Your Horse & Country Magazine

Autumn 2021

A thoughtful Christmas…

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Seeing anxiety in our animals…

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WELCOME & CONTENTS

The UK’s largest glossy equestrian and country lifestyle seasonal magazine!

8

Man’s Best Friend

16

Your Country Property

48

Fabulous forests

Welcome T

hat slight chill in the air has pushed winter prep into full swing here at Team YHC, with rugs, coats, hi-vis vests and new diet plans all ready to go to keep our horses – and their canine friends – cosy and nourished as the seasons change (Yard Talk, Page 110). Make sure you check out our feed and bedding features as Kathy Carter tackles some of the myths surrounding equine nutrition (Page 80) and explores the greenest, most sustainable options for bedding materials (Page 98).

And, of course, if we’re talking about preparation for the months ahead, we can’t ignore the C-word... Christmas! After last year’s muted celebrations amid the pandemic, we’re looking forward to some good old-fashioned fun, enjoying the simple things – together – and we’ve rounded up some fun gifts for horses and horse lovers (Page 58), as well as looking at how we can help our favourite animal charities (Page 71).

With all this planning ahead, that’s not to say we aren’t taking the time to enjoy this most stunning of seasons – check out our feature with Forestry England, which has shared some of the best British woodland spots to enjoy a technicolour trek with your equine (Page 48).

In Your Country Property, Zoe Hewett is embracing autumnal additions for the home, making the most of what nature provides to create some beautiful decor (Page 16). And in our fashion feature, Kathy Carter finds that we’re all ready to “glam up” again – but in comfort as well as style (Page 54).

We hope this edition finds all our readers well and raring to go as we head into what we think will be an awesome autumn!

Contents

8 Man’s Best Friend

54

Autumn fashion

How to help your canine pals overcome anxiety and keep calm.

16 Your Country Property Could your dream country home be just a few pages away in our property section?

Publisher

Head of marketing

Editor

Editorial

Katie Miller

Daniel Miller

Publishing Co-ordinator Clare Aris

Assistant Publishing Co-ordinator

Alex Williams Kathy Carter

With special thanks to Zoe Hewett, Forestry England and Shutterstock Images

120 Equine health Keeping on top of seasonal ailments to keep your horse in tip-top condition.

128 Build It Put your arena on a firm footing with a surface to suit you down to the ground.

Printed by Warners Midlands PLC

Production

Joni Mann & Gary Burt

Lorraine Miller

Contributors

Issue 30 | AUTUMN 2021

Contact Us

01454 318 780 info@yourhorseandcountry.com Brick House, 21 Horse Street, Chipping Sodbury, South Gloucestershire, BS37 6DA

Whilst every care has been taken in compiling this publication YOUR HORSE & COUNTRY MAGAZINE shall not be made liable for any inaccuracies therein. The opinions expressed in the magazine are not necessarily those of the Editor/Publisher.

We need a leg up ~ Read our story:

GoFundMe: Support Horse India’s Marwari horses

“Support us today, so we can be there for you in the future” COVID ~ Our 50+ Marwari horses,stable staff and extensive camp teams need your help.

Any donation you can give is hugely appreciated.

As soon as International travel resumes, we look forward to welcoming you on safari with us.

PALACE TO PALACE ~ You may have heard of the ‘Golden Triangle’ - well with Horse India you ride the bit in the middle! Travelling by Marwari horse your senses are awash with the colours, sights and sounds of India. Join us to stay in old country palaces, dining on the roof by candlelight and under the stars.

DESERT DUNES ~ Chat around the camp fire with shepherds and camel herders, ride over the dunes, see chinkara gazelle and watch 50,000 Demoiselle Cranes come in to feed - a truly awesome sight!

FAIRS & FESTIVALS ~ Take part in the colours and excitement of local gymkhanas, horse shows, processions and festivals, as well as visit the famous horse and camel fairs of Pushkar, Balotra or Nagaur.

We have a fabulous range of holidays to suit all budgets, some are date specific but others can be taken at any time.

LEOPARDS & LAKES ~ Ride from the magnificent Kumbhalgarh Fort through the shady Ghanerao forest of the Aravalli hills to Jawai reservoir in search of wild and free roaming Leopards!

Horse India offers an informative riding holiday experience, combining history, tradition and culture through our knowledge of the landscape, its people & of course, its unique indigenous Marwari horses.

Our activities support the local economy from grooms to cooks, lorry drivers to tentwalas with a staff to guest ratio of 4:1

photographs copyright Horse India Ltd

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“These beautiful regal horses carried us steady, strong and safe, & never missed a beat” WHAT TO EXPECT ~ A riding holiday with Horse India will find you staying in old Palaces, bespoke haveli Hotels or re-creating the days of the Raj’ by camping in their Maharajah ‘shikar’ tents - erected every night in stunning locations complete with decorated bedrooms, attached bathrooms and real beds.

THE HORSES ~ Marwari horses have curly ‘lyre’ shaped ears that rotate 180 degrees and touch at the tip!

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WHERE: We are located equidistant between the blue city of Jodhpur, the lake city of Udaipur, and within easy reach of the pink city of Jaipur, Rajasthan, INDIA. WHEN: The best climate is October to March DETAILS: www.horseindia.com e: info@horseindia.com tel: 07726 930231

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U N FORG E T TA B L E HO R S E - R I D I NG ADV EN T U RE S ON T HE I S L E O F W I G HT Amazing weekend… the accommodation was lovely and the beach riding was such a highlight. Perfect way to celebrate my hen weekend!

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ay The perfect holid destination The Island’s Premier Equestrian Complex Island Riding Centre which opened in 2017 is set in 50 acres of countryside and centrally located for attractions and beaches. It is a perfect break for families, large groups and hen dos. The facilities officially opened by Princess Anne can cater for groups of any size having previously hosted 30 horses and riders from the Household Cavalry.

They include both a floodlit outdoor arena (60x40m) and indoor arena (60mx25m) with Fibrewax surfaces providing year round riding into the evenings whatever the weather.

Onsite riding activities include individual and group lessons and hacking trails to explore for all ages and abilities as well as those with physical limitations who can utilise our motorised para-hoist. For younger riders pony rides, pampers and holiday club activities are an ideal way to meet new friends and interact with our horses.

Bucket list Adventures

A popular family holiday destination with golden beaches and hundreds of miles of bridleways with incredible views, the Isle of Wight is just a short ferry ride off the South Coast of England and is perfect for riding holidays with, or without, your horse.

amazing beach or trail excursions then our breaks are for you. Equestrian influencer ThisEsme enjoyed our adrenaline packed riding adventures, “I had such an amazing time at Island Riding Centre. We were all looked after so well, the facilities, the stabling and the indoor school are all incredible. I can’t wait to go back!”

On a riding holiday you’ll ride the Tennyson Trail with stunning views and splash through waves along the miles of golden sands of Appley Beach. You’ll take part in group lessons and hacks and enjoy Island Riding Centre’s facilities including Barista coffee from our café and cocktails in our restaurant (opening Winter 2021). Alison recently returned from a riding holiday with her sister, “We had a really lovely time; the accommodation exceeded our expectations, the ponies were lovely, safe but forward going and all the staff were so friendly and helpful – nothing was too much trouble. We had a great time.”

Head to our website to check out dates and prices – www.islandriding.com/horseriding-holidays/ and take a look at our youtube channel for our latest videos.

A special break for you and your horse If you’d prefer to share the experience with your equine buddies we welcome horses to our 5* ABRS accredited Livery Yard with turnout, horse walker, solarium, hot wash and spacious car park for horse boxes and we offer trade discounted ferry fares to all of our clients.

4* Gold Visit England Accommodation After an adventure filled day in the saddle relax in our modern and stylish award winning accommodation; There is a great choice of cottages sleeping 1 to 10 guest and some have accessible features including downstairs bedrooms, wet-rooms and adapted kitchen. We also welcome dogs in 4 of our 11 cottages.

If glamping is your thing then our luxury tents sleep up to 8 guests in 3 bedrooms and each has two bathrooms with hot running water, a spacious lounge/kitchen, deck, fire-pit, electricity and wi-fi.

Whether looking to improve your riding, learn to ride or experience one of the

To find out more visit – www.islandriding.com To book 01983 215 000 or email holidays@islandriding.com Your Horse & Country Magazine AUTUMN 2021 | 7

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON, CANINES! Dogs just want to have fun, but sometimes stress can get the better of our pets. Kathy Carter looks at how to help your canine overcome anxiety.

M

any mammals experience anxiety – it’s part of our evolutionary process.

When faced with something our body perceives as danger or a lack of safety, the body shifts into a heightened state. It’s a normal response, and one that does keep us safe. However, sometimes this system seems to stay stuck in a heightened state, or becomes too easily activated. This is something many of us experience in our lives – but it also applies to our animal friends and companions.

DOGGY ANXIETY Dogs experience anxiety just like us, in particular relating to separation from their care-givers, or through fear. No matter how hard we try to create the perfect environment for our pooches, it can be difficult to counteract anxiety-based issues, especially if we have rehomed a dog, or do not know much about its past and its early upbringing.

While we as humans can seek therapy, meditate and practice self-development and mindfulness to help target our anxiety, it’s not so easy to provide these solutions for our dogs! It can also be difficult to pinpoint the triggers. Some anxious canines experience fear caused by loud noises (Bonfire Night is a good example of this, as is an unexpected thunder storm), as well as strange or new environmental situations, unusual visual stimuli, specific environments (like the vet’s!) or sensory stimuli, for example relating to surfaces like wood floors.

Canine anxiety can cause undesirable behaviours in the home, such as urinating and defecating in the house, destroying

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furniture and furnishings, and barking excessively.

SIGNS OF ANXIETY IN DOGS Age-related anxiety is sometimes a factor for older dogs, and can be associated with cognitive dysfunction, leaving the canine confused and stressed (your vet can offer advice pertinent to the dog’s age and needs). However, here are some signs of anxiety in dogs of any age:  Aggression  Urinating or defecating in the house  Exhibiting low mood and listlessness  Pacing in the home or garden  Experiencing restlessness  Showing repetitive or compulsive behaviours  Experiencing excessive drooling or panting  Showing destructive behaviour  Barking excessively If you spot any of these signs, as with an older dog that’s experiencing anxiety, it is best to start a discussion with your pet’s vet.

They can help you identify the type of anxiety your dog suffers from, and the possible

MAN’S BEST FRIEND

causes and triggers. They can also rule out any other medical conditions that could be causing the animal’s symptoms, and help you come up with a treatment plan, such as training, preventative strategies and, in some cases, medication. They may also recommend canine products for anxiety, such as the ones detailed further on in this article.

OBEDIENCE TRAINING AND EXERCISE Obedience training is generally acknowledged to be an essential tool for preventing and managing canine anxiety.

A well-trained dog is easier to socialise than a dog without training, and obedience classes are a great place for dogs to meet other dogs in a controlled environment.

Exercise (along with nutrition) is also key – this stimulation is crucial for a dog’s development, and physical and mental wellbeing. A stimulated dog is less likely to pick up destructive behaviours.

The charity Battersea Dogs Home has downloadable anxiety advice sheets on

 Obedience training classes can introduce your dog to other dogs in a controlled environment

its website, and states, regarding canine separation anxiety: “For some dogs, separation-related behaviours are simply a product of boredom, whereas for other dogs, separation-related behaviours and anxiety are much deeper rooted. Separation-

related problems often present themselves as a variety of different behaviours such as boredom, frustration and fear. Understanding the root cause will allow you to implement the right kind of training. If possible, set up a camera that allows you to see what your 

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dog is doing when you’re not with them, to more accurately identify environmental triggers, such as the sound of people passing the house.”

The charity has plenty of good advice, such as installing baby gates throughout the house to allow you to move from room to room without your separation anxietyaffected dog always being able to follow, to help train him or her to remain calm when you are not nearby. Visit www.battersea.org. uk for more information.

CANINE PRODUCTS FOR ANXIETY In addition to advice from your vet, you may like to try giving your pet a health supplement. Canine calming supplements commonly include ingredients that have been researched and formulated to provide relief from anxiety. These include the amino acids L-Theanine and L-Tryptophanis, which support the production of the neurotransmitter serotonin; plus compounds that promote levels of Gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), an amino acid that works as a neurotransmitter in the brain; B vitamins that promote healthy brain function; and natural extracts like lemon balm, passion flower, valerian extract and chamomile.

You can also purchase pheromone products such as collars and diffusers that replicate natural dog-appeasing pheromones; calming sprays with natural extracts such as valerian, vetiver and sage; and on-skin products that commonly contain valerian extract, a herbal supplement noted for its calming properties, delivering fastacting relief for those environment-specific events like Bonfire Night.

For serious cases of anxiety, talk to your vet about whether sedation, for specific events, may be required.

MAN’S BEST FRIEND

PSYCHIATRIC THERAPY DOGS

nxiety (along with depression) is the world’s most predominant human mental health problem. Anxiety UK, the national charity helping people with anxiety, states that the top ten most commonly presented anxiety conditions reported to them are: 1 Generalised anxiety disorder 2 Mixed depression and anxiety 3 Health anxiety 4 Social phobia 5 Depression 6 Panic disorder 7 OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) 8 PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) 9 Agoraphobia (fear of being in situations where escape might be difficult – source: NHS) 10 Emetophobia (fear of vomiting/vomit) In theory, service dogs can be trained as psychiatric therapy dogs, to support people with issues like PTSD, anxiety, panic attacks, depression and flashbacks.

Such dogs could be trained to help a person accomplish necessary tasks and protect them from harm, for example by bringing medication, water or a phone, or leading the handler to someone else who may be able to help. They could also be trained to offer tactile stimulation, such as licking their handler’s face to help disrupt an emotional overload, or provide pressure

against the handler’s body to create a calming effect during moments of distress.

However, while the psychiatric therapy dog concept is well established in territories like America, in the UK currently, the only way to acquire a psychiatric therapy dog is by training it yourself, with support from a charity like the Psychiatric Assistance Dogs Foundation (www.pads.foundation).

Therapy dogs in Great Britain are not considered to be assistance dogs (such as guide dogs). The organisation Assistance Dogs UK (www.assistancedogs.org.uk) states: “There are no ADUK-accredited assistance dog charities at the present time that train dogs for people with mental health issues where this is the only disability.”

This organisation has member organisations that individuals can apply to directly, like Guide Dogs or Hearing Dogs for Deaf People; and some of their member organisations do cater to individuals where mental health issues may present as a coexisting condition.

It’s worth remembering of course that companion pets, as opposed to trained therapy animals, especially dogs and cats, are widely known to have the ability to reduce stress, anxiety and depression in their owners, also easing loneliness and encouraging exercise. 

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Embrace your inner artist this season with pimped-up pumpkins and autumnal crafts, writes interior designer Zoe Hewett

A

change in season is always a brilliant opportunity to give our home decor a little refresh, and of all the quarters autumn provides the richest palette to play with.

The transience of harvest time is one of its most precious qualities so it is only right that accompanying home crafts are ephemeral too. Forget mass-produced, ready-made products that result in identikit decorations (and eternal plastic), this is the perfect time of year to go foraging for nature’s art materials.

There is nothing more synonymous with autumn than leaves and pumpkins but they don’t have to become ghoulish or juvenile Halloween creations. With so many different varieties of squash available with irregular shapes, variegated textural and colour patterns spanning the spectrum from white through yellow, orange and green they really need no embellishment. Piled up around the fireplace, along the mantelpiece or in the centre of the kitchen table they’ll look good enough to eat – and they are too, so you definitely should!

When dressing with objects like fruit, legendary centenarian designer Iris Apfel

 The humble pumpkin in a dazzling table display; left, follow Iris Apfel’s mantra ‘more is more, less is a bore’ (Picture: Ron Adar/ Shutterstock.com)

offers the sage advice “more is more and less is a bore”. American Thanksgiving tablescapes often feature pumpkins or squash abundantly laid along the central line of the dining table, perhaps interspersed with candles and foliage. For minimal effort, even the weekly Sunday roast can be transformed into a real occasion simply by adding a selection of squash.

16 | AUTUMN 2021 Your Horse & Country Magazine - YOUR COUNTRY PROPERTY

When diners are to be sitting opposite each other it is best to keep the height of decorations fairly low so that faces are not obscured, but when it comes to shelves, mantels or tables against walls this is the opportunity to go big. Making a success of artful arrangements is easy if you follow one of a few placement principles. Conventional styling wisdom would suggest piling them up in a triangular-shaped heap with the bulkier, heavier-looking ones towards the base – this

YOUR COUNTRY PROPERTY

would be ideal for flanking a fireplace, or atop a round table. Next would be a sort of pyramid shape, ideal for mantel displays.

Symmetrical positioning can look formal and uptight and squash, being so uneven, lend themselves more to creating an undulating eyeline. Consider working with rather than fighting that and create an asymmetric display with variable heights, and add foliage draping diagonally – as large as you dare!

If that sounds too over-the-top and you’re more of a minimalist, cluster together a few squash in groups of odd numbers. Using a tray or pile of books beneath will help elevate them to “styled” status, rather than just where they ended up after unpacking the groceries.

With the smooth-skinned varieties, painting them works very well. Using non-toxic water-based paints like gouache, acrylic or leftover emulsion tester pots you will be able to achieve vibrant colours, or for more detailed decorative designs you can use chalk marker pens. Dots, lines, crosshatches, geometric patterns, flowers, leaves – anything goes. When it is time to cook them just peel away the skin, making sure there is no pigment residue on the flesh you will eat. Alternatively scoop the flesh out first and draw on the hulled-out shell and admire them until they start to turn.

