Equi-Ads October 2013

The UK’s Finest Equine Health, Management and Training MagazineFREE

October 2013

®

NutritionalSupplements forthe RespiratorySystemCan I feed my horseruminant products?

Should I buythe tack withmy new horse?

Bedding and Turnout Rugs

WIN top prizesfrom Blue Chip

Mud Fever

EquiadsCover October_Layout 1 18/09/2013 09:10 Page 2

Equi_Ads_Oct_EngWales_Rev.indd 1 25/09/2013 12:19

Bloodstock market recoversSigns of recovery in the bloodstock market, as turnover at a recent Tattersalls

auction more than doubledon last year’s July sale, with the highest turnover on the opening day since 2008, at 2,819,600 guineas.

Qatari led the bidding, helped by Max McNeill, the founder and chairman of the IT business Ultima Business Solutions, who relayed orders down to the phone to his bloodstock agent Anthony Bromley, to buy Duroble Man for 130,000 guineas. � e horse will go into training with National Hunt trainer Alan King.

Keep in touch!Don’t miss out - keep up-to-date with all the latest news and events by following us on Facebook

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The three main trials at Burghley were trying on both rider and horses but the huge crowd bowed to New Zealand

who won six of the � rst ten places in the competition. An event in the main arena on the � nal day was the

Racehorse to Riding Horse quali� er sponsored by the insurance company well known to Equi-Ads readers, South Essex Insurance Brokers.Twenty horses were paraded before three judges. � e winners were;QUALIFIERS FOR THE FINAL AT HORSE OF THE YEAR SHOW• Racehorse to Riding Horse• 1st Double Brandy, owned and ridden by Lousie

Marsden from Worcester• 2nd Sister Gee, owned and ridden by Jill Wormall from

Leicestershire -Already Quali� ed• 3rd Purple Moon, owned by Sara Cumani and ridden

by Chantal Wooten from Su� olk-Already Quali� ed

• 4th Whatcanyasay, owned and ridden by Robyn Cook from Cumbria.

Kiwis conquer BurghleyHave Your Say

®

Main FeaturesCan I feed my horses ruminants? ..............9Speaking the language ....16New horse trials ................20 Health care advice ............23Horses Inside out .............24Mud Rash - what’s that?.........................32Nutritional support for the respiratory system .................................36Microchipping - what’s the point? ...............38Bitting concepts ................40Stable Talk ..........................42Does the tack � t? ..............44� e prevention of horse falls ...........................56

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THE ULTIMATE JOINT SUPPLEMENTMovefreePlus added to the feed changes the ‘oil’ in your horse’s joints everyday. � is means that joint function is maintained in perfect condition and injuries heal up extra fast. � is is a unique approach

for an equine supplement and enables the best HA � exibility and performance in all situations. Showjumpers jump higher, dressage horses gain extra poise and cross country competitors gain valuable seconds. Non

competing horses are able to lead comfortable lives again.For full information read the booklet about MovefreePlus and it’s partners, Movefree Maintenance and Movefree Liquid.Global Herbs: 01243 773363 [email protected] Booklet available on: www. globalherbs.co.uk/advice-info/� ee-made-easy-booklets/

Certifi cate of distribution� is is to certify, that Equi-Ads average distribution in the UK is 49,000 copies every month. Average readership, excluding the website is 120,000.Robert Gri� ths,PublisherISSN 1461-0590

Equi-Ads’ Sarah was at Burghley


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2 | October 2013 www.equi-ads.com

News • Healthcare

Protect your horse’s immune system Many horses are winding down a�er a

heavy competition season, now is the time to ensure your equine’s immune system is up to scratch.

A strong immune system gives your horse the defense mechanism it needs to naturally do battle with many winter ailments, including mud fever, skin irritations, coughs and colds and respiratory infection to name but a few. By protecting your equine when they need it most, you can reduce the chance of time o�, loss of condition and lack in performance due to a weakened immunity.

Animalife, the creators of Vetrofen and Vetro�ex, Vetroimmune is a specially formulated performance nutraceutical providing equines with a highly bioavailable proprietary polysaccharide called BAP-8T, with added Vitamin C. Upon ingestion Vetroimmune travels to the small intestine where it interacts with immune cells located in Peyer’s patches in the small intestine. Here Vetroimmune mediates the release of signals to other immunocompetent cells and this results in a systemic immune response to invade and kill foreign bodies and regulate the body’s recovery response.

By providing your horse with the correct nutritional ingredients to maintain a strong immune system many winter ailments can be avoided, prevention really is better than cure. Vetroimmune starts at £59.99 for 30 capsules.

Animalife are so con�dent in their products they o�er a money-back guarantee!*For more information about Animalife tel: 0845 365 0050 or visit: www.animalife.co.uk. * subject to terms and conditions, see online for more info.

Fine weather and glorious views over the Surrey countryside accompanied eighty riders and horses on a Pleasure Ride organised by the Worplesdon

and District Bridleways Association (WDBA) on Sunday 1st September.Riders aged from eleven to pensioners, and all types and ages of horses,

including a pony aged 27, tackled the 11-mile route along bridleways and WDBA permissive horse rides around Broadstreet and Backside Commons. �anks to the University of Surrey, and the Surrey Wildlife Trust, those taking part were also able to ride the �elds and woodland along the Hogs Back, giving far-reaching views across to Ash Ranges. As well as numerous local riders, many travelled from as far a�eld as Reading, Reigate, Liphook, Windsor and Teddington, such is the popularity of this annual event, held

by the WDBA to raise funds.Photographer Alessia Mestrone provided those taking part with a lovely

record of a memorable day; ACEquines sponsored the rosettes that were given to all riders and the Holistic Horse and Pony Centre sponsored the schedules.

Chairperson Lisa Wright, who organised the ride, told Equi-Ads: “We raised around £1,450, which is a tremendous result and it will go towards local projects in the Worplesdon area. We have a number of projects to tackle this winter to keep bridleways and permissive horse rides open to riders, walkers and cyclists and these will cost us around £8,000 to complete.

Dear Sandi,I thought you would be pleased to hear that the response to the new advertisement has been phenomenal. We knew that the product was good and so was the marketing, but without the exposure gained through Equi-Ads, these would have been useless. �anks again for the excellent coverage Equi-ads provides. Best Regards, John Millar,A.W.Jenkinson

�ere are only two large monthly circulating publications catering for the equine community of which Equi-Ads is one. Join our list of successful advertisers by contacting Aline for Equi-Ads Scotland 07712 305258 or Stephanie for Equi-Ads England/Wales 01159 461146 Ed.

�e Caldene Ladies Winter Breeches are windproof and water repellent, created in breathable fabric that allows moisture to pass away. Available in Beige, in sizes 24”-34” reg and 24”-32” long and priced at around £74.99. See your local stockist.

Riding along the Hogs Back


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The greatest range on earthThe “low salt miles” salt lick for all stockRockies are made in Cheshire from salt extracted from the ground only 14 miles away. The salt we use is human food grade PDV salt-exactly the same as that on your table. We then add top quality essential trace elements in exactly the right amounts to suit your horse, and press it into very hard licks.Why burn all that fuel by dragging lumps of Himalayan rock salt, with accidental levels of minerals and impurities, all the way from Pakistan when you can get the real stuff on your doorstep?Rockies are made to do a specific job. That job is to ensure the health of your horse. Don’t settle for anything less.Rockies. Protect your horse. Protect the planet.

Contact Rockies on: 01606 595022 or [email protected] www.rockies.co.uk

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News • Readers Say

Firle Place International Horse Trials Andrew Crowhurst from Eastbourne entered a competition in the

Hastings local paper and won a VIP day out at Firle Place International Horse Trials.

� e prize included car passes, lunch in the sponsor’s tent and naming rights of Fence 14 on the CIC* cross-country course. Andrew told Equi-Ads; “We have been visiting this brilliant event for the past 15 years, so we are delighted to have won this prize. It was my birthday last week so the news extended the celebrations somewhat! We christened the Hog’s Back jump ‘Crow’s Leap’, which is my nickname. � e hospitality tent was located next to the showjumping ring so we enjoyed watching some of the world’s top riders like Sir Mark Todd and Lucinda Fredericks go head to head over the coloured poles. A fantastic day out.”

Gold Medallist Paralympic Dressage rider Natasha Baker,

MBE has another exciting new ride for the future!

Owned by Christian Landolt, who also owns JP, Natasha’s 2012 Paralympic ride, Sooki St James is a stunning � ve year old, 16.2hh Black Oldenburg Mare, whom she hopes to start competing in the latter part of the year.

“I love Hot Pink and so these Golly Galoshes are perfect! Not only do we use them for schooling, lunging and lessons, but also these bright � uorescent ones are great for

hacking out too and will keep Sooki’s new bandages and boots pristine! I am really excited about Sooki, we just click and she is just really special.”

Golly Galoshes are waterproof and breathable gaiters, designed to bandages and boots clean, dry and the horse comfortable, whether out hacking or during schooling sessions. � ey feature a highly re� ective vertical strip which helps illuminate the horses stride patterns, making them ideal for training, lessons and lunging and are endorsed by leading gait analysis company Centaur Biomechanics.

Lucy Salutes her Equine HeroBehind every aspiring champion

there is always an unsung hero!� e team at Alltech are on

the search for Equine Heroes everywhere and want to shine the spotlight on the person that helps you achieve your equestrian dreams.

Here, Lifeforce sponsored dressage rider Lara Dyson acknowledges her Equine Hero as Charlotte Dujardin.

She became an inspiration to Lara when she � rst saw her compete at Hartpury, performing her dressage to music and scoring highly, admiring how focused she was about perfecting every movement in the test, yet made it look e� ortless, as though she was just sitting there doing nothing.

Lara was amazed to hear Charlotte comment on leaving the arena that she could have done a few things better.

Cadans, Lara’s KWPN Approved Stallion was � ve at the time and little did she realise how much he was testing her riding skills.

Within minutes Charlotte had him moving like a dream and Lara was in awe of her ability to make a horse so supple and swinging through his back, producing the most fantastic medium trot.

Alltech have been the unsung hero behind many of the world’s top feeds and supplements for over 30 years as the leading expert in equine digestive health and as such, want to salute other Equine Heroes.

To nominate your own Equine Hero, visit www.EquineHero.com.Alltech is title sponsor of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014

in Normandy, France. � e Lifeforce range is the cornerstone of the Alltech Equine Advantage series, developed to bene� t horses at every stage of life, from breeding stock to pleasure and performance animals.

For further information please visit www.lifeforcehorse.com or telephone 01780 764512

Jonathan Anderson, DipACVS BVM & S MRCVS, was delighted with Rossdales vet Sarah Powell MA VetMB Assoc. (LA) ECVDI MRCVS, presentation at an event marking the opening of the Hallmarq Standing Equine MRI system at Rainbow Equine Hospital, Yorkshire

they made nine short videos. Jonathan told Equi-Ads “As a specialist practice, we receive referral

cases from vets all over Yorkshire. We were really excited to introduce our new standing MRI and we also wanted the vets to know a little bit about how it can help their clients. Sarah’s talk really gave an insight into which cases are and aren’t suitable for MRI, what to expect when you refer a horse, how the scans are run, that sort of thing. It’s great to hear from someone who’s such an expert in the � eld.” . To � nd out more, visit www.hallmarq.net.

New standing MRI

Stress PreventionThere is only so much you can do to manage temperament of your horse

or pony, through restricting feed, especially when keeping condition and � tness are an issue. But the in� uence of diet goes far beyond simple energy consumption.

Magnesium is well known as a calming ingredient, but the reason for this has nothing to do with sedation. Magnesium is a basic and vital nutrient which a horse o� en cannot consume enough of because of modern feeding and stress loads.

When stressed, the body literally uses up magnesium, and when a horse is not receiving enough to meet these extra demands the magnesium, calcium balance in the body is disturbed. A number of behavioural changes associated with the ‘� ight or � ght’ response can result. Typically they will be more easily stressed, more reactive and will take longer to settle once wound up.

� e role of magnesium in the body means that if you use the right magnesium supplement you can avoid sedative ingredients, and still solve a vast range of behavioural problems, without causing any drowsiness or changing your horses’ character or presence.

So what problems might magnesium help with? � e answer is anything at all related to stress from obviously sharp or di� cult behaviour, to spooking, bad travellers, box walking, schooling and concentration problems, box rest, even headshaking, gastric ulcers and laminitis. www.nupafeed.co.uk

Pretty in pink!


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The greatest range on earthThe “low salt miles” salt lick for all stockRockies are made in Cheshire from salt extracted from the ground only 14 miles away. The salt we use is human food grade PDV salt-exactly the same as that on your table. We then add top quality essential trace elements in exactly the right amounts to suit your horse, and press it into very hard licks.Why burn all that fuel by dragging lumps of Himalayan rock salt, with accidental levels of minerals and impurities, all the way from Pakistan when you can get the real stuff on your doorstep?Rockies are made to do a specific job. That job is to ensure the health of your horse. Don’t settle for anything less.Rockies. Protect your horse. Protect the planet.

Contact Rockies on: 01606 595022 or [email protected] www.rockies.co.uk



NEW SEASON

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Stylish Ayrshire BootsSPECIAL OFFER

with promo code: AY18AY18

derbyhouse.co.uk*Prices and details correct at time of printing. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Derby House reserve the right to amend or withdraw promotions at any time without notice, should circumstances change.

Full page Jods Advert new.indd 1 16/08/2013 10:58

Based in Wiltshire, Kitty King is currently setting the eventing

world alight with a brilliant season under her belt.

Kitty has been brought up with horses, joining the Old Berks Pony Club at a young age and she was the �rst rider to represent Great Britain at Pony, Junior, Young Riders and Senior level.

Her �rst real break came in 1998, when she won team silver in the British Pony European �ree Day Event Team. Her success continued in 2000, when Kitty was fourth individually and secured team silver at the Junior European Championships.

Team gold was achieved in 2003 in the Young Rider European Championships, selected a�er coming second at Bramham and therefore becoming Under 25 British Champion.

In 2005 Kitty rode at her �rst

Top eventer uses HaygainBadminton, �nishing in seventh place and since then she has never looked back, achieving some great triumphs along the way.

Kitty told Equi-Ads: “I started to use the HAYGAIN this year a�er last year’s awful summer the haylage we made was not of its’ usual quality.

“It was old dusty grass that got baled as it had been so wet in the spring. �e horses weren’t eating it as well as our old stu� and a few started to cough on it or get a dirty nose.

“Since using the HAYGAIN this problem has completely cleared up and the horses are �nding it a lot more palatable.”

