly stabling. Scabs can be softened by soaking with mild chlorhexidine solution, but occasionally horses will begin to resent this and the continued soaking of affected areas if done improperly is not ideal.

Sedation may prove necessary in some horses to do a thorough job. In some circumstances, horses may also require topical and or systemic therapies.

Systemic antibiotics are necessary in severe cases where there is a secondary infection of the skin or where very large areas are affected. Your vet may prescribe a course of in-feed antibiotic medication or, if very severely affected, antibiotics in injectable form. Topical emollient creams and on occasion topical antibacterial creams are also indicated in many cases.

Emollient creams maintain a healthy level of moisture at the affected area and will assist in the softening (and thus removing) of crusted, scabby areas – an essential part of treatment.

Many commercially available products contain oil or a wax based substance designed to stop moisture getting to the skin surface. In theory these should act as very effective barrier preparations.

Unfortunately in some cases, it can be very difficult to thoroughly dry the skin so these actually act to trap moisture (and bacteria) at the skin surface which exacerbates the problem. Another important part of treatment is antiinflammatory medication which will make the horse more comfortable and is crucial in badly-affected horses.

Essentially prevention is the key to these conditions, as once established they may prove difficult to treat.

Thinking about your field and stable management regime prior to the muddy, wet weather occurring should identify potential problems early and make them easier to manage.

Holly Davidson BVM&S MRCVS works for Peter Fenton Equine Veterinary Practice, having qualified from The University of Edinburgh in 2009.

26 - Equi-Ads - January 2012

Mud Fever

Prevent those muddy issues naturally with Ruggle-it!

Does your paddock get increasingly muddy during the winter months? Are you worried that your horse will develop those horrible winter skin problems?

midges, minor wounds, scabs, crusty lumps, fungus, hot skin and even head lice. So it’s a very useful product to have around the yard all year round too!

Many winter skin issues happen because skin cannot escape the relentless damp which gives bacteria and fungi a foothold to live and breed whether on the legs or on the back.

It is extremely gentle and does not contain any harsh ingredients such as Parabens, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or Tea Tree that research indicates can cause other skin irritations, and it can be used on many different animals and even humans!

Ruggle-it is a 100% natural vegetable oil blend and hypoallergenic shampoo that can help with an incredible 18 common issues including those horrible mud-related issues, plus mane and tail rubbing, summer itching, mites, flies and

Said Louise Harmer, of Eastbourne: “It’s the first time my horse, Leo, has been free from mud issues and my other horse is doing really well. I’ve been able to let

his feathers grow - he used to have severe feather mites. I am extremely pleased.”

For an impressively long list of testimonials and

more information on the Ruggles & Stopitall Ltd range including probiotics and arthritis products, visit www. karenruggles.co.uk or call 01823 259952

Camrosa keeps skin and hooves healthy Horses often have to stand out in heavy rain and as winter approaches this can poach the ground, particularly in gateways, around water troughs and where feed is put out for them.

Wet muddy conditions can affect the hooves, and the legs, which may become sore and cracked with hair loss. White legs are particularly susceptible and this very persistent problem can be extremely difficult to deal with. This problem is not just confined to the legs. The backs, bellies and faces of susceptible horses that are left out in continual rain without rugs or where the rug leaks may also be affected.

The inflammation of the skin and the appearance of crusty scabs, formed from oozing serum, is caused by the bacterium called dermatophilus congolensis which penetrates the skin through exposure to wet and muddy conditions.

Camrosa Ointment is an effective water repellent barrier against wet, mud and pollutants and protects the skin,

Before

promoting the natural healing process of the skin, whilst soothing cracked and sore skin as well as softening and lifting fixed scabbing. It maintains healthy skin providing the optimum conditions for hair regrowth where the coat has been lost.

It acts as a barrier protecting the heels from the mud and wet and stops them from becoming spongy.

is an effective water repellent barrier.

It immediately soothed the irritation, removed the discomfort and promoted the natural healing process. After 3 days all the scabbing had softened and lifted and after 10 days the deep cracks had healed (photograph 2). Since then Camrosa Ointment has been used as a barrier on the legs against winter wet

and mud. As there are no scabs or cracks the ointment only needs to be used once or twice a week depending on the conditions.

Further information is available from Camrosa Equestrian Ltd. Tel: 01892 783240 or their website: www.camrosa.co.uk.

Most of the moisture your horse’s hooves need come from within the hoof itself and is provided by a healthy diet.

Constant contact with wet and muddy conditions will promote rapid drying of the hooves which can cause them to start cracking and chipping. Camrosa Ointment is excellent for hooves as it maintains the natural moisture in the hoof and massaged into the coronet it promotes healthy horn growth.

Prolonged standing in the rain and having to go in and out through a muddy gateway caused this pony to have thick scabs and deep, open cracks in his heels (photograph 1).

Camrosa was applied twice daily as it

After

January 2012 - Equi-Ads - 27

Healthcare - Veterinary

28 - Equi-Ads - January 2012

Mud Fever

Beat the mud Mud Block Supplement Mud Block Supplement contains high specification ingredients, to help nourish the skin from the inside out.

It contains minerals, essential oils, dried herbs and roots, all selected for their positive properties when it comes to helping to improve skin integrity in wet and muddy conditions.

Mud Block Supplement is available in 600g, 1.2kg and 2.8kg tubs. Prices start from £16.50. This product works well with creams and lotions such as Mud Block Cream and Mud Slide Lotion.

Mud Block Cream Mud Block Cream contains a powerful bactericide to help protect against infection from the bacteria in the mud.

required) before turnout, and washed off each night, ready for reapplication the next morning.

Mud Block Cream is available in 500g and 1kg tubs. Prices start from £7.45.

Mud Block Lotion Mud Block Lotion has a different consistency to Mud Block Cream, but it also contains silver ions.

The silver ions, which are positively charged silver particles, kill around 99.9% of germs; and the lotion means that it’s easy to apply and rub in, even to horses that have extensive feathering on the lower legs.

Mud Block Lotion is available in 500ml bottles, which retail at £10.70.

Mud Slide Lotion

In addition to this powerful antimicrobial agent, Mud Block Cream also contains Aloe Vera, Zinc and Castor Oil to help the healing process of the skin.

Mud Block Cream should be applied to the lower legs (and any other area

Mud Slide Lotion combines two traditional ingredients to help skin during the winter, Pig Oil and Flowers of Sulphur.

barrier, helping to protect the horse’s legs from mud and wet, whilst Flowers of Sulphur is a very effective antimicrobial agent.

Mud Slide Lotion is available in 500ml and 1 litre bottles. Prices start from £4.40.