For longer-lasting decorations that can be reused each year you could try needlefelting your own pumpkins. The wool you use to turn into felt will eventually biodegrade one day long after you have finished with them so using natural wool as opposed to acrylic-based is best to avoid micro-plastic pollution.

One of the attractions of needle felting, aside from being a doddle, is that it can be done just as easily in complete, concentrated silence or socially with gathered friends chatting away, hot chocolate to hand.

Mindfulness or mingling, the choice is yours and both ways have a therapeutic benefit.

If you are a knitter with any wool spare from a previous project, roll or scrunch it up into a ball as it will make a great base to build your needle-felt pumpkin around, and use up your leftovers. For the next part you will need some super chunky natural wool.

Lambswool, merino or mohair are all ideal.

Lanolin allergy sufferers can use alpaca wool instead. Raw, unrefined wool will make a beautiful neutral-toned pumpkin, or if you prefer a little colour opt for dyed wool in an autumnal palette of muted olive greens, russet orangey-reds and yellow ochre, maybe even beetroot and berry tones. Ombre dyed wools, where the 

 Painted pumpkins on display; above left, crocheted pumpkins in autumn colours

YOUR COUNTRY PROPERTY - Your Horse & Country Magazine AUTUMN 2021 | 17

YOUR COUNTRY PROPERTY

colours each bleed into each other, are stunning and replicate the colour variegation of real squash, and are now widely available in craft shops.

All you need to do is take a length of wool that will fit around your base ball of wool from top to bottom. Stretch it out wider to say an inch or more if possible. Pin one end in place with a needle (specialist felting needles are available but any needle will do), and use another to stab the wool at the top and bottom and along its edges which will gradually fix it onto the base underneath.

Pricking it along the edges will help it form an indented line, so you can quickly see a segment, so characteristic of pumpkins, begin to form. Repeat this process with more lengths of wool going around the

ball, defining the edges of each piece to see the pumpkin taking shape. The base may need a little extra needling to help it sit flat. To finish it off add a few leaves and a real squash stalk to the top with a hot glue gun. Stalks can be dried out in the oven to prevent them going mouldy. Dry them on a low heat for a few hours while you are slow cooking something else, otherwise a chopped down stick will suffice. If you can get a few curlies of raw wool from real sheep as well then they make excellent tendril details. There are plenty of inspiring images and tutorials online if you need a little more guidance.

If needle-felting sounds laborious there is

 An autumn wreath featuring foraged leaves and, right, why not paint some too?

18 | AUTUMN 2021 Your Horse & Country Magazine - YOUR COUNTRY PROPERTY

one very quick, no-sew way to transform loo rolls into jolly pumpkins for a bit of fun. Firstly rummage around for remnants of tweed, herringbone, polka dot, checked and tartan fabrics in similarly autumnal colours. Maybe you have an old patchwork quilt in need of repair that could be given new life? Then simply wrap the material around a loo roll.

Tuck the ends down into the central hole at the top of the roll, and try to manipulate the folds in the fabric with your fingers to represent those classic pumpkin segment shapes. Add a cinnamon stick poking out of the top and a few leaves and voila.

Finally if you’ve exhausted all the colouring books for grown-ups and are ready to go freehand then why not paint leaves. It might sound like a juvenile activity but using paint or chalk pens you can create designs with substantial detail, from doodles and dots to complete landscapes.

Wreaths are not just for Christmas either so your leaves can even be transformed into an inviting front door centrepiece. If weaving willow is too fiddly, just buy a ready-made natural wreath base and add your own forest-foraged finds. Start with the larger items, then add smaller details like berries, feathers or whatever you collect, attaching them with floristry wire wrapped around, or tie things on with a pretty ribbon. This is a wonderful way to enjoy a good walk, slow down and enjoy nature rather like a toddler would and create a meaningful and totally unique piece of art for your home. 

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fragrance that our customers all love! Can be used inside and outside the home including artificial grass.

1Litre SUPACLEAN A heavy duty detergent and steriliser.

Makes light of heavy work and can be used for washing down and cleaning all surfaces including utensils, feeding and drinking bowls.

Can also be used on patios and artificial grass.

1Litre PARVO-VIRUCIDE The ultimate disinfectant for all animal areas. It destroys the organisms causing viruses, bacteria, fungi and ringworm. At the recommended dilution rate of 1:200 it is most effective against the Parvo-Virus.

1Litre PET BED WASH A laundry detergent and steriliser to ensure your pets bedding or other heavy soiled laundry is not only clean but free of disease organisms. Can even be used on a low washing temperature.

150ml CAN SCOOPY-DO A rich expanding foam with a

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YOUR COUNTRY PROPERTY - Your Horse & Country Magazine AUTUMN 2021 | 19

Warren Road, Little Horwood, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire

A rural five bedroom equestrian property set in 6 acres with paddocks and a separate annexe.

Situation: The accommodation is set over three floors and has been significantly improved by the vendor. The fitted kitchen/dining/family room leads to a boot room and a utility room which has a stable door to the rear. On the first floor there are three bedrooms, all with fitted wardrobes, and a fully tiled shower room. On the second floor the master bedroom has an en suite bathroom and a dressing area, and there is a further bedroom currently used as a study An external staircase leads to the annexe which has a sitting room, kitchenette, bedroom and a bathroom. A private tree lined driveway leads to the shingled parking area and formal gardens which are laid to lawn with a pond and trees. A five bar gate leads to a courtyard area with a tack room and gym. A further five bar gate leads to the stable yard which has six stables, floodlights and water. The post and rail fenced paddocks have water and include a Monarch horse walker and a manège.

Guide Price £1,400,000

Early 20th century equestrian property | Five bedrooms; one en suite | 6 acres | One bedroom annexe | Floodlit stable yard with six stables Post and rail fenced paddocks | Monarch horse walker and manège

This property is available to view on

Thinking of selling your property? Call us on 01454 318 780

Bathurst Farm, Rushlake Green, East Sussex

An attractive Grade II Listed period farmhouse with 6 bedrooms together with an extensive range of farm buildings, equestrian facilities and about 46.64 acres, mostly grassland.

Situation: Situated in a rural location on the outskirts of this favoured village enjoying delightful views over unspoilt countryside. The farm and equestrian facilities have the benefit of a separate entrance drive but are also within comfortable proximity to the house. They comprise two large agricultural barns, 91’ x 50 and 45.6 x 27, one with internal stabling. Former brick and tile coach house/dairy 41’6 x 34’7. It is considered this building has potential for conversion, subject to planning consent. Further brick building 24’ x 13’4 used as a lambing shed. Timber built triple garage 28’5 x 20’3.

The excellent 40m x 20m silica sand and rubber Arena has been formed in recent years. The woodland and ponds extend to about 5.12 acres and the pasture land to about 39.6 acres, making a total of 46.64 acres.

Guide Price £2,000,000 – 2,250,000

Outskirts of Rushlake Green village | Attractive Grade II Listed period farmhouse | Equestrian facilities | Outbuildings | About 46.64 acres

This property is available to view on

Thinking of selling your property? Call us on 01454 318 780

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“a present for life” “Alibaba” ~ the first Marwari ~ orders taken ~ shipping worldwide ~ 24 | AUTUMN 2021 Your Horse & Country Magazine - YOUR COUNTRY PROPERTY

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Fordham House Farm, Mount Bures, Essex

An impressive 21st Century Georgian style property, set in 36 acres, with approx. 12,467 sq ft of exceptional living space, outbuildings and premium equestrian facilities.

Situation: Fordham House Farm is constructed of reclaimed bricks from Colchester Garrison and has been finished to an incredibly high standard, both internally & externally. The fantastic living accommodation is spread over four floors with the kitchen and reception rooms on the ground floor and six double bedrooms, three of which are ensuite, on the first and second floors, as well as the luxurious family bathroom. This wonderful home also benefits from two basement rooms which the current vendors use as a gym and billiards room.

The extensive equestrian facilities include numerous outbuildings. There are 15 extra-large loose boxes, 9 of which are in the well appointed American style barn, with secure tack rooms and a wash down room, with commercial resin flooring providing stalls and space for a solarium (solarium not included) with a hot/cold wash down shower and fitted units.

Guide Price £1,950,000

36 acres | 6 bedrooms | 4 reception rooms | Four floors including basement | American style barn stabling | 60 x 25m floodlit arena | Feed & tack rooms Equestrian occupancy restriction | Stunning Colne Valley setting

This property is available to view on

Thinking of selling your property? Call us on 01454 318 780

Chacombe Hill Farm, Chacombe, Banbury, Northamptonshire

A modern five bedroom detached house with outbuildings, planning permission for a detached garage, and a plot of about 32 acres of gardens and fields with panoramic countryside views.

Situation: The property is set well back from the road and is accessed via a long drive which continues past the house and the site for the garage to a parking area at the front with a turning circle around a raised pond. There are panoramic views over the surrounding countryside. The property has over 4,650sq. ft. of accommodation set over three floors including a lower ground floor with a cinema room and wine store. The three reception rooms on the ground floor are all accessed via double doors from the hall and all three have doors to the garden giving an excellent flow through the space for modern family life and entertaining. There is also a bespoke kitchen/breakfast room and a utility/boot room. The first floor has five double bedrooms all with contemporary wet rooms and there is also a family bathroom.

Guide Price £3,250,000

Modern detached property | Five bedrooms | Four reception rooms | Six bathrooms | Space for tennis court | Planning permission for a detached garage Plot of approx. 32 acres of gardens and fields | Panoramic countryside views

This property is available to view on

Thinking of selling your property? Call us on 01454 318 780

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Avon-Vale Turf & Soil Trees & Hedging We also sell bare-root trees & shrubs, canes, spiral guards and tree straps

Family run with over 50 years experience in horticulture, from turf to composts, we offer everything you need for your garden.

Quality screened dry topsoil and seed grown lawn turf delivered to your door.

We provide free delivery on most orders and cover the whole Gloucestershire and Bristol area.

www.avon-vale.co.uk t: 01453 511528 e: enquiries@avon-vale.co.uk Lower Wick, Dursley, Gloucestershire. GL11 6DD

30 | AUTUMN 2021 Your Horse & Country Magazine - YOUR COUNTRY PROPERTY

The UK & Ireland’s Leading Supplier of Quality Equestrian Products

walkers and accessories WWW.CHEVAL-LIBERTE.CO.UK WWW.CHEVALTRAILERS.CO.UK

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The Coach House, Binfield, Berkshire

The Coach House is a beautiful countryside property sitting on its own private estate and set in over nine acres of land.

Situation: A truly rare, quintessential, Grade II listed, period thatched cottage set in approximately 6.9 acres of stunning gardens and paddocks with stables, outbuildings, taThe Coach House is a beautiful countryside property sitting on its own private estate and set in over nine acres of land.

Boasting over 3500 square foot of space in the main house theres also a separate self-contained cottage, utility room, heated swimming pool, six stables, tack room, double garage and barn. The perfect place for entertaining both inside and out, this wonderful house is accessed via an electronically operated gate which opens onto a gravelled driveway and takes you through beautifully landscaped gardens which are a memorable sight.

The property is just 20 minutes by fast train from Maidenhead Station and 45 minutes by car from Junction 8/9 on the M4 into the centre of London and fantastically situated near the village of Binfield in Berkshire.

Guide Price £2,500,000

4 double bedrooms to the main house | Newly renovated 1 bedroom guest cottage / annexe | Heated swimming pool | Magnificently landscaped gardens Set in over 9 acres | Beautiful private estate | 6 stables, paddocks and a barn

This property is available to view on

Thinking of selling your property? Call us on 01454 318 780

Willys Well, Bashley Common Road, New Milton, Hampshire

A truly rare, quintessential, Grade II listed, period thatched cottage set in approximately 6.9 acres with direct forest access to the New Forest National Park.

Situation: Willys Well is located at the edge of Bashley village within walking distance of the local riding stables and public house. The village has a local shop, post office, village hall, pre-school, garage, petrol station, delightful family run pub and garden centre. Bashley dates back to the Domesday records, a hidden gem of a New Forest village. Willys Well is conveniently located for two reputable independent school: Ballards, or Durlston Court prep School, both located in New Milton. The state Primary School is located in nearby Tiptoe village and the property is within the catchment for Arnewood Academy Secondary School, in New Milton, which has an Outstanding Ofsted status.

Guide Price £1,200,000

Entrance Hall | Kitchen | Scullery | Sitting Room | Dining Room | Office | Utility Room | Four Bedrooms | Three Bathrooms (1 en-suite) 6.9 Acres of Gardens and Paddocks | Double Garage | Stables, Outbuildings.

This property is available to view on

Hamptons International is a premier estate and letting agent based in London UK with over 140 years experience. www.hamptons.co.uk

Thinking of selling your property? Call us on 01454 318 780

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Do I need planning permission for my stables?

Yes! It’s almost that simple, about the only exception might be a stable in your own garden.

The next question you will be asking yourself is

“How do I get advice or planning permission for my stables?”

At Jon William Stables we can arrange all aspects of work to gain planning for your project, and are happy to include all-weather riding arenas, walkers, groundwork, access etc, the list goes on.

A planning practice may be able to help, check they are experts in equestrian planning so they can advise on all aspects of the design and build.

You could do your own planning application, there is of course a huge amount of information available on websites aiming to advise you on this, and they all do it with varying levels of clarity. Among the best is the government’s own website www.planningportal.co.uk, here you will find all the information required to submit your own planning application.

Here is a quick list of resources: GOVERNMENT PLANNING PORTAL

planningportal.co.uk FOR SUPPLY OF STABLES

jonwilliamstables.co.uk INDEPENDENT PLANNING ADVICE

Before

equestrianblueprint.co.uk

Or to arrange a chat about planning please call 01380 850 965, and ask for a call back from Nick

Jon William Stables

quality equestrian buildings built by British craftsmen

www.jonwilliamstables.co.uk | 01380 850 965 36 | AUTUMN 2021 Your Horse & Country Magazine - YOUR COUNTRY PROPERTY

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Coombe Lane, Naphill, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire

Captivating six-bedroom property set in glorious grounds of 2.4 acres, offers character features and delightful Chiltern views..

Situation: Located in an elevated position and commanding views across its own land to the valley beyond, this Grade II Listed threshing barn is approximately 400 years old and has been extensively renovated by the current owners. Today, spacious accommodation takes full advantage of natural light, as evidenced as soon as one enters, by the fabulous vaulted central reception room with double height windows. Exposed timbers and herringbone brickwork lend an abundance of character to this property.

Approached via a shared driveway and gravel parking area, the property has a detached double garage and an integral double garage. To the rear, gardens, largely laid to lawn, are enclosed by post and rail fencing and mature hedging. The swimming pool is located in a discreet spot to the side of the garden.

An L-shaped paddock borders the rear and side of the garden; it has a gate for vehicular access from the lane as well as a pedestrian gate to the gardens.

Guide Price £1,200,000

Reception | Kitchen/Breakfast Room | Family Room | Snug | Study/Bedroom 6 | Utility Room | Galleried Landing with Library Principal Bedroom with En Suite Bathroom | Bedroom with En Suite Shower Room | Three further Bedrooms | Family Bathroom | Two double Garages Gardens | Swimming Pool | Paddock.

This property is available to view on

Hamptons International is a premier estate and letting agent based in London UK with over 140 years experience. www.hamptons.co.uk

Thinking of selling your property? Call us on 01454 318 780

Manor Farm House, Kimblewick, Buckinghamshire,

Offering uninterrupted views towards the Chiltern Hills, a well presented family home in grounds of 3.6 acres with stables and paddocks.

Situation: Built during the 1980s on the site of a former farm, this is a highly desirable and attractive family home on a generous plot with paddocks offering tranquility in the midst of stunning Chiltern scenery. As soon as one enters the house, one is struck by the generous proportions of the rooms and grandeur of this property.

Built in an impressive country house style and well adapted to 21st century living, the house benefits from numerous large windows and sliding doors, taking advantage of natural daylight and offering magnificent views across the vale to the hills beyond. The main reception room rooms open off the partly woodpanelled hall and several are dual aspect. The 24’6” by 21’ kitchen/breakfast room occupies a dual aspect corner position and has large floor to ceiling windows and a door to the terrace at the rear of the house. Features include the high gloss fitted units, an island with a natural stone surface, stainless-steel counters and stone tiling on the floor. The drawing room and dining/family room are both equipped with wood-burning stoves.

Guide Price £1,800,000

5 bedrooms | 4 reception rooms | 3 bathrooms (2 en suite) | Detached | 3.6 Acres | Panoramic views | paddocks | stables with power and water double garage | tractor store | ample parking space | many dual aspect rooms | galleried landing | 32.6 miles to Heathrow Airport

This property is available to view on

Hamptons International is a premier estate and letting agent based in London UK with over 140 years experience. www.hamptons.co.uk

Thinking of selling your property? Call us on 01454 318 780

DEVON LIME STONE QUARRY

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Telephone: 01548 550003 E-mail: rtfarmbuildings@gmail.com www.rtfarmbuildings.co.uk 42 | AUTUMN 2021 Your Horse & Country Magazine

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You’d shop for the perfect shoes, why not shop for the perfect trees?

Choosing the right tree for your garden or landscaping project is a very individual experience.

What tree you want will depend upon a number of different factors, including the size of your garden or landscape, aesthetic considerations (such as stunning summer flowers or autumnal colours) and soil condition - not to mention personal taste!

provide shade for your horses you will want to steer clear of species like Sycamore that contain toxins.

The tree selection process We strongly recommend personal selection of the trees that will be incorporated into your landscape, particularly if you are choosing a memorial or legacy tree. This helps to give an idea of their scale and how they will look in the finished landscape. It also serves as a mood board, leading to other ideas and possibilities!