Brian Fillery, of HAYGAIN told us: “Top event riders understand the importance of providing good quality forage for their horses.For further information please contact HAYGAIN hay steamers on 0333 200 5233 or www.haygain.com

�e Spanish Riding School of Vienna 2014 UK TourThe Spanish Riding School of Vienna will be bringing the famous

Lipizzaner stallions back to the UK in 2014. �e UK tour will kick o� with three performances at the She�eld’s

Motorpoint Arena on October 31st, November 1st and 2nd 2014. �is is the �rst time the majestic, highly trained horses and riders of the 430 year old “High School for Classical Horsemanship” will have performed in the North of England. �e tour will then move South for three dates at London’s Wembley Arena on November 14th, 15th and 16th, 2014

�e show is an impressive display of classical equitation in the Renaissance tradition of the haute école. �e audience will be mesmerised by the absolute balance and harmony achieved by these beautiful White Lipizzaner stallions and their regal riders. All of their famous in-hand work and movements above the ground such as the Capriole, Levade and Courbette will be performed.

TV presenter and British Dressage Ambassador, Nicki Chapman will be hosting the event and will be joined by special guests making this 2014 Spanish Riding School of Vienna Tour one of the most unique, exciting and captivating events of the coming year.

Incredibly moving, highly sophisticated and full of Viennese glamour the tickets for the 2014 SRS Tour are on sale from Friday 27th September.

Make sure your seats are booked well in advance as the last tour in 2012 was a sell out….

�e Spanish Riding School of Vienna at She�eld’s Motorpoint Arena Friday 31st October 2014 – 7.30pmSaturday 1st November 2014 – 7.30pm Sunday 2nd November 2014 – 3.00pm�e Spanish Riding School of Vienna at London’s Wembley Arena Friday 14th November 2014 – 7.30pmSaturday 15th November 2014 – 7.30pm Sunday 15th November 2014 – 3pm. Tickets on sale Friday 27th September 2013 prices from £20 - £65 and

available from www.livenation.co.uk

News • Feedimg


NEW SEASON

£18 a pair

with promo code: AY18

derbyhouse.co.uk

Stylish Ayrshire BootsSPECIAL OFFER

with promo code: AY18AY18

derbyhouse.co.uk*Prices and details correct at time of printing. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Derby House reserve the right to amend or withdraw promotions at any time without notice, should circumstances change.

Full page Jods Advert new.indd 1 16/08/2013 10:58Equi_Ads_Oct_EngWales_Rev.indd 7 25/09/2013 12:19

News

8 | September 2013 www.equi-ads.com


Both horses and ruminants are members of the ungulate group of animals which can

be subdivided into the order Perissodactyla or odd-toed ungulates and the order Artiodactyla, the even-toed ungulates. �e bodyweight of members of the latter is borne about equally by the third and fourth toes and includes pigs, hippos, camels, deer, gira�es and of course sheep, goats and cattle. �e sub-order amongst the Artiodactyla is the Ruminantia characterized by animals that chew their food, swallow it and then later regurgitate it for further chewing as in “chewing the cud” (this is no reference to yours truly!). �e bodyweight of the Perissodactyla is almost all borne by the third toe and these animals have relatively simple stomachs relying on fermentation in the large intestine to degrade plant material rather than the complex four-chambered stomach possessed by ruminants. We are familiar with members of this group which includes rhinos and of course horses, donkeys, and zebras; the latter three belonging to the family Equidae.

When answering the question posed one must consider �rstly the basics of the digestive process in both species. Ruminants spend half the time chewing when they eat compared to horses (8h vs 16h) but, whilst ruminating and chewing the “cud” they spend the same amount of time (8h) as when eating. �us, in total horses and ruminates chew their food for about the same overall length of time. �e swallowed bolus is exposed to random fermentation in a ruminant’s stomach (via enzymes produced by

the microorganisms present) over quite a long period of time (akin to being in a waiting room) before being made available to the enzymes of the host animal in the small intestine. �is means that food is e�ectively predigested and substrates such as starch may be fully degraded prior to entering the small intestine. In marked contrast horses thoroughly process their food (grinding)

before swallowing it. Residence time in the stomach is short and thus it merely acts as a sort of transit lounge although there is a very small amount of fermentation. Food entering the small intestine of the horse is only predigested to a very small extent so that a substrate such as starch is very similar to the form in which it was ingested.

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October 2013 | 9www.equi-ads.comwww.equi-ads.com

Feeding • Healthcare

(continued on page 12)

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CAN I FEED MY HORSE ON RUMINANT PRODUCTS?Dr Derek Cuddeford, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh

Equi_Ads_Oct_National_Rev2.indd 9 25/09/2013 12:12

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Feeding

Can I feed My Horse On Ruminant Products? By Lizzie Drury, Saracen Feeds

The safest answer to this question is “no, you should not feed your horse ruminant feed.”

Many people would probably argue that they have fed sheep or cattle feed to their horses for years and never had a problem. � ey are likely telling the truth but this still does not make it appropriate.

If you are a person that carefully reads the feed labels you will note that there are very few di� erences between many ruminant feeds and horse feeds, with regards to some of the raw materials that are used e.g. oats, maize, � bre pellets etc. From a purely nutrient quantity stand point, the feeds may be very similar. However, it is important to take into careful consideration the manufacturing or milling process when comparing horse feeds to cattle feeds. Some ruminant feeds may contain medicated ingredients or other undesirable ingredients for horses and unless you read your feed labels you may never notice.

� ere are guidelines established by the Universal Feed Assurance Scheme (UFAS) and these guidelines are established to protect animal owners from feeding a feed that would be dangerous for their animal whether it be a horse feed containing a cattle feed component such as antibiotics or a sheep feed containing too much copper. Some medications for ruminant animals could be potentially fatal to horses if consumed in a large enough quantity in exactly the same way as excess copper intake to sheep could be fatal if you were to feed sheep a feed formulated for horses.

Feed mills that manufacture cattle feeds and horse feeds in the same mill must take the mill through a cleansing process after they have milled to ensure that the mill equipment is clean of any undesirable substances to, such as medication to reduce any undesirable substance carry over before they can mill horse feed. � e majority of mills these days will run horse feed and ruminant feeds through on totally separate lines or even manufacture at di� erent milling sites to ensure there is no contamination of the horse feed.

� e UFAS guidelines, however, do not protect those horse owners that choose to feed their horses cattle feed or sheep owners that choose to feed their sheep horse feed. So you could be gambling with your horse’s health and welfare. When you decide to feed your horse cattle feed, you forfeit the protection o� ered to you when feeding feeds that are strictly labeled for use in horses. Knowing how deadly the consequences can be, it is recommended that horses be fed feeds that are manufactured for horses and leave the ruminant feed for ruminants!

High Fibre, High Oil DietContaining a blend of � bre, oils

and vital nutrients Solution Mash is ideal for helping to promote weight gain and condition in horses that require a slow release energy diet. With no cereals and a very low starch and sugar content it is suitable feeding to horses that su� er from Laminitis, Cushings, Insulin Resistance and EPSM as well as horses prone to excitable and unpredictable behaviour.

With 150gm of oil in every 1kg this helps encourage excellent overall condition and weight gain supporting muscle tone. Super high levels of Vitamin E are included helping support the immune system and maintain healthy antioxidant levels

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

With a high � bre content Solution Mash helps to encourage better digestion within the hind gut, being particularly valuable for horses that require a diet that is sympathetic on the digestive system. Yeasacc 2016 is also added for improved � bre and mineral digestion and gut health. Natural

herbs spearmint, garlic and fenugreek are also included along with optimum vitamins

and minerals to help support overall health and vitality.For more information contact Rowen Barbary Horse Feeds on 01948 880598 or visit www.rowenbarbary.co.uk

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It is clear from the foregoing that the digestive strategies of the horse and ruminant animal are very di�erent. However, what is so interesting is that they are both herbivores and thus adapted to survive on forage. It should be remembered that certain members of the Ruminantia have a specialized mouth shape that enable them to browse. A good example is the narrow incisor arcade of the gira�e that allows it to gather leaves of the thorny Acacia tree without damaging its face; it can be very selective helped by the fact that its tongue is 18 inches (45cm) long. �e wide �attened incisor arcade of the horse is designed for grazing but, given the chance, they will browse your neighbour’s beech hedge to extinction. Whilst they may not be as selective as a gira�e they are very selective compared to a cow. �e top lip of a cow is fairly immobile whereas as that of a horse is incredibly �exible allowing the horse to pick and choose what it eats. When cows graze they just put their heads down and hoover up everything that is available including odd nails and even bits of barbed wire. Of our domestic ruminants it is only really the goat which will browse, eating anything from knickers on the washing line to any hedge or plant that it can get its teeth into; nothing is sacred when it comes to goats!

Forages that are fed to ruminants include grass and all grass products in the form of silages (big bale, clamp and tower silages), hays (�eld-cured, barn dried) as well as legumes such as clovers, sainfoin and alfalfa. �e other major forage type is whole-crop maize silage. In addition to these traditional forages ruminants are also fed potatoes, swedes, turnips and other root crops as well as industrial byproducts such as sugar beet

pulp, distillery and brewery grains. All of the foregoing are safe to feed to horses provided of course that care is taken over the feeding routine (meal frequency and size) and that appropriate adaptation is allowed as well as regulating the quantity fed. For example ad libitum hay/silage would be alright but ad libitum potatoes would not be a good idea. Some of the above feeds can play a part in the daily ration of a horse whereas other materials can constitute the whole ration.

All the cereal types routinely fed to ruminants can be fed to horses although they should be cooked (micronized, steam-�aked, extruded) with the exception of oats which are best fed raw. Again, these materials can only form part of the horse’s daily ration.

Compound feeds produced for ruminants contain, in most cases, the same raw materials as used to produce horse compound feeds and thus in theory ruminant compounds could be fed to horses. However, any medicated feed (those produced under a veterinary written direction) produced for a speci�c medicinal purpose should not be fed to any horse or pony. Of course, ruminant animals are produced for their milk or meat so substances such as dioxin which can get into the food chain can be a serious worry; never more so than after the serious �ooding in Germany during summer 2013 when grazing areas were polluted. Feed produced in farm animal feed mills is often contaminated with substances that are prohibited in the competitive horse industry and since cows do not feature in the Derby very often this is not a problem in the Agricultural Industry. Simple examples would be ca�eine and theobromine residues whose presence in a horse feed and thus in the horse would lead to disquali�cation in a competition

if the horse was blood-tested. Another major worry in a farm animal feed mill would be the risk of cross-contamination resulting from the production of pig, poultry and ruminant products through the same equipment. For example coccidiostats are commonly used in poultry diets and can be fatal for horses whilst farm animals are not considered to be at risk from such substances. �us, if your horse is not involved in competitions and in the light of the provisos mentioned above it would be alright to feed ruminant products but you would have to be very clear about the provenance of the product used.

Check the labelOne could of course turn the question on its head and ask “Is it safe to feed horse compounds to ruminants”? �e answer is perhaps rather surprising. Feeding competitive horse and stud/breeding diets to sheep and goats would almost certainly kill them! �is is because some horse owners seem to want to ignore current scienti�c knowledge and insist that ridiculously high levels of copper are included in such diets. �ere is a belief that high levels of copper will prevent/cure bone lesions in growing horses and that performance horses will bene�t as well. �us, most feed manufacturers include levels of copper that will supply well in excess of established need. No-one dares take a stand on this for fear of losing market share in a very competitive industry and so all feed manufacturers oversupply copper in certain of their products.

Finally, most ruminant feeds can be fed to horses whilst some horse feeds cannot be fed to certain ruminants. Take a look at some bag labels on horse feed and see what it says...

Feeding(continued �om page 10)

Prevent winterweight loss

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The original and best.

SPILLERS® introduced Horse and Pony Cubes, the first ever compound feed, in the 1950’s.

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It’s winter and our horses are snug in

their stables, windows closed, a nice deep pile of straw for bedding, and a hay net full of what is probably second cut hay. � ere is a suspicion of a cough and you remember something similar last year. Of course it’s cold and wet

outside and you’ve got the snu� es, so your horse probably has too, right?

Probably, but… is your horse heading towards middle age? Maybe he’s a Warmblood? Has he had a respiratory disease in the past? Did he have a cough during the driest part of the summer when he was outside?

If the answer to any of these questions is “yes”, then he may have Recurrent Airway Obstruction (RAO) – also known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heaves, chronic bronchiolitis or bronchitis – or possibly summer pasture obstructive pulmonary disease (SPAOPD).

It sounds alarming and, according to various sources, may be present in up to 50% of all horses worldwide. It is also, thankfully, generally reversible and, once the causative factors are recognised and removed, fairly easy to eradicate. However if not addressed and in extreme cases can lead to:• Septic bronchitis • Pneumonia • Chronic interstitial

diseases • Neoplastic disease,

including primary tumours of the respiratory tract or, more commonly, distant metastasesBut let’s not dwell on the negatives, as we can

do something – and it is maybe well to think about, even if our horse has no symptoms, as the cause is so common the potential is always there.

And the cause?Dust. And spores. And fungi.

More precisely, small diameter organic and breathable dust and its potential to carry pollen, microbial spores and fungal toxins. � ese invasive particles irritate the linings of the airways causing in� ammation and an in� ux of white blood cells; neutrophils, which invoke an immune response. � e dust is associated with bedding and hay, although any dust in the stable can carry irritants.

Because this is a well-known route for potential airway problems in the horse, there has been plenty of advice on how best to reduce the problem. Most obvious is the need to clean down the stable when it is empty and to damp down any dust; a change of bedding is also

If the answer to any of these questions is “yes”, then he may have Recurrent Airway Obstruction (RAO)

summer pasture obstructive

according to various sources,

50% of all horses worldwide.

are recognised and removed,

including primary tumours

recommended, where possible – wood shavings instead of straw for example. And the � nal piece of advice is to soak or even steam (to reduce mineral loss) the hay, or to provide alternative feeding.

Having said that, all hay is not bad. Dust potential of hay can vary considerably and increase from early to late cut, barn drying, cutting at 75% dry matter, big baling or hay getting wet between cutting and drying. � e e� ect can be on breathable dust as well as viable spores. In the case of viable spores high density baling and late tossing, as well as rain after cutting, can all cause increases.

� e source of the hay has an e� ect as well. Single species hays have di� erent proportions of various dust types to each other and these are di� erent from other forage types such as haylage and alfalfa pellets.

And � nally the length of cut can have an in� uence. Short cut hay can have a high proportion if soil contamination, whilst long cut tends to be drier and therefore more brittle – generating more dust.

A medium cut hay, at greater than 75% dry matter and gathered before being rained upon will present a low dust/low spore product and should not exacerbate RAO.

Haylage would seem to be an obvious alternative to hay as it has extremely low dust and mycotoxin, due to its processing. However it does tend to have high pollen and moderate spores.