Winter Leg Scrub Winter Leg Scrub is a concentrated bactericidal and fungicidal wash, designed to wash mud off a horse’s leg at the end of a day in the field.

The product should be diluted before use and sponged on to the legs to remove the mud. It shouldn’t be rinsed off.

Winter Leg Scrub is available in 500ml (25 applications) and 1 litre (50 applications) bottles. Prices start from £4.40.

For more information see www. equimins.com, email sales@equimins.com or call 01548 531770.

The Pig Oil acts as a very effective

January 2012 - Equi-Ads - 29

Health Care - Horse Behaviour

WHAT, WHY, HOW AND WHEN continued Part 14 in a series by SUSAN McBANE discussing equestrian principles from the viewpoint of equine psychology and behaviour IN this mini-series within a series, we finally come to the bending exercises which will strengthen, stretch, supple and lighten your horse if performed properly and regularly. Like any fitness or physical improvement programme, the horse has to be progressed gradually. As always, start with very basic movements and build up as your horse strengthens.

So long as you are sure that you are sitting correctly – balanced, controlled and passive except when giving aids, with your seat, hands and legs positioned appropriately for the movement you want - the way to tell if you are asking too much of your horse at his present level of strength, ability and understanding is if he starts having trouble performing an exercise. For instance, if he can circle easily and well at 20m but struggles at 15m, he’s not ready for it.

There is still disagreement among eminent experts as to whether or not a horse’s spine, from his withers to

the root of his tail, can or cannot bend laterally. Some people feel that horses can give the impression of bending their bodies by carrying their inside shoulders a little back, their inside hips a little forward, and their bellies a little to the outside.

I have studied both viewpoints with no satisfactory conclusion, and content myself with looking to see if a horse’s hind feet are following the tracks of his forefeet (unless he has some physical issue which prevents this or makes it uncomfortable for him). Young, green or weak horses may not do this and overweight and very short-backed horses can have difficulty with bending exercises but there is no reason not to try carefully.

With that in mind, here are some tips to help you in practice: 1. Think of curves as parts of a circle.

Imagine a railway track on the ground on the line you wish to ride, which should help you to keep curves regular,

smooth and accurate. Potatoes, tomatoes and eggs are banned!

2. Look ahead around your corner or circle, at least a quarter of the way. This helps you envisage your destination. A more esoteric reason is that the picture in your mind of your intention may be transmitted to your horse’s mind. (More on this another time.)

3. Don’t lean towards your direction: generally, try to sit upright and centrally.

4. Where you put your weight and where you look your horse will almost always go unless you are giving him other aids to the contrary.

Classically-trained horses can turn almost entirely from the rider’s seat and weight, possibly backed up by indirect turn aids on the sides of the withers, such as doing as little as touching with a fingertip on the left side of the withers to turn right, and vice versa, and gently vibrating the inside rein, whether looped or in contact.

your inside rein, just so that you can see the corner of his eye and the side of his nostril. Before too long, he will assume bend himself.

It is simpler for the horse if you do not actively use your legs for directing the forehand, only the reins at first and later your weight. The popular idea of pressing your inside leg against his side just behind the girth to ask him to bend round it can confuse the horse, but the leg can be held still and passively in that position. If your horse carries his quarters out (a friend on the ground is useful here), your passive outside leg placed back and just touching his flank will discourage him from doing this.

Flexion versus bend Lateral bend, like longitudinal bend, is one of those qualities which develop AS A RESULT OF correct work. Many people are far too quick to put their horses into an outline, maybe not understanding that this does not develop the correct musculature as the horse is usually working against his discomfort.

His attitude and behaviour are also adversely affected because of this.

Use these turn techniques for riding all curves in walk and trot. In canter, as explained in earlier articles, the inside seatbone is held slightly forward all the time whether on straight or curved lines, so that your seatbones accord with his back position. To move a cantering horse on to a curved line, simply weight your inside seatbone a little and use your rein aids.

The basic exercises

Horses direct where they are going with the forehand and forelegs. When riding a curved line, think of putting the withers along the line and visualise your evenly-weighted seatbones on either side of the line. Look ahead around the curve you wish to follow. Do not pull the horse round it with your inside rein.

To get on to a curved line from a straight one, put your inside seatbone slightly forward and perhaps weight it a little, then press your outside rein sideways against the neck near the withers, or on the side of the withers.

This is an ‘indirect rein turn’ and horses learn it very quickly. It keeps them better balanced and more relaxed, making the turn with the forelegs and shoulders easier for them. If necessary, you can press and gently vibrate your knuckles there. Once on the curve, ask your horse for a little inside flexion with 30 - Equi-Ads - January 2012

I am assuming you have access to a 20m x 40m school with markers. The exercises comprise: loops, shallow at first; large curves forming half an oval shape; 20m circles or larger to start with; shallow corners initially; 20m-loop serpentines at first; forehand turns leading to turns on the haunches and walk and canter part-pirouettes; shoulder-in and shoulder-out; and, when you are both ready, travers, renvers and half-pass, all ultimately in walk, trot and canter.

Shallow loops are best started on a long side of your school, at first just bringing your horse on to the inside track from the outside track. If on the right rein, start your curve at, say, K and ask for right flexion. Two or three strides before cont. on p.32

Health Care - Worming

January 2012 - Equi-Ads - 31

Horse Behaviour cont. from p.28

E, release right flexion, then assume left flexion after E, straightening again when you reach the outside track at H. Do loops to the quarter line as the horse improves. Make sure your loops are curved lines, not straight ones.

Oval curves start from A or C, touching the outside track at E or B, and ending at C or A. These are gentle but you have to follow the curve, in flexion, or he will go straight. Do not complete a full oval on a green horse as the turns at the ends of the arena may be too tight.

Circles: do 20m circles after he shows he can do half-ovals. Circles at the ends of the arena are easier than circles in the middle as the horse has the fence on three sides to help him. Do visualise your railway track as good circles are not easy. Be happy with half a circle or less at first. Most horses are drawn to the fence for psychological support, so watch for this.

Serpentines: Initially, do 2-loop serpentines in walk, with the ends curved as part of a 20m circle, and riding straight, across the school, before your change of rein (and flexion) on to the next curve. As the horse strengthens and becomes more supple, you can do 3-loop and then 4-loop serpentines.

An accurate 4-loop serpentine in trot

is quite an achievement, one in canter, with simple changes quite demanding and 4-loop canter serpentines with flying changes on the straight line to change rein are obviously advanced.