Another important factor is why you are choosing to plant in the first place. There are many uses for trees, from lasting memorials to screening or framing a view, and each may prompt a different specimen depending upon the look you want to achieve.

For example, if you are planting a tree to celebrate a significant event, or in memory of a loved one, you may wish to plant a large, feature tree in an open space that proudly commands the landscape, but remains delicate and pleasing to the eye. Or if you are planting trees to

The first stage in any tree selection and planting project is a chat with our team. If we have not visited your site before, or there are some technical logistics to deal with, then one of our experts will come and assess what needs to be done to bring your project to life. We can

44 | AUTUMN 2021 Your Horse & Country Magazine

also make recommendations based on your requirements.

The size of the tree depends on the access to the intended location.

The largest trees we can offer are over 14 metres tall (or rather 14 metres long when they arrive on a lorry!) and will need large pieces of equipment to get them from the lorry to the planting hole. This is where a site visit by one of our tree planting specialists can help guide you through the process.

At Glendale Civic Trees, we source trees from a number of UK-based and European nurseries. A nursery visit can last from several hours to several days, depending on the location and what you want to achieve. Prepare to be inspired by the wide-range of species, shapes and forms on offer.

Our recommendations for autumn colour Metasequoia glyptostroboides (Dawn Redwood) This is a vigorous deciduous conifer with foliage that fades from bright green to a coppery-pink in the autumn.

Liriodendron tulipifera (Tulip Tree) The arresting soft-yellow coloured leaves of the Tulip Tree mark the beginning of autumn. This tree is quite tolerant of pollutants making it ideal for urban projects.

Liquidambar styraciflua (Sweet Gum) This tree features glossy, five-pointed leaves that turn a vibrant red in autumn. It is a beautiful tree and the perfect farewell to the summer.

Quercus palustris (Pin Oak) This Oak grows quickly forming a straight trunk with handsome, horizontal branches. Its smooth leaves are bright green in summer, turning to a deep red in autumn.

It is a grand tree, ideal for creating eye catching avenues.

Acer palmatum (Japanese Maple) This small deciduous tree is well-known for its beautiful autumn foliage in hues of scarlet and bronze. We recommend investing in a green-leafed specimen to make the most of the colour change.

Growing the tree is only half the story At Glendale Civic Trees we believe a tree is only as good as the way it is handled, planted and maintained. We have been supplying, planting and relocating mature and semi-mature trees with precision, care and attention, since 1963.

Quality is essential from the start of any tree planting venture so we always ensure our trees are sourced from leading growers.

Our team are passionate about what they do and technical experts in industry leading techniques for relocating large, delicate trees from one location to another before successfully replanting.

With over 50-years of experience creating landscapes with instant impact and maturity, an exceptional finish is guaranteed.

Meet the team

Marc Greenaway General Manager

James Shipman Operations Manager

Michael Jose Sales Manager

Supply | Plant | Relocate

Visit civictrees.co.uk or email info@civictrees.co.uk Tel 0208 950 4491 Your Horse & Country Magazine AUTUMN 2021 | 45

As the UK’s leading freely distributed, seasonal publication Your Horse & Country Magazine really does have it covered.

From unearthing treasured country homes and estates in our exclusive Your Country Property feature, to exploring the seasons as they change, bringing you a host of dreamy days out, fashion tips and shopping essentials!

Also working hard with our in-house vet to keep on top of your equine health care, Team YHC explore real-life symptoms and scenarios in order to keep you in the know!

Autumn 2021

For just £18.99 a year we can bring all of this and much more direct to your door. Simply complete and return the subscription slip below and receive a year of back editions FREE of charge!

A thoughtful Christmas…

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Autumn Walks…

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Refer a friend Introduce your family and friends to the lovely team at Rowe Equine.

If you recommend a friend/family member to Rowe Equine and they register with us, we will give you both a FREE call-out!

Book a visit at a time and day to suit you, and with your preferred vet if applicable.

There is no limit to the number of friends you can recommend, we will keep crediting you with free call-outs! *Terms and conditions apply

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So if you like what we do, please tell your friends and family!

forests OUR FABULOUS

Autumn is painting the countryside in dazzling hues – and where better to enjoy the show than in our beautiful woodlands? Forestry England shares some top spots for horse riders.

S

eptember, October and November are some of the best months in the calendar to enjoy the nation’s forests as they come alive with a kaleidoscope of colour and wildlife activity.

A great way for you to enjoy this magical time of year is to explore the nation’s forests on horseback. Feeling the freshness of the cooler air as you ride through fallen leaves and seeing the colours transform as the season changes can bring a real sense of calm.

The colours remind us, too, of the history of these beautiful places and the international conservation efforts that have created them.

Alongside our glorious native trees, you’ll also find wonderful colours from trees that are not native to our woodlands. It wasn’t until the flora explorers of the 18th and 19th centuries brought back specimens that many of our most vibrant species were grown here, bringing a riot of colour to our countryside.

Today Forestry England experts continue to collect seeds from all over the world to ensure they continue to thrive and provide the next generation of trees for visitors to enjoy well into the future. Some also continue international conservation work to keep species alive that are almost extinct in their native countries.

From pink skies on misty autumn mornings to riding across a forest landscape tinged in gold, the nation’s forests provide the best places to ride your horse this autumn.

To help you bask in the wonder the season

48 | AUTUMN 2021 Your Horse & Country Magazine - AUTUMN OUTINGS

 A beautiful autumnal landscape in Hamsterley Forest, County Durham; above inset, Marshall’s Lake in Bedgebury Pinetum, Kent

AUTUMN OUTINGS

brings, Forestry England has shared its top riding spots.

BEDGEBURY NATIONAL PINETUM AND FOREST, KENT Soak up the atmosphere of one of south-east England’s most popular areas of woodland as you ride around Bedgebury Forest.

Take a ride bathed in rich colours from mixed broadleaf and conifer plantations. Enjoy the shelter of mature pines and the stunning colours of the broadleaf trees above you. As well as the bridle paths, Bedgebury has a network of waymarked trails that are provided exclusively for members of TROT (Toll Rides Off-road Trust) to enjoy. TROT members can also use the secure box park situated away from the main entrance. All abilities will find an autumnal route that’s accessible for a hack to stretch out, and trails wide enough for a canter. For more information, visit www. forestryengland.uk/bedgebury

SALCEY FOREST, NORTHAMPTONSHIRE This five-mile circular horse-riding route takes you on a circuit of the whole forest, giving riders the chance to enjoy the beautiful changing autumnal colour of the oak, ash and hazel trees. If you ride to the south-east corner of the forest, the horse trail leads you through a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), designated for the rarity of its wildlife habitats. Here you can enjoy the wide range of colours from our oaks as they turn from copper to yellow to bright red. If you decide to head to the northern section of the trail you will be greeted with a riot of gold, bronzes and reds from our magnificent cherry trees. For more information, visit www.forestryengland.uk/ salcey-forest

HICKS LODGE, LEICESTERSHIRE A designated horse trail will take you round the outer areas of the forest on long, grassy peaceful tracks, which are great for stretching your horse’s legs. Enjoy the glorious pink skies of autumn as you steadily trot along. The trail joins onto the Donisthorpe and Moira public bridleway, which goes around the lake, so you can enjoy the rainbow of colour in the wider forest and the abundance of wildlife, including migratory sand martins on the lake.

There is designated horse box parking on site and a secure corral to use if you want to visit the café for refreshments. Due to the trail being grass, it closes over winter. The bridleway is accessible all year round. For more information, visit www.forestryengland. uk/hicks-lodge 

AUTUMN OUTINGS - Your Horse & Country Magazine AUTUMN 2021 | 49

Falling into new season

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AUTUMN OUTINGS

Horse riders that are members of TROT can enjoy a scenic horse ride through our network of forest trails at West Walk, known locally as Hundred Acres Wood. Today, West Walk is the largest remaining fragment of the Forest of Bere, a heritage landscape that stretches from Eastleigh to West Sussex.

The glorious woodlands are a true joy to behold in the autumn when the leaves change colour, nestled snugly into the South Downs landscape in the south-east of Hampshire. They support an important range of wildlife habitats, including woods, heaths, meadows, wetland and farmland. There are several small streams within the complex, connecting to streams which eventually flow into either the Rivers Meon or Wallington.

There are also a number of ponds that provide habitats for valuable reptiles and amphibians, including great crested newts, as well as insects. For more information, visit www.forestryengland.uk/west-walk

BLIDWORTH WOODS, NOTTINGHAMSHIRE Members can enjoy riding through the autumn leaves in this “off the beaten track” woodland. If you and your horse enjoy a bit of peace and quiet, then this is a fantastic destination for you. There is an abundance

of autumn colour to be found along the designated long sandy horse trail, making it the perfect destination to see autumn in all its glory. Please visit www.forestryengland.uk/ blidworth-woods for further information.

you arrive along the drive. The forest has two waymarked horse-riding trails (Redford and Pennington) where you can soak up the rich red and golden hues of autumn.

They both start and finish at Grove Car Park where there is a mounting block, tether post and ample space for parking a horse box or trailer. Both trails are on forest road and offer the opportunity to explore deep into the quieter areas of the forest. For more information, visit www.forestryengland.uk/ hamsterley-forest 

WYRE FOREST, WORCESTERSHIRE Wyre is one of the largest ancient oak woodlands in England making it one of the best places to visit in autumn as the trees offer up vivid colour displays of burnished golds, yellows and oranges. Take a ride past majestic old oaks, along forest tracks and narrow paths on our three waymarked dedicated horse-riding trails, which allow the rider nearly 10 miles of off-road riding.

All the trails start at our Callow Hill site where you can pay for a daily horse box parking ticket or why not become a member and benefit from free horse box parking as well as a designated barriered horse box parking area? More information can be found at www.forestryengland.uk/wyre-forest

HAMSTERLEY FOREST, COUNTY DURHAM This delightful 2,000 hectare oasis, sprawling along the sides of a sheltered valley, is a lovely place to visit in autumn. You’ll be met with beautiful colour from the moment

 A waterfall in the Wyre Forest

AUTUMN OUTINGS - Your Horse & Country Magazine AUTUMN 2021 | 51

Main image: Forestry England/Crown copyright

WEST WALK, FOREST OF BERE, HAMPSHIRE

A G R E AT B R I T I S H C O M PA N Y

NEW A/W 21 COLLECTION

EXCEPTIONAL PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS FOR ANY EQUESTRIAN ATHLETE

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We’re here for all your countryside attire this autumn...

Cotswold Country Ltd was established over 18 years ago and prides itself in selecting the best products from all the top country wear brands. Our large shop is spread over two floors and houses an extensive range of clothing, footwear, accessories and gifts for all lovers of the country.

Whether you enjoy walking in the countryside, working outdoors or going racing, there is something for everyone instore or online. Our small but experienced team of staff are very knowledgeable and are always on hand to help to make your shopping experience enjoyable.

Stockists of...

T: 01285 657 527 E: sales@cotswoldcountry.co.uk W: www.cotswoldcountry.co.uk

Or visit us today at: 80 Chesterton Lane, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 1YD Your Horse & Country Magazine AUTUMN 2021 | 53

glow up THE GREAT AUTUMN

With ‘party season’ just around the corner, will we be throwing off the tracksuits and glamming up again, asks Kathy Carter

I

t’s a bleak way to start – but in terms of consumer spending, the past year or so has been the worst ever for the fashion industry. While we grew accustomed to tracksuit bottoms, athleisure and even pyjamas – at least from the waist down if we were on Zoom calls! – sales of workwear and party-wear naturally plummeted. Key trends have emerged, however, from the ashes of the pandemic – here, we showcase the main ones to look out for.

CASUALISATION VERSUS GLAMOURISATION The term “casualisation” recently entered the fashion vocabulary as a fashion trend, alongside the already-existing “athleisure” and “sustainable clothing”, with all three sectors booming in Covid times. Brand loyalty bit the dust to a degree, as we shopped at online outlets that met our needs; while some companies, for example those relying on wholesale channels, were affected because of organisations in their supply chains being hit

by Covid issues.

Digital retail platforms, direct-to-consumer outlets and sales through social media definitely saw a boom during the pandemic. However, there

seems to be an optimism in the fashion sector that “glamourisation” may make a resurgence, as we’re now increasingly attending social functions.

Men’s fine jewellery and investment bags are reportedly two luxury areas that have already started to regain momentum after the pandemic. However, perhaps our new penchant for flat shoes and comfy waistlines will affect what we choose to purchase under the glamourisation banner moving forward!

CLOTHES AS THERAPY Writing for the Guardian newspaper recently, Andrew Ibi of Face, a former trend forecaster, predicted that post-pandemic, we will be looking for ways to reconnect socially: “Clothes, hair and make-up will be part of the therapy. We use clothes to communicate and to perform; they make us feel good one way or the other,” he said.

These are words of

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Dubarry Kinsale bag in Chestnut,www.dubarry.com

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wisdom – putting on “a face” and “making an effort” clothes-wise could be just what we need to re-connect socially and build up our fashion confidence once again, after so many hours at home over the last 18 months, in whatever capacity.

SUPPORTING BRANDS WITH GOOD VALUES A clear trend in recent times, and not completely linked to Covid, is that consumers want to support brands with good values. Sustainability, social justice and equality are all important brand values to today’s savvy shoppers. Sustainable clothing is actually one of the most important current trends in fashion. McKinsey and Company’s 2020 report “How the fashion industry can urgently act to reduce its greenhouse-gas emissions” looked into the CO2 footprint of the fashion industry on the planet, and what it would take to reach the Paris Agreement targets. (These are targets made by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Research showed that the sector is responsible for about 4 per cent of the global total of greenhouse gas emissions). It seems that Covid has made us more conscious of

FASHION

GEO High waist riding tight Black/Orange

 As foreign holidays return so has demand for beach fashion; left, casual meets glamour for autumn

how our choices affect the planet, though.

We’ve perhaps had more time to think about our fashion spending choices, look into our wardrobes to repurpose items, and choose quality over quantity.

RISQUÉ DRESSING

So Country

There’s also a reported “sexy dressing” movement within the fashion sector – think cut-out ladies’ outfits with a glimpse of flesh, bold crop tops, exposed thong undies, “bodycon” materials that leave little to the imagination, and even form-fitting catsuits. Men are not excluded from the trend – very short shorts are reportedly de rigueur. If you like to embrace a risqué way of dressing, perhaps this trend is for you?

RESORTWEAR Although we’re hurtling towards autumn and winter, retailers are presumably hopeful that a substantial return to international travel will take place, with “resortwear” such as swim wear, sunglasses, beach hats and kaftans selling fast. (If you’re able to jet off to find some sun this autumn or winter, be sure to pack a risqué swimsuit, a la the Love Island 

Country Interiors.

Furniture, Fabrics, Cushions and Gifts.

www.socountry.co.uk

FASHION - Your Horse & Country Magazine AUTUMN 2021 | 55

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FASHION

Hartwell Ladies Zoe shirt, www. cotswoldcountry.co.uk

*

Coldstream Cornhill Quilted Coat in Mulberry Purple, coldstream equestrian.co.uk

contestants on TV, if you want to impress any fashionconscious fellow holiday-makers).

DOPAMINE DRESSING Another interesting trend – credited to an affinity with nostalgia and experimentation by the so-called Generation Z-ers, e.g. those who are aged under 24 – is moodboosting fashion. Think endorphin-inducing colours (yellow, orange, green, pink, red and blue), kitsch motifs, and psychedelic 70s prints. You can accessorise your hot pink trousers with playful jewellery – this trend for mood-boosting “dopamine dressing” sees candy-inspired beaded necklaces and bracelets, the kind your kids, nieces and nephews could make with a craft set, being all the rage. Will these interesting hues be appreciated at the stables or on a countryside walk? That remains to be seen. But we do all need an injection of fun in our lives, so maybe today’s young people will be providing it, with their interesting and nostalgic dress sense!

*

Aria Suede Driving Moccasins in Yellow, www.chatham.co.uk

seasons – put a cosy knit over a summer

dress with tights, to be bang on trend.

When choosing your softcore colour, look for lilac tones and the all-important millennial pink (a soft blush shade), as well as white hues and browns, to complete the look. Classic equestrian looks – the knitted scarf and puffer jacket (still regarded as the Puffa jacket in horsey circles, thanks to the originating brand) – are hitting the high street too, and come under the softcore remit.

On that note, the softcore look can also extend to the more mature dresser. Cosy knitwear never really goes out of fashion, and this season, chunky knits are all the

rage. Sweater vests and furry coats are also looks to be seen in this year, and this goes for men’s as well as women’s-wear.

IN CONCLUSION Could it be that, like the period 100 years ago after the First World War and the 1918 Spanish flu, when the roaring Twenties saw fashion and individuality booming, that the 21st-century “Twenties” will witness a period of social freedom, creativity and economic upturn? It’s probably too early to say, but post-pandemic fashion consumers are definitely in need of some freedom and creativity in their lives – so maybe it is time to get out those flapper dresses and cloche hats, and strike an avant-garde pose! 

SOFTCORE Softcore is another interesting trend.

Not heard of it? There are over 44 million views on the #softcore hashtag on social media platform TikTok; this movement explores the cosy elements and aesthetics of athleisure, with a new Gen Z subculture of cosy street-wear. Softcore stems from Japan, and has “cuteness” at its core – think feminine colour tones with cutesy, cartoon woodland animals as motifs.

(This isn’t a women-only trend – young men are also embracing it wholeheartedly).