Ideally then, if you have access to grazing, then a winter outdoors will avoid all this dust. However, cold weather can cause cell in� ammation and mucus production in the airways and so this can be as much a problem as being indoors!

So, with the dust potential for hay being totally confusing,

how best to feed the horse in winter? As always, it’s mainly a matter of common sense. � ose parameters that add to the problems of dust – spores, fungal toxins – are also not what we want from a nutritional point of view. � erefore hay that seems a bit musty, smells a bit o� or has some bloom on it is not good for gut or throat. Beyond that we need to be a bit more choosy. Where possible use hay from the less mature grass - early cuts, hay that is medium cut, from rectangular rather than round bales. � ink about the weather around cutting time. Was the cut grass able to dry quickly, or did it get wet? What dry matter is it?

Basically then a good quality hay, soaked to reduce dust, will provide a nutritionally sound forage base and a low irritant factor for the airways. However soaking for more than 30 minutes can signi� cantly reduce sodium, potassium and phosphorus content. Conversely haylage with its inherently low dust levels should work as well although the high levels and range of pollens may increase the allergenic potential for some horses.

Beyond this we should be providing products that can partially replace these main forage sources, and so further reduce the irritants. Products such as beet pulp will naturally have low levels of pollen and fungal toxins, and the excessive washing during sugar extraction will further reduce contaminants. With Speedi-Beet the micronization part of the process will also knock out microbial spores making a clean product which, when fed soaked will be totally dust free. Pelleted alfalfa has been shown to have signi� cantly less dust than hay, and when incorporated into a product such as Fibre-Beet that has a similar digestive pro� le to grass will certainly help .

So a soaked (30 minute) hay or haylage will give you a low dust product, and partial replacement with Speedi-Beet or Fibre-Beet will further reduce potential irritants, such as fungal toxins, spores and pollen, whilst maintaining a good level of nutrition over winter.For more information please contact British Horse Feeds on 01765 680300 or visit www.britishhorsefeeds.com.

Feeding for Respiratory Health this Winter by Dr Tom Shurlock of British Horse Feeds

Xxxxxxxxxx


Feeding

MARK WESTAWAY & SONLOVE LANE FARM, MARLDON, PAIGNTON, DEVON, TQ3 1SP

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MARK WESTAWAY & SONLOVE LANE FARM, MARLDON, PAIGNTON, DEVON, TQ3 1SP

TEL: 01803 527257 www.horsehage.co.ukLike HorseHage &

Mollichaff on FacebookOfficial supplier of dust-free

forage to Equestrian Team GBR

BY APPOINTMENT TO HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN

MARK WESTAWAY AND SONMANUFACTURERS OF HORSE FORAGE

HorseHageGet the seal of approval from your horse

70 to 100% of your horse’s diet should be provided by forage...

• Dust-free

• No chemicals or additives

• Lower sugar content than hay

• High Fibre and Timothy variety are suitable for laminitics

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Horse Behaviour

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SOU_TopSpec_FP_BLEED.indd 1 16/09/2013 12:50

BIT: ‘An apparatus usually consisting of metal or other hard substances or a combination of both. It is positioned in the diastema of the horse’s mouth and connected to the reins. As a result of tension in the reins, this apparatus places pressure on the lips, tongue and bars of the horse’s mouth and results in the horse learning to stop/slow/step-back and turn, through the processes of negative reinforcement and classical conditioning.’

BITTING: ‘Accustoming a horse to having a bit in its mouth or the selection of the most appropriate bit for a horse.’

Negative reinforcement is described in the glossary as ‘�e subtraction [removal] of something aversive (such as pressure) to reward the desired response and thus lower the motivational drive (Skinner 1953).’

Classical conditioning is described as ‘�e process whereby the unconditioned or conditioned response becomes elicited from a conditioned stimulus (Pavlov, 1927). In equitation it is the process where learned responses [such as slowing,

that the horse will learn how to respond to the bit by means of them will only be true if they are carried out correctly. Even today, most conventionally trained instructors do not understand them because they are not systematically taught about them, so it is no surprise that many horses and ponies have ‘mouth problems’, a good many of which are, in practice, problems of confusion and pain due to poor training.

�ousands of words have been written on the subject of bits and bitting. It seems to be one of the most popular subjects in the horse world, probably because it is generally believed that if you �nd the right bit for your horse all your riding problems will vanish into thin air and your horse will be transformed. In practice, of course, this doesn’t quite pan out but it is true that the horse must be comfortable in his mouth if he is to go kindly and well, and that a bit that suits one horse may well not suit his very similar neighbour and vice versa. It is also true that he must understand thoroughly the meaning of bit aids (pressures) and that his rider must give them consistently correctly if the horse is to respond accurately, reliably and con�dently.

FACTS AND FANTASIES�ere are various old and true sayings about bits, such as: ‘�ere is a key to every horse’s mouth’, ‘Most bits are made for men’s heads, not horses’ mouths’ and ‘�e bit is less important than the hands on the other end of the reins’. Conversely, there are other traditional beliefs about bits and bitting, taught as standard facts, which have been proved by rigorous and reliable modern scienti�c research to be fallacies.

One of the main problems with supplying and �tting a bit to any horse or pony is that we cannot ourselves feel what the horse is feeling with it in his mouth. We can only imagine how it must feel to him and this leads to the development of human-devised, imaginative and sometimes inaccurate theories to explain things. True, we can tell to some extent whether it ‘works’ or is comfortable by how the horse goes in it but unfortunately and amazingly many people clearly do not even think about it. Very often, they use a certain type of bit because they have read some marketing material about it, because their friend’s horse goes well in it, because ‘everyone on the yard’ uses it, because their instructor has told them to use it, because the

HORSE BEHAVIOUR - Speaking the language part 16A series by Susan McBane explaining equestrian and scienti�c terminology in relation to equine behaviour and psychology, and its e�ects on horses and training . �is series is based on a glossary of equestrian and scienti�c terms presented at the First International Equitation Science Symposium, 2005. �e glossary description is given in quotation marks, followed by Susan’s discussion.)

halting or turning in response to pressure from the bit] are elicited from more subtle versions of the same signal or to entirely new signals [such as seat aids].’

THE descriptions above don’t need much explanation. �e diastema is the space in the horse’s mouth between the front teeth and the cheek or back teeth where there are no teeth, known as the bars, and is very convenient for us horsemen and women, if not for horses, as it provides an ideal place for a bit. �e mention of negative reinforcement and classical conditioning will be explained below but the statement

manufacturer’s agent has advised it for their horse or, worst of all, because their favourite celebrity rider uses it.

GOING BITLESSAt this point it is worth mentioning bitless bridles. One very popular design is the crossover bitless bridle designed by Professor Robert Cook, FRCVS. Others are plain sidepull bridles, the Scawbrig, the Blair or English hackamore, the American bosal or hackamore and others. I have tried various bitless bridles on all sorts of horses over a period of about 50 years and have usually found that horses are much better balanced and lighter in hand with a simple, comfortable bit than in any kind of bitless bridle. �e exceptions are horses correctly schooled to High School standard who go in self-carriage and work from body aids and so need very slight bit pressure, and those with some mouth injury or abnormality in the conformation of jaw and/or teeth.

Proponents of bitless bridles can be very vociferous in their support of them and blame bits for most of a horse’s behavioural problems under saddle, claiming that they cause pain without riders actually realising it, prevent horses swallowing their saliva, create fear and many other di�culties. In practice, of course, the behavioural problems ascribed to bits are not the fault of the bit itself: they are the fault of the rider who has chosen, �tted and is using the bit.

Unfortunately today it is the �rmly ingrained and widespread practice to ride horses on much too �rm a contact. It is also the practice for riders not to be trained as fully or completely as was usually the case decades ago and to think about the e�ects on the horse of what they are doing, partly, I believe, because of the closure of many of our better riding schools but also our modern desire to want everything quickly and to be unwilling to work for what we want and treat equitation as an academic subject involving another sentient creature.

If a horse is trained properly over time by a competent trainer to go on a light contact in self-balance in all gaits, a bit of any material in his mouth via which the trainer gives him aids will not cause pain if the mouth is healthy and the bit �tted correctly. Only if the rider uses it with too �rm a pressure, in a harsh way such as the sawing movement commonly seen, with unrelenting strong contact, or to help him or






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SOU_TopSpec_FP_BLEED.indd 1 16/09/2013 12:50Equi_Ads_Oct_National_Rev2.indd 17 25/09/2013 12:12

her keep in balance or even in the saddle, will the horse be caused pain and injury. I do not doubt that horses may well not like wearing a bit just as many humans do not like wearing dentures, but pain does not have to be part of the scenario.

Similarly, if the horse is trained, and allowed, to go lightly and in self-balance with his head in such a posture that his throat area is not cramped and constricted or his tongue pressed down hard in his mouth so that he cannot move it (necessary to the swallowing action), he will have no problem being able to swallow his saliva. �e sight of horses, usually dressage horses, splashed with their own frothy saliva which they cannot swallow is a fairly new one; this was not seen until a couple of decades ago when the inhumane fashions for numbing bit contact, hoisted-up bits and crushingly tight nosebands became viewed as necessary and correct.

If a rider needs or wants to hang on to a horse’s head and does not have the skill or desire to use a bit sensitively, I agree that a bitless bridle is best for the horse although the consequent pressure on the noseband and elsewhere cannot be very pleasant for him or make clear aids possible.

A lot of valuable research has been going on regarding bits and bitting for the last couple of decades, not least by Dr Hilary Clayton who, after all her e�orts, says, I understand, that ‘�nding the right bit is more a matter of trial and error than a scienti�c process’. If you Google Dr Clayton, you will �nd screens of information about her work, which despite her comment is enlightening and invaluable to those who don’t want fantasy-type theories about bits and bitting. �en, if you Google Professor Robert Cook you will �nd his pro-bitless views expressed clearly and in no uncertain terms, with hard-hitting photos of the horri�c injuries su�ered by horses via bits used by what my classical trainer of the 80s, Dési Lorent, used to call ‘devils on horseback’.

You might be interested to know that during a scienti�c study of hyper�exion (which was con�rmed to cause horses acute stress even to those accustomed to being ridden this way), it was found that experienced riders involved in a rein tension/bit contact experiment were unwilling to ride with long reins as they felt they could neither balance nor control their horses when they did so, and that the rein contact on horses being ridden either in a competition outline or in hyper�exion was above the maximum 5 kg detection limit on the rein tension meter for a lot of the time. Both observations are evidence of competitive dressage horses being held in an

outline rather than trained to be in self-carriage. Disgraceful. I understand the experimental horses were wearing sna�e bits. When we consider the considerable leverage force applied to the mouth by curb bits and chains, the pain su�ered by the horses of such riders must be truly excruciating.

NEGATIVE REINFORCEMENTTo explain this expression, ‘negative’ is used in the scienti�c sense, so means ‘subtraction’ or ‘removal’. When giving any aid we apply pressure to some

Xxxxxxxxxx


Tack & Bitting

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(continued �om page 16)


part of the horse – pressure from both sides of the bit asks the horse to slow down, stop or rein back, and from one side of the bit, basically, it asks the horse to turn that way. When we squeeze or tap with our legs, we ask the horse to move forward or, with one leg, to move away from that leg.

� e best equitation is simple because that’s how horses understand and learn best. � erefore, when we give an aid and the horse responds correctly, we must stop giving the aid the instant we get our response or the horse will not understand that he has done the right thing and will become confused. So, if we ask the horse with the bit to slow down and he does so, we must stop the aid/remove the pressure, so th at the horse learns that he has done the right thing. Similarly with the legs – squeeze or tap, the horse goes forward, stop squeezing or tapping.

We have all heard ad nauseam that we should ‘drive the horse up to the bit’ or ‘into your hand’ which is giving the horse a ‘go’ and a ‘slow/stop’ request at the same moment. Reputable scienti� c research has con� rmed that horses cannot cope with that (and neither can humans!), so become confused, insensitive and di� cult or disappointing to ride. Use ‘hands without legs and legs without hands’, a saying founded in classicism and proven and adopted by equitation science.

CLASSICAL CONDITIONING� is is simply the term for horses becoming ‘used’ to particular aids and therefore responding to them quicker and lighter – provided they understand them, of course. � e aids can be gradually changed, such as by seat aids taking over from the bit for halting and slowing down. For example, if your horse has learned to slow down from a light bit pressure (with no accompanying, con� icting leg aids driving him on, of course), you can accompany the bit aid with a seat aid, such as sitting still rather than moving your seat with his back, for instance. Pretty soon, you will only need the seat aid to slow down or stop.

FURTHER INFORMATION: � e Classical Riding Club (www.classicalriding.co.uk), the International Society for Equitation Science (www.equitationscience.com), EquiSci for the UK (www.equitationscience.co.uk), the Australian Equine Behaviour Centre (www.aebc.org.au) and the Equine Behaviour Forum (www.equinebehaviourforum.org.uk). Also, follow up the links and publications on each site.

(� e Equine Behaviour Forum published the full glossary in its magazine ‘Equine Behaviour’. For your copy, send a cheque for £3.50 payable to ‘Equine Behaviour Forum’ to the Editor, Dr Alison Averis, 6 Stonelaws Cottages, East Linton, East Lothian, EH40 3DX.)

SUSAN McBANE has an HNC in Equine Science and Management, is a Classical Riding Club listed trainer and Gold Award holder, co-founder of the Equine Behaviour Forum and a Practitioner Member of the International Society for Equitation Science. Author of 44 books, she is a co-publisher of ‘Tracking-up’ (see advert this issue). For lessons in and near Lancashire, ring 01254 705487 or email [email protected].


Tack & Bitting

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the air space where it acts on dust bearing bacteria.

Microlat Stable Disinfectant is available in 250 ml, 1 L and 5 L bottles and prices start from £8.35.For more information see www.equimins.com, email [email protected] or call 01548 531770.

be used as often as required. As this is a dry

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Feeding • News

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and is lined with navy 220g polar � eece and bound with red binding and re� ective piping. Other features include a � llet string and a large Velcro front fastening which makes the rug easy to put on and take o� . � e British Showjumping logo is embroidered at the front of the rug. It is available in sizes: 4’6” to 7’3” and is priced at £49.99 without neckcover, £59.99 with neckcover. For more information visit www.equestrian.com

New trial shows SPILLERS® Conditioning Feeds make a di� erence in just two weeksNew feed trials

have shown that eight out of ten horse owners saw SPILLERS® Conditioning Cubes and SPILLERS® Conditioning Mix improve condition in their horses in two weeks without causing excitability.

� e original recipe of SPILLERS® Conditioning Cubes was � rst launched in 1968 and the product has been continually developed and improved ever since. Always keen to ensure their products live up to the highest expectations of quality and performance, the trusted feed manufacturer conducted the trial earlier this year, for their current popular duo of conditioning feeds.

