Winter guide 17

FREE WITH

2017

WINTER ESSENTIALS

● Super turnouts from Horseware ● Stylish layering from Musto ● Winter feeding advice from Dengie ...and much more!

Our ‘no added sugar’ fibre feeds will have everyone licking their lips

For the answer to ALL your equine feeding queries talk to a Dengie nutritionist today: *

DENGIE FEEDLINE: 0845 345 5115 ï DENGIE ONLINE: DENGIE.COM Calls cost 2p per minute from a landline and 2.5p per minute from a mobile plus your phone companyís access charge.

2017

WINTER ESSENTIALS

Welcome

W

ith the right gear, the colder months can be a whole lot easier to deal with. Our Winter Essentials guide is packed full of advice and product suggestions to ensure you and your horse breeze through winter and are raring to go come spring.

Allison Lowther Your Horse associate editor

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4 CONTENTS 4 Dengie help you keep your horse fit and healthy 6 Find more time to ride with a Wintec saddle 10 Take a look at the range of turnout rugs from Horseware, there’s one to suit all budgets 12 Learn the art of smart layering with Musto 16 Blue Chip Feeds help to keep your horse’s joints healthy 18 Stay cosy and warm with the stylish range of accessories from Hy Equestrian 22 Ride in comfort and style this winter with clothing from Fouganza 24 Winter management tips from the team at Petplan 28 British Horse Feeds help you manage your winter feeding budget 30 Buy your horse’s supplements and more, online at VioVet 34 Keep your OAP in tip-top condition with Allen & Page 36 Transform your horse’s coat with the FURminator 38 Master the art of clipping with the range of clippers from Masterclip 39 Banish mud fever with a unique boot from Woof Wear WWW.YOURHORSE.CO.UK

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18

10 YOUR HORSE WINTER ESSENTIALS 2017 3

Conditioning safely Can you easily see your horse’s ribs? Does he lack topline? Is your golden oldie not looking as good as he used to? If any of these apply to your horse, then it’s time to take action. The team at Dengie are here to suggest key areas to consider

Having teeth in good ses condition is key for hor diet to manage a healthy

Tip top teeth Having difficulty chewing is no longer an issue confined to older horses. Whatever the reason, diastemata (gaps between the teeth) seem to be an increasing issue for horses of all ages. In a Dengie funded study, horses with poor dentition consumed about two-thirds less hay in the same time as horses with normal teeth, and so it’s no wonder horses with poor teeth often lose weight. However, the horses with poor teeth were able to consume the same amount of a soaked mash product, in this case Dengie Alfa-Beet.

Providing fibre in a form your horse can chew is all that is needed to promote weight gain in many cases and Dengie Alfalfa or Grass Pellets are ideal for this, alongside Alfa-Beet.

4 YOUR HORSE WINTER ESSENTIALS 2017

Top nosh Forage makes up at least half of most horses’ rations and so, if it’s not very good, it’ll have an impact on your horse’s condition. Its quality is also largely determined by how digestible it is – there are different types of fibre found in feeds, ranging from the very digestible

pectin to the less digestible cellulose.

High levels of lignin, an indigestible substance that gives a plant structure, significantly reduces the digestibility of a forage. The older and taller a plant gets, the more lignin is present, which is why hay is less digestible than dried grass that has been harvested when the grass is young, such as in Dengie Meadow Grass with Herbs.

Late cut forage will be less digestible than that cut earlier, so if you are looking for weight gain, find a soft, leafy, early-cut forage, which will be easier for your horse to digest.

Poorer quality forage will mean you need to feed more in the bucket, so it’s worth investing in the right forage.

Healthy on the inside

Dengie Meadow Grass with Herbs and Grass Pellets

Horses are herbivores and their digestive systems are healthier on a high-fibre WWW.YOURHORSE.CO.UK

PROMOTION Take care of your horse’s diet with help and advice from Dengie

WHAT IS TOPLINE? Topline is a term that many people bandy about so they sound like they know what they’re talking about but then they try to develop topline by over-feeding so the horse stores fat rather than building muscle tone.

To develop topline, the horse requires the building blocks of muscle (amino acids) to be supplied in the diet, combined with working correctly for the muscles to increase in size.

Young horses require more amino acids to develop muscle and other tissues, so if your youngster looks like the horse in the photo to the right, an increase in amino acid (protein) in the ration should help.

Alfalfa is a great source of quality protein and it contains good levels

A weak topline and poor condition means a change of diet is needed

of the essential amino acids that are most valuable to the horse.

People are often frightened of protein because it has historically been thought to cause a number of issues, which research has shown not to be the case. Without more quality protein in the diet, your horse’s topline will always Dengie Alfa-Beet be second best.

Adding Dengie Alfa-A Oil or Dengie Alfa-A Molasses Free will supply protein without the levels of starch in cereal-based conditioning feeds.

Alfa-A Oil and Alfa-A Molasses Free

diet. Although it seems counter-intuitive, reducing the amount of cereal-based feeds may help your horse to gain weight, especially if you’re feeding more than a scoop of cereals in each feed. As the digestive system becomes less acidic, the digestion of other feeds

SUCCESS STORY For Alicia Wilkinson’s horse Perfect Timing II (aka Pooh), diastemata are no barrier to being able to perform! Pooh has just completed Blenheim 2017 and is fed Dengie Grass Pellets, Alfa-Beet and Performance+ Balancer

becomes more efficient. You may find adding a digestive supplement, such as Dengie Digestive Health Plus, helps the transition to a more fibre-based ration.

Using highly-digestible fibre sources, such as sugar beet, which is included in Dengie Alfa-Beet, can make a significant

contribution to your horse’s energy requirements, but if fibre isn’t enough, you can add feeds that are high in fibre and oil, such as Dengie Alfa-A Oil, to increase the calorie intake.

Dengie Alfa-Beet

MORE DETAILS: FOR THE ANSWER TO ALL YOUR FEEDING QUERIES, TALK TO A DENGIE NUTRITIONIST TODAY. CALL THE DENGIE FEEDLINE ON 0845 345 5115* OR VISIT WWW.DENGIE.COM *Call charges apply, see website for details

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YOUR HORSE WINTER ESSENTIALS 2017 5

Never fear muddy water splashes on your tack again with a fuss-free saddle from Wintec

The Wintec 2000 All Purpose Saddle is the UK’s favourite Wintec model

Hassle-free

saddle care Make the most of your saddle time this winter with the help of Wintec

I

T’S FAIR TO say that winter brings challenges to even the most seasoned of horse riders.

The shorter days, wetter weather and muddy bridleways can make it a challenge to find the balance (and the time) to have a good gallop through the countryside, while keeping your tack clean.