Forehand turns: These are not turns on/about the forehand but turns of the forehand using shallow angles from one straight line to another. These really get your horse’s weight back and lighten him up. Walk anywhere along a straight line, then picture in your mind a fairly wide, obtuse angle on the ground as your line. Put your inside seatbone forward a little and, using your indirect rein aid to turn backed up with a feel on the inside rein, ‘push’ the forehand around the quarters for a step or two to trace the angle, then proceed on your new straight line. (Use this technique for the school corners, too.) Keep your legs passive but, if necessary, hold your outside leg back a little to discourage your horse from swinging his quarters out in the opposite direction to his forehand, a natural and easy way for horses to turn.

The horse has to lighten and lift his forehand to bring it round his hindquarters. If the quarters swing in the opposite direction this will not be achieved. These turns can be done in trot and canter as well, and developed up to right-angled turns as the horse becomes stronger and lighter. From

forehand turns you can develop turns on the haunches/quarters and pirouettes.

Shoulder-fore and shoulder-in: Shoulder-in is the classic lateral schooling movement and an excellent foundation exercise for all the others.

There is much disagreement (what’s new?) about how they should be done but this is how Desi Lorent (referred to several times in this series) taught me to do them. They involve flexion, bend, lightening of the forehand and improve balance, agility, suppleness and a cooperative horse.

The hooves in a straight-line walk form two tracks. In shoulder-fore, the fore-runner of shoulder-in, the forehand comes in off the track by one hoof’s width, so that there are four closely placed tracks. On the right rein, the tracks from left to right will be formed by the left hind nearest the fence, the left fore, the right hind and the right fore. So the track of the left fore is between the two hind tracks and that of the right fore nearest the middle of the school.

To do this, walk along the outside track on a long side on the right rein in what I call working walk (shorter strides and more ‘together’ than the natural walk, hindlegs actively working and a light but ‘there’ contact), and in the approaching corner use your indirect rein turn and perform a 10m circle, or smaller if your horse can do it easily. Have your horse in right flexion following the line of the circle. When he is learning this movement, have your inside (right) seatbone forward during the circle.

As you complete your circle, go round the corner on to the short side, keeping right flexion, and pretend you are going to do another circle so that the forefeet and shoulders just move in off the track slightly (one hoof’s width).

Now, ‘swap’ your seatbones – bring your inside, right, seatbone back and put your outside, left, seatbone well forward (pointing up the track), weight it by stepping down into your left stirrup (keep your torso upright) and look up the short side. The horse remains in right flexion and walks in shoulder-fore up the outside track of the short side.

You will need to keep your indirect rein turn aid on to keep the shoulders in off the track: this is shoulder in (or fore), not just head and neck in. Be delighted with only a couple of steps and reward him as he does them by saying ‘good boy’. Then ride off on to a right circle by putting your right seatbone forward again, and praising and stroking him.

Turning off on to a circle rather than straightening on to the track is less confusing for the horse when he is learning and it maintains the right

32 - Equi-Ads - January 2012

flexion/bend for a short while. Progress to shoulder-in, in which three tracks are formed as the left fore and right hind land on the same track. Do this exercise on the left rein, too, and progress to more steps and to trot and canter as the horse is able.

Shoulder-out is the same movement but more difficult as the horse does not have the same support from the fence.

Instead of the horse being bent towards the middle of the school he is bent towards the fence. In both movements, the horse looks away from the direction of travel.

Walk on, say, the left rein down a long side, and at the end in the corner do a demi-volte (an 8m half circle) in left flexion with your left seatbone forward, followed by a straight line, still in left flexion, back towards the fence. When your horse’s head has almost reached the outside track, keeping left flexion swap your seatbones around so your right seatbone comes forward (right hip pointing up the track). Weight your right seatbone and look up the track. Your horse will move laterally in shoulder-out up the inside track of the long side.

To get out of shoulder-out, bring your right seatbone back level with your left, open your fingers to release the left flexion, and ride straight.

Travers, renvers and half pass are movements for which you will almost certainly need a good teacher. In all these movements the horse looks in the direction of travel. In travers on the right rein, the horse is bent to the right and travels with his head nearest the fence and his quarters in off the track.

In renvers on the right rein, the horse is bent to the left and travels with his quarters nearest the fence and his forehand in off the track. In half pass to the left, the horse is bent left and travels with his body straight or with shoulders leading the quarters a little according to opinion – I do the latter.

Next month: Stirrups, balance and behaviour.

Previous articles in this series can be found on the Equi-Ads website at www. equiads.net in the Featured Articles section.

SUSAN McBANE is author of 44 books and co-publisher with Anne Wilson of ‘Tracking-up’ (see advert this issue.)

She co-founded the Equine Behaviour Forum and is a classical teacher, with an HNC in Equine Science and Management and the Classical Riding Club Gold Award. For lessons in Lancashire and neighbouring areas, ring her on 01254 705487 or email her on horses@susanmcbane.com. Her website is at www.susanmcbane.com.

Clothing - Health Care - Tack & Turnout

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Virtual graduation is first for Edinburgh Vet School The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies at the University of Edinburgh has broken new ground with its first student to take part in an online graduation ceremony.

Jayne Roberst, 37, lives in Georgia, USA, but was in Ohio – around 900 miles away –visiting family for Thanksgiving when she took part in a graduation ceremony of the virtual world of Second Life.

She is among the first set of students to graduate from the School’s MSc in Equine Science Programme.

my Masters, but living in the USA meant it was not possible. When the opportunity arose to enroll in an online, long distance MSc Equine Science Programme with the University of Edinburgh I jumped at the chance. I was disappointed not to make it back home to the UK for the graduation ceremony, but Second Life made it possible for me to be there. The support team was patient and encouraging and everything went great on the day. Not many people can attest to graduating with a cup of tea and their PJ’s on – it was 6am here!”

A total of 21 students consist of the first cohort to complete the MSc in Equine Science. The course is the first course of its kind and offers students the flexibility and adaptability of studying equine science both online and parttime over a period of 3 years.

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Jane’s Second Life avatar wore specially designed University of Edinburgh robes, and was handed a graduation scroll in the virtual realm during the ceremony on Friday (November 25).

Dr Jo-Anne Murray, director of the MSc in Equine Science programme said, “We are extremely proud of our first set of graduates from our online Equine Science programme and are so delighted that these students can undertake all aspects of their studies online, including graduating.”

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Jayne, who also completed a BSc in Equine Science from Bishop Burton College (University of Humberside) in 1996, has been working in America in the equine veterinary field as a practice manager and technician for the past decade.

Others who graduated along with Jayne in Second Life included students who had completed a MSc in E-learning from the University of Edinburgh’s School of Education.

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Her virtual ceremony was run in parallel with traditional graduations from the University of Edinburgh.

These graduations, which took place at the University’s McEwan Hall, were streamed live into the Second Life event.