� e rigorous trial involved 65 horse owners each feeding either SPILLERS® Conditioning Cubes or SPILLERS® Conditioning Mix to their horses over six weeks. Every owner had to complete a detailed survey at the beginning, middle and end of the trial and to supply before and after pictures of their horse. � e results revealed that eight of ten trial participants � rmly believe SPILLERS® Conditioning Cubes and SPILLERS® Conditioning Mix can improve condition in two weeks without causing excitability.

“Naz has had ongoing weight issues,” said Sharon Smith of her 15.2hh Arab x Welsh gelding. “Within three weeks there was a massive improvement in his condition and people on the yard just couldn’t believe he was the same horse. I could not recommend this feed highly enough, although it was not the sort of feed I would have ever entertained with his excitability it has made no di� erence to his temperament. I would de� nitely put him on it during the winter.”

SPILLERS® launched the � rst equine compound feed in the form of SPILLERS® Horse & Pony Cubes in 1958. Since then SPILLERS® has been committed to ensuring they provide the very best possible products for the nation’s horses and ponies and that every product stands up to the claims made on the pack.

Many riders worry about the � zz-factor that some higher starch feeds may contribute to but with SPILLERS® Conditioning Cubes and SPILLERS® Conditioning Mix there’s no need for worry. � ey provide extra non-heating calories and extra shine thanks to the inclusion of rapeseed oil, while a perfect balance of vitamins and minerals supports long-term health and wellbeing.For friendly feeding advice please telephone the SPILLERS Care-Line on + 44 (0)1908 226626 or visit the SPILLERS® website at www.spillers-feeds.com.

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When used in conjunction with Equimins Cooked Linseed, little or no other bagged feed will be required.Be amazed at the condition of your horse, it will be muchhealthier without lots of extra hard feed and will utilise its forage to the best advantage. A full money back warrantycomes with Advance if you are not delighted with the results.

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Recent guidelines have suggested that horses and ponies suffering from laminitis, or those prone to, or susceptible to laminitis, must be fed a balanced diet that contains less than 1g starch/kg BW/meal.Therefore, to ensure that your horse’s diet is low starch, you should not feed more than 1g starch/kg BW/meal. To get the full benefit from this feed it must be fed according to recommended guidelines.

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Health care advice by Nicky Mo�atClipping cleverNeed some help deciding which clip to go for? Here are some important considerations to make.

Bib clip (hair removed from the chest area): Perfect for horses who live out and who will only be in light work.

Trace clip (hair removed along the bottom lengths of the body, from the quarters to the jaw: Ideal if your horse lives out and will be doing light to moderate work.

Blanket clip (Like a trace clip, but the whole of the neck hair is also removed): Great for horses in moderate work. If your horse lives out you will need to invest in good rugs.

Chaser clip (Hair removed from the sti�e to the poll in a diagonal line): An alternative to a blanket clip and ideal for horses in moderate work.

Hunter clip (everything but a saddle patch and the legs are removed): Ideal for horses who live in at night and are in hard work, such as eventers or hunters.

Full clip (all the hair is removed): For those in hard work as above. Removing hair from the legs can look smarter and prevents mud clogging up in the hair.

Feet firstChanging weather can take its toll on our horses’ hooves. Here are some top tips to help them stay healthy as winter approaches.

Pick feet out regularly and check for any objects which may have become wedged, such as stones. Keep an eye out for nasty smelling feet, which could be a sign of thrush.

Make sure your horse’s feet are regularly attended to by a farrier. Hooves need shoeing or trimming every four to six weeks.

Ensure your horse has access to a dry area to stand in, such as a �eld shelter, yard or stable. Try to avoid sudden changes from very wet to very dry conditions as this can cause the onset of cracks.

Avoid riding too fast on hard or boggy ground and stick to good going where possible.

Invest in a good hoof supplement or dressing if necessary. Your farrier will be the best person to advise you on which products are best.

Feel regularly for any signs of heat in the hooves and get to know what’s normal for your horse’s feet temperature.

Keep stable bedding dry and fresh to avoid the risk of thrush.

Dietary mattersAs the end of the summer competition season arrives, you may need to review your horse’s dietary needs. Here are some points to consider.

If you’re changing to a less heating feed because you will be cutting down on your horse’s workload, ensure you make any changes gradually to avoid upsetting the horse’s gut.

Reduce energy in the feed before you reduce exercise, otherwise you could end up with a very fresh horse or one who’s at risk of developing azoturia (tying up).

Healthcare

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Clipping fever


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• Barley Free – Low Starch, Molasses Free – Low Sugar • For horses and ponies at rest or in light work • Low calorie feed suitable for good doers and laminitics • Ideal for older horses and ponies and those with poor teeth • May be fed as a partial or complete hay replacement

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award-winning, nutrition helpline today on 01362 822 902,email [email protected] or visit www.allenandpage.com

Recent guidelines have suggested that horses and ponies suffering from laminitis, or those prone to, or susceptible to laminitis, must be fed a balanced diet that contains less than 1g starch/kg BW/meal.Therefore, to ensure that your horse’s diet is low starch, you should not feed more than 1g starch/kg BW/meal. To get the full benefit from this feed it must be fed according to recommended guidelines.

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‘CLASSICAL ORIGINS’, comprising The Baroque Breeds by Liz McCurley and Masters of Equitation by Robert Smith QC

These two major and popular series from Tracking-up are now available in this 32-page, A4 booklet. Together they cover the origins of classical riding, its evolution and purposes, the breeds of horse and the people who developed it, and its increasing importance in the horse world of today.

For your copy, clearly print your name, address and ‘CO’ on the back of a cheque for £6.17, payable to ‘Tracking-up’, and post it to Anne Wilson, Park End House, Robins Folly, Thurleigh, Beds., MK44 2EQ

HOW IT ALL BEGANMasters of

breeds of horse and the people who developed it,

Gillian is an equine sports and remedial therapist specialising in muscles. With a background in human therapy her ethos is strongly based around muscle function and balance. “To enable good performance, expression of movement, suppleness, �exibility and range of movement muscles need to be working together in balance. Muscles need to be appropriately strong and supple for ideal movement and way of going.” Says Gillian. “To help balance the muscular system we need to have a good understanding of the muscles, their anatomy, function and biomechanics. Muscles that have a tendency to become tight and sore require regular stretching and muscles that have a tendency to be ine�ective, slow to support, long

or weak bene�t from regular strengthening exercises. Knowing what to strengthen and what to stretch comes from study of the musculoskeletal system, movement and experience.”

The Benefits of a Well Conditioned Muscular SystemCaption: Strong, healthy and well de�ned muscles enable the horse look good, feel good and perform with ease, accuracy and �air. �is improves posture, power, balance and precision, makes the horse gallop faster, jump higher and sustain pace for longer all with a reduced risk of injury.

How Muscles Adapt to TrainingMuscle is the most adaptive tissue in the body. It adapts to training and contractions become more e�cient by:• increasing the number, size and type of muscle �bres• increasing the number of capillaries within the muscles which increase

blood �ow and nutrients • increasing the storage capacity of oxygen and e�cient removal of waste • increasing the number of mitochondria within the cells which provide

the power for the muscle �bres to contract• increasing the number and activity of muscle enzymes required for

respiration• increasing the ability to store glycogen. • improving aerobic and anaerobic respiration capacity which allows the

horse to work longer and faster

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Healthcare

Always choose good quality hay or haylage and soak or steam hay where necessary to avoid the horse ingesting dust.

Little and often is always the best way to feed your horse, so try to give him smaller feeds at least twice a day, rather than one big feed. If he’s stabled more, then pay careful attention to the amount of energy he is getting and consider changing to a less heating feed.

Balancers are a good way of ensuring your horse gets all the nutrients he needs without the extra calories or energy. Talk to one of the feed companies’ nutritionists for more advice.

Stress-free horsesAre you doing everything you can to keep your horse happy and healthy?

Horses don’t want much out of life. �ey simply thrive on feeling safe, with survival being top of their list. First and foremost it is essential that you provide your horse with all the essentials he needs in order to survive. �ese are:

Water.Shelter.Food.Friends. Horses feel much safer in groups and would never live on

their own in the wild. In the wild horses will roam several miles in a day and graze along the

way. Try to mimic this natural lifestyle as much as possible by providing large turnout areas and feeding him little and often. Spreading hay piles around the �eld will encourage him to move around more.

It’s also important to ensure that your horse isn’t being bullied by anyone in the �eld and that he’s happy in his herd and knows his place in the pecking order.

A stressed horse can develop behavioural problems, such as fence walking or crib biting, or even physical disorders, such as stomach ulcers, so it’s really important to give him a happy stress-free lifestyle where possible.


Dietary matters

Stress free horse

Feet �rst

HORSES INSIDE OUT

�is is the last in a three-part series about the horse’s muscular system, where in her usual applied and practical style, Gillian introduces us to this fascinating subject using her unique painted horse photographs. Gillian spends hours painting horses with di�erent anatomical structures and systems, often colour co-ordinating muscles per their action, to help bring anatomy and biomechanics to life in a way we can all easily relate to.In this last part Gillian will look at how we can apply the anatomical information about the muscular system to training for the good of our horse’s comfort and performance.

- �e Anatomy of Muscles by Gillian Higgins. Part 3.


• engaging in exercise which incorporates isometric, concentric, and eccentric muscle contractions.�is will lead to improved muscle coordination, strength, speed and

endurance.

Muscles Develop SlowlyA strong muscular system goes hand in hand with a well conditioned cardiovascular system. One cannot be improved with out the other. Conditioning muscles relies on a consistent progressive planned programme. Muscle changes occur slowly, taking 4- 12 weeks depending upon age, breed, �tness and condition. Asking too much too soon in the form of speed, distance and carrying weight for long periods, results in fatigued, sore or damaged muscles which delays the conditioning programme and is counterproductive. Once established muscle condition usually last for several weeks. Missing 1 or 2 weeks training due to minor injury does not a�ect overall muscular �tness in the same way as it does with human athletes.

Muscles must be trained for:EnduranceLong slow distance work (LSD) using aerobic respiration develops muscular endurance which enables muscles to sustain performance at sub maximal levels. �is is essential for all horses in all disciplines especially for eventing and endurance horses. Time and distance must be extended gradually, moving on to the next stage only when current targets are met. �is ensures progressive muscle loading without overtaxing a muscle. For a horse coming back into work, 15 minutes a day walking is a good starting point. Add 10 minutes a day gradually introducing trot and some canter work. �e aim is to achieve 45 minutes of mixed gait work easily. It is important at this stage to condition all muscles equally to avoid putting strain on any particular part. LSD can take place out hacking or in an arena. Correct nutrition in the form of a balanced high energy diet is essential in supporting the muscles and the prevention of muscle disorders.

Strength Muscular strength is important for stability, balance, posture, weight carrying capacity, control, accuracy of movement and performance. Strengthening exercises result in joint stability, improved muscle tone and an increase in number of muscle �bres which increases muscle bulk, power and strength. Strength training should be part of a structured conditioning programme. In order to avoid fatigue and allow muscles time to recover it is important not to perform strength training sessions more than 2 or 3 times per week.

General muscle strengthening is accomplished with short bursts of a varied high-intensity exercises such as:- • Hill work, including transitions, lateral work and rein back both up and

down hill• Raised pole work progressively increasing height at walk and trot. • Performing half steps, pia�e and passage.• Gymnastic jumping including grids, related distances and progressively

widening and heightening the obstacles. • Working on a loose deep surface. �is must be approached gradually to

reduce the risk of injury to muscles, tendons and ligaments.• Riding through water or long grass which encourages the horse to lift the

legs clear and make the muscles work harder through the e�ect of drag

Following a general muscular �tness programme, discipline speci�c movements are the most e�ective form of muscle strength training.

Healthcare

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Co-ordination Well coordinated muscles work consistently, e�ciently and accurately, improve posture and physical performance and reduce the risk of soreness and injury; dressage movements become well orchestrated and jumping more accurate. Muscle coordination and recruitment patterns are improved by repetition. �is forges neural pathways which then improve muscle coordination and e�ciency in an upward spiral. It is more productive to practise a new movement for 10 minutes every other day rather than for an hour once a week. Co ordination can be improved by practising cross country jumps such as a series of steps, sunken roads, banks, o�set rails and ditch rail ditch on a regular basis.

Suppleness A supple horse like a supple person can move with ease, enjoy �exibility and a wide range of movement and be less prone to strain. �is feel good factor contributes to concentration, cooperation, trainability and ‘joie de vivre’. A combination of strength, coordination and suppleness results in the horse moving with relaxation, rhythm, contact, impulsion, straightness, collection, balance and �exion. �is enables him to demonstrate submission, cadence and throughness necessary for well executed dressage movements, accurate and �owing jumping and symmetrical muscle development.

Suppleness exercises which increase range of movement, athletic ability and technical skills can be enhanced by:• Taking the joints and muscles through a full range of movement on a

regular basis.• Spending 5 -10 minutes performing suppling exercises for warm up

and cool down. �is is particularly important if focussing on strength training interspersing strength and fast work with �exibility sessions.

• Performing ridden active stretches. • Varying head and neck positions using a forwards and down outline and

lateral �exion. • •Lateralsupplingworksuchaslegyield,shoulderinandtravers

incorporating varying degrees of angle and bend.• Stretch work and �exibility exercises on the lunge.• Agility work both ridden and in hand such as bending exercises and

stepping over raised poles. • Turning the horse out where he can constantly move, roll, bite �ies,

scratch and stretch will enhance suppleness. Stabled horses have less opportunities to move and can be more prone to sti�ness

Performing a wide range of passive and active stretches will enhance suppleness

Xxxxxxxxxx


Healthcare


For more health and nutrition advicecontact the EquiClinic on

08700 606 206(Monday-Friday: 9.00am-5.00pm)www.brinicombe-equine.co.uk

Aimee says...“Our Think Mud is a daily supplement designed to help maintain skin integrity during wet and muddy conditions. It

contains a unique combination of nutrients and natural ingredients that work from the inside to support the immune

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My arab gelding has particularly sensitive skin during the winter. How does your Think Mud work and should I feed it all year round?

Speed Fast work increases the rate of muscular contractions as well as coordination and mental reactions.

Once a horse can trot or canter easily for about an hour, this includes hill work, he is ready to start fast work. Once every 4 days is ideal. �is allows the stores of glycogen used in anaerobic exercise to be replenished. It also speeds up the rate of muscular contractions and increases the number of fast twitch �bre types. Begin by galloping for about 100 yards then gradually increase the distance returning to walk through canter and trot. �is also allows the lactic acid produced as a by product of anaerobic respiration to disperse. During fast work about 20% of energy from food is converted into heat which improves muscle contractions. �e rest is dissipated. If the muscles overheat due to environmental conditions or the inability of the body to cool through evaporation, or convection this will expose the muscles to fatigue, exhaustion and risk of injury.