The team at Wintec have developed a range of saddles with you in mind, meaning you can spend less time worrying about your tack and more time with

6 YOUR HORSE WINTER ESSENTIALS 2017

your horse. Choosing a weatherproof and waterproof synthetic saddle from Wintec will take time out of cleaning your tack and make oiling your saddle a thing of the past. A simple wipe over once a month is enough for your Wintec saddle, meaning there’ll be less time tack cleaning and more spent riding.

For those days when it gets really dirty (there’s bound to be a bit of mud completing #Hack1000miles), follow the tips, right, to give your saddle a spruce-up.

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PROMOTION

5 STEPS FOR SUPER-CLEAN SADDLES

After a few long rides, your saddle might need a bit of TLC

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

● A cloth or a sponge and a small, soft bristled brush for any stubborn marks ● Wintec Saddle Cleaner (or a bucket of water with mild detergent) ● A bucket of clean water for rinsing Wintec’s Saddle Cleaner can ● A stand or fence make light work rail to rest your of sprucing up saddle on your saddle ● Your favourite music to have a good singalong too (it’ll make cleaning fly by)

STEP 1: WET YOUR SADDLE

Spray your Wintec Saddle Cleaner onto your saddle, or apply mild detergent and water with a cloth or brush, and wipe your saddle over.

A quick clean and your Wintec saddle is as good as new

STEP 2: SCRUB STUBBORN MARKS

A good rub with a small, soft bristled brush can remove any stubborn marks, ingrained grease and dirt.

If your saddle features Equi-Suede, the brush can also fluff up the material to make it look like new.

STEP 3: RINSE IT OFF

Hang your saddle over a saddle rack or fence and hose it down.

Don’t be afraid to get your synthetic saddle wet – they’re designed for it.

Rinsing reminders:

If you regularly ride in salty sea water, it’s a good idea to open your synthetic saddle up and make sure the metal areas have been rinsed and can dry properly to avoid rusting.

Keep the hose away from any leather girth points or wear patches (if your saddle has them). Use saddle soap to wipe these areas clean. If your leather does get wet, wipe it dry with a cloth.

STEP 4: LEAVE IT TO DRY When it’s hot, leave your saddle to dry naturally in the shade and out of direct sunlight. If it’s cold,

Spray with saddle th cleaner and use a clo ning to kick off your clea

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Wintec’s saddles are designed to withstand all sorts of weather conditions, so don’t be afraid to give it a good soaking with a hose

bear in mind that it may take a couple of days to dry completely.

Keep your saddle in a warm, dry place, but not near your fireplace.

POST-CARE TIP: If your saddle features leather girth points or a leather wear patch, apply a good quality, wax-based balsam to these areas to replenish the leather once dry. A good balsam will help to protect against wear and colour loss.

STEP 5: ENJOY YOUR SADDLE

Get out there on your horse and have a great time getting messy and muddy with your Wintec this winter!

FIND OUT MORE: IF YOU HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW TO KEEP YOUR WINTEC OR OTHER SYNTHETIC SADDLE AS GOOD AS NEW, CONTACT WINTEC SADDLES VIA HELLO@WINTEC-SADDLES.COM YOUR HORSE WINTER ESSENTIALS 2017 7

Make the most ofÖ Winter!

You and your horse can enjoy all the benefits of a rain-proof, mud-proof, durable and easy-care Wintec saddle.

Make the most of your time together this Winter!

Model shown: Wintec 2000 All Purpose

Wintec Saddles featuring the CAIR Cushion System and EASY-CHANGE Fit Solution offer the highest flexibility in achieving a customised fit, ensuring your horse’s absolute comfort and your peace of mind.

OUR FESTIVE GIFT TO YOU! Purchase a Wintec saddle between 1 November and 31 December 2017 to receive a FREE Wintec Saddle Bag!* Visit wintec-saddles.com to view the full range, Valued !

9 5 find your nearest stockist and to redeem your gift. at £ *Terms and conditions apply

TIME TO RIDE. TIME TO ENJOY.

Rug up for

peace of mind With a rug to suit all budgets, the huge variety of turnout rugs from Horseware is a force to be reckoned with. We take a closer look at the three ranges, which all offer your horse superior protection from the elements

H

EAR THE NAME Horseware and you instantly think of the iconic Rambo turnout rug in its classic green with red binding. Buy a rug from this brand and you know that you’re getting quality that will last. Over the years, the number of rugs from Horseware has grown, with different ranges developed to suit all budgets. Here, we take a closer look at the ranges and explain the differences so you can decide which one will suit your horse the best.

Rambo Duo The ultimate all-season turnout rug, the Rambo Duo comes with a detachable 10 YOUR HORSE WINTER ESSENTIALS 2017

liner and a detachable hood so that you can alter the warmth, depending on the temperature.

This best-selling turnout is now available in a brand new colour – burgundy with duck egg and black.

The outer material is a 1,000 denier ballistic nylon, which is waterproof, breathable, tough and durable. The rug has 100g of warm, heat-retaining thermobonded fibrefill, and a smooth, shine-enhancing, anti-static and anti-bacterial polyester lining.

This rug also comes with a 300g removable liner with anti-static and anti-bacterial properties. The liner loop system ensures the liner stays securely

in place. A Surefit neck design with a V-front closure ensures your horse has freedom of movement to graze.

Other key features include leg arches, reflective safety strips, a wipe clean tail cord, 100g detachable hood and three cross surcingles.

The Rambo Duo rug system is available in sizes 5ft 6in to 7ft 3in and is priced at £359.95.

Rhino Plus The Rhino Plus turnout features the famous barrier technology, a 1,000 denier polypropylene outer, which protects the waterproof and breathable barrier layer underneath.

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PROMOTION Rambo Duo

Amigo Bravo 12 Plus This turnout offers all the classic features implemented across the extensive Horseware range, including a rip-stop outer, breathability and ventilation where necessary, as well as the new disc front closure. This practical disc is placed to the front of the rug, and replaces the standard V-front closure. This offers a much handier and faster way to both fasten and un-fasten the rug.

It’s also compatible with the Horseware

liner system, allowing you to use different weight liners when needed.

More technical features include leg arches, reflective strips for safety, cross surcingles, shine enhancing polyester and a detachable hood.

This rug is available in heavy, medium and lite and is also offered in the pony collection. It ranges from sizes 5ft 6in to 7ft 3in and is priced from £149.95 to £171.95.

Amigo Bravo 12 Plus

Polypropylene is a stronger alternative to the widely used polyester material.

It also comes with an anti-static, anti-bacterial polyester lining and thermbonded fibrefill. This provides you with a warm, breathable turnout that’s easy to handle.