Tactile fabrics are reportedly key – think terry towelling and teddy fur textures. This quirky way of dressing works well across the

 Get a dopamine hit with Scorching North’s brightly patterned riding tights

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CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE - Your Horse & Country Magazine AUTUMN 2021 | 57

Make this a

Christmas to remember With the thought of finally getting together this Christmas after a pared down event last year, we look at the gifts to enhance the festive season and put a much needed spring in everyone’s step: Due to the many shortages facing our planned celebrations this year, we look to enjoy the simple things this Christmas, with low key festivities and budget friendly gifts.

After curtailing celebrations with friends and families last year, we are all looking forward to welcoming guests this year for what feels like a Christmas to remember.

Sevens - Deal the entire deck to the number of players in your game - Keeping your hand to yourself, arrange your cards in suit and numerical order

- The player with the seven of diamonds goes first by putting this card on the table, the person to their right goes next, but can only place the card before or after the seven of diamonds in a suit the 6 of diamonds or the 8 of Old fashioned eg. diamonds, or can begin another suit fun if they hold a seven eg seven of hearts.

Dust off the deck of cards As play progresses you will have 4 clear and dig out the party games! layouts, one for each suit.

Its time to go back to basics!

- Each person puts down one card in turn, Card games get the whole family but each has to be in sequence. involved. It’s always great fun to see - If you cannot place a card on your turn, who will miss the obvious move and you must pass get landed with a huge stash of cards during each round and as a truly portable - The first player to play game, you can give as much or as little their last card is time as you like, and can play literally the winner. anywhere. Try a game of Sevens (details opposite) or the classic Uno for some old school fun. If you would like to try a more modern card game, try the fast paced Dobble, it certainly keeps your mind active.

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CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE

Stylish Equestrian Clothing for Tots to Teens!

1 grated carrot

The Ultimate Horse Cookie Recipe

1 grated apple ey

½ cup molasses or hon 2 cups of oats ½ cup flour

ble or 1 tablespoon of vegeta oil ut on coc Preheat the oven to 160 ether and Mix the ingredients tog roll into small balls. ing sheet Press onto a greased bak an hour. f hal and bake for roughly

Made with love Whilst picking out your Christmas presents for friends and loved ones, don’t forget your equine friends too. Why not try making some delicious snacks for their indulgence, there are plenty of recipes online to make healthy alternative to shop bought treats, your horse is sure to enjoy their gift.

Whilst we all enjoy some relaxing time off over Christmas, now is the time to enjoy extended dog walks. The national trust help you find the best local dog walks in and around your area. There are plenty of wonderful woodlands, captivating countryside and breathtaking beaches to explore with your canine companion to ensure they make the most of the festive season too. Visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/features/ best-places-for-dog-walking for more information.

Need some help?

Call 07740 946349 (Mon-Fri 9am to 5pm)

www.jollytotsequestrian.co.uk

THE PERFECT GIFT F O R

H O R S E Y

G I R L S !

A huge part of Christmas is gift giving, but now more than ever we appreciate each other’s company, and the little things in life.

Therefore take a moment to sit back, relax and indulge yourself in the warm glow of the happiness that Christmas brings.

Put your name on it!

01274 852 139 | sales@horseswithattitude.co.uk

www.horseswithattitude.co.uk

FUN HORSEY CLOTHING AND GIFTS CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE - Your Horse & Country Magazine AUTUMN 2021 | 59

Looking for that perfect Christmas gift idea?

YHC recommends:

Scorching North THERMO - cool weather riding tights The THERMO range are designed for the rider who won’t let the weather get in her way.

Heavy weight 320GSM microfiber with a brushed fleecy inside, full silicone seat and a large phone pocket.

Available in UK size 8-18, five colour choices.

www.scorchingnorth.com

Browse the range of socks this Christmas at www.elico.co.uk, make a perfect present or a great treat for Christmas feet!

Whether you are looking for a handy stocking filler, a silly secret santa gift or a seasonal sock for Christmas day with a choice of cotton twin pack socks, feature socks (matching odd socks) or the new bamboo long socks launched this autumn. Choose your theme from horses, dogs, unicorns, carrots, bees or horseshoes.

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CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE

“

Year on year the award-winning Performance Padded Panty never ceases to act as the perfect stocking filler. With new designs and colours added to our collection this winter, Is it time you experienced our seamless, high-tech Derriere Equestrian Padded Support System to enhance rider comfort helping you achieve the perfect seat?

MACWET GLOVES PROVIDE: Incredible touch and feel you won’t realise you’re wearing them!

Unrivalled grip in dry, wet or humid conditions The perfect fit - available in 14 sizes A choice of 6 colours, two styles and two cuff lengths Durability - machine washable and long-lasting

MacWets are touch sensitive to use with iPhones, iPads and camera.

”

A great point as glove manufacturers are making gloves specially for this purpose - and we have it already!

To order call: 0845 603 9075 | Email: info@macwet.com

www.macwet.com

Rainbow Likit Carousel The perfect gift for any Likit fan!

Our colourful Likit Carousel treat tin is filled with 500g of yummy Rainbow Likit Snaks in Apple, Mint, Banana & Strawberry flavours as well as the coveted Limited Edition Rainbow Likit 650g that you won’t be able to buy anywhere else! As if that wasn’t enough, we have also hidden some Rainbow Tickets inside the tins, if you find one you have won a package of our favourite Likit & Stud Muffins Goodies.

Available from your local Likit stockist from October onwards whilst stocks last. RRP: £12.99

ONLINE EQUINE GIFT EMPORIUM

USE CODE YHC10 for 10% off YOUR FIRST ORDER Tel. 01460 220769

WWW.GALLOPGURU.COM

CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE - Your Horse & Country Magazine AUTUMN 2021 |

61

a great stocking filler Barrier protection & hoof balm for daily use

Prevents Bacteria Growth Reduces Foot Odour Strengthens & Conditions Adds Lasting Shine

Reeves

Reeves&

www.reevesandreeves.com t: 01460 221630

Use code YHC10 FOR 10% OFF

Hold Your Horse Sterling Silver jewellery & keepsakes made just for you

LUCY MILNE PORTRAITS by commission

lucymilneportraits.co.uk lucymilneportraits 07791763958

Each piece that I make can hold something from your horse or pet - hair, ashes, teeth, it’s up to you… don’t wait until they’re gone - the memories are already made.

e: Dawn@HoldYourHorse.co.uk t: 07549 659924 www.HoldYourHorse.co.uk

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“THE ULTIMATE IN SAFETY, STYLE & VALUE FOR MONEY”

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CALL 01480 891054 TO DISCUSS YOUR REQUIREMENTS AND TO OBTAIN A QUOTE

or email info@owendhorseboxes.co.uk

The Abigail Equine Handbag £135 Available Online Now www.grays1922.com

Horse & Country Gift Guide July 2021.indd 1

16/07/2021 13:23

www.pegasusjewellery.net

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Zebra Products Emily says…

Stay ahead of the herd this Christmas Emily King - Sponsored Rider

Equipe Staf14 safety stirrup

Characterised by their aesthetic lightness and eye-catching styling, these stirrup feature an innovative simple release system. This system has no springs, hooks or magnets that are at risk of breaking or getting stuck.

These high performing stirrups feature a mobile silicone arm which is securely engaged at the top into a built-in pin on the fixed gullet, which releases under pressure during a fall. The lower section of this silicone arm is set between the stirrup tread and gullet. which is designed to prevent it from loosening under conditions of normal use, but in case of a fall, it can be easily extracted.

Available in 4 metals Bronze.titanium,black and dark titanium with a choice of 11 rubbers.

RRP £315.00

Tucci Time Marylin long boots Tucci Time Marilyn, punched patent leather details tall boots among the 4 different versions available, Italian design, extra strong elastic band and zip: top performances, durability and comfort made in Italy matched to impeccable made-tomeasure fit.

Be ready to conquer the world Tucci Time Marilyn collection is timeless as true style endures. The sumptuous elegance and sexy silhouette teases and charm. Embodying the irresistible combination of impulsive innocence, strength and independence of modern women, simply someone you could fall in love with.

RRP

£620.00

Cavalleria Toscana Shiny hiny Matte Nylon Puffer Vest Women’s Nylon Hooded short Puffer. This sporty style women’s padded zip vest is made of technical material, keeps the body warm thanks to its padding, while still being light for maximum freedom of movement. Protects from the wind, without impeding movement. it features a practical front zip and CT logo.

Available in Brown and Blue in sizes XXS-XL.

RRP

£425.50

Veredus TRS Save the sheep brushing boots The Veredus TRS Save The Sheep Brushing Boots: Front are a brand new design, the Veredus Techno Sheepskin turnout/brushing boots that are designed to help protect your horse’s legs and prevent injuries during everyday use, with a synthetic sheepskin lining that offers the comfort of lambskin with the performance benefits of a man-made fabric.

These boots are suitable for sensitiveskinned horses that can get rubbed by standard boots. The man-made techno sheepskin offers a number of advantages over real sheepskin: Available in black or brown in sizes m-l

RRP

£102.00

Bucas shamrock power cooler The Shamrock Power is an ideal multifunctional rug. It performs superbly as a sweat rug, travel rug and light stable rug.

It is manufactured using two layers of Bucas Stay-dry fabric. The unique Stay-dry functionality, which wicks moisture away from your sweaty or washed horse, ensures that the horse is always dry, saves time and rug changes and ensures that the horse is always comfortable.

The anti-bacterial lining helps to keep the rug fresh and in good condition.

The outer of the Shamrock Power repels the bedding, so should your horse lay down while wearing the cooler, minimal bedding will stick to the rugs unlike fleece coolers.

Available in black or navy in sizes 5ft6 – 7ft0

RRP

£111.00

Zebra Products is the UK and Ireland’s leading distributor of premium equestrian brands catering for horse and rider.

Phone: +44 (0)1352 763350 E-Mail: info@zebraproducts.co.uk www.zebraproducts.co.uk

Biodegradable eco friendly

Glitter Shimmer for manes tails and quarter markers

Get ready to order

Available from 14th November 2021

Call us on 01837 871329 / 07756 000632 or email us at info@goodbyeflys.com

www.goodbyeflys.com

CLASSIC ENGLISH COUNTRY CLOTHING +44 (0)121 233 1372 info@oxford-blue.com

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Arena and Dressage Mirrors Precision engineered premium quality training mirrors

Manufactured in the UK, Equestrian Reflections world class training mirrors are designed as individual units or unique interlocking combinations.

Strategically placed mirrors allow instant correction of inaccuracies.

Correct positioning, orientation and calibration is essential.

As no two installations are the same, Equestrian Reflections have perfected an innovate design with a completely bespoke system.

Products offer clarity of vision, strength, durability and style.

The service package includes a project manager, site survey and personalised calibration.

01490 460507 / 07999 577555 sales@equestrianreflections.co.uk www.equestrianreflections.co.uk

“Fantastic Products at not so ‘fussy’ prices!”

www.thefussyfilly.co.uk

CHRISTMAS APPEAL

Christmas a season for giving

With another year of varying restrictions and the lasting impact the pandemic has had on the world as a whole, our charities need our help more than ever.

F

or many charities, as with all businesses, the pandemic has hit finances hard. They are seeing their day to day business suffer from lack of visitors as well as their core business operations being squashed through lack of both monetary donations and physical volunteers. Many larger charities that have never suffered with donation shortages before including large zoos have had to resort to crowdfunding opportunities just to meet their running costs which is not a sustainable solution in the long run. It is clear many charities will be feeling these repercussions for a very long time to come, and so it is vital they put plans into place to limit the fall out on their much-needed work.

How to give generously and wisely?

There are several ways to convert Christmas spending directly into Christmas giving. In the run up to Christmas we can make subtle changes to our usual Christmas shopping habits to support charities wherever possible. Amazon have made it simple with their Amazon Smile campaign, allowing you to pick a charity to support for them to donate 0.5% of your spend every time you shop. With more and more people opting to do their Christmas

shopping online this year to avoid busy stores, this will certainly mount up and is a very simple way to give ongoing help to charities.

Caesar A big bold ex-police horse Caesar served bravely for Thames Valley Police, where at 18.2hh he was unsurprisingly one of the largest police horses!

The most obvious choice for charity support is the traditional charity Christmas card. Over the years many thousands of pounds have been raised for many charities from this simple yet effective spend. Many Charities sell Christmas cards directly to the public via their website or high street stores so it's easy to support your chosen charity. Equine charity The Brooke offer some simply stunning Christmas cards for sale in their online shop from which each sale directly benefits the working horses, donkey and mule charity. If you are unsure which charity to support, you can also check out the many online shops that offer a varied selection of Christmas card designs that support a whole host of worthy charities.

When looking for Christmas gift ideas for friends and family, many charities now offer Christmas gift selections with something for everyone. How about sponsoring a horse this Christmas with The Horse Trust.

Choose from 19 of their loveable residents – from rescue survivors, ex-police and military horses, royal mews retirees and former working horses. All of their residents have wonderful stories to share with you.

Visit horsetrust.org.uk/sponsor-

a-resident

Sponsorships start from just £3 a month

CHRISTMAS APPEAL- Your Your Horse Horse && Country Country Magazine Magazine AUTUMN AUTUMN 2021 2021 | | 71 71

CHRISTMAS APPEAL

Christmas #makeadifference!

Perhaps you’re cutting back on Christmas cards and instead, intend to make a charitable donation, or perhaps you’re looking for a unique gift?

Every purchase of Bransby Horses Gift Cards with a Difference provides essential care for their horses, ponies, donkeys and mules.

Simply call 01427 788464

or visit BransbyHorses.co.uk/gcwad

Many charities would appreciate the simple gift of your time this Christmas. With their drop in usual volunteers, many have had to reduce the many services they are able to offer during this difficult period. Offering to volunteer for a local charity would provide an invaluable lifeline to those most in need.

Do-it.org is a database of UK volunteering opportunities, which can be searched by interest, activity or location so no matter how much or how little time you are able to offer, there will be a charity looking to recruit someone like you.

If you are unable to give your time this year, maybe add a few tins of dog food to your Christmas shopping and drop it off at the local dogs home.

They are always in need and it will be greatly received, perhaps with a packet of biscuits for the humans too!

72 | AUTUMN 2021 Your Horse & Country Magazine - CHRISTMAS APPEAL

EVE’S CHRISTMAS RESCUE STORY YOU CAN BE THERE FOR A HORSE OR PONY LIKE EVE

A £5 donation can provide a bag of feed or hay for a pony like Eve.

Your donation can help ponies like Eve, who was emaciated and riddled with small worm when she arrived.

A LIFE SAVING RESCUE

On 24th December 2014 two of our team members were called urgently to a field in Binfield near Reading.

Nothing could prepare them for the heart-breaking scenes they would witness as they pulled into a paddock containing 30 neglected horses and ponies who had been left without any food, water and barely any shelter.

Sadly, some of the horses were so poorly and in such a bad state they had to be euthanized upon arrival. That was when Eve first came into our lives.

Eve was underweight, riddled with small redworm and generally in a pitifully poor state. When she arrived home, we had to provide round the clock care with much needed veterinary treatment to help her recover from her awful ordeal. Not only did Eve have a long journey ahead of rehabilitation but we also found out she was carrying a foal! Eve was so lucky to have been rescued when she was because had she not, both her and her unborn foal’s lives would have been in great danger. With your help we can continue to help horses and ponies in need, like Eve. Eve made a wonderful improvement during her recovery, so much so that in May 2015, she gave birth to a beautiful healthy foal, Gabriel.

Together we can be there for horses and ponies in need this Christmas.

PLEASE DONATE £5 AT : horsetrust.org.uk/donate

@HorseTrust @TheHorseTrust @HorseTrust

TO FIND OUT MORE GO TO

www.horsetrust.org.uk

Diagnostic & Therapeutic Techniques of Equine Neck Conditions  Functional anatomy of the Cervical spine to include the poll.  Is it lame or is it ataxic?  Pathophysiology, Clinical Features & Diagnostic Options - Current diagnostic techniques available; radiography, ultrasonography, CT, myelogram, local anaesthesia  Therapeutics for the equine cervical spine.

Lecture date: Saturday, March 24 £12.50 per seat - Lecture by Rory O’Shea MRCVS

Moorcroft Racehorse Welfare Centre Huntingrove Stud, Slinfold, West Sussex. RH13 0RB

Book with Mary by phone 07929 666408 or email moorcroftracehorse@gmail.com

SHOP beautiful Christmas cards and calendars “Every purchase helps horses in need.

Thank you!”

74 | AUTUMN 2021 Your Horse & Country Magazine - CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE

Give the

Gift that gives Looking for a unique gift for someone who has everything or want to show your support in a different way?

Our gifts with a difference help transform the lives of the equines in our care by providing funding for essentials such as feed, farriery and vet care.

Shop now at BransbyHorses.co.uk/gcwad or call 01427 788 464

Charity No: 1075601.

Company Limited

by Guarantee Registered in England and Wales No: 3711676

We are 100% volunteer run so your donation WILL make a difference

se &

Tr

us

or

U EST

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LL

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Together we can save the ones in need

Please consider us when thinking about leaving a gift or legacy to charity.

Pony

LLUEST

Horse and Pony Trust – Rescue, Rehabilitate, Rehome

Your Gift of Sponsorship Will Ensure A Safe Future For A Rescued Horse, Stable Sponsorship Pony or Sponsor a stable and ensure a rescue pony or donkey Donkey that is kept warm and safe until a

Guardian Home is found. Have your name displayed on the stable and receive a certificate and rosette.

Equine Sponsorship

Sponsor a pony or donkey and help towards the day to day costs of keeping them safe and well, and receive a sponsor pack in return.

PURPLE POPPY to commemorate animals lost in conflicts around the world that ‘had no choice’ but to serve. 100% to Charity.

www.therrc.org.uk

Racehorse Rescue CentreReg. Charity No. 1150864

This Christmas give the gift of a safe and happy future, by Sponsoring a stable or rescued donkey like Misty

Located in SW.Wales, Lluest has been rescuing horses, ponies and donkeys for 36 years.