Practical Application • Maintain a good posture to encourage balance

between the antagonistic muscle chains. • Train for strength, endurance, suppleness, skill,

speed.

• Plan a structured programme.• Vary work and include cross training to add

variety and ensure all round suppleness, balance, rhythm and muscle development. �is will avoid overuse of particular muscle groups and prevent repetitive strain type injuries.

• Include athletic event speci�c training.• Warm-up thoroughly to allow the muscles

to be at the optimum temperature for performance.

• Cool Down slowly to reduce the risk of delayed onset of muscle soreness.

• To promote the use of fast twitch �bres make sure all work is active and steps marching even just walking in from the �eld.

• Include ridden, passive and active stretches.• Regular Massage is an excellent way to

monitor and maintain healthy muscles as well as helping the muscles relax and reduce tension.

• Allow plenty of time for rehabilitation, recovery and retraining following muscle injury.

• Feed enough protein for essential amino acids important for muscle development and function.

• Keep tired muscles warm • Regular turnout reduces the risk of muscle

sti�ness• Daily walk work is particularly

important for stabled horses.

�is is an extract from Horse Anatomy for Performance by Gillian Higgins and Stephanie Martin. For this and other Horses Inside Out Books and Videos please visit www.HorsesInsideOut.com . Look out for part four of Horses Inside Out – �e Anatomy of Muscles next month.

Would you like to hear about Horses Inside Out events in your area? If so email [email protected] with your name and county and reference EquiAds.

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FORTHCOMING HORSES INSIDE OUT EVENTS5th/6th October 2013 – 2 Day Applied Anatomy and Biomechanics Course – Moulton College, Northamptonshire13th November 3013 – Evening Video Talk - Riding from the Anatomical Perspective – Bunny, Nottingham14th November 2013 – Evening Video Talk - Riding from the Anatomical Perspective – RAU, Cirencester16th November 2013 – Head and Neck Dissection – Hartpury College, Gloucestershire7th December 2013 – Spine Dissection – Hartpury College, Gloucestershire22nd/23rd February 2014 – �e Back and Beyond, Annual Conference – RAU, GloucestershireDetails for these events and more can be found at www.HorsesInsideOut.com

WIN WIN A FREE COPY OF HORSES INSIDE OUT –THE DVD PILATES FOR HORSESWhat is the title of Dr Wilfried Bechtolsheimer’s talk and the 2014 Horses

Inside Out Conference in Gloucestershire in February?To be in with a chance of winning, email your answer to [email protected] along with your name and address by the 31st October 2013. Full details at www.HorsesInsideOut.com

Healthcare


The key to condition

0114 266 [email protected]

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Collect 8 Blue Chip Loyalty points and get your 9th Blue Chip product absolutely free. Loyalty points are available on all Blue Chip sacks (Original, Pro, Lami-light and Dynamic) and all Blue Chip liquid supplements (Joint RLF, Karma and Garliq). For more info see www.bluechipfeed.com/loyalty

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“I feed Blue Chip Pro to my eventers to aid their performance, stamina, muscle tone and overall health. Pro keeps them all in top condition, 2012 was an amazing year and the results speak for themselves. Thank you Blue Chip.”

Tina CookOlympic medalist

“I use Blue Chip Pro to maximise my horse’s performance. It helps to develop their muscle structure, which is essential for Grand Prix level. Just one mug in each feed keeps them in top condition and looking amazing all year round.”

Charlie HuttonInternational Dressage Competitor

“Blue Chip Original kept amazing condition on Whitakers Prince throughout the year, and gave him the edge he needed to win Champion Riding Horse of The Year at HOYS 2012.”

Danielle Heath HOYS Champion Riding Horse

Photography by Roberto Cubeddu (Danielle Heath), Bob Langrish (Tina Cook)

Feed Blue Chip Original up to novice level then feed Blue Chip Pro when work becomes more demanding.

BCcondtion_297x210.indd 1 06/06/2013 14:46

Reader competition

Over £500 worth of prizes from Blue Chip

Blue Chip Original – The perfect feed balancer for horses and ponies in light to medium work.Blue Chip Pro – The performance feed balancer for competition horses and veterans.Blue Chip Lami-light – The low calorie, low sugar, low starch feed balancer ideal for laminitis prone horses and ponies, good do-ers or those who are over-weight.

All the Blue Chip balancers are whole-cereal and molasses free making them very low in sugar and starch and all include a complete hoof and respiratory formula, a natural, fruit-derived form of Vitamin E and the revolutionary ingredient Nucleotides.

Blue Chip Dynamic – Pelleted joint and bone supplement ideal for elderly horses and youngstock to help produce strong, dense bone.Blue Chip Joint RLF – Liquid joint supplement that includes the powerful rosehip extract Rosa canina which helps reduce infl ammation.Blue Chip Garliq – Concentrated, pure liquid garlic.Blue Chip Karma – 100% natural liquid calmer, perfect for daily use.Blue Chip AppleCalm and CarrotCalm syringes – The same ingredients that are in Blue Chip Karma, in a concentrated syringe, ideal for one-off use such as at a competing, travelling, clipping etc.

WIN!1 winner will win• A Blue Chip balancer of choice• A Blue Chip Supplement of choice• A Blue Chip Fleece rug

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To Enter simply answer the following question:

Which Blue Chip balancer is perfect for horses and ponies in light to medium work?

To have the chance of winning these great prizes, please email your answer to the above question to [email protected] or post it with your name, address and telephone number to Blue Chip Competition, Equi-Ads Ltd.,126 Derby Road, Long Eaton, Notts. NG10 4LS.

This Competition is open to anyone over the age of 18 and resident in the UK . The winner will be picked from all correct entries. The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into with regard to entries or the selection of the winner. Equi-Ads cannot be held responsible for any entries that for any reason fail to reach us before the closing date. Entries close on Thursday 31st October 2013.

The winner will be drawn on Thursday 7th November 2013 and contacted after the closing date. Prizes can only be delivered to UK mainland. No cash alternative will be offered.

For more information on Blue Chip call 0114 2666200 or visit www.bluechipfeed.com or facebook.com/bluechipfeed

SOU_Blue_Chip_Comp_Rev.indd 1 25/09/2013 09:00Equi_Ads_Oct_National_Rev2.indd 28 25/09/2013 12:13

The key to condition

0114 266 [email protected]

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Collect 8 Blue Chip Loyalty points and get your 9th Blue Chip product absolutely free. Loyalty points are available on all Blue Chip sacks (Original, Pro, Lami-light and Dynamic) and all Blue Chip liquid supplements (Joint RLF, Karma and Garliq). For more info see www.bluechipfeed.com/loyalty

loyalty card

have you got your loyalty card?

“I feed Blue Chip Pro to my eventers to aid their performance, stamina, muscle tone and overall health. Pro keeps them all in top condition, 2012 was an amazing year and the results speak for themselves. Thank you Blue Chip.”

Tina CookOlympic medalist

“I use Blue Chip Pro to maximise my horse’s performance. It helps to develop their muscle structure, which is essential for Grand Prix level. Just one mug in each feed keeps them in top condition and looking amazing all year round.”

Charlie HuttonInternational Dressage Competitor

“Blue Chip Original kept amazing condition on Whitakers Prince throughout the year, and gave him the edge he needed to win Champion Riding Horse of The Year at HOYS 2012.”

Danielle Heath HOYS Champion Riding Horse

Photography by Roberto Cubeddu (Danielle Heath), Bob Langrish (Tina Cook)

Feed Blue Chip Original up to novice level then feed Blue Chip Pro when work becomes more demanding.

BCcondtion_297x210.indd 1 06/06/2013 14:46

Reader competition

Over £500 worth of prizes from Blue Chip

Blue Chip Original – The perfect feed balancer for horses and ponies in light to medium work.Blue Chip Pro – The performance feed balancer for competition horses and veterans.Blue Chip Lami-light – The low calorie, low sugar, low starch feed balancer ideal for laminitis prone horses and ponies, good do-ers or those who are over-weight.

All the Blue Chip balancers are whole-cereal and molasses free making them very low in sugar and starch and all include a complete hoof and respiratory formula, a natural, fruit-derived form of Vitamin E and the revolutionary ingredient Nucleotides.

Blue Chip Dynamic – Pelleted joint and bone supplement ideal for elderly horses and youngstock to help produce strong, dense bone.Blue Chip Joint RLF – Liquid joint supplement that includes the powerful rosehip extract Rosa canina which helps reduce infl ammation.Blue Chip Garliq – Concentrated, pure liquid garlic.Blue Chip Karma – 100% natural liquid calmer, perfect for daily use.Blue Chip AppleCalm and CarrptCalm syringes – The same ingredients that are in Blue Chip Karma, in a concentrated syringe, ideal for one-off use such as at a competing, travelling, clipping etc.

WIN!1 winner will win• A Blue Chip balancer of choice• A Blue Chip Supplement of choice• A Blue Chip Fleece rug

2nd place to receive:• A Blue Chip balancer of choice• A diamante saddlecloth

3rd and 4th place to receive:• A Blue Chip supplement of choice• A diamante saddlecloth

30x runners up to each receive:• A £10 money off voucher• A baseball cap

To Enter simply answer the following question:

Which Blue Chip balancer is perfect for horses and ponies in light to medium work?

To have the chance of winning these great prizes, please email your answer to the above question to [email protected] or post it with your name, address and telephone number to Blue Chip Competition, Equi-Ads Ltd.,126 Derby Road, Long Eaton, Notts. NG10 4LS.

This Competition is open to anyone over the age of 18 and resident in the UK . The winner will be picked from all correct entries. The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into with regard to entries or the selection of the winner. Equi-Ads cannot be held responsible for any entries that for any reason fail to reach us before the closing date. Entries close on Thursday 1st October 2013.

The winner will be drawn on Thursday 7th November 2013 and contacted after the closing date. Prizes can only be delivered to UK mainland. No cash alternative will be offered.

For more information on Blue Chip call 0114 2666200 or visit www.bluechipfeed.com or facebook.com/bluechipfeed

SOU_Blue_Chip_Comp_Rev.indd 1 25/09/2013 09:00 Equi_Ads_Oct_National_Rev2.indd 29 25/09/2013 12:13

The premierfeeding systemrecommendedby vets, physiosand equinedentists.

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ALOERIDE SIGN UP LEADING DRESSAGE NAMEAloeride have signed up

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“We initially trialed Aloeride on a horse which had terrible dermatitis on his legs and the recovery was incredible. We have seen improved coat condition and the horses just seem to shine from within. From a stable management point of view we try and keep everything simple. �e far-reaching health bene�ts of feeding Aloeride will ensure that our horses will feel and look their best all year around, allowing us to focus on our busy competition schedule, assured they are getting the very best supplementary support.”Lucy joins other ‘Team Aloeride’ a�liates: show rider and producer Loraine Homer, eventer Victoria Bax and natural horsemanship expert Jason Webb. Aloeride RRP: £55.20 (1 x months supply) www.aloeride.co.uk 01858 464550

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Healthcare • News

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A wonderful Anti-Bacterial,Anti-Fungal product to help protectvulnerable areas. Loosens scabsnaturally and helps to sootheweakened, pink, scabby areas.Use regularly as a barrier.

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Healthcare

UlcersDoes your horse have a decreased performance? or an attitude change (reluctance to work)? or poor body condition?

He could have an ulcer and alkalising the body and healing the gut is the solution.

� e Ulca care pack has been speci� cally formulated for all horses including those with a predisposition to ulcers.

It’s a three stage process, OrganicGut Powder-Soothes, settles and supports the gut and helps guard against gastric upset;

Alka Ulca- Comprehensive alkalising herbal supplement -neutralises and absorbs excess acids Green Clay-To feed pre/post exercise to

form a band aid over the ulcer, whilst the gut repairs.“Boysie had grade four gastric ulcers, since

being fed Gut powder and alka Ulca, he has had no reoccurences of any gut problems and he is feeling very

well. Such a relief, thank you” T. Tillbrooke.Ulca Care Pack-Special o� er- £75 www.forestfarmacy.co.uk or call 0800 9709421visit for a free consultation.

NEXT MONTH

What’s in your horse feed?

Digestion Matters

Healthy Bedding

Arenas & Stables

Posture management

Mud Fever productsStable rugs

Is your horse overweight?Win a Masta

Winter wardrobe

PLUS all the news and much more…

COPY DEADLINE OCTOBER 10

You could be forgiven for forgetting all about

Dermatophilus infection ( mud rash and rain scald ) given the sunny, warm summer that we have all experienced this year, however unusual it is. Unfortunately this will, all too soon, be the dark and miserable British winter time, an unenviable mix of wet and cold.

For horse owners this will bring the inevitable, repetitive battle with our winter time woes, one of which is dermatophilosis or infection of the skin with the bacteria Dermatophilus congolensis, commonly referred to as mud rash, mud fever, rain scald and a few other terms. � is is a frustrating and, sometimes, seemingly unavoidable infection that a� ects a large number of horses and ponies whenever the weather is wet and the ground muddy, which can be a large proportion of the year in the UK. � is means that it is our responsibility as owners to understand the disease and manage our horses better in order that we do our best to avoid this infection that causes skin damage, swelling of limbs, pain, time out of work and scarring in severe cases.

So, we have already mentioned that this is a bacterial skin infection that is seen commonly in the wetter periods of the year. It predominantly

Mud rash – what is that again? Richard Knight BVetMed MRCVS on behalf of Peter Fenton Equine Vets

a� ects the skin of the distal limbs around the pasterns or over the top of the back, especially towards the rump. It is recognised by repeated scabbing of the area that removes a patch of hair when picked o� , often referred to as “paint brush” lesions due to the appearance of a group of hairs held together by scab resembling the head of a paint brush. � e infection occurs in the wetter weather when water and mud are in constant contact with the skin and this is because it can only survive in an environment that has reduced oxygen, i.e. when the skin is wet then no air can get to the skin surface and the bacteria will reproduce and create an area of infection. � is infection then creates the scab which takes over the job of excluding the oxygen from the skin surface and perpetuates the infection.

� ere are some horses that seem to be a� ected more easily than others and these commonly include horses with pink skin, reduced protection due to frequent bathing, underlying disease like PPID ( Cushings disease ) or animals that are simply left out continuously in bad weather conditions will inevitably succumb at some point. Obviously some of these things are out of our control like the colour of a horses skin! However, the amount of turnout a horse has is in the direct control of the owner and no one else so can be limited as is necessary; and underlying diseases can be recognised and treated successfully

which would greatly improve the overall health of the horse and not just reduce the risk of dermatophilosis. � e two most common reasons I see for this infection are inappropriate amounts of turnout in bad weather and horses with PPID that get all kinds of infection much more easily until they are treated. � ere has to be a recognition by owners that it is turning horses out in bad weather that causes this problem that can be painful, costly and time consuming to treat.