The rug features reflective strips that

Rhino Plus

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are especially useful in the winter when your horse is out in the field. In addition, the rug has leg arches and three cross surcingles to help ensure the perfect, secure fit.

The adaptability of this rug means that, come spring, the liner can be removed and can be used as a lighter turnout. The

Surefit neck design with V-Front closure allows your horse lots of freedom of movement to graze.

This rug comes in a range of sizes, from 3ft 9in to 5ft 9in and in 5ft 6in to 7ft 3in.

It’s also available as a heavy, medium or lite turnout and prices range from £187.95 to £219.95.

MORE DETAILS: FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT WWW.HORSEWARE.COM YOUR HORSE WINTER ESSENTIALS 2017 11

Wrap up warm with Musto Whether you’re mucking out first thing on a frosty morning or planning a weekend hack with friends, embrace the elements with clothing from Musto

K

noWing What to wear for a winter hack or schooling session can be a challenge.

Layering up with a big, thick coat might seem like the answer while you’re pottering around the stable, but once in the saddle, a bulky jacket will restrict your movement and you may soon feel too warm after a canter or two.

Musto has developed its latest autumn/ winter collection with horse owners in mind, helping you go from yard to saddle with ease. Drawing on years of experience from creating clothes that can be worn

in extreme conditions, Musto has designed a collection that’ll make you want to get outside, even on the wettest and muddiest of days.

Smart layering for warmth one of Musto’s latest technologies is the EquiSynergy System. this builds on the revolutionary 3-Layer System that selects fabrics to keep you performing at your best while being active outside. Read on for what you need to know about each layer.

FOUNDATION lAyer The foundation layer of the system works by moving moisture away from the body quickly, as water transmits heat up to 30 times faster than air. The wetter your body, the greater the loss of body heat.

Lighter technical fabrics, such as Musto’s Active Base Layer Long Sleeve, provide riders with waterproof, wicking and warm layers, without creating too much bulk in the saddle. The Active Base Layer is an ideal choice for the foundation of any equestrian outfit, with high wicking technology that works to draw moisture away from the skin and NILIT® BodyFresh to keep you feeling fresh in the saddle.

Musto’s Active Base Layer wicks away moisture from your skin

12 your horse wINTer esseNTIALs 2017

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PROMOTION

LEgwEaR ThaT LETs yOu MOvE When riding or working around the yard, it’s important to feel comfortable and protected from the elements, without compromising your freedom of movement.

Musto’s range of equestrian legwear lets you move with ease through its stretch composition and ergonomic seams, which work with the shape of your leg. The durable composition will also withstand any wear and tear.

Musto’s Essential Collection has been designed for everyday riding. Inspired by the bright patterning and colour pops of athletic wear, pieces such as the Essential Breeches and Printed Breeches combine style with comfort.

Self-fabric knee patches provide abrasion resistance on the Essential Breeches, while flatlock seams on the Comfort Breeches stop any bulk.

Silicon grippers on both pieces keep them in place, preventing clothing from riding up as you move.

MORe deTaIls: To find ouT abouT The full range from musTo, head online To www.musTo.com

FROM TOP TO TOE

Ready for competition

There’s still plenty of opportunity to compete over winter, so come the big day, make sure you’re looking and feeling your best.

Optimise your performance in Musto’s Softshell Breeches from their Competition Collection.

These breeches use ActiveSeam® technology and offer great movement by having the benefit of being 30% stronger and having 100% more stretch than flatlock seams. The seams are anatomically contoured away from your leg, ensuring they don’t irritate your skin and you can focus on your performance when you ride.

Move like never before with a pair of breeches from Musto

Getting the right clothing is one thing, but you can’t forget your feet. Musto has come together with premium heritage brand, Pittards®, to create a range of luxury, functional footwear.

Musto’s Chelsea GORE-TEX® Boot features an elegant Pittards® leather construction with a GORE-TEX® stretch gusset that enhances its waterproof fit. Made for equestrians, they’ve been created to ensure durability while a Vibram® outsole provides grip on rocky and muddy terrain.

Similarly crafted from Pittards® leather and offset by antique brass trims, the Blair Gore-Tex® Boot has impressive resilience. Engineered for a slimmer fit, the boot features a rider-friendly design. Musto’s proprietary OUTGRIP outsole offers superior stability over mud and rocks, while overlaid panels with rolled edging enhance durability.

MIDDLE LayER

TOP LayER

The second tier of the 3-Layer System relies upon having an insulating and highly breathable mid-layer. Musto’s Action PrimaLoft® Gilet is a great example of an effective mid-layer for when you’re riding. PrimaLoft® has the lightness of down combined with technical properties, including water resistance and a fast-drying time, making it an ideal mid-layer. It maintains 95% of its warmth when wet, so getting caught in the rain fetching your horse from the field won’t compromise your comfort.

Complete the 3-Layer System with a fully waterproof jacket, such as Musto’s Extremity GORE-TEX® Jacket. With a windproof structure and microscopic pores 20,000 times smaller than a drop of water, GORE-TEX® membranes are the ultimate all-weather protection.

With their impressive breathability, they offer enhanced dryness and warmth that’s highly suited to active riders.

Water resistant and with the lightness of down, Musto’s Action PrimaLoft® Gilet will keep you warm – even on rainy days

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Complete your look with a waterproof jacket

your horse wINTer esseNTIALs 2017 13

YOUR PERFORMANCE PARTNER

Helping riders achieve greatness since 1987 Musto: The OfďŹ cial Clothing Supplier to the British Equestrian Federation

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Only valid online at www.bluechipfeed.com. Not valid in conjunction with any other promotion. Code cannot be applied retrospectively.

PHOTO CREDIT

Blue Chip Forever is fed Blue Chip Dynamic to protect his joints and enable him to become a winning dressage horse

16 YOUR HORSE WINTER ESSENTIALS 2017

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PROMOTION

Support

his joints Keep your horse happy and moving freely with one of the joint feed supplements available from Blue Chip Feed

T

HERE ARE MANY joint feed supplements and products on the market and often it can be hard to know what each of them could do for your horse or pony.

Most importantly, it can be difficult to know which one is the most suitable for your horse’s type and workload.

Blue Chip Feed has three very effective and palatable joint support options, which supply your horse with the essentials for great movement and performance. One liquid, one pelleted and one formulated into a feed balancer that all work to support healthy joints as part of a long-term maintenance regime.

Blue Chip Liquid Joint RLF Blue Chip Liquid Joint RLF contains glucosamine, MSM, hyaluronic acid, yucca and manganese, which all help to nourish the joints, but also contains a rosehip extract. Rosa canina is formulated with a special glycoside that helps maintain joint comfort by limiting the number of white blood cells allowed into the joint. Rosehip extract contains polyphenols and anthocyanins, which are believed to ease joint inflammation and prevent joint damage in both humans and horses.