She said: “I always knew I wanted to go on at some point to complete

The University’s innovation has been recognised with an Edublog Award for Best Educational Use of a Virtual World.

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Holidays

Equitrekking with Horse & Country TV Are you seeking inspiration for your travel plans or even a bit of escapism to get you through the long and dreary winter months? Then why not discover the world’s spectacular destinations on horseback from the comfort of your own home with Horse & Country TV ’s new series Equitrekking.

Presented and produced by Darley Newman, an equestrian travel journalist, Equitrekking explores the people, lands and cultures whose histories are intertwined with horses.

Darley has combined her passion for travel and horses and created a series that features some amazing destinations around the world giving adventure hungry viewers a fresh take on equine holidays!

The travel adventures unfold over two seasons starting on H&C, Sky channel 280 in January 2012 with 20 episodes of inspirational and awe inspiring destinations.

Vermont

in the Great Smoky Mountains. With over 100 miles of Appalachian trails surrounding the Biltmore Estate they explore them on horseback following in the footsteps as guests of George Vanderbilt would have during the Gilded Age. The Biltmore Equestrian Center focuses on natural horsemanship, helping riders learn to communicate with their equine partners. They watch resident horses in training and learn why natural horsemanship is a powerful method of understanding horses.

Travelling West, they meet up with Cherokee tribal members and examine the history of horses in Cherokee culture followed by riding Tennessee Walking horses and fishing for trout in the Great Smoky Mountains. Taking a step back in time to a small barrier island full of Southern charm and only accessible via ferry, Darley canters along the wide, pristine beaches of Daufuskie Island - the perfect way to explore this small island off Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

Georgia Coast

The season starts with a look at Vermont where Darley explores Green Mountain trails and country roads on horseback, learning about Morgan horses, Icelandic horses and Vermont’s history and culture. She visits the Mountain Top Inn outside of Killington to explore the area’s trails and learn the art of driving with two large Clydesdales. You don’t have to go to Iceland to experience the smooth gait of the Icelandic horse – Darley takes a multi-day inn to inn ride through meadows, woods and old farm lands on Icelandic horses. This episode also includes a visit to the University of Vermont’s Morgan Horse Farm to learn about Vermont’s state animal and UVM’s historic breeding program, which dates back to 1878 as well as enjoying some time out of the saddle to visit Shelburne Museum, a Vermont Country Store and downtown Burlington.

Carolinas In this episode they travel from the beaches to the mountains of North and South Carolina, exploring the Biltmore Estate on horseback, Daufuskie Island and ride with Cherokee Tribal Members 34 - Equi-Ads - January 2012

On Georgia’s Coast, watch them experience many people’s dream of riding horses on the beach and try what the island natives call swim riding!

On secluded Cumberland Island, they observe wild horses with resident naturalist Fred Whitehead who has lived on Cumberland Island for over 25 years and has an intimate knowledge of herd dynamics, the history of horses on the island and how they survive in the subtropical environment. A visit to Jekyll Island, where they ride through the remnants of an ancient maritime forest on Driftwood Beach and a stroll through the historic district to delve deeper into Jekyll’s unique past make this a truly wonderful episode.

trail rides to Vallecito Lake and learn more techniques for working with cattle. Taking time off horseback they ride the rails and experience the past on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.

Wyoming

This episode begins at UXU Ranch for scenic and challenging riding on surefooted horses in the Shoshone National Forest. They ride by the majestic hoodoos and up to high elevations to take in views of colorful canyons, glaciers and mountain tops.

We explore the wildlife and geology of Yellowstone National Park, before heading to the Cody rodeo.

At nearby McCullough Peaks, they watch Mustangs and the descendants of horses who were once in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show, learning how these horses survive in the wild from a local who has been observing the horses for many years. At Jackson Hole they embark on a pack horse trip with two locals who have been leading riders into the backcountry for over 25 years.

You get to experience the beauty of nature as you watch them ride to Willow Creek in the Bridger Teton National Forest. The episode ends with fly fishing and exploring dude ranch history at the T Cross Ranch, which has been family owned and operated since it was homesteaded in the early 1900’s.

Spain

Colorado

At the Colorado Cattle Company in Northern Colorado, Darley participates in “Dream Week,” learning to ride championship cutting horses. In Southern Colorado, they ride up to over 12,000 feet with native Anne Rapp, who has been leading riders through the San Juan National Forest for over 25 years.

The ride to Engineer Mountain takes viewers through alpine meadows, steep mountain passes and open expanses where you can see all the way to New Mexico. At Wilderness Trails Ranch, a family oriented dude ranch, they take

Moving back to Europe, the romance and history of Spain comes alive as they explore the Southern beaches.

They begin their adventures at Cortijo El Esparragal, an estate and working farm outside Seville that dates back to the Bronze Age. Riding prize-winning Andalusians on the farm, they learn about the purpose and history of the Spanish Vaquera style of riding.

Darley enjoys a sunset ride outside Segovia and visits the castles and Roman aqueducts in the central region of Segovia. In the Southern town of Jerez de la Frontera, viewers learn about Andalusian horses through a

cont. on p.36

Holidays

New 2012 Riding Holidays Whether it’s a winter jaunt in search of sunnier climes, a healthy New Year holiday to kick off your fitness regime or a summer break to make up for lost time with the family, riding holidays genuinely appealing. Ranch Rider, a specialist offering holidays across North America and Africa has a broad portfolio covering everything from luxury safari lodges to rustic working ranches, the tour operator adding eight new experiences to its 2012 brochure.

Open year round, Ant’s Hill, a luxury bush home in South Africa, is the perfect place to unwind - the luxurious accommodations mirroring those at the Pakamisa safari lodge, a new addition to Ranch Rider’s 2012 South Africa portfolio. The latter also boasts an award winning restaurant, and opportunities to gallop alongside giraffe and lechwe, leaving guests with thrilling memories of the open savannah.

The Hidden Hollow Hideaway is another exciting addition, the wildlife viewing said to rival that in the nearby National Park. Photo-safaris feature on the list of activities, and adventurers can enjoy “after supper” 4X4 drives to view the more nocturnal animals. With 220-head of Red Angus cattle, visitors also have the option of rounding up the herd, or alternatively saddling up for flexible half day and full day rides, the ranch taking only eight guests. If you’re looking to enhance your riding skills you can sign up for intensive horsemanship clinics at Oklahoma’s Highpoint Horse Ranch or enjoy a luxury tented camping safari in Botswana, the holiday including rides of four to six hours per day. A well-rounded week, equestrians can even combine riding with Pilates at the Triple B, the health focused week also including well-chosen diet plans throughout the stay.

Ranch Rider; 01509 618 811; info@ranchrider.com; www.ranchrider.com.