� ere are also some other diseases that can appear similar to the untrained eye and need very di� erent treatment, commonly these include self trauma caused by itching of horses with mite infestation in the skin of their legs and a less common disease called leucocytoclastic vasculitis which is an immune mediated in� ammatory disease of the skin usually initiated

by u/v light on bright days and exclusively a� ecting white skin. � ese need to be considered in appropriate cases and in suspected mud rash cases that do not improve.

I have tried to discuss the importance of prevention and disease awareness up to now and not mentioned treatment for two reasons, one is that this is a management problem mostly and therefore preventable by changing your routine, it is understandable that people do not want horses stood in but unfortunately our climate is restrictive in that way and if the horse spends a period of time every day when its legs are dry then you greatly reduce the risk. � ere is always the option to ride or some people may have the luxury of a horse walker. Secondly there are so many di� erent ways that vets will advise you to treat this disease that are all e� ective that I could go on for a long time discussing them all.

My experience of treating these cases successfully can be split into 2 types of case, mild and advanced. � e mild cases are the majority and should be treated quite easily and in a relatively short time. If we consider how this bacteria survives we get the key ways in which we can treat it. It requires the wet conditions and scabs to reduce the oxygen level at the skin surface therefore if we keep the horse dry (stabled) and remove the scabs (with a medium sti� ness brush) then the problem will resolve. Some of these cases may require some


‘THE WHOLE THING’S FASCINATING’ wrote a reader of ‘TRACKING-UP’ published by

In our current issue: THE DANGERS OF LATERAL FLEXIONS, Anne Wilson: ‘GROUND-TYING’ YOUR HORSE, Lynda C. Thompson: SAFETY AND BEHAVIOUR IN THE RIDDEN HORSE: Staying On, Alison Averis: INTRODUCING CANTER, Anne Wilson: THE CONQUERING YEARS, Stuart Hastie, MRCVS: WHAT’S THE PROBLEM?, Lesley Skipper: ATTITUDES AND ETHICS, Margaret Aspinall: STRETCHING TO FLEX: Starting the Work, Charles de Kunffy: WHEN LIGHTNESS IS A HOLLOW WORD pt 2, Lisa Scaglione, also losing weight, preventing heat exhaustion and dehydration, lameness, Shire Horse flat race plus book extracts and reviews.

‘Tracking-up’ is available quarterly for £5.17 per issue or £18.70 for a 4-issue subscription. Clearly print your name, address and ‘TUA20’ on the back of your cheque payable to ‘Tracking-up’ and post it to Anne Wilson, Park End House, Robins Folly, Thurleigh, Beds., MK44 2EQ.

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XxxxxxxxxxHealthcare

AIRWAY PLUSWhen your horse is not breathing quite right it is often di�cult to

know exactly why and the situation can sometimes drag on and on for months. If you want to get the best possible action in the quickest time possible and cover all the areas that might be of concern then use AirwayPlus liquid.

AirwayPlus Liquid helps keep the airways open while at the same time helping to support the right balance of microorganisms in the throat and chest. • For Instant action at any time• To help keep airways open and clear on an ongoing basis• For extra soothing action with uncomfortable throats and windpipes• To provide nutritional support for the work of your vet

RRP 1kg - £19.25; 1ltr - £28.25; 5kg - £82.00; 5ltr - £127.00For more information please visit www.globalherbs.co.uk or call the free advice line on 01243 773363.

medicated cream to apply when the scabs have been removed only but certainly, in my experience, do NOT require daily scrubbing with cleaning agents like chlorhexidine or iodine that is actually irritant to open wounds and plastering in any thick creams with wild claims of successful treatment. �ey can still be exercised by ridden or in hand work but not turned out until the skin has totally healed.

�e advanced cases can be more di�cult to treat and manage, these are likely to have been left too long before being treated or have been unsuccessfully treated by the horses owner. �ey can require long courses of medication

to manage the infection and pain and can develop complications including lymphangitis and more complicated infections, these cases are commonly left with permanent changes in the limbs with recurrent swelling and scarring common.

�e key is that good observation and timely changes in management routine can mean that your horse never gets this disease that is caused by a speci�c set of conditions on the skin surface that is in the owner’s hands to prevent. �is is one of a number of diseases that we can successfully and signi�cantly reduce the number of cases that happen by applying good management and getting early advice from a vet if worried about it.


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CALL 01708 850099AIMS is a trading name of South Essex Insurance Brokers Ltd., who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Terms and conditions apply.

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Insurance • Healthcare • Supplements

TopSpec Comprehensive Feed Balancer is a very � exible nutrient-rich feed

designed to balance the rations of most horses and ponies simply by adjusting the rate at which it is fed and the products it is fed with.

It is a very palatable ‘Non-Heating’ pelleted feed that is formulated without cereal grains and contains only low levels of sugar and starch.

TopSpec Comprehensive Feed Balancer contains many supplements combined with good quality protein to promote muscle development and topline.

� e supplements include a top-speci� cation broad-spectrum supplement and specialised supplements including a superb hoof supplement, generous levels of anti-oxidants and sophisticated digestive aids.

TopSpec Comprehensive Feed Balancer contains:• A fully comprehensive range of the micronutrients needed

to balance feed and improve its utilisation, even in the most demanding or stressful situations.

• Powerful levels of Vitamin E and selenium, vital anti-oxidants, to neutralise the presence of excess free-radicals and, together with high quality protein, to optimise muscle development and function. Important for broodmares, horses on high oil diets, and horses recovering from ‘tying-up’.

• � e level of Biotin (15mg/500kg horse/day) that is scienti� cally proven to improve hoof quality, plus the levels of methionine, cysteine, lysine, calcium, zinc, copper, iodine, vitamin A and oil known to improve the e� ciency of biotin alone. Many of these nutrients also promote supple skin and a shiny coat.

• E� ective levels of protein, vitamins calcium, phosphorous, copper, zinc and manganese to develop and maintain strong bone.

• Constructive levels of amino acids, complex carbohydrates, anti-oxidants plus MSM to help maintain healthy joints.

• Raised levels of copper, zinc, B vitamins and associated nutrients to optimize haemoglobin levels in blood.

• Generous levels of B vitamins for e� cient energy metabolism, vital for horses with compromised hindgut function.

• wo advanced probiotic substances to create a healthy gut environment, optimise � bre digestibility and maintain a healthy immune system.

• Organic chelated minerals for improved availability. For further information please contact the Multiple Award-

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TopSpec Comprehensive Feed Balancer

� ink Mud Mud fever is probably one of the most frustrating winter ailments and

a condition which looks fairly harmless to start with but can rapidly become in� amed and painful, requiring stable rest and expensive veterinary treatment. One of the ways in which you can help is by supporting your horse nutritionally by feeding � ink Mud. � is unique supplement cuts out the hassle of having to apply daily barrier creams and can even provide support in cases where mud fever has already taken hold, helping to reduce the cost of expensive treatment.

� ink Mud is a daily supplement designed to help maintain skin integrity during wet and muddy conditions. It helps to support condition from within and maintain the horse’s natural defences giving the best chance of e� ectively � ghting o� the bacteria present in mud. � e complex natural ingredients maintain a healthy immune system, support blood circulation and skin integrity.

Available in 1.5kg & 4kg tubs priced RRP £30.95 and RRP £65.95 respectively. A 1.5kg tub will last a horse for up to 50 days and a 4kg will supply one horse for most of the winter providing over four months of support. For further information please contact Brinicombe Equine on 08700 606206 or visit www.brinicombe-equine.co.uk


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This is Chester, one year after his surgery and the fi rst time he was allowed a little freedom outside the confi nement of his stable. He genuinely looks happy to be alive and thanks to SEIB and the advances in Surgical techniques he is well on the road to recovery.

L. Errington & Chester

Call for your quote 0845 450 0654or visit us at www.seib.co.uk

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All horse insurance is not the same! Buying the correct insurance policy that will keep you and your horse protected must be a priority.

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Insurance • Healthcare

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Mud feverWinter can herald the onset of

muddy gateways and boggy � elds. Horses that are turned out during winter can all be predisposed to the potentially chronic condition; mud fever. Mud fever occurs when the skin’s protective barrier becomes compromised through periods of exposure to mud and wet conditions. Micro-organisms enter the skin and cause bacterial infections which, if left untreated can cause swelling, pain and lameness.

We all know that prevention is better that the cure, so the best way to prevent mud fever is to be proactive at the � rst signs of muddy conditions. Apply Horse and Pony Direct’s Mud Fever/Cut Cream to the back of heels, fetlocks and pasterns, these are the most common areas for mud fever to take hold, but be vigilant for other areas becoming a� ected. Horse and Pony Direct’s Mud Fever/Cut Cream contains a silver/chitosan complex, a real innovation in wound management. � is unique complex has been scienti� cally proven to kill the bacteria responsible for mud fever. � e antibacterial formula acts as a barrier against harmful bacteria and also aids recovery of a� ected areas.

Horse and Pony Direct’s Mud Fever/Cut Cream is available in a 200 gram pot priced at £12.99.

Exclusively available through the website www.horseandponydirect.com or on the 24 hour order line; feed balancers, supplements, creams, sprays and grooming products can be ordered at much lower costs than through tack shops and delivered direct to your door (or yard) within 48 hours. You will not � nd them in any shops. All products are made in the UK under the Horse and Pony Direct brand so you can rest assured that you always get the highest quality products at the best possible prices.

Horse and Pony Direct was launched last year and is already picking up awards for its products. � e super value � y repellent ‘Insect Away’ won Horse magazine’s ‘best value’ award.For more information on how you can buy these high quality products direct for less visit www.horseandponydirect.com or call our order line on 0844 2472144.


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Horses evolved to thrive on wide open plains, where, as creatures of �ight, their response reactions had to be very quick. �is

applies to that of their respiratory tract which is designed for exerting maximum performance when �eeing predators. Since domestication our expectations of our horses are quite the opposite, as they are often living and working in comparatively enclosed environments. �ese can create pressures for the modern horse, which is frequently evident in the health and integrity of the respiratory system.

Avoid stressing the lungs�roughout the year respiratory issues can be caused by many in�uences. For instance, throughout those long awaited warmer months when �owers are in full bloom causing the pollen count to increase - pollen spores can cause allergies in our horses as easy as those that occur amongst ourselves. While, during the winter months, due to weather conditions and shorter days, our horses tend to spend longer stabled and working indoors. �is means it can be di�cult to avoid exposing the horses to heavy dust burdens such as hay, straw, or arena dust when worked and other factors which can stress the lungs.

Stabling and turnout Management plays an important role in helping our horses to cope with these stresses placed on the respiratory system. Turning the susceptible horse out in the �eld as much as possible will help to reduce exposure to the dust environments, in fact, sometimes it is even worth checking to see it is viable to keep your horse permanently at grass to help combat this issue. When this is not possible a compromise between stabling and turnout ideally needs to be established.

Nutritional Support for the Respiratory System

Tack & Turnout • Healthcare

Good stable hygieneGood stable hygiene can go a long way to reducing many equine

illnesses and conditions such as respiratory issues, immune problems or dermatological di�culties. In addition, ammonia, found in urine, can often compromise the horses’ respiratory and immune system, not to mention weakening their hooves.

A regular clear out and wash down of our your stable is important but expensive antibacterial powders, sprays, lotions and potions are simply not required when Nedz bedding is incorporated into your horse’s routine. �e manufacturer uses an exclusive Natural Nedz formula in both Nedz Pro and Nedz Original to help save their customers money, time and stress!

Natural Nedz was formulated speci�cally for Nedz so owners can rest assured they are stabling their horses on the most natural product, which o�ers multiple bene�ts to provide a soothing and healing bedding, while also maintaining a non-toxic environment. Created using Manuka, Aloe Vera and Cade oil, Natural Nedz o�ers anti-bacterial, antiseptic, anti-fungal, and anti-parasitic properties, whilst the unique aroma helps to eliminate odours, which in turn assists in discouraging insects and bugs.

�e use of Natural Nedz helps reduce bed eating so your stabled horse, or pony, won’t be tucking into his bed for an extra snack, saving you pennies and protecting his digestive system!

Both products are both extremely absorbent products, which help reduce the levels of ammonia in your horse’s stable, and every bale of Nedz goes through a rigorous dust extraction process making them one of the most dust-free bedding products on the market.

Well priced between £6.50 - £8 per 20kg bale, Nedz makes keeping your equine’s bed clean, fresh and hygienic. To �nd out more information website: www.nedz.co.uk or call: 01254 677 762 to �nd your local stockist.


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Choose low dust bedding When stabled, try to ensure your horse has plenty of adequate ventilation to provide him with fresh air at all times. Choosing low dust bedding options and considering changing hay to haylage can be bene� cial because changing from this helps to provide a lower dust burden than dry hay alone. Additionally, soaking or steaming hay may also be advised as this swells the dust spores meaning they are swallowed rather than inhaled. If taking this option it is important not to soak for too long as this can leach nutrients,

around 20 minutes is adequate. When the hay is fed while still wet it will prove more valuable than if allowed to dry as the bene� t may be lost. Most horses will also � nd feeding from the � oor, rather than from a haynet, will help any mucus drain out naturally, as this imitates the horses natural feeding/grazing position.

Competition horses su erA study at Bristol University Veterinary School found that sub-clinical respiratory stress was present in the majority (up to 80%) of competition horses. � is should come as no

great surprise given the respiratory challenges of stabling, regular travel, often meeting new horses and working in schools that apply to our equine athletes.

� is leads onto an important factor, as horse owners can we provide our horses with something they may already be lacking? We can by simply o� ering the right, targeted, nutritional support which can play a signi� cant role in helping to meet your horse’s respiratory requirements. By o� ering day to day dietary care will help to o� er vital ingredients the horse may not presently be able to access as they would have done previously in the wild.

ToxinsOne of the title ingredients to look out for are naturally sourced, scienti� cally veri� ed antioxidants. Not only can these help support the lungs by harmlessly � ushing the toxins from areas that may be a� ected. Combining these antioxidants with key herbal extracts for immune support, such as echinacea, and the natural essential oils of clove and eucalyptus your horse can be o� ered � ve star support through a supplement.

� erefore, it can be seen that by combining good daily management with correct nutritional support will help clear the way for optimum lung function.

NAF recommend Five Star Respirator Boost which provides valuable nutritional support to the respiratory mucosal immune system and the delicate capillary blood vessels that surround the lungs.For further information or advice please call one of NAF’s friendly, quali� ed nutritionists on the NAF Freephone Advice Line: 0800 373106, e-mail [email protected] or go to www.naf-equine.eu/uk

• Management – most winter skin conditions result from a dirty coat which provides the ideal environment for bacteria and fungi to thrive. Keep coats as clean and as dry as possible with suitable rugs or shelter and regular grooming.