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78 | AUTUMN 2021 Your Horse & Country Magazine

Feeding facts

H

ow things have changed in the world of feeding, in recent years – back in the day, our feed rooms were based around cereals known as straights, with a couple of chaff options, and perhaps a vitamin and mineral blend.

Now of course, we are spoilt for choice, from calmers and joint supplements to balancers and liquid feed. The feeding industry is big business, and technological breakthroughs are constantly leading to new, exciting products being launched.

Going back over sixty years, most horse owners and grooms fed a diet of straights, such as oats and boiled barley, in addition to hay. Horse and pony nuts were introduced around the same time, while horse and pony cubes arrived in our horses’ mangers in the late 1950s. These days, specialist feeds are commonplace, and ‘balancers’ that improve feed utilisation are enjoying a good deal of popularity – although these feeds aren’t

by Kathy Carter

as new as we think. Early pioneers of balancers were developing their first branded products in the late 1980s!

Myth busting

Did you know?

fiction?

 It is thought that one of the first

supplements was the equine tonic, ‘Black drink’. It cost 10 shillings per half dozen bottles, and was launched around 1834.

 Probiotics aren’t a modern invention.

Nobel Prize winning immunologist Elie Metchnikoff actually introduced the concept of probiotics benefiting humans as far back as 1907. The first equine yeast culture was introduced in the early 1980s.

 The first ‘flash-dried’ alfalfa chop

arrived in the late 1990s, hailed as the introduction of modern forage feeds.

– do you know fact from

Myth: Vegetable oil is a good source of protein

Truth: Vegetable oils are extracted from relatively high-protein seeds that also have high oil content, e.g. soya beans, sunflower seeds, rape seeds, maize grains and linseeds. However, when vegetable oils are extracted, the end product is almost pure oil, with no carbohydrates, fibre or protein. Therefore, vegetable oils are generally a good source of calories, along with some vitamins.

Semi-myth: I need to feed a higherenergy feed in autumn and winter

Truth: Colder temperatures do increase the number of calories a horse needs to maintain body weight, but the feed should match the horse’s fitness, workload and temperament, and fibre should form the basis of the diet, to avoid increasing the risk factors for digestive disturbances. As there’s less nutrition left in the grass in autumn and through winter, horses living

Completely cared for... ©Mars, 2021.

80 | AUTUMN 2021 Your Horse & Country Magazine - FEED

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The Alpine foothills in a bag!

out full-time will need their grazing supplemented with forage, and most-likely hard feed too (even just chaff and a balancer), if working. But we’re not necessarily looking for a higher-energy feed, per-say. For horses in harder work however, the answer is yes, we should feed a higher-energy feed in late autumn and winter, to maintain body condition as the temperatures drop and the grass’s nutrition fades; and also to give sufficient energy for working and competing.

Myth: You should feed less haylage than hay Truth: The opposite is true - more weight of haylage than hay needs to be fed, to supply the same amount of forage and fibre. Haylage contains more water than hay; when haylage was first fed to horses years ago, it was much higher in nutrients than the equine haylage fed nowadays, and was often fed in limited quantities. An ideal haylage is moderately high in fibre and has dry matter of over 60 per cent; we generally need to feed about one and a quarter times as much haylage as hay.

Completely cared for...

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©Mars, 2021.

FEED - Your Horse & Country Magazine AUTUMN 2021 |

81

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82 | AUTUMN 2021 Your Horse & Country Magazine - FEED

19/08/2021 08:27

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The main equine dietary energy sources: • Vitamins are important for the hard-working horse; the B group helps convert food to energy, while vitamin E aids immunity. The mineral iron boosts the production of red blood cells, aiding food metabolism, and is a haemoglobin component.

• Protein is made up from chains of amino acids, and is required for growth and repair of body tissues, and metabolism. Soybean meal and linseed are particularly good protein sources.

• Carbohydrates - fast release energy can be quickly gained from feeding straights such as oats, barley, maize and some coarse mixes.

• Supplements for the competition horse often contain ingredients to enhance digestion, e.g. prebiotics, probiotics, yeast and enzymes. The supplements may also contain cell membrane-protecting antioxidants such as vitamins E, A, C and the minerals iron, selenium and manganese.

• Fibre is the ‘holy grail’, and a source of slow-release fuel, providing stamina without excitement.

• Oil is a concentrated source of calories, along with some vitamins; it’s useful as a slow-release fuel.

Feeding for weight-gain For many horses and ponies, now’s the time to carefully manage a diet that helps to gain weight, as the nutritional value of grazing drops sharply after summer; many healthy horses will need to be fed more. Also, as it becomes colder, more energy (e.g. feed) is needed to maintain body temperature. And if you are an owner who starts rugging in Autumn, perhaps if you have a thin skinned horse or a veteran, the rugs may ‘mask’ weight loss. Weigh-taping is a useful method of gauging weight, as well as checking your horse's fat coverage with your hands. Consider high-fibre forages such as hay, haylage and fibre-chops; high fibre sources of calories include sugar beet pulp, alfalfa chop or pellets, and dehydrated grass chop or pellets. Oil is a great, fattening feedstuff as we’ve mentioned, and is ‘non-heating’. Many owners also feed compound feeds and cereals to add weight cereals which have been micronised are more digestible, and therefore more conditioning.

Whatever your equine’s dietary needs, ask an expert for assistance - feed manufacturer’s helplines are a great place to start. A maintenance feeding programme is generally 2 - 2.5% of the bodyweight in feed.

Naturally, regular dental checks are advised, as well as programmes to manage worms.

• Sugars can provide short-term energy; they’re present in feedstuffs such as grass and molassed products.

Completely cared for... ©Mars, 2021.

FEED - Your Horse & Country Magazine AUTUMN 2021 |

83

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Managing inflammation through nutrition Dr. Stephanie Wood, Director of Science and Nutrition, Feedmark Inflammation is the body’s normal defence mechanism against injury and infection and is required for the destruction and removal of pathogens and repair of affected tissues¹. We all know the heat, swelling, pain and reduced movement associated with joint and muscle inflammation, and these symptoms reflect the increased blood supply and infiltration of inflammatory mediators at the site of inflammation¹. These responses are important and help to protect the body however when inflammation continues over a prolonged period, tissues can become damaged².

Feeding ingredients with antiinflammatory properties can help to support horses at greater risk of inflammation, such as those performing more intense or demanding exercise, recovering from injury or with an inflamed intestinal or respiratory mucosa.

Methyl sulphonyl methane (MSM) is frequently incorporated into joint supplements due to its anti-

inflammatory and antioxidant properties and is suitable for feeding to all horses and ponies. MSM is also reported to reduce pain associated with arthritis in human studies³, making it particularly beneficial for those with joint issues. Devil’s Claw is a herbal ingredient often fed for its pain-relieving and antiinflammatory properties which are attributed to inhibition of proinflammatory mediators4. Devil’s Claw can be particularly beneficial for supporting joint health and keeping horses moving, however it is not recommended for pregnant and lactating mares, or those with gastric ulcers. Devil’s Claw should also not be fed to horses competing under rules as it is a prohibited substance. For horses competing under rules, Boswellia is an alternative herb. Boswellia inhibits pro-inflammatory mediators and has been shown to have gastroprotective properties in other species, making it a suitable addition to the diet of horses requiring joint

support but who are susceptible to gastric ulcers. Omega-3 fatty acids Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) offer further options for supporting joint and respiratory health due to their potent anti-inflammatory properties¹.

Microalgae is a vegan source of these essential fatty acids and is suitable for feeding to all horses and ponies, including those competing under rules. All ingredients mentioned should be fed as part of a balanced diet and in combination with suitable management and exercise regimes.

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Dr. Stephanie Wood BSc (Hons) Ph.D. Equine Nutrition R.Anim. Tech Director of Science and Nutrition at Feedmark 1. Calder, P.C. (2010). Nutrients, 2:355-374.

2. Duvall, M.G. & Levy, B.D. (2016). European Journal of Pharmacology, 785: 144-155.

3. Butawan, M., Benjamin, R.L. & Bloomer, R.J. (2021). Pathology: Oxidative Stress and Dietary Antioxidants. Academic Press (Elsevier).

4.Axmann, S., Hummel, K., Nöbauer, K., Razzazi-Fazeli, E. & Zitterl-Eglseer, K. (2019). Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 42: 37-44.

FEED - Your Horse & Country Magazine AUTUMN 2021 | 85

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Mars, 2021.

Has the behaviour of your horse changed?

Many customers from around the country (over twenty now this year) have contacted me asking for advice as their horses are displaying odd contrary behaviour, which is significantly different to their norm. This has meant that they are just not fun to be with anymore, and in many cases I encounter expensive veterinary intervention has taken place, but without any improvement.

The lad opposite is a case in point. The face says it all!

But actually, it is not his fault. It is because the grass he was eating was full of the wrong (for a horse, not the grass) nutrients which have an adverse effect on his whole physiology. This is in turn having a significant detrimental effect on his behaviour and is creating a horse that is incapable of being ridden safely, and certainly no fun to be with.

Horses as sentient beings have evolved to access nutrients from locations within their environment irrespective of wherever the plant based nutrients may be located. Many plants have evolved to interact with their environment to specifically access a nutrient, which is then available for horses to use when they eat it.

Of necessity we have to keep horses in a restricted environment, and hence they often need a mineral supplement.

This requirement is exacerbated by a dry spring and the corresponding restricted grass growth which changes the plant nutrient content.

If we consider how grass grows, then a greater understanding can be gained of our horses’ behaviour. It is especially important to gain understanding of grass growth and development in adverse weather conditions, as that will have a deleterious effect on nutrient availability for the grass that the horses eat.

If first we consider how a plant interacts with its environment to access the nutrients it needs from the soil. Essentially the root produces a slime layer (exudate) that contains essential nutrition for the Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) in the soil to feed on. In return the AMF are able to generate a network in the soil that enables the nutrition that is held in the root zone (rhizosphere) to be liberated and made accessible for the plant roots to absorb by osmosis.

Grass production - Allowing the essential soil-plant interactions to happen…

Plant Biomass

Plant 30%

Roots 30%

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi 40%

In the spring the natural propensity of grass is to grow, and ultimately replicate its genes by producing a seed head.

So, the plant needs to absorb nutrition from the soil, utilise some of it in creating biomass but more crucially creating the ability to transport the nutrients up the stem to the seed head to ensure that the seeds will have enough energy to be viable. The element that drives the transpiration process (the movement of water and nutrients up the plant to the sites of utilisation = ‘sap’) is potassium.

In preparation for the forthcoming growth, plants absorb extra potassium in the sporing so that nutrition can be utilised throughout the plant as they grow larger.

In a dry spring, (as witnessed in the extremely dry April in 2020 & 2021) the plant has absorbed the extra potassium, but now has nothing to do with it as growth has been stunted by the drought. Therefore, the grass contains excessive levels of potassium that then induces Grass Tetany symptoms in horses.

Grass Tetany occurs when the ungulates diet is too high in potassium, which essentially means that the extra cellular fluid is permanently high in potassium. This upsets the delicate sodium / potassium ratio and as a consequence the nerves and muscles cannot relax, creating restless hyperactive animals that lack body condition, display a lack of ability to increase weight, and are often impossible to interact with as they are so distressed.

Imagine stinging nettle rash happening in all your nervous system!

Horses are particularly prone to Grass Tetany due to their unusual digestive system (see diagram) which relies on the autonomous peristaltic action of the hind gut to move fodder through and then allow the animal to gradually access the nutrition. In contrast the digestive system of ruminants, that have efficient stomachs, enable them to break down cellulose more efficiently and rapidly.

Grass Tetany rapidly disrupts this crucial peristaltic action, adding to the animal’s distress.

This interruption to the peristaltic action is often accompanied by poorly formed ‘chestnuts’ as the fodder isn’t broken down properly and the horse is consequently extremely short of manganese.

Call +44 (0) 7976 894842 Email jonathan@lordingtonparkagronomy.co.uk

What does that mean for the horse (or any stock grazed on the grass)?

The excessive levels prevent animals, and especially horses with their badly designed digestive system, from absorbing copper and manganese.

Copper is essential for efficient renal function, and manganese is required for extracting energy from forage.

Andrea Thomason called me a month ago because she suspected her horses had COPD (breathing disorder) and so did the Vet, and they were “restless, listless, and all constantly

flicking their heads. Standing weaving at the field gate, and off their heads” And she was afraid that they would all

have to be put down.

The most effective way to reduce the extremely negative effect of induced Grass Tetany is to balance the horse’s nutritional intake with magnesium.

Magnesium in the plant regulates the uptake of phosphorous; structural component of ribosomes; major constituent of chlorophyll production; and plays a crucial part in transforming sugar and starch to utilisable energy.

The over-winter hydrated magnesium ions are larger than their natural ionic size as they are hygroscopic, and that they become relatively easy to leach.

But in a dry spring plant availability of magnesium will be severely restricted or even reduced completely, as the magnesium returns to its normal size, but now there is no available water to transport it to, or up, the plant, Hence the excessive levels of potassium, in relation to the negligible levels of magnesium in tissue tests.

My conjecture is always confirmed by taking a tissue test (example below from Andrea Thomason field) Result

Guideline

Nitrogen (%)

2.39

1.00

Normal

Phosphorus (%)

0.33

0.35

Slightly Low

Potassium (%)

2.12

1.50

Normal

Calcium (%)

0.51

0.50

Normal

Magnesium (%)

0.09

0.20

Very Low

Sulphur (%)

0.20

0.20

Normal

Boron (ppm)

4.7

6.0

Slightly Low

Copper (ppm)

7.0

10.0

Low

Analysis

Interpretation

Iron (ppm)

194

50

Normal

Manganese (ppm)

85.7

45.0

Normal

Molybdenum (ppm)

4.24

<2

High

Zinc (ppm)

39.3

50.0

Slightly Low

The other EXTREMLEY important point to note is the high molybdenum level in the grass sample above.

Molybdenum is required by grass to naturally access and process nitrogen from the soil. In the spring the demand will obviously be high in preparation for growth, but the drought meant that the plant had absorbed it in the wet weather but now that it was ‘drought stressed’ there was nowhere to utilise the molybdenum.

www.lordingtonparkagronomy.co.uk

During a long explanatory conversation, I suggested that we organise soil and tissue tests, but meanwhile get some Epsom Salts (magnesium sulphate in a rapidly available form) in a bucket of water and see if the horses drink it. Straight away they all drank a bucket each! “faster than I have ever seen them drink before” They innately knew what they needed.

Andrea said “last night I was extremely distressed and

hadn’t slept for days. But after talking to you, and thanks for answering at the weekend, I have a better understanding of what is happening, and the support to put the problems right” Extra manganese was also added to their ration as none of the horses were forming ‘chestnuts’ I suspected that the grass would have a high molybdenum level, which was proved to be correct.

Within a few days the horses were calmer and more assured.

The soil tests confirmed the extremely low magnesium levels, and those low levels were exacerbated in the leaf due to the drought.

Once all the information from the soil and tissue analysis were collated, I suggested that Andrea spread Kieserite (magnesium sulphate) fertiliser on the paddocks.

Within two days “the horses were full of the joys of spring.

And thank you so much Jonathan for the support and advice”

How can you help your horses to be happy?

1. Be aware of your horses change in demeanour, other than just having an ‘off day’.

2. Understand the impact that weather can have on grass and forage nutrition.

3. FIND OUT WHAT IS HAPPENING IN YOUR SOIL AND GRASS. 4. If you don’t know what is happening in the soil and grass you are unlikely to have Happy Horses.

5. Speak to Lordington park Agronomy to find out how we can help.

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Feeds to suit all workloads The Allen & Page Barley & Molasses Free Range can be viewed as a stepping stone range, from low energy feeds to high energy without containing barley, molasses, alfalfa or whole cereal grains. These feeds also contain all the essential vitamins and minerals your horse or pony needs for a balanced diet.

Depending on the horse’s workload, condition and health throughout the year, moving up or down the Barley & Molasses Free Range can help to achieve an ideal body score and adequate energy levels.

Contact our award-winning helpline for nutritional advice 01362 822 902 | helpline@allenandpage.co.uk www.allenandpage.com

The feeding steps of moving up and down energy requirements Every horse’s energy needs will vary according to the time of year as well as their age, temperament, workload and how easily they lose or gain weight.

Joanna Palmer, nutritionist for Allen & Page Horse Feeds looks at how to provide your horse with just the right amount of energy to maintain an ideal body condition and successfully fuel their workload.

Horses obtain energy from three main dietary constituents; namely fibre, glucose (from starch) and oil. Fibre and oil are good sources of slow release energy; whereas cereals including barley, oats and maize contain high starch levels which provide fast release energy. It is well recognised that too much fast release energy can have a negative effect on some horses’ behaviour, causing them to become over-reactive, sharp and excitable. Slow release energy is much less likely to have this effect on behaviour, so when looking to increase the energy content of your horse’s diet, avoid cereal based feeds and instead choose one which is high in oil and low in starch and sugar.

Allen & Page’s Barley & Molasses Free Range is designed to offer ‘stepping stone’ feed options to allow you to meet your horse’s changing energy needs. Fast Fibre has a low digestible energy (DE) level of 8MJ/kg, which is ideal for horses at rest or in light work who may not need too much additional energy from a bucket feed.