All the ingredients in Joint RLF are natural and contain no banned substances. The superior formulation is highly palatable and contains ingredients that are sourced specifically for maximum bio availability. Joint RLF is WWW.YOURHORSE.CO.UK

fast absorbing and incredible for horses that have become stiff and no longer move freely. It’s easy to feed and the bottle lasts around six weeks when fed at average rates.

Blue Chip Dynamic Blue Chip Feed’s best-selling pelleted joint and bone supplement has been formulated to facilitate optimal bone development and support the maintenance of the joints and surrounding tissues.

Dynamic contains glucosamine HCL to promote cartilage metabolism, maintain a healthy joint capsule and assist in the formation of synovial fluid to lubricate the joint and protect them from daily wear and tear. Also included is an organic, bio-available form of MSM, which provides the building blocks for protein and is vital for muscle recovery and tendon and ligament repair.

Blue Chip Dynamic incorporates a bone supplement into its formulation, containing organic manganese, calcium and phosphorus to ensure the formation of strong, dense bone. It also contains silicon for the efficient use of calcium.

This pelleted feed has proven to be invaluable to growing youngstock, producing sound, healthy individuals, and it’s equally popular for those competing at higher levels who want to protect their horses’ joints.

Super Concentrate Senior Balancer Alternatively, for older horses who may need joint support, the Super Concentrated Senior Balancer contains a fully formulated joint supplement with glucosamine and MSM, which works to support your senior horse from head to hoof with all the essential vitamins and minerals needed, alongside a probiotic digestive supplement and nucleotides for maximum nutrient absorption and healthy gut motility.

The balancer also contains a hoof, skin, coat and respiratory supplement to take care of your horses all-round health and well-being. This cost effective and easyto-feed option ensures all your horse’s nutritional needs are met in just one simple tub.

FIND OUT MORE: BLUE CHIP FEED HAVE SOMETHING TO SUIT EVERY HORSE OR PONY, TO SPEAK TO THE NUTRITIONAL TEAM, CALL 0114 266 6200 OR EMAIL NUTRITION@BLUECHIPFEED.COM YOUR HORSE WINTER ESSENTIALS 2017 17

Keep out

the cold Look great and stay toasty this winter with this great range of accessories from Hy Equestrian

I

T CAN ALWAYS be a struggle to find the right outfit at this time of year, but don’t let the cold and wet weather stop you looking fantastic this winter. With Hy Equestrian’s

stunning fashion accessories, you don’t need to sacrifice style to keep warm.

Great for both the yard and everyday life, you’re sure to find that perfect winter essential to complement your look.

HyFASHION MELROSE CABLE BOBBLE HAT Keep your head snug this winter with the Melrose Cable Bobble Hat. This stylish hat is designed with a fleece lining to ensure it’s both warm and comfortable to wear, a detachable bobble for a customisable look, and a beautifully woven finish that brings a sleek and elegant feel. With a choice of four different colours (navy, grey, raspberry and candy pink), these hats make a great Christmas gift – or even a treat to yourself. ●● Price £17.99

18 YOUR HORSE WINTER ESSENTIALS 2017

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PROMOTION

HyFASHION LADIES SUPERSOFT TARTAN SCARF Don’t just stay warm this winter – make a statement too! Made from luxuriously soft material, this sumptuous scarf not only looks high quality, it feels it too. The bold tartan print finish really catches your eye – a definite Christmas stocking essential. ●● Price £16.99

FIND OUT MORE: ABOUT OTHER PRODUCTS AVAILABLE AT WWW.HY-EQUESTRIAN.COM

HyFASHION SOCKS There’ll be no cold toes this winter with the new HyFASHION Socks. Available in four different animal themes, you’re sure to find the perfect sock for you or your loved ones. Choose from the smart-looking Newmarket Horse Print Socks for the keen equestrian, the Isabella Dog Print WWW.YOURHORSE.CO.UK

Socks for the dog lover, the Fox and Hound Socks for the true country lover and the Farm Yard Socks for fun at the farm. With three pairs of socks in each pack, they make for a great stocking filler. Available in one size to fit shoe size 4-8. ●● Price £14.99 YOUR HORSE WINTER ESSENTIALS 2017 19

49

99

£

ALLWEATHER WATERPROOF TURNOUT RUG LIGHT 600 denier outer with no fill Quick reference : 8278005

4999

6999

£

ALLWEATHER 200 600D HORSE AND PONY WATERPROOF RUG

£

ALLWEATHER 300 1000D HORSE RIDING WATERPROOF RUG

600 denier outer with 200g fill

1000 denier outer with 300g fill

Quick reference : 8366323

Quick reference : 8392813

3499

5799

£

£

ST200 HORSE RIDING STABLE RUG

ST400 HORSE RIDING STABLE RUG

Quick reference : 8398974

Quick reference : 8375126

WWW.DECATHLON.CO.UK

/DECATHLONUK

Enjoy your winter riding with clothing from Fouganza

Winter riding

Ride in comfort whatever the weather with the great range of practical and functional clothing from Fouganza

I

F YOU’RE LOOKING for unbeatable prices on great technical riding clothing that’s warm, waterproof and able to cope with the unpredictable British winter weather, then the autumn/winter women’s textile range from Fouganza is for you.

22 YOUR HORSE WINTER ESSENTIALS 2017

The team at Fouganza know the importance of staying warm and dry, whatever the weather throws at you. This year’s collection combines practicality with plenty of style, all at prices that won’t break the bank. This extensive collection of clothing is only available at Decathlon stores and online.

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PROMOTION

LEG WARMERS There are two different styles of jodhpurs from Fouganza that are sure to become your firm favourites this winter.

The Kipwarm Women’s Riding Jodhpurs are a modern classic, unbeatable in terms of value for warm, waterproof and breathable winter protection.

They have a comfy lycra hem and grippy synthetic leg patches. At this price, you can treat yourself to a pair in black for everyday and beige for competing. ● ● Price £39.99 The Accessy Warm Women’s Jodhpurs will make chilly thighs a thing of the past. A simple design, but it’s the highly flexible, comfortable fabric and fleece lining that makes these jodhpurs a winner. They’re available in grey and burgundy. ● ● Price £17.99

A JACKET FOR RIDING AND ON THE YARD First things first, a jacket you can rely on is essential and will make the cold months that little bit more bearable. The Paddock Women’s Riding Jacket offers perfect protection against the cold and rain. The breathable fabric ensures fantastic moisture transfer for more energetic rides and will keep you at a comfortable temperature. This jacket also has side gussets and a two-way zip to give you excellent freedom of movement in the saddle.