A unique riding experience in the heart of the English Lake District!

Some journeys are not simply about travelling or arriving but also about what you achieve along the way.

To journey amongst Cumbrian hills and streams astride a magnificent “heavy” horse is magical; Chappels Farm, home of Cumbrian Heavy Horses, is a unique riding centre in the heart of the tranquil Whicham Valley. Here, amidst spectacular scenery, people of all skill levels can experience riding these wonderful horses. Contrary to popular belief, our Clydesdales, Shires and Ardennes are not slow and plodding but intelligent, lively, spirited and sensitive.

Your journey, begins as you enter the farm’s seventeenth century courtyard; greeted by your friendly, professional ride leader you’ll be introduced to a horse which may stand 18hh plus!

All the horses are used exclusively for riding - Cumbrian Heavy Horses “Cumbrian Classic” offers a week long journey through the heart of the

Lakes, seven days with no motorisation, just peace and tranquillity on horses who ride as huge heavy hunters..fast, sturdy, fun and surprisingly nimble and sure footed on a real variety of terrain, from the West Coast beaches to steep rocky tracks through the mountains.. it’s a fantastic week. We also offer our personalised, tailor-made Short Break packages.

NEW in 2012 we are developing a three day ride around Coniston, Windermere and Grizedale which has some gorgeous riding with views of the Lakes and also NEW! Agricultural Days and Short Breaks with champion ploughman Wynn Hull and his horses here at Chappels.... details to follow!!

We really do love to offer you not only an amazing experience on fabulous horses but a journey of your own - not just in miles but in personal achievement. We look forward to meeting you!

January 2012 - Equi-Ads - 35

Holidays - Training cont. from p.34

performance at the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art. Other visits include Yeguada Real Tesoro, a premier sherry bodega, which also breeds rare black Andalusian Horses and the Doñana National Park, a diverse National Heritage Site, riding along the pristine beaches and onto the trails that pilgrims take to the shrine of El Rocio, helping viewers understand why horses are a national treasure in Spain.

Coastal Ireland (Part 1- Northern half of the Republic of Ireland) Darley rides through the mountains of the Cooley Peninsula taking in Ravensdale Forest and discovers ancient stone circles and a scenic spot where you can see eight out of the thirty-two Irish counties. Visiting castles in the medieval town of Carlingford and an ancient burial tomb, they then head to the Northwest to beach ride and surf in top European surfing area - Donegal. In Connemara, they meet Willie Leahy, one of the largest breeders of Connemara Ponies. Their trip takes them to the remote tidal island of Omey Island. In the 7th century Saint Feichin, who is known for spreading Christianity throughout Western Ireland and was believed by many to have healing abilities, established a monastery on Omey Island. After visiting ancient sights and making an offering at the holy well, they ride home before the sea swallows the bridge back.

Hawaii’s Big Island

With a cattle ranching history predating mainland American ranches by a generation, the people of Hawaii have strong ties to horses. Exploring this tradition Darley begins at Parker Ranch, one of the oldest and largest ranches in the United States. To experience life as a Hawaiian paniolo (cowboy), she joins a modern day paniolo on a ride through rolling green hillsides with majestic Mauna Kea as a backdrop, learning about cowboy culture in Waimea, the Big Island’s ranching area.

At Kahua Ranch, a working cattle ranch in Waimea, they take in stunning views of the ocean and Kona coastline as they gallop through the lush, green hills.

On the way back down the coast, they visit the funky, artists town of Holualoa, explore Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and attend a luau.

One of the final destinations is the remote and sacred area of the Big Island, Waipio- the Valley of the Kings.

It is here that King Kamehameha, Hawaii’s first king who also united the Hawaiian islands spent his childhood.

It is here that a wild herd of Hawaiian horses roam. Travelling to black sand beaches and riding among fields of taro, a traditional Hawaiian staple on Hawaiian horses, they learn about this unique breed. Only a small number of people live in this valley, surrounded by 1000 foot cliffs lined with waterfalls.

Viewers learn about life “off the grid,” as they see the rivers and natural wonders of this sacred place.

The rest of the episodes in this season

take in Iceland, Virginia’s Hunt Country, California’s Wine regions, the Irish Countryside and Maui. Equitrekking starts on Monday 2nd January 2012 and each episode will be repeated on

Take your horse on holiday - you both deserve a break Fancy a holiday but don’t want to leave your equine friend behind?

Then why not take them with you!

There are a growing number of holiday destinations in the UK that can accommodate you and your best friend.

If you fancy a change of scenery and want to explore somewhere new with your horse, The British Horse Society’s ‘Horses Welcome’ scheme is the place to look (www.horseswelcome.org).

The idea began in Scotland’s Borders country in 2006, but has since grown to include destinations throughout the UK. All ‘Horses Welcome’ premises offer quality-assured B&B accommodation which have been inspected by the BHS to ensure that the stabling, grazing and other facilities are of a suitable standard for visiting horses.

The BHS recommends that any establishment you intend to stay at with your horse meets the following standards: • Grazing – where this is provided the area should have adequate shelter, enough safe grazing free from poisonous plants (where grazing is not available good quality hay should be provided), clean fresh water that is easily accessible and secure fencing with safe gates. Visiting horses should be grazed in their travelling groups separately from resident horses. If there is more than one group of visiting horses they should be grazed apart from each other.

36 - Equi-Ads - January 2012

the channel during the week. For more detailed times see the TV schedule on www.horseandcountry.tv

• Stabling – where this is provided it should be of sufficient dimensions in good condition with level draining floor.

Clean, fresh water should be available either from a self-feeding trough/ drinker or in a bucket with a suitable refill nearby.

• Feed, bedding and equipment – if bedding is required it should be clean and mould-free. Adequate tools should be available for mucking out and a secure storage area for tack. There should also be easy access for trailers/ lorries and space to park and turn trailers/lorries off-road.

• Biosecurity and visiting horses – the risk of disease. You should make sure there are bio security measures in place including having up to date vaccination and worming records.

Don’t forget to make the most out of your holiday and before leaving make sure you have found out as much about the area as possible. The BHS’s EMAGIN website, www.emagin.org.uk, can help you find routes in the locality as well as the nearest farrier or tack shop in case of an emergency. Look up other things to do in the area and places to eat in the evening - and most importantly don’t forget to book your own accommodation!

So get out there, plan your trip and enjoy your break.

Health Care - Physiotherapy

January 2012 - Equi-Ads - 37

Breeding - Massage

Massage therapy Sue Harwood “So what will massage therapy do for my horse?” that’s frequently the first thing a horse owner will ask me, followed rapidly by “How does it work?” - so firstly let me try to answer both those questions, plus one or two more that usually come up during the course of a treatment session.