When a horse’s energy needs increase due to a higher workload or a tendency to lose weight, providing there are no veterinary issues that will affect feeding requirements (e.g. laminitis), you can simply step up to another feed in the range that is more nutrient dense and higher in energy. Calm & Condition is a high energy bucket feed that utilises fibre and oil as the main energy sources and is ideal for meeting the slow release energy demands of poor doers and harder working horses. Balanced feeds like those in the Barley & Molasses Free Range will provide your horse with all the essential vitamins and minerals and quality protein required, providing you feed within the recommended amounts for your horse’s size and workload.

Some fibrous ingredients are termed ‘super fibres’, this means they provide much higher levels of energy than forage. Sugar beet pulp is one such ‘super fibre’ that is used in varying amounts in many of the feeds in the Barley & Molasses Free Range as a source of slow release energy. Feeds that incorporate sugar beet will require soaking before feeding which is highly beneficial in increasing a horse’s water intake, particularly during the winter months when there is a greater reliance on drier, conserved forage and some horses do not physically drink as much as they need to.

For more information on feeding your horse visit www.allenandpage.com or call the friendly nutrition helpline on 01362 822902

As important as it is to increase a horse’s energy intake as their workload increases, it is also vital to decrease energy intake as workload reduces. Not only will this help to prevent unwanted weight gain and exuberant behaviour it will also make the horse less susceptible to muscle disorders that can be exacerbated by over-feeding.

Providing injury or illness do not necessitate a sudden drop in activity, always try to reduce workload gradually so that you can slowly lower the quantity and energy level of the horse’s feed to a maintenance level.

Make all changes to your horse’s diet gradually to allow the digestive system time to adapt to a new feed or a change in feed amount. Always weigh feeds to be sure you are feeding recommended amounts accurately and split daily feed amounts into as many smaller meals as possible to avoid overloading the digestive system.

SMALL BALE MEADOW HAY Delivered nationally by the single pallet – great for smallholders, limited storage and perfect to travel with!

We also sell small bale haylage and horse bedding by the single pallet.

Call for a sample t: 01837 849222 /849200 m: 07871 609345 Colehay, The Croft, South Zeal, Devon EX20 2NX

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94 | AUTUMN 2021 Your Horse & Country Magazine - FEED

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A few less things to worry about this Autumn

The move into Autumn and Winter can give us equestrians some extra things to consider and some of these can become a bit of a worry. One problem is to ensure our horses have a healthy and reliable source of forage for the months ahead when grass quality diminishes, and horses may be stabled for longer. We believe that Devon Haylage can overcome many of the issues involved with sourcing and feeding quality forage, because after all, forage is the cornerstone of your horse’s diet and by getting this right, numerous problems can be overcome.

Deteriorating hay quality Lots of great hay was made in the Summer of 2021 and although this starts off smelling lovely with minimal dust levels, over time as atmospheric moisture allows moulds and fungus to slowly develop, we find this hay will inevitably become fusty smelling with visible ‘dust’. This ‘dust’ consists of mould and fungal spores, small fragments of grass and dust mite faeces

devonhaylage.co.uk 01404 813100

which can contribute to aggravating airways. The solution is to soak or steam, but this task is never one which people look forward to, especially in freezing temperatures! A vast proportion of our customers come to us when they no longer want to feed soaked hay and find that our haylage can completely prevent coughing due to its hygienic qualities.

Consistency throughout the year A common issue with hay or haylage is the changing quality between bales throughout the year. Discerning horse owners prefer their forage to be of the same high quality in September as it is in March. Our production methods at Devon Haylage ensure that our bales are consistent in high quality right through the season. We own and manage all our haylage fields, never needing to buy in grass with unknown management and treatments and do all the cutting, baling, and wrapping ourselves to ensure each bale is produced to our high standards.

Every owner understands the importance of not changing a horse’s diet too rapidly and this counts for forage too. Forage can vary enormously in nutritional value, but with Devon Haylage, the nutritional levels and forage quality will be the same month on month.

Nutritional levels Increasing numbers of owners are wanting to know the nutritional levels of their forage, owing to the raise in awareness in how forage quality can impact on health. At Devon Haylage, we will send samples of each of our four types off to Forageplus each Autumn for a detailed equine focused mineral and nutritional analysis. This helps owners to select the best haylage type for their horse and if required, allows the diet to be balanced with a bespoke mineral ration for optimal health and performance. Other forage types are often not regularly tested and if they are, the reports often focus on cattle dietary elements, failing to detail the sugar fraction for example that we need to be concerned with when assessing forage suitability for horses.

Forage choice for problem horses Some horses require very low sugar in their diet, others need a bit more protein, one horse may be allergic to Ryegrass, whereas another may only like very soft forage, so sourcing hay to satisfy choosy eaters can be a seasonal nightmare!

Many of my conversations with customers focus on discussing such ‘problem’ horses to determine which of our haylage types would suit them best.

We make four types of haylage, each with varying grass species, texture, and nutrition; forage needn’t be purchased with a ‘one size fits all’ label, horses are individuals and so the forage they eat should be matched to their needs.

Availability and Delivery A big cause of stress for horse owners, particularly in the Winter months, is the prospect of running out of forage and not being able to source any more through the usual route. However, if suddenly the hay man can’t deliver, our haylage is available through a wide range of stockists in the Southwest.

Furthermore, if you can’t source it locally, then we offer reliable and rapid national delivery by the pallet of 35 bales, straight to your stable. These pallets can be made up of all of one type of haylage or a mixture, allowing you to feed different horses to their personal requirements.

One of our key values at Devon Haylage is customer satisfaction; through the feeding of our haylage we aim to give our customers added peace of mind that their forage requirements will be sorted during the months ahead and their horses are fed optimally for noticeable health benefits. We all have enough things to worry about when it comes to horses, but forage needn’t be one of them!

For friendly advice, to place an order or to request a free sample contact claire@devonhaylage.co.uk

Going green Sustainability is rightfully a hot topic now, and many equestrian brands are changing their manufacturing processes to keep their carbon footprint low. Here, we look at some of the most sustainable choices when it comes to horse bedding.

Miscanthus Miscanthus (or elephant grass) originates from Asia, but grows well in the UK, with high yields for farmers. It gobbles up carbon, and it is in fact a carbon negative crop to grow and process – it reportedly absorbs more Co2 than it produces during the harvesting and processing stages. It’s known as an energy crop, as it can be harvested and burnt in power stations, or heating and power systems (which can be used in manufacturing plants for equestrian products, including bedding). Plants like miscanthus help the UK Government reach its climate change protocols of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 12.5%, by using biomass-derived energy. This natural plant can be chipped for use as a horse bedding, and baled products are dustextracted, highly absorbent, quick to muck out, and fast to break down on a muck heap.

by Kathy Carter

as trees per acre, and is very good for the soil, helping to remove toxins. Hemp’s green credentials have been marred a little in the past, because of the haulage mileage associated with the distribution of the material – however, hemp is now being increasingly grown in the UK, and each tonne of harvested hemp reportedly takes the UK closer to ‘net zero’, for its carbon production. Hemp is widely credited as being very soft and comfortable as a horse bedding, and absorbs around four times its weight, so it’s cost-effective too. It also easy to store, dust-extracted, highly absorbent and quick to muck out – water is often sprinkled on the bed, once its laid.

Wood products

Hemp

There are many wood based materials used for horse bedding. Pellets are very popular. Check out the green credentials of your wood pellet manufacturer however, as some are more sustainable than others!

Ideally, look for a low carbon footprint that’s taken into account mileage for the haulage of the source and end-product, which means the shipping and driving of the wood or product. Consider too whether the brand is involved with seeding new trees to help replenish the deficit (ideally involved with a forestry stewardship programme), and whether biomass production is used in the manufacture (e.g. as described above, whereby a crop may power a manufacturing system). Wood pelleted products require soaking prior to use, and the application of water is very beneficial for reducing dust content.

Hemp is another plant-based product, made from the core of the hemp plant.

Hemp bedding Is very sustainable, producing around four times as much pulp

Shredded cardboard is also a popular bedding, and is very ‘green’, if it’s made from recycled shredded cardboard, or from the waste products in

The Mayo Mattress is the ultimate Horse bed

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98 | AUTUMN 2021 Your Horse & Country Magazine - BEDDING

the cardboard box manufacturing process.

It’s virtually dust free, and is of course biodegradable, rotting down in a couple of months.

Shavings are another wood-based product – look out for brands associated with the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), who promote environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial, and economically viable forestry management. Shavings products milled under the FSC banner meet requirements for the suitable harvest of timber products.

Wood-based products are generally quick to muck out, while the bags or bales stack well, have high levels of absorbency, and are good for respiratory challenges.

Straw products Straw is a by-product of the food growing industry – it’s the stalk of the crop, such as oat, rye and barley – and in fact, there’s a huge supply of unused straw waste available around the world. Straw can be used as biomass fuel, whereby it’s carbonneutral. (Germany in particular is pioneering research into its use in this sector, and is looking into fuelling home energy with the product.) Straw may be used in the form of bales, although of course there are respiratory considerations if the raw product is used, due to fungal spores; and, it isn’t terribly absorbent in this state. Or, it is treated and baled, or made into (dust extracted), densified pellets, which helps with mileage haulage concerns, due to the bags’ size (more can be stacked in a transporter). Baled or pelleted straw is a naturally soft and absorbent material, and makes a warm and comfortable bed that also has excellent absorbency properties.

It rots down well as a fertiliser.

BEDDING

PROMOTION

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

Nedz are proud to be a British made product which means we keep our carbon footprint low by growing and sourcing local straw. The straw is then all processed at our local plant to create the product and avoiding the materials being moved up and down the country.

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

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All three of our products, Nedz Original, Nedz Pro and Nedz Advance are highly biodegradable, breaking down much quicker than wood based products. Within three months our bedding will have rotted down and will be suitable to be used as a fertilizer or to continue biodegrading naturally.

Our products also focus on being highly absorbent, Nedz Advance is an innovative straw pellet which can absorb up to five times its weight in liquid, hugely cutting down on the amount of muck which needs to be removed from the stable and what is removed is highly biodegradable. Nedz Pro is made from rape straw which is highly absorbent and great for deep littering.

All our products go through a rigorous dust extraction process and are coated in our unique Natural Nedz formula which has anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties

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BEDDING

Top tips for ‘green’ horse care

PROMOTION

1. Choose regionally produced bedding products if you can, to reduce haulage mileage. Careful mucking out can reduce the amount of new bedding used, as can some deep littering methods.

2. Collect clean rainwater for use to dampen bedding and feeds, and conserve water as much as you can. (Buckets and sponges as opposed to hoses for equine baths can prevent wastage). You can also use left-over drinking water to soak hay or feeds.

3. Buy ‘green’ products where you can, and support eco-friendly companies. Look into their manufacturing process – are their methods, packaging, machinery, by-products and waste harmful to the environment?

4. Extend turnout where possible, to reduce the need for bedding, and thus haulage mileage.

5. Make homemade horse care remedies where possible, e.g. insect repellents and hoof dressings, to avoid extra purchases and plastic use.

6. Consider blending your own supplements by buying things like

While ‘traditional’ straw remains one of the most popular bedding choices for horse owners, it is not always beneficial to equine health. Straw quality can vary immensely and introduce very high levels of airborne dust into the stable.

STRAWMAX is dust extracted to give customers the best of both worlds – a natural, renewable, economical bedding with the added advantages of its timesaving and compact odour-supressing pellets.

For the horse they provide a warm, supportive bed, and for the owner they are affordable, very easy to work with and maintain, reducing wastage and cost.

Made from 100% British straw, STRAWMAX comes with the full assurance of BEDMAX integrity behind it, adding a new option to the company’s steadily expanding range in their 20th anniversary year.

Visit – www.strawmax.co.uk

turmeric, brewer’s yeast, garlic granules etc, in separate bags – they don’t generally come in plastic pots. Re-use plastic pots you do have as plant pots, or storage containers.

7. Look out for alternative packaging like aluminium and bio-plastic containers, and use refills of liquid products that are sprayed, as the nozzles don’t generally recycle. Many manufacturers now offer refills on shampoos, feeds and supplements. If a product you need is packaged in plastic, look out for plastic containers that are recyclable, and also made from recycled plastic.

8. Choose wood-backed brushes with natural horse hair instead of cheap plastic alternatives. These are nice investment purchases or gifts!

9. Take re-useable coffee cups and water bottles to the yard.

10. Use biodegradable poo bags for your dog.

11. Avoid disposable wipes for tack, insect repellent and wet wipes.

12. Repair and mend items like rugs as much as you can before buying new. (Consider new rugs that are PFC (per-fluorinated compound) free; PFCs are harmful chemicals used to improve waterproofing.

13. Be aware of your power usage - consider using solar lighting where you can.

14. Avoid plastic-based sponges for cleaning jobs, and look for biodegradable alternatives.

15. If you’re choosing an arena surface, avoid blends containing plastic granulate from cable sheathing.

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BEDDING - Your Horse & Country Magazine AUTUMN 2021 |

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102 | AUTUMN 2021 Your Horse & Country Magazine - BEDDING

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104 | AUTUMN 2021 Your Horse & Country Magazine - BEDDING

MUDCONTROL SLABS are revolutionary, providing porous hard-standing as a simple D.I.Y. job. You can instantly transform the muddiest of problem areas into useful, solid footing. Don’t bury your investment – these are easily lifted and relaid, as temporary or permanent as you want.

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YARD TALK

BEST-LAID

WITH TEAM YHC

W

ell, well, well – what a summer that was! If it wasn’t scorching temperatures, it was downpours and thunderstorms, making our summer fitness regime, quite frankly, impossible!

As you all know, we ended the spring in full swing ready to get back out there and compete, but that didn’t happen!

The YHC team have a variety of competition horses and ponies who frustratingly took it in turns to avoid competitions and being ridden at all costs this summer. Along with the dry weather came crumbling feet leading to many lost shoes. The number of evenings we spent scouring the fields for lost shoes isn’t worth mentioning. We have, however, become very good friends with our farrier, who typically would only attend every four weeks but has now become a more regular guest with weekly visits. Thanks, Joel, for keeping the horses in work despite their

See our fantastic range of horse and dog grooming products Nurture and protect whilst preserving and maintaining skin and coat condition - all year round!

110 | AUTUMN 2021 Your Horse & Country Magazine - YARD TALK

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YARD TALK

 Flash is fighting fit after spending most of last season on box rest and we’re looking forward to competing

PROMOTION

ongoing efforts to bunk off!

Whenever we had the opportunity to take advantage of the cool summer evenings for a leisurely hack, we were then faced with thunderstorms and freak lightening. I don’t know about you, but riding a 16hh horse with metal shoes during this time really is a no-go for us!

The summer wasn’t all doom and gloom – once we had overcome the weather restraints, we finally got hacking and started our preparations to return to the competition circuit.

As we’ve mentioned before, Flash spent the majority of last season on box rest. You will all be pleased to hear he is fighting fit, and is at full health.

Flash is YHC’s newest member, we took him on just over a year ago as a retired

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racehorse. Don’t be fooled by the word “retired”, though – he is only seven and has the mental attitude of a turbulent toddler. If his playful and energetic personality wasn’t enough, he is also 16’3, his striking colour is often complimented and he does receive a few stares, making his spooks at puddles, road signs and shadows very dramatic.

He’s quite the performer. We have spent 

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Team YHC’s Alex says: “With the wet weather we have faced the last few weeks, the stable yard has been wet and muddy!

Trying to sweep wet mud really is a task I wouldn’t wish on anyone!

However, life has been made a whole lot better now I have the Dub’lif Squeegee Scraper.

“This tool means I can easily push slurry around the yard, into drains or simply scrape left-over hay off the floor with ease. A thumbs-up from us at YHC for this amazing product!”

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YARD TALK  Darcie with her Bedmax bedding and, right, as part of the pack!

the summer months hacking, schooling, lunging but most importantly having fun with Flash, while we retrain him with the intention of taking him to small events this autumn.

Fingers crossed we get there this time!

With events in mind, we needed to PROMOTION

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make sure that our horse lorry was a happy and safe means of transportation for Flash, and the rest of the team. It’s of utmost importance that the horses are comfortable travelling.

So to make sure they remain calm and relaxed, we regularly take them in the lorry on journeys of varying length to take in the beautiful English countryside for some relaxing scenic hacks. The horses weren’t the only ones to have benefited from the relaxing excursions – it’s also nice for us riders to get out and see new sights.

As autumn is now upon us and those lighter evenings finally fade to darkness, we begin to think about winter preparations.

Firstly we like to give all the horses a good going-over with our team physio. The harder summer ground and galloping horses can often cause tightness and tweaks that with a minor adjustment can provide a whole lot relief before the cold sets in. We also weigh the horses now and draw up a diet plan, taking into consideration the depleting quality of grass and replacement vitamins and minerals that are needed to keep the horses feeling fit and looking at their best!

We typically change the horses’ routine for turnout at the end of October, however this year we brought this forward because of colder than usual temperatures so they are all turned out during the day and all tucked up in their warm Bedmax wood pellet

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bedded stables during the night.

It is not just the horses’ routines that change with the season, we have also been preparing the dogs for the colder months.

As Darcie, our senior dalmatian (and oldest baby), is now 12 years old, although she is happy and healthy we have started to notice she feels the change in weather much more than the others. We would absolutely love for her to wear a coat but, being part of the pack, she doesn’t want to be different. This has drawn our attention to making the autumnal and winter months more comfortable for Darcie. We have been extremely busy this autumn renovating their kennel, adding a new layout which includes a bedroom with its very own heatlamp! This will ensure a safe and warm environment for all four of YHC’s canine friends.

Rugs, exercise sheets, hi-vis, gloves and warm coats all present and correct, we are ready for action and heading into winter in full steam! Check back in our winter edition to see how our first event went, and in the meantime wish us luck! 