It’s available in black or brown, so it’ll team up perfectly with the rest of your riding wardrobe. ● ● Price £49.99

ADD A LAYER For additional warmth on those frosty mornings, you’ll not go far wrong wearing the Performer 500 Women’s Fleece. This type of fleece jacket is always so useful to have to hand. It’s designed with comfort and warmth in mind, featuring a snug turtleneck collar and reinforced inserts on the shoulders, chest and sleeves, preventing air and dirt from getting inside. This practical fleece is available in navy or grey. ● ● Price £24.99

The Accessy Warm Women’s Jodhpurs

WARM HANDS Complete your winter riding outfit with a pair of gloves to keep your hands snug. Designed for cold and wet rides, the Performer Winter Riding Gloves have a windproof water repellent outer and the inside is lined with a soft, warm fabric that protects you from the cold. prot You can choose from three colours – black, grey or brown. colo ● ● Price £14.99

FIND OUT MORE: ABOUT THE RANGE OF CLOTHING FROM FOUGANZA AT WWW.DECATHLON.COM WWW.YOURHORSE.CO.UK

YOUR HORSE WINTER ESSENTIALS 2017 23

With the right management, your horse will stay in great condition through the winer months

Winter wellness for

your horse Keep your horse happy and healthy with expert advice from the team at Petplan Equine

W

INTER CAN BE quite a challenging time for both horses and owners.

Not only do you have to contend with dark mornings and nights, miserable weather and wet and muddy fields, but maintaining your horse’s condition and fitness throughout the winter months can be difficult.

Petplan Equine’s veterinary expert, Gil Riley, takes us through three common conditions for horses in winter. He explains the symptoms to look out for and the treatment to ensure your horse is kept healthy and happy this winter.

MUD FEVER Despite its name, mud fever, or pastern dermatitis, is a range of skin reactions 24 YOUR HORSE WINTER ESSENTIALS 2017

to bacterial infection, mite infestation and other skin irritants, which affect your horse’s lower limbs.

A horse’s skin is amazingly delicate. Rubbing from boots or tack, or even being worked in a sand school, can cause tiny cuts that let in bacteria.

Prolonged wetting, from damp and muddy conditions or excessive sweating under rugs, softens the skin, making it more susceptible to infection. Mud fever is commonly caused when the skin on the lower limbs is compromised in such a way and becomes infected by the soil-dwelling bacteria Dermatophilus congolensis, which are bacteria that do not invade dry, healthy skin.

Keep an eye out for skin conditions, such as mu d fever and rain scald, if your horse is turned out in wet conditions

Symptoms Mud fever causes a horse’s skin to become inflamed and sore.

Pink-skinned limbs with white hair are the most delicate, but horses with dark skin can suffer from the condition, too. The skin becomes sore, crusty and WWW.YOURHORSE.CO.UK

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Older horses sometimes feel the winter weather more and can be in need of even greater care at this time of year. Petplan Equine can provide cover for veterinary fees for illness and injury until your horse is 25 years old. All you need to do is take out a policy before your horse reaches his 20th birthday.

scabby, hair falls off and the legs can swell. In severe cases mud fever can cause lameness. Although the long feathers around a horse’s fetlocks are protective, they can get completely waterlogged or infested with mites, which is one of the most common reasons for mud fever in heavy horses.

If you suspect your horse has colic, you need to call your vet

Treatment Management depends on the cause and the case, but first try to get your horse out of the wet conditions. Wash the scabs with warm water and a mild antiseptic, allowing sufficient time for it to soak in. Then try to remove crusting and loose hair as best you can. Gently dry the skin after washing, applying a soothing emollient cream – ask your vet which is best. In severe cases, bandaging helps protect the legs, stops them swelling, keeps them clean and dry and encourages healing.

RAIN SCALD Rain scald is similar to mud fever but affects a horse’s whole torso. It’s particularly common along the shoulders and back, where the body gets wet and waterlogged. When it’s constantly damp, the skin becomes infected by the same bacteria that cause mud fever.

Symptoms Rain scald can affect any colour of horse, but it’s more obvious on the grey patches of coloured horses. If your horse has a thick, dark coat, you may not actually notice it unless you run your hands along the hair. If your horse is rugged and lives outside, he could get a line of rain scald along his back without you noticing, so run your hand along his back and under rugs regularly to check.

Treatment There’s no easy treatment for rain scald other than getting your horse away from the rain and drying him out. It’s better not to clip his coat when it’s affected, but if you must, do WWW.YOURHORSE.CO.UK

it very carefully. Wash the scabs with a mild antiseptic recommended by your vet and, if your horse has rain scald in his saddle area, don’t ride him until it’s resolved. Antibiotics aren’t the sole answer – you need to remove your horse from exposure to wet conditions and most cases get better on their own if the skin is kept dry.

Many skin conditions, like mud fever and rain scald, can be infectious.

So, make sure that you keep grooming kits, rugs and numnahs separate and clean for each horse.

COLIC During winter when your horse is stabled more and exercised less, the digestive system can become compromised.

Ranging from a mild stomach ache to a displacement or twist in the intestine requiring lifesaving surgery, colic is one of many horse owners’ biggest concerns.

a look out for the following:

●● Pawing or scraping the ground ●● Turning to look at the abdomen ●● Restlessness – getting up

and down frequently

●● Frequent attempts to urinate

Treatment If you suspect your horse has colic it’s important to call your vet. Horses with mild colic may benefit from being walked out in the school or paddock while you’re waiting for the vet to arrive as it can distract the horse from the pain. If your horse wants to get down, or even roll, then let him – the situation will not be helped by you sustaining an injury trying to keep him walking. Treatment will depend on the severity and cause of the colic.

Symptoms There are several behaviours that can indicate pain and discomfort in the digestive system, so keep

FIND OUT MORE: FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW.PETPLANEQUINE.CO.UK YOUR HORSE WINTER ESSENTIALS 2017 25

The top

5

most common health problems in horses

1

Arthritis

2 Colic

How would you cover the cost of unexpected veterinary fees?

3

Gastric ulcers

4

Laminitis

5

Desmitis

To receive your first month free* call

0330 102 1692

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Cost effective winter feeding Discover how to manage your budget and ensure your horse has the very best diet with expert advice from the team at British Horse Feeds

F

EEDING COST EFFECTIVELY isn’t the same as feeding the cheapest materials, it’s a case of ensuring feeding is carried out to the highest level possible with money spent in the very best way. This is achieved by making use of the cheapest portion of a horse’s diet – forage.

Forage is the cheapest and largest component of the equine diet and, in some situations, can be all that’s necessary. During the summer months, for a horse on light exercise, grazing will supply all the nutrients required. Even if preserved forage is used, supplementation with some vitamins and trace elements is all that’s necessary. When increasing a horse’s activity, the use of super fibres will meet most needs. Introduction of hard feeds is only necessary when activity reaches high levels.