Make handling & training your foals kinder, safer and easier The Foal Hugger is a revolutionary new training aid that has been developed as an effective way to teach foals how to lead. It can be used from birth to make everyday handling safer and less stressful. Training is more effective and less time consuming as it takes place as you carry out normal daily activities such as turning out and grooming.

The Neck Halter enables control of the front end whilst the Impulsion Rope exerts gentle pressure on the foal’s sides and hindquarters, encouraging

them to move forwards. Using the Foal Hugger Training Aid breaks down the process of teaching a foal to lead into 5 distinct stages, fully explained in the accompanying booklet. The basic principle is that your foal experiences

pressure to other areas of his body before the introduction of a headcollar and lead rope, thereby reducing risk of injury to the head and neck.

It has been designed with the less experienced handler in mind, providing a safe and structured method of training.

The Foal Hugger is ideal for the small breeder as one person can safely lead mare and foal together.

Buy your Foal Hugger at http://www.foaltohorse.co.uk

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All material submitted to Equi-Ads will be subject to the following conditions. The placing of an advertisement or editorial copy will be deemed to be an acceptance of these conditions.

1. Typewritten contributions accompanied by a stamped addressed envelope for return are invited, however, no responsibility will be taken for photographs, transparencies, illustrations or literary contributions.

2. The publishers cannot accept liability for any loss suffered directly or indirectly by any readers as a result of any advertisement or notice published in this magazine. Nor do they accept liability for loss arising from the non-inclusion or late publication of any advertisement.

3. All advertisements are accepted subject to our standard conditions of trading (a full copy of which is available by sending a stamped addressed envelope to the editorial offices.)

4. The publishers reserve the right to refuse, amend or withdraw any advertisement without explanation.

5. Cancellation must be received in writing 14 days prior to the publication date.

6. All copyright reserved by Equi-Ads. No part of this publication may be recorded, or reproduced in whole or in part without the written permission of the publishers. Equi-Ads is a registered Trade Mark, which is the property of Stable Productions.

7. The opinions expressed in literary contributions are not necessarily those of the editor or publisher.

8. The publishers reserve the right to revise advertisement copy to conform to the standards of Equi-Ads’ house style.

9. Advertisers should notify the publishers of any errors immediately after the appearance of the first insertion to allow subsequent insertions to be corrected. The publishers will not accept responsibility to correct all insertions ordered if the error is not reported immediately after the advertisement’s first appearance. Furthermore we trust that advertisements comply in all respects with obligations and duties to 3rd parties e.g. rights relating to Copyrights, Intellectual Property, Trade Marks and this list is not exhaustive.

10. The advertiser warrants that his advertisements comply with the British Code of Advertising Practice and do not contravene the Trade Descriptions Act 1968.

38 - Equi-Ads - January 2012

To answer the first one, think of your horse as an athlete - just like a human athlete, a footballer or a runner for example. Part of any athlete’s training program would include massage therapy, usually for two distinct reasons: either to loosen up in preparation for an event, to make sure that they are in peak condition before a competition, or afterwards, to recuperate and ensure a speedy recovery and return to training.

home, reported that she slept in the field the whole of the following day.

Treatment after an event, such as dressage, jumping, hunting or other activity - will help recovery, getting the horse back into training or competing more quickly than he would otherwise be able to do. Massage therapy will help to relax and stretch muscles that are tight and sore, will release tension that has accumulated in areas such as the poll, shoulders and hips following an event, a day’s hunting or a game of polo! If the massage follows fairly quickly, for example the day after, the release of that tension will help prevent more serious stiffness and potential lameness.

There are many other areas where massage therapy will help the physical condition of the horse: a horse on box rest, for example, can be kept in better physical condition. A laminitic horse can be helped to feel more comfortable, an elderly or arthritic horse can be given a better range of movement, a riding school horse helped to cope with the daily strain of novice or unbalanced riders. In fact, there are few horses that would not benefit from this kind of therapy, whether just occasionally or as part of a regular schedule.

Let’s take the first reason - the preparation for an event. Massage therapy, working on the major muscles and junctions of the horse, will ensure that tension is released, so that the horse is relaxed, balanced, and supple.

This physical relaxation will also produce a horse that is more mentally relaxed, and better able to cope with the stresses of competing.

Regular treatment will keep the horse in a consistently relaxed frame of mind, and because of the physical relaxation, it will also be less prone to injury. The horses I work on exhibit many classic signs of relaxation, frequently yawning during the session, relaxing from one leg to the other, becoming still and slowing their breathing. Owners frequently report their horses still being sleepy the following day - which is why I usually recommend either a day off or very light work following a treatment.

One owner of a pony with many issues, having been rescued from an abusive

So how does it work? A therapist will firstly check the condition of the horse, to establish areas where there is stiffness and / or soreness, and will then begin work on the whole horse. It is important to do this, as the interactions of the muscles are so complex it is almost impossible to treat them in isolation, and soreness in one area may well cause stiffness in another as the horse tries to compensate. There are a variety of techniques that can be used, depending on the individual cont. on p.40

Arenas - Field & Stable - Holidays - Insurance

January 2012 - Equi-Ads - 39

Field & Stable - Massage cont. from p.38

therapist, their training and abilities.

All will involve manipulation of the major joints and muscles, watching the horse’s responses to see where the tension is, and to ensure that the release is effective.

Another frequent question is “How often can my horse have a massage?” , to which there is no simple answer.

Some elderly or arthritic horses may have a weekly massage to keep them comfortable, as do some competition horses. One in light work might have a monthly massage. A hunter might be treated the day after each hunt,

whenever that is, but then not at all while he is resting over the summer.

Each horse needs to be assessed and treated individually.

And so finally, how to choose a massage therapist? There are a wide range of qualifications, so check what your therapist has, and the methods they use - any good therapist will be more than happy to talk about their training, their methods, and give you further resources. - for example web sites where you can find out more. There are two associations, the National Association of Registered Equine Massage Therapists, and the International Equine Bodyworkers

Association, and your therapist should be a member of at least one of these.

They should also have appropriate professional insurance. And lastly, you will need your vet’s consent for the horse to have a massage; this is a legal requirement, and is not optional, so any therapist who suggests they can work without this should be avoided.

For further information, help or advice, please feel free to contact Sue via her website www. equineperformancebodywork. org, where you will also find more resources and links.

Equissage – The Alternative Way Equissage is a multi-unit physiotherapy massage system developed specifically for equine use.

Its ability to deliver unique cycloidal vibrations which reach deep tissue, muscle and bone via the pad or hand unit enable Equissage to actively treat a number of specific problems, as well as helping to maintain peak condition and general good health.