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YARD TALK - Your Horse & Country Magazine AUTUMN 2021 | 113

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114 | AUTUMN 2021 Your Horse & Country Magazine - YARD TALK

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Do you know your payload before you drive to an event?

It is very easy to overload a 3500kg horsebox, and even a 7500kg one, as most people don’t take into account passengers, tack, water, hay, and these add to the payload considerably.

For example, an empty 3500kg horsebox normally weighs about 2500kg, leaving 1000kg for the driver and passenger, horse, tack, etc. Many of these horseboxes are stalled for two horses, and that can be a big problem. If you are overloaded and have an accident, your insurance will be invalidated and you could be facing a number of offences, both overloading and licence ones.

In recent years, the DVSA has found that more than 80% of LCV’s stopped on the roadside on suspicion of overloading, are in fact overweight.

Why Uprating You have a limited payload capacity and wish to carry an extra horse or equipment. You don’t want to buy a newer, bigger horsebox so you can save money by converting your current vehicle. You want to avoid a large fine by DVSA.

What to do if you are overloaded.

The first thing is to weigh your horsebox FULLY LOADED with your horse(s), tack, water, food, and passengers so that you know where you stand. Remember to weigh each axle individually as you may find that whilst you may be under the Gross Vehicle Weight, you have actually overloaded the rear axle. This is very common in lightweight horseboxes.

Fortunately SvTech can help, and is keen to promote its uprating service for lightweight horseboxes (3500kg), whereby the horsebox can gain an extra 200-300kg in payload. This provides vital payload capability when carrying an extra horse and/ or tack and offers peace of mind for the owner.

SvTech has carried out extensive work and testing on lightweight models and has covered uprates for most lightweight vehicles. It is worth noting that some uprates require modifications or changes to the vehicle’s braking, tyres and/or suspension, for which SvTech provides a simple purpose-built suspension assister kit. This will take between 1-2 hours for you to fit. Your horsebox will then go for a formal inspection to bring it into the ‘Goods’ category, and, depending on the vehicle’s age, may also require fitment of a speed limiter, for which there are one or two options.

Most importantly, vehicles registered after May 2002 must be fitted with manufacturer’s ABS, if going above 3500kg.

We can start the ball rolling by asking customers to fill in an enquiry form and send it back with photos of the Horsebox plate, the weight ticket and Registration Document.

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120 | SPRING 2021 Your Horse & Country Magazine - EQUINE HEALTH

EQUINE HEALTH

VET’S ADVICE from the YHC Vets team Autumn brings new challenges for your horses, as the change in season marks an increase in skin conditions such as mud fever, here we hope to give some top tips to help your horse breeze through autumn without issue.

Many of us have a whole host of topical ointments to put on our horse’s skin if it looks sore, however, it is important to understand the differences in each condition and the possible severity of these to ensure correct management and knowing when to ask for help.

MUD FEVER One of the main reasons horses get mud fever is because of damage to the skin causing a break in the surface and therefore the protective barrier of the skin.

The bacteria and fungi that are living in the ground can take advantage of the break in the horses natural defences to set off a bacterial (usually) infection.

The lower limb can cause problems with inflammation and infection as the inflammatory reaction by the horse’s immune system can be over reactive in these environments and therefore there can be excessive amounts of heat and swelling associated with the degree of infection. If not treated correctly there can be an issue with the inflammation and reaction to the infection to the point where there is a condition called cellulitis that can occur, and in the very worst case the cellulitis can spread to an even more serious condition called lymphangitis where the animal can start to become very ill and unable to move. This condition can cause long term debilitation of the animal’s performance.

The most common appearance of mud fever is several small dark red scabs and a damp oozing, honey like substance around it. Usually when you try to clean and examine the skin the horse will find it painful but not unnecessarily so; if the horse is finding it uncontrollably painful

I would seek veterinary attention as the infection is probably running deeper than what you can see on the surface.

The mud fever can cause lameness, and when the scabs have merged together this can cause acute lameness. Mud fever is more commonly seen in the white leg on the horse and there is an unproven thought that this is because the paler skin maybe slighetly weaker and more sensitive to changes in its external environment.

The treatment of mud fever begins with the clipping and then thorough cleaning with a disinfectant skin shampoo. The water should be tepid but not too hot and the shampoo should be left on for five or ten minutes to thoroughly soak in, then gently rinsed off. There should be no hard scrubbing as this will cause further damage to the sensitive skin and possibly spread the infection further. Once the skin has been well cleansed then you should try to remove the scabs and clean the area underneath. If that is not possible you should soak the skin in an antibacterial cream overnight and then try again in the morning. Once the skin is clean and free of scabs then there should be an effort to apply daily anti-bacterial cream until the skin looks healed. The horse should remain inside until the skin as healed and there are no new lesions.

CLIPPING AND RUGS If a horse is left unclipped, horses can often be turned out during the colder months with no rug. The thick natural hair coat and the fat layer under the skin is an excellent thermal insulator.

However, horses cope less well with strong wind and heavy rain as a wet hair coat will lose the capacity to thermoregulate and the wind will increase heat loss.

A field shelter is a good solution to break the wind and provide some escape from the rain. When the temperatures drop, the unclipped horse may need additional help to stay warm.

There are may types of rugs on the market and the rug must be chosen carefully. To fit the horse and it must not be too warm. An unnecessarily heavyweight rug can cause discomfort from excessive seating, rubbing, skin disease and in the most severe cases, colic or overheating! 

Prevention of mud fever is a multi-pronged attack, there is a need to improve turnout and in particular gateways, also protective boots can be massively beneficial, however I always advise my clients to buy two pairs so that one pair is worn whilst the other pair can be cleaned and dried. These boots can cause more problems if the horse is stood around in dirty, damp and gritty boots.

There is also a vast selection of creams available to apply as a barrier cream so that the cream holds the dirt not the skin and then this can be easily washed off when the horse comes in. unfortunately, in my experience, there are some areas in the UK that have got problematic soil and there is a more aggressive bacterium in the soil that seems to be able to cause infections despite the owners every effort to prevent mud fever.

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EQUINE HEALTH - Your Horse & Country Magazine AUTUMN 2021 |

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 Clippings and Rugs continued The rugged horse must be checked daily to ensure that there are no broken straps or pressure sores. To check whether the rug is too warm for the horse, place a hand under the rug by the shoulder. If the rug is too warm the horse will be damp from sweat.

Many horses are clipped to ease grooming, help with thermoregulation and comfort during exercise and aid in cooling off after training. What type of clip to do depends on the horses level of work and to some extent, personal preference. It is important to clip the horse using clean, sharp blades, allocate plenty of time to do it and put safety first by wearing a hard hat and proper footwear. If the horse does not tolerate being clipped, sedation may be required.

It is suitable to clip the first time in the autumn, but if the horse must be clipped several times, the last clip should not be later than early February.

The practice of routinely worming the adult horse every couple of weeks/months throughout the year is a method of the past. The modern way of controlling the parasite population of horses is by finding those who carry the high worm burden by using worm egg count. We know that about 20% of the horses excrete 80% of the parasite eggs and thus buy finding those high shedders we can limit the amount of wormers we use, keep the existing parasite population sensitive to the drugs and also save some money.

The last worm egg count of the grazing season is usually some time in September, in the winter, shedding of parasite eggs stop. For the adult horse the two main parasites of concern during the autumn and winter are the encysted small redworm (cyathostomins) and the tapeworm (anopocephala perfoliate) There are blood tests available to detect the level of those parasites in the horse. There is also a saliva test available to check for the tapeworm. The results of these tests will indicate if the horse needs a wormer against these parasites or not.

However, depending on the age of the horse, how the pasture is managed and previous history of parasite-related disease, it might be recommended to worm the horses against these parasites.

Consult with your veterinary practice about what is best for your horse.

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EQUINE HEALTH - Your Horse & Country Magazine AUTUMN 2021 |

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IRVAP is a professional body

offering more than just membership to our members who often hold multi professional qualifications and offer an integrated service to the animals in their care, leading to improved lives for animals and owners.

IRVAP’s diversity is our community strength, represented by our different membership categories and subgroup. www.irvap.org.uk

Membership Categories Our membership is divided into different categories and subgroups, which require specific evidence to join each category. You choose the category or subgroup that is your best fit from the descriptions below and submit your evidence using our online system. We offer a free second registration to all our members if they have the required evidence for more than one category or subgroup.

Veterinary physiotherapist member: MIRVAP (VP) - Cost £90 Holder of an accredited university qualification at level 6 – 7. Evidenced by qualification certificate, course transcripts, CV, CPD record and insurance certification if not accessing the IRVAP group insurance scheme.

Manual Therapist member: MIRVAP (MT) - Cost £90 (Animal Osteopath/Chiropractor/Masseur/ Bodyworker) Holder of an accredited animal therapy qualification level 3 – 6. Evidenced by qualification certificate, course transcripts, CV, CPD record and insurance certification if not accessing the IRVAP group insurance scheme.

Institute of canine hydrotherapists: MIRVAP (ICH) - Cost £90 Canine hydrotherapists holds Ofqual qualification; level 3 certificate in canine hydrotherapy, as a minimum, with L4 -L7 holders required to map in their qualification to the ICH day one canine hydrotherapy competencies. Evidence required includes qualification certificate, course transcripts, CV, CPD record, first aid certificate, water management requirements and insurance certification if not accessing the IRVAP group insurance scheme. www.irvap.org.uk/institute-of-caninehydrotherapists

Institute of Equine Hydrotherapists: MIRVAP (IEH) - Cost £90 The newest subgroup of IRVAP - Institute of Equine Hydrotherapists (IEH) is an industry first equine hydrotherapy association for equine hydrotherapy practitioners.

Equine Hydrotherapists use water as therapy with various modalities - Equine Swimming pools, Equine Water Treadmills, Equine Water Walkers, Equine Spas and Equine Cryotherapy. Equine Hydrotherapy accredited courses have been developed and will be a huge advancement in the growth and progress of the Equine Hydrotherapy Industry. However, as we do not have a course as an entry requirement yet, we will be recognizing the multi routes of industry, training, and work experience. IEH Membership requirements: Curriculum Vitae outlining your equine industry experience, Equine Hydrotherapy industry experience/qualifications/training certificates - case studies/references from Veterinarians all great additions, Written evidence of daily water management

procedures with each hydrotherapy modalities used, An Up to date Equine First Aid Certificate and Professional Indemnity and equine hydrotherapy specific Insurance certificate www.irvap.org.uk/institute-of-equinehydrotherapists Membership fees: Our annual membership runs from 31st March 2021 – 31st March 2022 with a fee of £90 for Veterinary Physiotherapists, Manual Therapists, Canine Hydrotherapists (ICH) and Equine Hydrotherapists (IEH) Members. Our Student Members annual fee is £10. We adjust our membership fees from: 1st October 2021 – 31st March 2022 to £50 for membership applications during this period.

Our Group Insurance Plan described below is reduced to £75 if taken out between 1st October 2021 to 31st March 2022.

Group Insurance Plan: All our practising UK members have the option to access our Group Insurance Plan at the same high limit of indemnity. This Professional Liability cover comprises Public Liability and Professional Indemnity with £5 million of cover each, as well as a Legal Expenses indemnity of £250,000. The policy wording covers a wide scope of practice that also specifically names veterinary physiotherapy, equine hydrotherapy and canine hydrotherapy. This high-quality product is underwritten by AXA insurance with Markel as our Legal expense’s provider. This product is provided for us by Towergate via their specialist division for Care & Medical Insurance. It runs with the annual membership and the 2021 – 2022 premium fee is £99.97 (1st October 2021 – 31st March 2022 it is reduced to £75).

A Non-Profit Dynamic Community of Qualified Professionals working in Animal Therapy www.irvap.org.uk EQUINE HEALTH - Your Horse & Country Magazine AUTUMN 2021 | 125

HOYS QUALIFYING DUO FED ON Equivit AS Supplements Amy Morris qualifying for HOYS on her rides FC Flirty for Thirty and Tobar King.

The Equivit AS supplement brand came into my life after years of searching for a range of supplements that I could 100% rely on for my BS competition ponies & horses.

At that time I was specifically looking for a calming product that not only worked effectively, was FEI compliant, but was also completely natural.

I came across Equivit AS relax, and Eqivit AS Performance, which were then not available in the UK, therefore I had to import them to use on a few of my quirky, big track, BS ponies.

They worked perfectly, not only on just one, but every single one of my horses that were needing such products. To say I was stoked would be an understatement.

Equivit AS Relax is not only a calming supplement but has the added bonus of aiding the digestive tract and in turn the hind gut.

It was after this, I made contact with the brand owner, (a vet himself with a wealth of knowledge & experience) and the partnership was formed shortly after.

Equi-Fit Elite was born in Sept

2020 to become the sole distributor of the Equivit AS supplement brand, for the UK & Ireland.

Equivit AS Relax Stressed Nervous/Anxious Horses

Their main purpose is the production of the hormone serotonin - the happy hormone, used in medicine to eliminate excessive stimulation and fight depression.

The phytobiotics used in our product, (depending on the dose given) help to create a relaxing and calming effect, in turn support concentration levels during competitions and training.

Thanks to the phytobiotics, A Complementary feed designed to probiotic lactic acid & aid the reduction of excitability bacteria contained in sports horses, help improve I’ve tried pretty in the product, concentration levels, lessen much every calmer going it can have an anxiety, nervousness, for a youngster and this is the additional seperation anxiety, benefit, which traffic, horses travelling, only one that has worked, is to aid the box rest etc.. Intended no dulling just relaxed and digestive tract for horses of all ages focused 5* Product, Bec is and promote It does not cause extremely helpful, nothing positive dullness or drowsiness. is too much trouble. intestinal A completely natural Thank you so much. health. product, containing Lynn Gregg plant alkaloids - natural phytobiotics.

EQUI-FIT ELITE ARE THE UK AND IRELAND’S SOLE DISTRIBUTORS OF THIS REVOLUTIONARY AND UNIQUE SUPPLEMENT BRAND

Equivit AS series of products are based upon 10 years of scientific research and in the field experience.

IT’S A GAME CHANGER!

All products present a pro-health approach and their composition is made up of natural raw materials such as, lacto-protein and natural amino acids as well as lactic acid bacteria, dry whey, extruded plant grains, vegetable oils suppressed for winter and appropriate multi-sugar.

The Vitamin composition Just wow!!! used in the Purchased a trial bag of supplements are a Equivit AS Performance to use carefully selected on my hunter who can be sluggish at this time of year, however his mix of minerals workload becomes quite demanding and vitamins as he whips in for a Bloodhound Pack. premix, rich in Today we had some young hounds who micro and were out for their first day of hunting macro we needed to work really hard to keep elements. them in check so I needed my horse Special attention to be in top form - boy he had wings!!!

Brilliant product. has been paid to If your horse needs stamina the use of macro and power this is elements lactates the one!! and calcium citrate which are easily absorbed by the body.

Rosie Austin riding Rebel

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The Equivit AS supplement range are proving to be complete game changers and lifelines for many, therefore quickly gaining themselves an excellent reputation here in the UK. The reviews we have received, and continue to receive from our customers, are proof of the products quality and effectiveness.

www.equi-fit-elite.co.uk Email: info@equi-fit-elite.co.uk Call: 07979 463553 - Becs

Equivit AS Relax A total game changer.

We never thought our very over enthusiastic pocket rocket would ever turn his hoof to dressage.

Coming home with two red ribbons with amazing scores in their first ever attempt. I have tried pretty much every calmer, from shelf bought, to bespoke, spray on, to syringe, and this was the only one that has worked.

Give it a try, you won’t be disappointed!!

Alison Austin

AN ARENA THAT SUITS YOU DOWN TO THE GROUND Choosing the right surface for you and your horse will put your arena project on firm footing, writes Kathy Carter

A

re you in the fortunate position of planning or building an outdoor arena? It’s often a dream for anyone with their own stables and land, and means you can really tailor the build to suit your needs. If you’re a regular hirer of professional arenas, it could even save you some time and money by investing in your own facility, while the addition of a manège can add value to an equestrian property. Do your research first, and work out exactly what you need, so the end result is a functional arena that will last for many years to come. An arena contractor can advise you on the whole process!

CHOOSING A SURFACE If you’re in the process of choosing a surface, first ask yourself if the arena will mainly be used for leisure or performance, and consider the volume of use; e.g. a private arena used once daily by one horse, compared to a livery yard which is used by many more horses per day.

Research fully the ground works required, such as the correct drainage and membranes, as this will give your surface a suitable base.

Next, consider whether you want a more cushioned surface, or a firmer ride. There’s a range of blended surfaces available, commonly with textile, polymer and natural fibres, cushioning foam, rubber shred,

TOP TIP The costs of transporting raw materials to the site of your arena may cost more than the materials themselves. Hence, locally sourced materials are usually preferable.

Also, ask around at your local riding club or local equestrian group to see what other arena owners did, and what worked (or didn’t work!) for them.

Affecting aspects like soil type and climate will be similar.

128 | AUTUMN 2021 Your Horse & Country Magazine - BUILD IT

polypropylene and elastic fibres, utilised with silica sand. (Woodchip and rubber surfaces are also available.)

Each surface offers a unique “feel”, but do make sure you choose based on your own needs, as different riders and arena owners like different surfaces, based on their own experiences and disciplines. Best advice is to train and condition your horse on a similar surface to the one you will compete on, for consistency. There’s a good deal of evidence linking training surfaces to the risk factors for lameness, which is important to bear in mind. Uneven or deep surfaces increase the risk of lameness, while even surfaces, whether coated or uncoated, can reduce the risk of slipping and tripping, provided they are well-maintained and on a good base. Your construction provider or surface supplier can advise you!