Come winter, though, there are some factors that need to be taken into consideration. Firstly, days are short and cold. It may be obvious but these factors give us two problems:

28 YOUR HORSE WINTER ESSENTIALS 2017

● Shorter days mean less time to feed ● Colder days also mean that more energy is needed For example, just to maintain body function, for every 10C drop in environmental temperature, a 500kg horse needs to eat an extra 2 megajoules of energy. Even with stabling, rugs and other forms of shelter, a cold winter requires a big increase in energy, and across a lower intake. This extra energy is to maintain body heat – during winter, up to 80% of intake is just to keep body temperature constant.

Weather and forage As if this wasn’t enough for most horses, the actual nutritional content

of the feed will change. It’s not that we’re changing how we are feeding our horses but the major component – the forage – is changing. Second cut hay, for example, is taken when cellulose (the slowest of the slow-release energy components) is increasing, and protein and oil is declining, so the nutrient density of the forage is lower. On top of this, preservation techniques, whether drying for hay or partially ensiling for haylage, reduces the energy content as nutrients are lost to the horse.

Meeting energy needs At the same time, we need to improve energy intake against a reduction of intake, and so should be feeding higher WWW.YOURHORSE.CO.UK

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SPEEDI-BEET ● A unique beet pulp feed, which can be soaked in warm water and ready to feed in just under 10 minutes. Feeding Speedi-Beet warm helps to raise your horse’s core body temperature. ● There’s a high proportion of soluble fibre, mostly pectins, in Speedi-Beet, which means its fibre is more easily digested than that found in forage, for example, hay. This makes it a great source of non-heating, slow-release energy. ● Made using only the best quality British beet pulp, Speedi-Beet is subjected to British Horse Feeds’ patented cooking process to produce a unique soaked feed. ● Speedi-Beet is very versatile – it can be fed in larger quantities to a poor-doer for weight gain, or in small amounts to overweight horses as a carrier for a multivitamin and mineral supplement.

FIBRE-BEET ● This is a super fibre, conditioning feed formulated with all the benefits of the original Speedi-Beet product, with added high-quality alfalfa for optimum condition and to provide quality protein for muscle tone and function. ● This high fibre feed has a high digestibility value, providing slow-release energy without the ‘fizz’. In turn, this also helps generate heat, helping your equine to maintain his core body temperature and keep condition. ● Fibre-Beet also provides a good range of minerals, trace elements and amino acids, and has added biotin for hoof quality. It’s ideal for horses and ponies prone to digestive upsets and very palatable for fussy eaters. What’s more, with a low sugar content, it’s suitable for horses and ponies susceptible to laminitis. ● Fibre-Beet can also be used as a forage replacer, providing up to 60% of the daily forage allowance and is ideal for veterans, even if their teeth are poor or missing. ● Soaked and ready to feed in just 15 minutes in warm water – ideal when it’s cold in winter – or 45 minutes in cold water.

energy feeds. To many this means a hard feed, or adding oil to the diet. Both are valid methods for maintaining energy intake, but may not be the most costeffective method. The use of super fibres may be a better route for several reasons.

Firstly, super fibres (materials where fibre is more fully utilised than forage fibre) can provide as much energy as cereals, without the need to load the gut with starch. They are fermented in the hindgut more extensively than forage fibre. With some, based on beet pulp, there is a prebiotic effect, stimulating the hemicellulolytic bacteria and a significant factor in fibre fermentation is the generation of heat. The heat generated supports the body core and helps save WWW.YOURHORSE.CO.UK

internal energy for other activities.

Using a beet pulp product, such as Speedi-Beet or Fibre-Beet, which should be fed soaked, enables another maintenance energy saver. Giving a hot mash again supports core body temperature.

Simply by feeding a hot, soaked super fibre, the intake of energy and energy support can meet the requirements of your horse in winter.

Getting the most out of forage, winter or summer, is the most cost-effective way of feeding. Using products, such as Speedi-Beet, in greater or lesser amounts as situations require, means there is no need to chop and change diets, helping you to feed on a budget.

MORE DETAILS: VISIT THE BRITISH HORSE FEEDS WEBSITE ONLINE AT: WWW.BRITISHHORSEFEEDS.COM YOUR HORSE WINTER ESSENTIALS 2017 29

VioVet is now located in a modern warehouse in Luton

Shopping for the

21st century pet owner VioVet allows you to shop for all your animals’ needs from the luxury of your own home. It is committed to keeping every shopping experience simple and enjoyable.

Here’s why you should join the 600,000 customers using the store

O

VER A DECADE ago, shopping for your pet supplies was something reserved for the local shops and veterinary practices.

The option to buy prescription medications online simply didn’t exist due to restrictions in the law, meaning prices were often high, and choice limited.

That all changed in 2006 when pet 30 YOUR HORSE WINTER ESSENTIALS 2017

owners were given the freedom to choose where they purchase their medications from and shop around for the best deals. Out of this, VioVet Ltd was born.

In the past, many pet owners may have steered clear of online retailers through fear of receiving ‘unauthentic’ goods or an inferior shopping experience, but increasingly online is overtaking the high street when it comes to the favoured mode of shopping.

How it all began Consistently rated one of the UK’s top online pet retailers, VioVet is the brain child of Luke Cousins, the son of a St Albansbased vet and veterinary nurse.

Just a 16-year-old schoolboy when he founded the company, VioVet began as an experiment to help the family’s veterinary practice sell medication and animal feeds online, and has grown to WWW.YOURHORSE.CO.UK

PROMOTION VioVet stocks a vast array of products for pets and livestock

two previous warehouses – the company was acquired by Pethealth Inc, a Fairfax company based in Canada, in April 2015, although Luke remains an integral part of the business.

It has been his love of animals that has helped drive the company forward.

From a young age, Luke has always had a passion for horses and used to enjoy competing and going to shows. This passion has been put into developing and expanding the equine range.

Help at hand VioVet now employs more than 60 members of staff, including a dedicated team of trained Suitably Qualified Persons (SQPs) and an onsite vet, who ensures that the dispensing of medication is done properly.

The team are available to contact should you have any queries, and trained customer service It’s Luke’s lo ve of horses as a child th operators can also at has helped to develop Vi offer advice over the oVet phone, meaning ther there’s always someone become one of the country’s largest and on-hand to speak to about your concerns. most trusted retailers in the industry, For more comprehensive guidance, stocking essential supplies for companion the VioVet blog is regularly updated animals, horses and livestock. with tips on caring for your pet or Evolving from a bedroom to a large horse, along with useful step-by-step warehouse premises in Luton – where guides on effective care management.