• Hygiene - rugs, tack, grooming and stable equipment can spread contagious skin conditions or repeatedly re-infect the same horse unless you eliminate infectious agents by disinfection and cleaning (veterinary surgeons can advise on suitable products that will not harm your horse).

• Correct Nutrition – poor diets, especially those lacking in essential vitamins and minerals, can have dire e� ects on the skin health. Consult an equine nutritionist if you suspect current dietary intake is not aiding a healthy skin and coat.

• Vigilance – check horses daily for signs that a skin condition may be imminent. � ick winter coats can easily mask problems such as mud fever, rain scald, ringworm and lice.

• Prevention – if it is known that an individual horse is prone to certain winter skin conditions then preventative

measure should be taken. For example, horses prone to mud fever may bene� t from a barrier cream or regular treatments with an anti-bacterial cleansing wash such as Activ Wash.

• Clipping and Trimming – it may help to trim or clip horses coats during winter to make them easier to keep clean and dry. Skin problems will often be more evident when coats are clipped and horses in work will be more comfortable as they will sweat less and dry o� quicker.

• Treatment – a skin condition must be correctly identi� ed in order for treatment to be as e� ective as

possible. If you are in any doubt or if the condition has appeared for the � rst time always seek advice from your veterinary surgeon.• Washing – continually washing and bathing horses can weaken the skin structure removing essential oils. � is can lead to the skin becoming chapped and sore and irritated by particles of soil, leaving it more susceptible to infection. Avoid excessive bathing during winter; grooming will remove dirt

and scurf without stripping the coat

of its natural oils.• Products - anti-bacterial washes can be used

prophylactically on susceptible animals or to treat existing skin conditions caused by bacterium. � ey will help to remove any encrusted debris such as scabs.

• Healing - removing scabs carefully using an anti-bacterial cleansing wash (if bacterium is the causative organism) will remove any existing bacteria and dirt held in the scabs allowing new clean scabs to form and heal. It is very important that any sponges that are used in the washing process are clean and that the area washed is rinsed well with clean water and then dried thoroughly.

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

bacterial cleansing wash such as Activ

to keep clean and dry. Skin problems

will be more comfortable as they will of its natural oils. – poor diets, especially

those lacking in essential vitamins and minerals, can have dire e� ects on the skin health. Consult an equine nutritionist if you suspect

aiding a healthy skin and coat.– check horses daily

for signs that a skin condition

sweat less and dry o� quicker.• Treatment must be correctly identi� ed in order for treatment to be as e� ective as

possible. If you are in any doubt or if the condition has appeared for the � rst time always seek advice from your veterinary surgeon.• Washingand bathing horses can weaken the skin structure removing essential oils. � is can lead to the skin becoming chapped and sore and irritated by particles of soil, leaving it more susceptible to infection. Avoid excessive bathing during winter; grooming will remove dirt

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Healthcare


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It will come as little surprise that I have chipped quite a few foals

recently. After a few months out in �elds they are now being brought in and the identi�cation process is in full swing. Many people are very

happy with the requirements but I have a few clients who simply ask “is it safe?” Or “What’s the point of this?” �e answer can be quite long winded.

Firstly the answer according to

the “party line”.Following the introduction of

compulsory passports for all horses in 2005, new European Union regulations, which came into e�ect on 1st July 2009, meant that all foals born must be microchipped before an owner can apply for an equine passport.

�e new rules do not apply to older horses with an existing passport which were born before 1st July 2009, but any foal (horses, ponies, donkeys or mules) born after this date must be microchipped within six months of birth, or by December 31st of the year of birth, whichever is later. Horses born before 1st July 2009 which do not have an existing passport, must also be microchipped when the passport is issued. Failure to correctly identify animals under the new rules could lead to a �ne. Even if your horse is not a�ected by these regulations, microchipping is increasingly being seen as the best way of identifying an individual horse and it has advantages over the other methods of identi�cation.

�ere are three main methods then to identify your horse or pony:

MicrochippingProvides a supposed guarantee of identity. Microchip implantation is not completely pain free (utilizing a relatively large needle), but does appear to in�ict less pain and su�ering than other identi�cation methods such as hot branding or freeze marking.

Freeze markingInvolves a cold branding iron being held on the skin for 7-10 seconds in dark horses to make a white mark, or 12-15 in lighter horses to destroy the hair growth follicles and make a bald mark. Freeze marking may deter the theft of horses and ponies, which can lead to neglect, poor welfare and slaughter, but the process itself can cause signi�cant su�ering.

Hot brandingInvolves the application of a very hot iron to the skin for several seconds or until the hide turns a light tan colour. �is causes signi�cant pain and su�ering – signi�cantly more than freeze marking or microchipping. �e RSPCA believe that this pain and su�ering is unnecessary because there are the e�ective alternative means of identi�cation available which cause less su�ering.

A microchip is a small implant, about the size of a grain of rice covered with an anti-migration

sheath, which contains a unique serial code. It is inserted, via injection, into the nuchal ligament on the left side of the horse’s neck. �is procedure must only be carried out by a veterinary surgeon. �e horse owner’s details and a unique serial code are stored on a computerised database, which links the owner to the horse. It is therefore important that the owner’s details on the database are kept up to date. Once the microchip has been implanted, it can be read easily by an electronic microchip reader. �e microchip cannot move or be seen – therefore, it is tamper-proof and permanent, unlike other more traditional methods of identi�cation, such as branding. Although microchipping is considered to be very safe, there is a very small risk of bruising and abscess formation at the site of implantation, and on very rare occasions, possible migration of the microchip.

�e introduction of horse passports and microchipping has been widely welcomed. �e EU legislation ensures that horses, which have been treated with veterinary medicines not authorised for use in food producing animals, cannot be slaughtered for human consumption in Europe. �is has obviously become more important following the recent �ndings of horse meat in our national diet. If horse owners in the UK do not comply, there is a signi�cant risk that we would lose up to 70% of horse medicines, including common medications such as ‘bute’, which would have grave consequences for equine welfare. It is intended then that microchipping will make the horse identi�cation and passport system more robust. �is reliable, sophisticated and cost-e�ective technology will also help to reunite owners with their horses in the event of theft or escape, aid disease surveillance and help animal welfare organisations with prosecutions in cases of neglect.

All well and good? So what’s the problem or why the concerns?

So secondly the “scaremongers”.According to the United States

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(FDA); � e potential risks to health associated with the device [microchip implant] are: adverse tissue reaction, migration of implanted transponder; compromised information security; failure of implanted transponder; failure of inserter; failure of electronic scanner; electromagnetic interference; electrical hazards; magnetic resonance imaging incompatibility; and needle stick injury.

And there are also reports of nerve damage and tumour development and even computer viruses!

� e � rst rule of any medicine is prima non cere, or do no harm. So are any of these concerns real or is there a sensible alternative argument?

Abscesses, lumps and infections have occurred in horses because of microchip implants but have also occurred with and can occur with any vaccine or injection and currently there is no evidence to suggest that they are more likely to cause a higher percentage of infections. In my experience I have had one horse developing a post implantation reaction, but several (approximately 4) from vaccination reactions.

Nerve damage was reported by one vet (from Holland) in 2005 subsequent to microchipping but is also reported with other injections. � e incidence given the multiplicity of microchip insertions appears to be negligible.

Adverse tissue reactions, muscle changes and even cancer are perhaps the most concerning. It is unsurprising that muscular changes do occur at the site of implant. In one study of 16 horses that had been submitted for post mortem examinations (for reasons other than chipping) the chips had caused absolutely no ill e� ects (microchips were covered by a thin capsule of � brous tissue, sometimes with a minimal amount of in� ammation),

in two animals that were a� ected, they had been chipped recently and there had not been time for the injection site to heal.

Of more concern is the reporting of Fibrosarcoma (a skin tumour) in a cat, and in Rodents under experimental conditions, and have been suggested to be associated with the anti-migrational sheath. No cases have been reported in horses at all and we should be wary of extrapolating results from other species. However, despite again the extremely low incidence, and given the number of animals microchipped, we should not ignore any changes at the microchipping site.

Movement or migration of the chip has always been of concern to owners and migration has been documented again in small animals. � is appears not to be the case in horses primarily because of the fact that we place the chip into a ligament rather than under the skin as with small animals. Research has again found that “migration” within horses is not due to microchip movement but because of muscle development around the chip. Given that most horses are chipped as a foal and that growth is obviously ongoing it is perhaps unsurprising that the chip becomes “deeper” within tissues as the animal ages.

Reliability of the chip is perhaps the last area of concern. Companies that provide the chips claim that they will last the lifespan of the animal and as yet absolute failure of the chips is again in negligible numbers. Many cases however, are recorded where the chip is simply not found, but this is largely due to the scanner being of insu� cient quality to detect them. Basic scanners usually have a capacity to detect chips at a distance of up to 7 centimeters. Considering that chips are usually embedded at approximately 2 to 3 centimeters below the skin



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Saddlery

Historically horses were a mode of transport and a necessity,

and consequently you could say were worked and fed more naturally. Hours of work each day in most cases so that the horse was naturally �t and utilised its energy. Proper holidays where horses were turned out for the season when they beware not working, and allowed time o� mentally and physically to rest and recover and then brought back into work �t and well for the work to be done.

Positive changes that have happened in modern bitting are that we now know more about the conformation of the horse and in particular the mouth and we realise that using well balanced and well made bits is very sensible. We know that spending £1000 or more on a saddle and £20 on a bit is not realistic.

�e negative side to modernisation is there are some very poorly made bits on the market, both in the cheap and the more expensive categories with no balance or particular theory behind how they work or how to use them.

�ere are more choices of competition and environment now whereas historically the single jointed Sna�e, the Double Bridle and the Pelham were your adequate choices (unless yours was a carriage horse), for all that was required of the horse.

Realistically you should still keep

Bitting concepts and how bitting horses has changed

traditional values - always buy a bit that looks well made and looks equal and symmetrical to the eye. �e bit should feel comfortable to handle, it is after all to go in your horse’s mouth so if you don’t like the action neither will he. And lastly have a good idea of how your choice of bit works so you can access if it is going to be comfortable for your horse and give you the right signals to do the job you need it for.

Abbey Bits enjoy an unrivalled reputation for the supply of quality made bits in the UK and overseas, including the Hilary Vernon range.

�e Hilary Vernon bit range – Informed Designs is made up of English bits designed and carefully constructed to complement the conformation of the horse’s mouth to improve comfort and communication to promote e�ective and humane control. �e range is inspired by the theory that a comfortable horse will be a more relaxed horse and therefore a less resistant horse.

�e range includes: Sna�es, Pelhams, Doubles, Daleheads, Liverpools and Butter�ys. A variety of mouthpieces on these cheeks ensure you have a choice to ensure e�ective bitting for individual horses and ponies.

Abbey Bits are made in the UK and with no minimum order, they are the favoured brand name with leading professional and amateur riders alike, looking for quality

and innovation from a supplier specialising in traditional and unusual bits.

With over 200 di�erent bit patterns in stock and the ability to meet demand, Abbey are also able to capture and follow bit trends, supplying specialist bits in a wide variety of sizes.

�e vast range includes Sna�es, Gags, Pelhams, Double Bridles,

We talk to Abbey Bits and Hilary Vernon about the changes in bits and new innovations over the years.

Driving Bits, and Hackamores. Bits are available in various materials including copper, stainless steel, sweet iron, rubber and vulcanite.Abbey made to measure bits can easily be customised from existing parts and they o�er superb comfort and quality. For more information contact Abbey Saddlery on 01565 650343 or visit www.ridingbitz.com or www.informedbitting.co.uk


Aside from water, �bre is the most important component of every horse’s diet and for the majority, their �bre needs are easily met through

grazing and supplementary forages such as hay and haylage. �ere is though, a growing need for alternative sources of �bre, most notably for the increasing population of veteran horses and ponies who can have di�culty chewing long stem �bre, due to poor teeth.

Why is fibre important?Horses have evolved to eat a diet that is predominately �brous forage and in the wild they would graze for 18 to 20 hours a day. To mimic their need to ‘trickle feed‘, our domesticated horses should ideally have �bre in the form of grass, hay or haylage available at all times.

Fibre is not only essential for good digestive health, its digestion also provides a good source of calories and body heat as it is fermented in the gut. �is means that the horse has to use fewer calories to keep warm and more likely to maintain condition. If a horse is not getting enough �bre in his diet, he will lose weight, almost in spite of how much high calorie

surface, basic scanners are frequently su�cient. However, as muscle growth can cause the chip to end up deeper below the skin surface, this can cause readability issues. In a recent study using 428 microchipped horses, a basic scanner only detected 90% of the microchips. However, with a more advanced model capable of scanning at a distance of 12 centimeters, all 428 microchips were detected. It has also been suggested that some duplication of microchip numbers has occurred and with microchip kits being sold via the Internet it may be di�cult to know if a microchip identi�cation number is unique. I have yet to �nd any record of this occurring but greater control or standardization of chip numbers is perhaps needed on this point. Finally, on this point and with trepidation it has been demonstrated that a computer virus can be transmitted to microchips a�ecting their status. Whilst I know not of a reason for this, I generally don’t understand some people and can only hope that appropriate “safety” is employed by the various databases.

So what do we make of all this? Aside from ful�lling the legal requirements we as vets must be happy that what we are doing is to the bene�t of the individual animal and to the general population (people included). In my opinion the microchip is safer, less injurious and painful, and less manipulative than other methods of identi�cation and a�ords the owner with peace of mind, the vet of clinical safety and the general public of medical standards being upheld. But we should always ask.

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Saddlery

‘bucket’ feed he may also be given. Horses that do not eat enough �bre are more likely to develop serious

problems, including gastric ulcers, colic and hyperlipaemia, as well as behavioural issues such as aggression, grumpiness and crib biting due to their inability to ful�l their natural feeding and chewing behaviours.

Hay replacers for veteran horsesContinued advances in veterinary medicine, together with an increase in our own understanding and management of our horses and ponies have led to a signi�cant increase in their lifespans, with many horses now healthy and active well into their twenties and thirties. Unfortunately, even with the best possible care and regular attention from a quali�ed equine dental technician, there is little we can do to prevent the deterioration in tooth condition that occurs naturally with age. Loose, worn or missing teeth and pain from sore gums will all a�ect a horse’s ability to chew e�ciently. Balls of partially chewed food form in the horse’s mouth and are then dropped on the �oor. �is is known as quidding and is a tell-tale sign that a horse is su�ering from problems with their teeth and would bene�t from a hay replacer.