Safe, versatile, non-invasive and easy to use, the system is suitable for every

horse, in every discipline. From happy hackers to top competition horses, Equissage has improved the lives of many horses and ponies worldwide.

The medical benefits include increased circulation and lymphatic drainage, relaxation of muscles, and increased joint mobility. Equissage can also be used before exercise to ‘warm-up’, and after exercise to ‘warm-down’ and prevent stiffness.

Helping to promote general health and well-being, the Equissage pad also helps to condition the horse’s skin and coat and can be used on top of rugs without losing its effectiveness.

The Equissage Hand Unit, which should be used in conjunction with the Equissage Pad, can be used to help treat specific problems such as tendon and ligament problems, pulled muscles, and thick-winded horses.

For further information and a FREE demonstration on Equissage, please contact 0800 072 1180 or visit www. equissage.co.uk.

40 - Equi-Ads - January 2012

Insurance - Livery - Magnetic Massage Therapy

Nose to Tail Therapy to suit all needs and budgets FMBs Therapy Systems provide effective therapy products for horses, people and their dogs. Suitable to all budgets and needs, equipment may be purchased, hired or hire-purchased.

Looking specifically at treating all areas of the horse using any combination of pulsed electromagnetic field, massage, laser, light, ultrasound, ceramic and cold compression therapy, you can select the product to suit the needs and requirements of your horse.

From the popular Activo-Med Combi-Pro that combines pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) and massage in one rug to

Magnetic Therapy Straps (for just £28) that can be used on horses living out 24/7 there is truly a solution for all ailments.

The FMBs group supply whole range of top quality rugs, wraps, pads and handheld therapy units that can be used for improved suppleness and flexibility, to aid recovery, or for bumps, bruises, stiff joints/muscles, arthritis, sprains, strains, open wounds and for natural well being.

With prices starting from just £13.99 FMBs Therapy Systems provides an invaluable solution for the modern horse owner.

Scottish Sports Horse competition winner announced!

Mrs Lesley Anne Aitken, Forda Mill, Devon was the lucky winner of a year’s free membership of The Scottish Sports Horse in their latest member’s competition.

Lesley was delighted as this was the first time she has won anything.

Lesley has been a devoted member of SSH for many years despite moving to Devon, and has a number of horses registered with the SSH.

January 2012 - Equi-Ads - 41

Insurance - Healthcare - Worming

ALERT – when concentration is essential ALERT is a revolutionary new supplement from the Animal Health Company that helps horse’s to maintain healthy brain function, focus their mind and increase concentration!

ALERT stimulates the mind, helping the horse to focus on specific tasks and it can improve memory. It also promotes energy, improves circulation, increases blood supply and stimulates the body.

amount of biological activity, without the need to add alcohol or any other chemical components.

ALERT is available in 1 Litre, 2.5 Litre and 5 Litre and can be purchased from all good equine retailers or online at www.equinehealthandherbal.co.uk

ALERT is a combination of Panax Ginseng, Cat’s Claw, Glucosamine, MSM and vitamin C which is blended using the Therminfusex method, unique to the Animal Health Company. This method naturally increases the ginsenoside components, producing an optimal

Winter Worming Following the recent case of an apparently healthy horse dying suddenly due to severe worm damage, Merial Animal Health is supporting the call from equine vets for horse owners to ensure they have planned and implemented an effective worming programme.

Claire Edmunds, EQVALAN® Product Manager says: “The horse in question was kept on a large DIY yard that had found it difficult to coordinate a regular worming programme. Whether individual owners take responsibility for their own horse’s programmes, or whether the yard manager implements a yard-wide strategy, a worming programme needn’t be difficult.”

by a number of laboratory and specialist services or you can ask your vet. A worm egg count will indicate the horse’s likely roundworm burden and should be performed around every 8-10 weeks.

However, encysted small redworm is an increased risk in winter and these are not identified on worm egg counts. Therefore an encysted treatment in winter will reduce the risk of a large burden of encysted redworm.” During winter the encysted small redworm ‘hibernate’ in the intestinal lining and subsequent reactivation, often in the spring, can cause very severe damage.

If tens of thousands all emerge at the same time this causes massive damage leading to loss of condition, diarrhoea, colic and even death. A combination of strategic dosing with the appropriate wormer and a careful programme of testing to monitor worm burdens will help to provide good protection against worms.

This case was highlighted by vet Kirsty MacGregor of Bakewell Equine Clinic in Derbyshire. Although this is an extreme and relatively rare case, it emphasises Find out more by speaking to your vet or the need to introduce a regular system of Suitably Qualified Person (SQP) and sign testing and strategic worming regardless up to a free online worm programme at of whether clinical signs associated with www.smartworming.co.uk. This simple to worms have been seen. Claire adds: “A use free online system helps you to Simply good worming programme will focus on Monitor the situation regularly, Assess the strategic dosing according to the risks at Risk to your horse using a worm egg count specific times of year alongside targeted and, if necessary, Treat with the most worming with the use of Worm Egg ADCOL_20 Aylesbury 100x75:ADCOL_20 Aylesburywormer.

100x75 30/06/2011 10:11 Pag appropriate Counts (WECs). WECs can be provided

Odd,

but not everyone knows we do horse and horsebox insurance.

We do.

Call 01296 436142 for a quote or pop into the office to talk to Virginia Stollery & Simon Parker at NFU Mutual Office, 1 Alton House Office Park, Gatehouse Way, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP19 8XU. Agent of The National Farmers Union Mutual Insurance Society Limited.

42 - Equi-Ads - January 2012

We do right by you

Monty Roberts Tour

January 2012 - Equi-Ads - 43

News - Tack & Turnout

BHS Welfare Officers come to the rescue!

Smug Bags Make Rug Care Easy With winter fast approaching and the thought of cold and wet mornings it is time to get those smelly horse rugs off to the cleaners.

Two BHS Welfare Officers were called in to catch an escaped horse that had turned feral.

crucial that the situation remained calm and everyone was prepared for the unexpected!”

The young horse was trying on a saddle for the first time when she panicked and bolted, jumping over a fence into a huge neighbouring field. Attempts to catch her proved fruitless and, as she charged around evading capture, the saddle slipped backwards, ending up hanging upside down between her back legs. The horse remained like this for a week, despite the best efforts of her owner. Even sedation from a local vet failed to calm the terrified horse. Every time anyone got near, the flapping saddle spooked her again and off she went.

Over a period of hours, the patient team slowly enclosed the escapee with electric fencing, gradually making the space smaller and smaller. The frightened horse had to be treated as a wild animal, one false move could result in serious injury to her or the people involved. At the end of an extremely long day, the dedicated BHS Welfare Officers were eventually able to catch the horse and remove her saddle, ending a week of fear and worry for the horse and her owner.