JUMPING SURFACES You will need a particularly stable surface to jump on, to give the horse confidence,

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MAYFIELD FIBRE MIX LEVELLER The Fibre Mix Leveller is our standard model for all fibre/sand or fibre/wax surfaces. Ideal for smaller yards or private owners.

Each leveller comes with a detachable side grader blade to pull in the edges of built-up surface from the outer kickboards – no more back-breaking hand-digging work! These models can be supplied with a fork hitch and pin suitable for sit-on garden mowers. and help prevent injury such as ligament and tendon damage; this is because there is an increase in upward and downward forces during landings, take-offs and turns at speed. Be careful with the surface depth, for jumping – too deep, and the horse may lose confidence, and too hard, bone and joint injury risk increases.

Essentially, a good quality surface that has good “energy return” and grip is the best investment. (Energy return means a similar amount of energy is returned to give the horse momentum as was applied at the moment that force was applied). A jumping surface also needs enough grip to prevent slipping, but allow a very slight slide upon landing, to absorb shock. It also needs to be sufficiently cushioned to discharge shock, but also provide some resistance. A fine balance!

Lots of arena owners like a waxed surface to jump on (as long as it allows the horses to “travel” when they land), and for outdoor arenas, the waxed elements can help prevent material separation, and provide resistance to the surface freezing in cold weather. But it is personal preference, with a nod to budgetary constraints too.

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BUILD IT - Your Horse & Country Magazine AUTUMN 2021 | 129

Time to Reflect Are your Halts Square?

Are you Sitting Straight?

Do not ride bent or crooked

(how many points are lost for this when you compete!)

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EquiRubber Surface provides optimal traction and shockabsorption that lessens the strain on horses and riders.

Check your posture in the mirror.

Allspan Arenas will give you the best of both worlds shade from the sun and protection from rain, but still have an open and airy feel.

Whatever the size of your outdoor arena we can cover it for you.

All horses will train comfortably on Equirubber surfaces, protecting their legs and minimizing bone injury.

EquiRubber surfaces provide a much safer surface in the event of rider falls.

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looking for a responsive surface that’s also quite firm, but with an all-important “elastic” and cushioning quality. Riding dressage movements on too-hard surfaces increases the risk of bone and joint injuries, such as degenerative joint disease and inflammation of the hocks and front pasterns. A too-soft surface may detrimentally affect the amount of hock rotation, and may lead to hock injuries.

Flatwork surfaces should provide grip but also more of a slide, to prevent jarring.

Non-coated fibre and silica sand blended surfaces are one popular example. If you choose a non-coated surface, be aware that there’s usually more maintenance; they will need to be watered more in the summer months.

Probably the most difficult choice is for an arena with multiple usage, e.g. jumping and flatwork, for example if you run a livery yard.

Multi-use surfaces need a reasonably firm yet cushioning surface material that helps reduce shock. Furthermore, if you have a very specific discipline in mind, for example western reining, ask your supplier about materials like polyvinyl alcohol resin over a clay base with washed silica sand. Whatever your surface need, talk to a selection of arena surface providers for advice.

ARENA FENCING There’s a variety of options for arena fencing, if you choose to have it – as a minimum, you will need retaining boards at ground level,

WHAT’S THE COST? You’re unlikely to spend much less than £30,000, unless you are able to carry out the construction yourself, and larger projects can easily double this figure. You can purchase DIY arena kits, with fence posts, rails, retaining boards, gate posts and hinges, membranes and drainage pipes, and even some basic surfaces, for well under £25,000 – however, cheaper kits will be designed for limited, leisure use.

*

to preserve the riding arena surface, and prevent any elements blowing away. Those with a non-fenced arena may like to use white boards (which are very low, around 15cm high) around the perimeter of the manège.

Timber or vinyl post and rail fencing are available, and are commonly erected at 1.2 to 1.35m high. Low kick boards can be added too – these are solid, and are used when working with youngsters, to prevent the horse’s legs getting caught in a fence if they kick out in exuberance.

An interesting consideration regarding manège fencing is the rider’s preference.

Arena fencing can help educate a green horse to stay straight (and contain exuberant youngsters), but horses can “rely” or “mentally lean” on the fences, and then fall out at the shoulder or “wobble” on the straight sides when at a competition arena with no fencing there for “mental support”.

Generally, it would be the more established riders and trainers in the field of dressage who would choose to go for an unfenced arena – if there’s a risk of rider falls and loose horses, or if loose schooling takes place, fencing is generally preferred.

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SIX TIPS FOR SURFACE MAINTENANCE

1. Pay for the best surface you can afford!

2. Horse droppings and leaves should always be removed.

3. Surface displacement will occur in the most heavily used areas; regular levelling is recommended with a surface grader that suits the surface blend or material – it can increase grip for the horse. Be especially vigilant in high-traffic areas. This levelling task can be done weekly if used by a small number of horses – for use by more

than 20 horses, daily attention may be necessary.

4. If the manufacturer recommends it, keep the surface damp, and water it if required during dry spells – this is essential to the performance of the arena, otherwise it could ride deep. (Waxed surfaces tend to require minimal maintenance and have very little “kick-back”, while non-coated surfaces require more maintenance, irrigation and watering.)

5. Avoid letting very muddy hooves or equipment (for example, a quad bike or tractor) onto the arena surface when possible. Longevity depends upon both quality of maintenance and intensity of use, but a properly constructed and well maintained arena surface should last well!

6. Regularly check the surface depth with a measuring stick, to monitor depth and uneven areas. 

BUILD IT - Your Horse & Country Magazine AUTUMN 2021 | 131

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We are a family run business based in the North East of England With over 20 years in the recycling industry, we ensure only the highest quality when it comes to the sale of our products and services.

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132 | AUTUMN 2021 Your Horse & Country Magazine - BUILD IT

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CJ Arenas will construct or build either block stables or wooden stables to meet your requirement (subject to correct planning permission)

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SPRINGRIDE SURFACES

We are one of the leading suppliers of equestrian aggregates nationwide and sole suppliers of KL Fines.

Leading manufacturers of Equestrian Surfaces

With over 20 years’ experience, we understand the importance of assisting our customers in making the correct decisions

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We offer a full range of materials for the construction of a perfect, all-weather horse arena, together with other aggregates for roads or building work.

Rubber chip or Flat rubber surfaces available now ✔ Easy to lay & maintain ✔ Retain moisture in summer ✔ Won’t freeze ✔ Improve drainage ✔ Add spring ✔ Stable ✔ Delivered across the UK & Europe Springride products are manufactured from the highest quality rubber and fibre composites.

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The perfect footing for equestrian arena surfaces

Performance Equine Synthetic Stabilizer Fibre We have now been specialising in arena surfaces for over 10 years.

We are dedicated in the design and production of Equine stabilizing fibre blends. Valley Equestrian’s team guarantees quality on every project with an excellent customer feedback record. Our priority is customer satisfaction.

Our ongoing research and development keeps us at the forefront of our business. We produce textile stabilisers utilising only superior

industrial quality materials through a precision shredding and blending process.

With the assured confidence of our sales team Valley Equestrian have a unique ability to tailor make your surface within any budget.

Our experience allows us to offer more suitable products specific to your individual requirements, whether for leisure, professional or commercial use.

Benefits (When mixed with new or existing silica sand/rubber)

 Instantly ready to use  Shock Absorption  Suitable for indoor and outdoor use  Does not require watering  Dust free  Sure footed  Increased Traction  Reduced Penetration  Cushioning  Minimal kickback  High energy return  Long lasting  Low maintenance  Moisture Retention  Free draining  Environmentally friendly

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134 | AUTUMN 2021 Your Horse & Country Magazine - BUILD IT

ANDREWS BOWEN LTD – INNOVATIVE ARENAS From concept to construction and maintenance, Andrew Bowen Ltd are renowned for quality.

Built on years of experience, Andrews Bowen Ltd was formed in 2005 to produce a global market-leading artificial equestrian surface provider. The company is now a leader in both research and innovation with a highly regarded reputation for manufacturing products that are proven at the highest level.

From design and concept to construction, installation and after care service, Andrews Bowen is a family business that keeps everything in-house, so you can benefit from the best products and service possible.

Surfaces It is important that surfaces perform in all climates and under a variety of user conditions. From private and competition arenas to gallops, lunge pens and racecourses, the team of leading experts ensures every project is of the highest quality, with the attention to detail being second to none.

The range of surfaces have been specifically researched, designed and scientifically tested with a wealth of knowledge to provide consistency throughout and all have their own unique properties and components.

Selecting the right surface for your needs depends on your level of use, ability and purpose.

From competition surfaces that can be found worldwide being used by the FEI, Global Champions Tour, international racing federations and the Olympic Organising Committee, to private yards with an everyday training arena, Andrews Bowen surfaces all come with a written guarantee and only use preconsumer fibres, providing quality regardless of the project size.

Equestrian Developments Andrews Bowen build the highest grade facilities across the UK and around the world, handling everything from initial consultation and site visit through to design, planning, construction and maintenance packages. All expertise is under one roof, ensuring a single point of contact and with a reputation for excellence, the company can accommodate all of your equine facility, indoor and outdoor arena, stabling, lunge pen, gallop and horse walker requirements.

Equipment Andrews Bowen Engineering produces expertly designed equipment to finish both your stable yard and arena. The ProGrade equipment is the ideal choice for the day-today maintenance of any sand and fibre surfaces, whether waxed or unwaxed. Each robust British-designed and manufactured solid-steel unit that leaves the Andrews Bowen workshop, is supremely durable and will help you get the best out of whatever surface you use.

In addition to ProGrade equipment, they also manufacture pole/jump trailer that is lightweight and makes manoeuvrability and storage incredibly easy.

Performance is paramount, but it is nothing without soundness – Andrews Bowen surfaces and its maintenance equipment combine to deliver support and excellence.

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Your Horse & Country Magazine

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Simply Arena Mirrors.co.uk ABOUT ARENA MIRRORS… The key to a good reflection from arena mirrors is down to the straightness and strength of the framework and the structure they are mounted onto.

We supply galvanised steel posts, cross-rails & brackets which are much stronger, more durable, and stable than wood. The structure is fully adjustable and has a tilt capability to give an accurate, quality reflection to suit your needs.

Framed arena mirrors + complete DIY installation kit on a galvanised steel structure. Everything you need for installation including full instructions.

Safe, strong and highly durable

Arena Mirrors are fast becoming the ‘must-have’ addition to an arena.

They are undoubtedly a key training aid for everyone who wants to improve their riding skills, reflecting movement and positioning in real time allowing the rider to react immediately to make any necessary corrections.

ABOUT US...

We are a friendly, hardworking, enthusiastic, dedicated team with many years of hands-on experience in design engineering, manufacturing, production control & customer service.

We have been supplying mirrors into the equestrian trade for several years and are dedicated to ensuring that all our products are manufactured using the highest quality materials and to precision manufacturing standards. We own our own premises, have very low overheads, and buy our materials in large quantities which allows us to provide outstanding quality products and materials at unbeatable value for money.

Framed Arena Mirrors: • High quality branded 6mm thick glass mirrors • Safety backed to EN12600 2B2 impact standards • Bespoke, robust, exceptionally durable aluminium frames with mitred corners • Bonded and sealed with an industrial grade structural polymer sealer to protect the silvering and safety backing from corrosion due to all weathers

• Sealant also ensures that should the mirror get broken it will stay in the frame keeping it safe to handle • Reinforced steel corners to eliminate corner cracks from the weakest part of the mirrors • Optional additional Aluminium backing panel • Easy fit Z channels and all fixings supplied • Portrait / landscape orientation • Indoor / outdoor installation

Galvanised Steel DIY Installation Structure • Spacer jig supplied to assist accuracy of post spacing

• Easy to re-locate the structure should you wish to move the arena mirrors

• Straightforward installation process - digging the holes is the hardest part, the remainder is an assembly process

• Can assist with some planning issues, as they can be considered a temporary structure

• High-tensile steel foundation cages with laser cut spacer plates • Galvanised steel posts 100mm x 100mm x 4mm complete with 12mm thick precision laser cut base plates to bolt down onto foundation cages. Fully adjustable to facilitate accuracy of alignment • End caps to finish off the top of the posts • Galvanised steel C section cross-rails 100mm x 50mm x 2.5mm

• Very safe and easy to handle - 2-person lift • Straightforward installation process • Comprehensive laminated instructions supplied • Telephone and on-line support 7 days a week • 2-year guarantee against corrosion and manufacturing defects • Delivered and off-loaded ourselves from our own transport. We will explain all the component parts and are on hand to answer any questions regarding installation

Please get in touch for a free, no obligation quotation & friendly advice Tel: 01777 708010 M: 07492 733543 E: info@simplyarenamirrors.co.uk See our website for more details and images.

Equestrian and Agricultural Construction Bespoke stables and steel-framed agricultural buildings

We offer the complete package. Design, Demolition, groundworks, construction.

End to end project management.

Internal stalls, field shelters, steel framed buildings and entire bespoke stable complexes.

We supply fully CE marked steel portal frame buildings to cover your arena!

All aspects carried out!

We make people’s ideas come to life NO JOB IS TOO BIG

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Please contact us to discuss your requirements and to get a quote Tel: 01225 684522

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Matthew Sawyer - 07854 304646 email: Matthew@solsticeequestrianprojects.com

138 | AUTUMN 2021 Your Horse & Country Magazine - BUILD IT

Equestrian Building Services

Groundworks, Equestrian Building Services & Plant Hire in Devon Groundworks, concreting, ng, drainage, retaining walls, indoor arenas, outdoor arenas, stables, yards, plant hire grab lorry, dumper, mini digger in Newton Abbot, Devon

Whatever your building ding requirements we can help!

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Premium quality equestrian buildings, new stables, american barn, an arena for your horse livery yard or an equestrian centre …then we can help!

Indoor Arenas, Outdoor Arenas, Horse Walkers, Stables, American Barns, Stable Yards, Stable Buildings, Horse Arenas, Surfaces, Gallops, Agricultural Buildings, Concrete Yards and Walls - whatever the design …then we can help!

Call us for a free quote 07590 479655 Email us with your requirements contact@bmdgw.co.uk

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How to choose an intelligent arena irrigation system.

Big topic, I agree, but let’s look at how smart arena irrigation systems can save you water, time and effort but still provide a top-class arena experience.

HIT Active-Aqua

Well-known to many equestrians is the HIT Active-Aqua and Ebb and Flow arena irrigation systems. The main difference being the method of delivering water to the surface.

Active-Aqua injects small but regular amounts of water into the surface which results in highly efficient use of water (up to 40% less water than sprinkler systems) and a very consistent footing over every square metre.

Ebb and Flow acts like a large bathtub where water is contained beneath the arena surface at a specified level. This system also ensures a consistent moisture level throughout the arena.

HIT Active-Aqua

These two irrigation systems are classed as intelligent systems because they can be completely computer monitored and controlled, even from your phone!

Obviously, this does save you time and effort and you can use your arena when either system is in progress.

Speaking of computer control, did you know the HIT Active-Aqua technology can allow the arena to be split into individual segments?

This is particularly useful for outdoor arenas where some areas in shade or direct sunlight need different levels of water input.

Likewise, the Ebb and Flow system works really well to store harvested water from buildings which is a big bonus in times of little rain or drought. Similarly, the HIT ActiveAqua can also integrate a rainwater harvesting system.

Wait, what if you already have an arena and you are looking to upgrade the irrigation system to something more “intelligent”? This would be easily done with the HIT Active-Aqua because the driplines sit above the sub base underneath a protective grid and existing

140 | AUTUMN 2021 Your Horse & Country Magazine - BUILD IT

HIT Active-Aqua

surface. An Ebb and Flow system would require more groundworks to facilitate the drainage and water proofing but not impossible.

If you’re still unsure how to proceed with your arena irrigation then why not contact Jelka for a chat about your ideas?

Call us on 01304 273620, email us at info@jelka.co.uk or visit our website: jelka.co.uk

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Keep up-to-date with all the latest news and information, from Team YHC, by following us on

• Join up with a hard to catch horse • Confidence builder when riding • Help bonding with a dominant horse • Training a youngster • Loading issues • Restricted grazing pen We believe in customer service as a top priority and welcome customer enquiries, reviews and feedback on our products.

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I am sure we have a pen to suit your needs and budget, a bespoke service and delivery is available too.

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ALDERSHOT EQUESTRIAN LEADING SUPPLIERS OF EQUESTRIAN PENS, TREADMILLS, EXCERCISES AND MORE

Our customers represent the complete spectrum of the equestrian world, from large professional yards with over sixty horses to individuals with two to three horses. As well as supplying equipment for all sizes of sports horses, we design and make pens, horse walkers and treadmills for ponies and miniature horses.

For customers who have specific requirements, a difficult site or need to make use of an existing building, we will design a product that meets their needs.

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Offering local, national and international services with twice weekly trips to Ireland along with regular trips to France and other destinations as required.  Shared and private loads are available.  All travel documentation, ferry bookings, import/export licences can be arranged.  All of our vehicles are DEFRA inspected, approved and fully licensed.  Our four vehicles range from a two horse Theault, to four horse, seven horse and 11 horse capacity.  All are modern and custom built with fan-assisted cooling, temperature monitored and have CCTV fitted.  Overnight stabling is available at home and abroad if required in transit.  All our drivers and grooms are certificated, very experienced and are recruited locally from within the equine industry.  We pride ourselves on our welfare standards and professionalism.

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Our Extensive range includes our uniquely designed Horse Walker tile System, Deluxe Glue & Sealed Stable Matting System, Walkway Matting, WetPour and Rubber Paving Solutions. Manufactured from the highest quality rubber, the extensive range provides a comfortable and safe environment for horses.

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