VioVet moved in 2013 having outgrown WWW.YOURHORSE.CO.UK

Putting your needs first Whether you’re in need of dog food, cat wormers, or equestrian gear, VioVet offer an extensive range of products, including many leading market brands, as well as its own brand food and supplements. It is continually looking at the products it has available to ensure it is stocking the most popular products and complete ranges.

You can also enjoy the convenience of the ‘Regular Delivery’ service, which is designed to help save you time and money on the orders you place on a regular basis. Simply decide when and how often you want your products delivered and let Viovet do the rest.

On prescription As an RCVS-registered premises, VioVet supplies prescription medications, dispensed under the control of its resident vet. Ordering is simple – just send your prescription and wait for your products to arrive. Most are dispatched the same day. All products available from VioVet are sourced from UK-based veterinary wholesalers and are identical to those supplied by your local vet, but often at a fraction of the price.

FIND OUT MORE: VISIT WWW.VIOVET.CO.UK YOUR HORSE WINTER ESSENTIALS 2017 31

“VioVet have never let me down, they give excellent service at extremely reasonable prices�

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Is your veteran horse losing condition?

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01362 822 902 Veteran Vitality

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From the First Signs of Ageing ╩ Y✔♥Þℜ Čℜ ♥⊂ ⊕½ ′Č⊂ ϯ ⊄♥⊂✔½ /¹½Č⊕  ′½ Č⊂¹ ⊂♥½ ′Č ✔σσ⊕½  Þ′½✠ ╩ ⊂Č♥⊂ ⊕♥⊂½½¹ Č⊂¹ E⊂║'D ✦Č ♥⊕  K⊄½σČ ϯ Č⊂¹ ϲ ╝ ⊂ ⊂½½¹  Č¹¹ ½✥Č ♥⊕Ύ ╩ ,♥σ′⊕✦ Č⊕ČČş⊕½ Θ şČ⊕Č⊂Þ½¹ ✠♥′ ½½⊂Č⊕ ✟♥Č⊄♥⊂ Θ ⊄♥⊂½Č⊕Ύ ╩ ,♥σ′ ♥⊂ Κş½ ✠♥′ Č σ¹ ÞČ⊕♥½ ⊕½✟½⊕  ′½⊕ ⊄Č♥⊂Č♥⊂ ✠½♥σ′ ╩ Č⊕½✦ Č⊂¹ ⊄⊕Č½ ½½ ⊕✠ ČÞ′ Č⊂¹ ⊕✠ ✔σČΎΎ ╩ DČ¹½ ✠♥′ ′♥σ′ ✔Č⊕♥✦ E⊂║'D ♥⊂σ½¹♥½⊂ Ύt′½⊂ ½¹ Č ½Þ⊄⊄½⊂¹½¹ ⊕½✟½⊕ ΎΎt′½⊂ Þ⊄Č½¹  Č¹♥⊂Č⊕ ¹♥½ ✠♥′ Þ⊄ČČ✟½ ½⊂½σ✦ ⊕½✟½⊕

K Þ⊂ČÞ ✔ ⊂✔♥⊂Č⊕ ′½⊕⊕♥⊂½ ş✦ ½⊄Č♥⊕

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www.allenandpage.com

Keep your veteran vibrant this winter 34 YOUR HORSE WINTER ESSENTIALS 2017

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PROMOTION

Winter feeding

for veterans Worried about winter weight loss as your horse ages?

Allen & Page Horse Feeds explain how to keep your veteran horse in top condition throughout the colder months

I

F YOU’RE THE owner of an older horse, you’ll know that keeping him at his ideal body weight can be a challenge during the winter months. It’s well recognised that the efficiency of your horse’s digestive system declines with age and, on top of this, a combination of cold weather and a decline in grazing quality can all lead to significant weight loss.

It can be challenging to know what to do for the best, but the team at Allen & Page has developed feeds especially for veterans, taking the worry out of feeding once and for all.

Here, nutritionist Joanna Palmer tells readers about Allen & Page’s Veteran Vitality feed.

Optimised for older horses To compensate for the decline in the efficiency of your horse’s digestive system as he ages, you may find that

he benefits from changing to a more nutrient-dense, higher-calorie feed to maintain his condition, particularly during the winter months.

“Veteran Vitality has been specifically formulated to meet the increased nutritional needs of older horses,” says Joanna. “It has a high-calorie level to promote weight gain and quality protein sources to aid muscle development and help maintain topline.”

Dental health is another important factor that can affect your horse’s condition as he ages and one of the most important qualities of a feed for veterans is that it’s easy to eat.

“A veteran horse with poor teeth is more at risk of developing choke and colic simply because he’s not able to chew properly,” says Joanna. “Veteran Vitality soaks with water to form a soft, palatable mash that’s easy to eat and has the added benefit of significantly increasing a horse’s water consumption, helping to keep the digestive system hydrated and able to function efficiently.

“This is something that’s particularly important during the colder months when many veterans can be reluctant to drink as much water as they need.

Veteran Vitality can be soaked with warm water to make a tasty, warming mash that your horse is sure to enjoy this winter.”

What’s inside?

Veteran Vitality is high in fibre and, as Joanna explains, has a variety of benefits for your horse this winter.

“Fibre is essential for good digestive health in your horse,” she says. “Fibre also has the added bonus in winter that its digestion creates body heat as it’s fermented in his gut, helping to keep your horse warm during colder weather.”

With the decline in grazing quality over winter, it can be tricky to know if your horse is getting enough nutrients.

Thankfully, the team at Allen & Page has WWW.YOURHORSE.CO.UK

Joanna is here to explain all you need to know about feeding older horses

taken the guesswork out of this.

“Veteran Vitality has been fully balanced with vitamins and minerals and also contains boosted levels of Vitamins C and E for their antioxidant properties,” says Joanna. “There are no artificial flavours or aromas, with natural herbs giving the feed a taste that’ll appeal to even the fussiest of horses.

“With a low starch and sugar level, Veteran Vitality is also ideal if your horse has a tendency to become fizzy or excitable on traditional, cereal-based veteran mixes that can often be harder for your horse to digest.”

Prebiotics and probiotics are also included to help maintain a heathy digestive system and linseed provides a source of omega-3 fatty acids for all-round good health and coat condition. Veteran Vitality is free from barley and molasses and also doesn’t contain any whole cereal grains or alfalfa, making it ideal if your horse suffers from intolerances to these common feed ingredients.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON FEEDING YOUR VETERAN HORSE THIS WINTER, VISIT: WWW.ALLENANDPAGE.COM OR CALL THE NUTRITION HELPLINE ON 01362 822902 YOUR HORSE WINTER ESSENTIALS 2017 35

PROMOTION

Groom like a pro For grooming that’s hassle free with professional results, try the FURminator. Read on for more about this easy-to-use grooming tool

I

F YOU’RE A horse owner, you may also have other pets at home, such as cats and dogs.