At the end of her tether and scared for her horse’s safety, the owner contacted the BHS and Welfare Officers Christene Allison and Delyth Roberts immediately swung into action. Faced with a rogue horse in an enormous field full of other animals, Christene and Delyth filled one car with volunteers and another with equipment ranging from buckets to electric fencing! Christene said: “It was clear the task ahead was not going to be easy, especially dealing with such a panicked horse. All those involved were experienced with horses; it was

The horse’s owner, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: “I am very grateful and couldn’t have done this without them”.

I

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SPECIAL OFFER: Order in January for the Special Price of £13.99 including p&p.

There has never been a better time to buy one!

To order one of our fantastic SMUG Bags you can visit www.smug-bags. com or simply give us a call on 078 2527 1512 to order one over the phone.

SMUG BAGS Transport your Smelly Dirty Rugs with ease The SMUG Bag makes it as easy as 1, 2, 3

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The SMUG Bag has a 100% waterproof lining designed to keep the wet stuff in or the wet stuff out! There are sturdy handles to allow ease of carrying that can easily be slipped over your shoulder.

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44 - Equi-Ads - January 2012

You no longer have to worry about getting yourself and your family car covered in the lovely aromas that come with them, you simply open the SMUG bag drop your rug in, zip it up and then off you go to the rug wash putting an end to trips where you end up covered in the caked mud and smells that our beloved equines leave behind.

Emmeline Hannelly, BHS Welfare Executive said: “The BHS has a network of Welfare representatives nationwide, all of whom are volunteers. Every year they help more than a thousand horses, but this was a particularly unusual case. Thanks to Christene and Delyth’s patience and expertise, a terrified horse is now calm and safely munching hay in her stable and nobody was hurt in what was potentially an extremely dangerous situation”.

WINTEOR N

Place your dirty rug in your SMUG Bag

Why not use the SMUG Bag to transport your rugs in style.

duty cotton with a waterproof interior that zips into a bag, containing all the mud, drips and smells, it also has handles so you can carry your rug to the cleaners easily. The SMUG Bag is even large enough to easily fit a heavy weight 7ft 6in rug with no difficulty.

The dimensions of the SMUG Bags when folded ready for transporting are 26.5" high and 36" wide.

To order a SMUG Bag simply visit our website and place your order or send a cheque made payable to Stable Productions stating the amount of SMUG Bags you would like to order along with the colours to; The SMUG Bag Company, Cotton Farm, Windyedge, Perth, PH2 0PW

or tel: 07825271512

two

WWW.SMUG-BAGS.COM

Horslyx Giveaway - Tack & Turnout

January 2012 - Equi-Ads - 45

Field & Stable - Healthcare - Insurance - Tack & Turnout

46 - Equi-Ads - January 2012

Bedding - Field & Stable

Cold Busting Tips WITH winter just around the corner the team at EquestrianClearance. com is offering some useful tips and handy hints to help you and your horse through the colder months.

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Floating a rubber ball in water troughs can help stop the water from freezing over in water troughs.

Consider adding a heater to your tack room, this will help keep your leatherwork warm and supple and help prevent it from cracking.

If your outdoor school freezes over try harrowing salt into the surface to prevent it from freezing.

Did you know thirty per cent of the body’s heat is lost through the head? Make sure you always wear a hat.

If it’s frosty, de-ice the steps and top surface of your mounting block so you don’t slip and frighten your horse.

Don’t forget your diet. Even though you might not feel like eating something chilled, your body needs help so eat fresh fruit and vegetables regularly to help combat colds and flu.

When travelling to the stables put your riding boots under the passenger side heater. Upon arrival put them on straight away and your

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feet will remain toasty for longer.

Wear tights or long johns underneath your jodhpurs this will help keep you snug.

Wear a pair of latex gloves under fingerless ones so they stay warm and you can still do fiddly jobs.

Invest in some thermals they have been designed to trap warm air and keep out the cold.

If you work in an office the contrasting conditions from a warm office to the chilly outdoors make you more susceptible to colds and flu – so beware.

Equestrianclearance.com stock a wide selection of winter riding wear and cosy coats, not to mention numerous thermal items such as Caldene Thermal Leggings, Dublin Thermal Socks, Dublin Thermal Trousers and K*TY Thermal Jodhpurs.

For further information contact www.equestrianclearance.com.

January 2012 - Equi-Ads - 47

Field & Stable - Healthcare - Transport

Simple Solutions for Joints Winter can be a challenging time for your horse’s joints. The long dark hours can mean more stable time than your horse would like and standing on hard, cold ground for long periods as well as being exposed to stable drafts can result in weakened cartilage and stiff joints - making for an uncomfortable winter.

All joints are susceptible to general wear and tear but exhibiting pain will not be in your horse’s nature making discomfort harder to identify.

To help keep your horse comfortable for the year ahead, we recommend daily supplementation of your horse’s usual feed with a glucosamine based joint supplement.

VetVits’ EquiFlex (£14.95) contains the most important nutrients your horse’s joints need at veterinary recommended levels. It contains super strength glucosamine HCl and chondroitin plus manganese and antioxidant vitamin C and is clinically tested in an independent trial to improve joint mobility.

VetVits products are only available direct and all UK orders include FREE P&P plus a no quibble return and refund policy if you’re not 100% satisfied.

48 - Equi-Ads - January 2012

To find out more about VetVits’ veterinary developed supplements or request a copy of our clinical trial results please visit www.vetvits.co.uk or call Freephone 0808 100 40 80

Opportunity to learn from top dressage rider at World Horse Welfare World Horse Welfare is giving fans of dressage the opportunity to learn from one of the best.

Next year international dressage rider Andrew Gould is putting on a lecture demo at our Hall Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre in Snetterton, Norfolk on Thursday 22 March 2012.

Andrew has been competing in dressage since the age of 13 and has been on five consecutive GB European Teams and won a team bronze medal in 2000.

During the demonstration at Hall Farm, Andrew will use three of his own horses to teach people about all aspects of dressage in a fun and interesting way.

The event, which is aimed at riders at all levels, starts at 7.30pm with doors opening at 7pm.

Tickets cost £12 for children under 14 and £20 for adults.

For more information or to book tickets for the clinic please contact Hall Farm Centre Promotions Officer Maxine Langley on 01953 499100 or 07801 880201 or email maxinelangley@ worldhorsewelfare.org

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FREEPHONE advice and ordering 0808 100 40 80 Online Shop www.vetvits.co.uk TA X F R E E P R I C E S Product Description EquiFlex® – joint health care EquiHoof ® – hoof health care EquiMSM™ – joint health care EquiSenior™ – complete health care

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