This can mean you spend a lot of time grooming your furry friends.

Frequent grooming sessions are important for all pets – they help to build a bond with them. Plus grooming removes dirt, dead hair and dandruff to promote a healthier skin and coat, as well as reducing allergens while stimulating circulation and hair growth.

A regular grooming routine is also a chance for you to check them over for any abnormalities such as inflamed or dry patches on the skin, or to spot any ticks and fleas, allowing you to treat any problems before they become serious.

Do you feel you’re spending all your time grooming? Help is at hand!

36 YOUR HORSE WINTER ESSENTIALS 2017

Effective grooming Thanks to FURminator’s grooming tools, which are used and recommended by veterinarians and expert groomers, there’s an easier and faster way to remove loose hair than with regular grooming brushes and one that can actually reduce shedding by up to 90%1.

The high-quality stainless steel edge gently and efficiently reaches deep beneath your pet’s top coat to safely and easily remove the undercoat, meaning less unwanted hair on your riding gear and around the home and car, as well as a stronger, glossier coat.

Loose hair can then be removed quickly using the ‘FURejector’ button, allowing for simple, one-handed use.

It really is that simple, no more hours of grooming, leaving you lots

The FURminator will transform your horse’s coat, removing dirt and making him shine

more time to have fun out riding your horse, or walking your dog.

FURminator’s range of tools are available from Pets At Home, as well as all good independent pet stores.

The FURminator has a recommended retail price from £26.502.

1

Independent Market Research Study 2012 of 200 users Price is at the sole discretion of the retailer

2

FIND OUT MORE: VISIT WWW.FURMINATOR.NET/EN WWW.YOURHORSE.CO.UK

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£224.99

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* Independent Market Research Study 2012 of 200 users

PROMOTION The Masterclip HD Roamer

Hassle free clipping New to clipping? Why not have a go yourself? With Masterclip’s selection of easy-to-use clippers, you can with confidence

M

ASTERCLIP’S CURRENT RANGE of heavy-duty horse clippers use a modern, streamlined head, which takes the A2 range of blades.

This means that each of their handsets offers a quick and easy solution to clipping with an easy-to-use blade change system and easy tension set up.

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Get £10 off w hen you buy any heav y-duty Masterclip ho rse clipper and trimmer at the same time

At only £224.99, the Masterclip HD Roamer offers exceptional value as it comes with one set of A2 premium quality blades, two rechargeable batteries, a charging unit, clipper oil and a smart silver box for storage.

Cordless clipping With no trailing cables and the battery neatly stored in the base of the handset, you’ll have one less thing to worry about when clipping your horse. What’s more, the Masterclip HD Roamer is a heavy duty cordless clipper that has a high torque DC motor that is capable of powering through the thickest of coats.

This clipper is well balanced as the weight is evenly distributed throughout the handset with an easy-to-hold grip, suitable for all hand sizes. When the clipper blades and battery are in place, the total weight is only 1.1Kg.

The highperformance batteries use the latest li-ion technology, which offers fast charging and a long clip time.

If both batteries are kept charged, you’ll have a total clip time of up to four hours.

A professional finish

The Masterclip Showmate comes in a range of colours

The HD Roamer comes with one set of 1.5mm blades but there are other cutting depths available, including a superfine, medium and coarse finish.

These A2 blades are manufactured from toughened steel, which means they stay sharp for longer.

This clipper is ideal to use on young or nervous horses and an obvious choice for yards without mains power.

HD Roamer. Perfect for trimming around the sensitive and hard to reach areas, including the face and heels. Available in a choice of colours and priced at £59.99, including VAT and next working day delivery. For peace of mind, all Masterclip clippers come with a two-year warranty.

Award winning trimmer Cordless clipping makes the job easy

38 YOUR HORSE WINTER ESSENTIALS 2017

The Masterclip Showmate is the ideal trimmer for a tidy up after your main clip and an excellent trimming companion to work alongside the

MORE DETAILS: TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE MASTERCLIP RANGE AND CURRENT DEALS, VISIT WWW.MASTERCLIP.CO.UK WWW.YOURHORSE.CO.UK

PROMOTION The Mud Fever Turnout Boot will help to protect your horse from wet and muddy conditions this winter

The mud

protector Make mud fever a thing of the past with the Woof Wear Mud Fever Turnout Boot

T

HE NAME MUD fever is given to a wide range of skin reactions caused by bacteria that thrive in wet muddy conditions. It can present itself as a mild skin irritation or, in severe cases, cause swelling and lameness.

If your horse suffers from mud fever, it can make winter a miserable time for both of you. Keeping your horse stabled isn’t always the best choice because he needs to be out in the field to move around and graze. So what are your options for keeping this condition at bay?

A boot fit for the job With this predicament in mind, Woof Wear designed, created and tested the Mud Fever Turnout Boot. Perhaps the most innovative feature of this boot is the loose-fitting, waterproof and breathable fabric, which allows air to circulate around your horse’s leg. This creates a micro-climate that prevents the warm, damp conditions mud fever loves.

Most turnout boots end above the WWW.YOURHORSE.CO.UK

bulbs of the heel, which allows mud to easily seep up the leg.

The Submarine hoof capsule used in the Woof Wear Mud Fever ver Boot, is articulated and ‘dives deep’ underneath the bulbs of the heel to prevent the boot riding upwards, preventing mud ingress.

Dealing with mud fever If you’re unlucky enough to have a horse with mud fever, here are some useful tips to prevent bacteria being spread among your horses: ●● Never scratch off the scabs, this can lead to further infection ●● Use a mild anti-bacterial shampoo for cleansing and then ensure the leg is as dry as possible before applying any appropriate creams for healing overnight ●● Clean your grooming brushes regularly – they can harbour bacteria if they’re not kept clean ●● Don’t use dirty boots – it can cause unnecessary and totally avoidable rubs

The material and design of the boot allows air to circulate around the leg

●● Don’t share horse boots – this

is to help prevent the spread of any bacteria or other nasties ●● Make sure to wash your own hands after cleaning any mud fever infected area (we also recommend using gloves where possible) ●● Where possible rotate your fields frequently to prevent them from becoming muddy and poached

FIND OUT MORE: PREVENTION IS BETTER (AND OFTEN CHEAPER) THAN CURE, SO FIND YOUR LOCAL WOOF WEAR STOCKIST

BY VISITING WWW.WOOFWEAR.COM YOUR HORSE WINTER ESSENTIALS 2017 39

Super Breathable