�e choice and availability of these hay replacers has grown signi�cantly over the last few years and includes short-chopped cha�s, sugar beet, grass nuts, alfalfa pellets and specially prepared, fast soaking �bre feeds that combine all the necessary ingredients and vitamins and minerals to provide a balanced diet. It is important to be aware that products such as sugar beet and some of the grass and alfalfa cha�s are high in calories and so not suitable to be fed in large quantities to good doers already at ideal bodyweight. A hay replacer should provide similar nutrition to that of good quality hay. If necessary, additional higher energy �bre sources or a conditioning feed can then be added to the horse’s diet, to provide a calorie boost.

A hay replacer can be fed to replace all or part of the horse’s normal daily �bre intake, depending on their individual needs. As well as veteran horses and ponies, other equines that may bene�t from a hay replacer include:• Fussy feeders who simply do not eat su�cient �bre to meet their

nutritional needs;• A horse or pony that has sustained an injury or undergone an operation

that a�ects their ability to chew - a soaked �bre feed that is easy to eat can be particularly bene�cial during recovery;

• Horses and ponies who are prone to colic or recovering from abdominal surgery - again the provision of a soaked �bre feed ensures the horse receives the �bre they need for digestive health and the additional water content helps to keep the gut hydrated and able to function e�ciently;

• �ose with access to only poor quality grass, hay and haylage;• Horses with a history of gastric ulcers, where providing an additional

source of �bre together with their normal hay/haylage helps to maximise �bre intake and promote chewing, which in turn stimulates saliva production to neutralise the ulcer causing acid.

Feeding a soaked hay replacerMany people enjoy the convenience and peace of mind of feeding a specially made product with known nutritional content. One of the most important qualities of a hay replacer is that it is easy to eat, particularly as the main reason for a horse needing an alternative �bre source is poor dental condition. An a�ected horse is more at risk of choke, simply because he is not able to chew properly. For this reason a fast soaking �bre feed is popular with horses and their owners alike, not only for ease of eating and preparation, but with the added bene�t of increasing water consumption. Veteran horses can be reluctant to drink enough water, particularly in the winter and by feeding a soaked hay replacer their water intake can be signi�cantly increased.

As a soaked �bre feed takes considerably less e�ort and time to eat than the equivalent amount of hay, it is important to try to maximise the amount of time a horse spends eating to avoid long periods when no �bre is passing through the gut. A horse’s feeding time can be extended by:• Dividing the horse’s daily feed into as many meals as possible;• Feeding from a long trough or straight on the �oor to spread the feed out

and prevent the horse from taking large mouthfuls;• Placing obstacles such as large, �at stones in the trough so the horse has

to eat around them;• Splitting each meal into several containers around the stable or �eld to

encourage foraging behaviour;• Mixing in a cha� if the horse is capable of chewing one.

For further information, contact our friendly, award winning nutrition team on 01362 822 902, email us at [email protected] or visit our website www.allenandpage.com


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Feeding

Ever wondered how an Olympian’s yard is run? In this issue Equi-Ads and HAYGAIN

take a closer look at Laura Tomlinson’s stable management routine and the attention to detail the team go to in order to maximise performance.

HARDWORK, determination, a drive to succeed and a desire for the very best are attributes that count when you want to win Olympic medals.

Dressage star Laura Tomlinson is well known for wanting to get the most out of her horses. She understands that in order for her horses to compete at the highest level their health and happiness is a top priority.

As you enter her yard in a pretty Gloucestershire village there is an overwhelming feeling of calm and tranquillity.�e yard is ultra smart but it is also set out with practicality in mind. Designed by her father, Dr Bechtolsheimer the aim was to create maximum ventilation for the horses when stabled.

Laura commented: “�e most important factor is keeping the horses happy. We have a devoted team of grooms, who take their time and enjoy the horses, rather than rushing.”

It is evident that the horses respond to the extra time and care as their ears prick up at the sound of Laura’s voice.

Laura is very hands on around the yard, riding up to �ve horses a day and teaching during lunchtime so that the yard routine isn’t disrupted.

Currently there are eight horses in work and around 30 horses on the site if you include the youngsters, stud and older horses. With nine members of the team, Laura recognises she has excellent support from people who are very dedicated.

Amy Richardson has worked for Laura for more than two years: “My whole life is working for Laura and I enjoy every moment. I ensure the yard maintains high standards at all times and make sure the environment is very clean. �is works through an organised, e�cient routine. It all just becomes second nature.”

Correct stable management is vital to ensure the yard works e�ciently with the mind-set focused on the horses and making sure their stables are clean and as dust free as possible all the time.

�e grooms are allocated horses so that they build up a rapport with them and know immediately if there is something wrong whether it is swollen legs, they are o� their food or their temperament is di�erent to the norm.

“�e grooms all have individual roles, but then have to work as a team. As the grooms have their

StableTalk with Laura Tomlinson

own jobs they get more e�cient at them and it makes the yard run smoothly with everyone knowing what they are doing,” said Laura.

“�e yard is clean and disinfected at all times. With the horses away at competitions so much and recent virus outbreaks, we can’t take any risks.

“�e stable walls and doors are cleaned and sterilized daily using Protek Envirocair Veterinary disinfectant on every surface on the yard and in the horsebox and the drain is then cleaned out regularly.

“�e horses all usually have a holiday in October after the Nationals. During this period all the horses are turned out and the stables get fully pressure washed and repainted.

“If I travel to a show, clinic or demonstration, it is my responsibility to ensure the stables are clean. We use the Protek Envirocair Veterinary disinfectant spray on the stable and then have the peace of mind that when the horse goes in we don’t have to worry.

“If any horse enters the yard, we spray the facilities afterward. Mark (Laura’s husband) occasionally brings his polo ponies in to use the water spa so it just safe guards from any possible diseases entering the yard.

“�e Protek shampoo allows horses to be cleaned and disinfected, and leaves the horses

really soft. You can use it on sensitive skin and not feel like you are removing any of the goodness.”

All these measures help make the yard a cleaner, nicer and disease free place for the horses.

�e horses’ respiratory health is a major priority on the yard and to ensure dust is kept to a minimum the yard is swept with a sweeper three times a day so the dust is removed for the surface and not spread into the air.

Ventilation is also

important and high on the priority list. �e stables have big windows at the back so air can circulate through the stable and the side walls also have a grill window so the horses can see each other. �e ceilings are high, with the walkway of the stable block open at each end which all contributes to plenty of air �ow and ensuring the horses are exposed to lots of fresh air.

�e bedding is low dust and the hay is steamed in a HAYGAIN. All the hay is stacked up in the barn, placed in hay bags and shaken to remove dust, then steamed in the HAYGAIN hay steamer. �e steamer is used twice a day and cleaned out after use.

When travelling all the horses are fed steamed hay nets, so there is no extra dust, especially as the horse box has limited ventilation. �e horses eat from the ground; this is great especially when travelling long distances abroad.

Laura is well aware of the importance of feeding high quality forage to help achieve her horse’s best performance.

“We know every horse is di�erent so each horse has a tailor made hard feed, to suit the individual. �is comprises of the protein, vitamins and minerals they need to maintain the best health for the work they are doing. �e horses are fed four times a day, along with forage and grass,” added Laura.

Daily Routine: 6:30am �e grooms are on the yard. �e horses all have an initial check, and are then given hay and hard feed. Once �nished, the grooms check all the food has been eaten. 8:00am Lara and Laura start riding at 8 and each horse is groomed before and have magnetic rug every other day.�ey are washed down and groomed properly including strapping, after work.

�e horses are exercised for around 50mins. Exercise can be anything from lunging, schooling, the water treadmill, going on the all weather canter track or hacking around the village. Hacking around �elds and country lanes,


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allows the horses to see di� erent things. It’s good education for the horses to do something else.

Whilst the horses are being exercised the stables are mucked out, cleaned and the yard is swept.

After exercise the horses are washed down thoroughly and put in the paddocks.12am � e horses are brought back in the stables and groomed. � e horses are given hay and hard fed. � e yard is swept. � e horse’s are skipped out, hayed and then fed just before 1.1-2:30pm � e whole yard goes on lunch, so the horses can enjoy a rest. 2:30pm a light exercise, ie if schooled in the morning then they are hacked/treadmilled in the afternoon. � en washed if necessary.

And then go in the paddock weather permitting.5pm � e horses get hay are skipped out and the yard is swept up. 5.30pm � e horses get hard feed and yard closes up. 9pm Is the last check. Mash is fed, the girls don’t work till 9, its a rota of who does late check!

Stable Management Advice1. Do small jobs regularly. If you leave it, it will become a bigger task. Jobs like the cleaning the manger, stables, walkway and the school.2. We sweep up three times a day, after we have mucked out, before lunch and last thing. To eradicate the dust. 3. Allocate jobs, so everyone knows what their roles and responsibilities are. � is makes it fair, it balances jobs out and people become quick at their jobs.4. Steam hay to eliminate the dust and use low dust bedding.5. Have big windows and airy stables, preferably with high ceilings to create good ventilation.HAYGAIN is currently available in three models: the HG-1000, HG-600 and HG-GO. Complete nutritional value and goodness are maintained with improved palatability.For further information please contact HAYGAIN hay steamers on 0333 200 5233 or www.haygain.com

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Healthcare • Stabling

A STABLE ESSENTIALWhat determines your choice

of horse bedding? Is it price, consistency, quality of supply or performance which makes your decision? If you thought you’d never � nd a bedding product on the marketplace, which ticks all those boxes, then Verdo Horse Bedding is an exciting new direction in bedding, which might surprise you.

� is clever heat-treated wood pellet product, created for equine use is activated using a small amount of water and within

approximately 20 minutes, you are ready to empty the open bags out onto the stable � oor and create a soft � u� y and dry bed ready for your equine friend!

Because the pellets are manufactured from 100% virgin soft wood and heat treated to eliminate pests and bacteria, you can rest assured that your horse is sleeping on only the best and it’s good to know that it also contains less than 1% dust, making it the ideal choice for those horses stabled for long periods of time during the winter months.

When it comes to your pocket, compared to other products on the market, Verdo Horse Bedding can save you as much as 40% on your yearly bill and because the bedding comes in pellet form, this also means less storage is needed, allowing more room for stocking up on those other essentials such as hay and feed in case bad weather interrupts delivery.

Other key factors include; less waste (the beds are quicker and easier to muck out and the muck heap breaks down quicker), pellets absorb up to 3 times their own weight in liquid (reducing ammonia and helping to keep your horses’ stable fresh and hooves dry) and their own established UK production plant which is open 364 days a year (no more worry about consistent quality or supply issues)

Verdo Horse Bedding: Ask the question and our product delivers! www.verdohorsebedding.co.uk For stockist enquiries: 01264 342 009RRP: £5.00 - £5.65 Per Bag

Hoof CareThe Radius Rasp is designed for

barefoot horses, but can also be used on those horses that have lost a shoe, to tidy up the hoof wall. � e handy tool can be used safely by horse owners in order to bevel or ‘roll’ the edge of the bare hoof, known as the mustang roll. It can also help control ‘� are’ of the hoof. Regular rasping of the feet between professional trims, maintain correct hoof shape, keep the hoof in balance and maintain a correct break-over; this is the process of the heel leaving the ground and rotating the toe.

� e Radius Rasp, available at � e Saddlery Shop, is the ideal hoof wall

maintenance tool and is the perfect kit for preventing chips or splits and promoting perfect hoof condition all year round. www.thesaddleryshop.co.uk


“ShoeSecures paid for themselves in 3 weeks!” “Shoes are staying on, even in the torrential rain and hock deep mud!” “Best thing I have bought!”

“Shoesecure has saved me so much time, expense, and most of all worry.”

“A wonderful piece of kit!”

EASY FIT: FOR A RANGE OF SIZES & REMEDIAL SHOES

HORSE SHOE LOSS PREVENTIONHEEL PROTECTION

HORSESHOE SHIELD

Call +44 (0)7836 740 557or buy online at shoesecure.com

MFP Mud Barrier & Leg GuardCreates an immediate and complete protective barrier against harmful bacteria that can lead to mud fever.

Multi-WashA fast-acting biocidal cleanser with Hibitane. Great for washing muddy legs and equipment!

Mud-Free Ponies(and equipment!)

Providing protection against problemsassociated with wet and muddy conditions

IVHORSE ®

horseplay redef ined.

Find out morewww.4horse.co.uk01888 544261 • [email protected]

Super-effective!

and read more customer reviews

" Unbelievable product!

Do not waste your time with

other mud products or

routines. Five stars, a tack

room essential! "

Jennifer FreemanNewcastle

" I use this for cleaning brushes, buckets etc.

and with MFP - ten out of ten product. Wouldn't be without it! "

Mairin Ni AonghusaDublin

130913 Mud-Free Ponies A4.indd 1 15/09/2013 19:47:38

SMS ‘Fit for Purpose’ Awareness Day

Does �e Tack Really Fit?Such cases de�nitely put a di�erent

perspective to the saying ’never look a gift horse in the mouth’!

�e stories often involve dishonesty and a certain stretching of the truth but problems can also occur even when a seller’s intentions are totally honest.

In an ideal situation it is sensible to have all tack, and the �tting, checked by a Society of Master Saddlers’ quali�ed �tter – but they will obviously expect to charge a fee.

What happens if the saddle and/or the bridle don’t �t – or need substantial repairs? �ese are extra costs that won’t have been expected, and therefore considered, at the time of the purchase!

Buying a horse or pony ‘complete with tack’ often represents good value and can be hassle-free – but it is a purchase that should never be entered into on the assumption that everything will be alright.To �nd your local saddle �tter and for more information visit www.mastersaddlers.co.uk or contact �e Society of Master Saddlers on 01449 711642.

ARE you �t? Is your horse �t? Does your saddle �t?

How often do you hear riders say – “I must lose weight and get �tter,” “My horse is just not �t enough,” or “My saddle seems to move.”

An informative awareness day has been developed by the Society of Master Saddlers to educate riders, owners, student vets and trainers about the importance of saddle �t and �tness of the horse and rider on Saturday, October 19 at �e Unicorn Equestrian Centre, Netherswell, Stow-on-the-Wold.

�is fascinating day is all about properly preparing you, your horse and your saddle for any and all occasions so that you can achieve the best possible results together.

Looking at your horse’s �tness, the SMS will help you understand the di�erence between conformation and condition.

Meanwhile focussing on the saddle, experts will look at how to assess your horse’s back in preparation for saddle �tting.

Well known saddler expert Ian Hastilow will

be chairing this exciting day which has just 100 places available – book your ticket today!

Speakers include Dodson & Horrell Nutritionist, Louise Jones BSc, MSc, R. Nutrition; ‘Ride with Your Mind’ Instructor/Coach, Dorothy Marks; Vet, Jane Nixon MA VetMB BSc MRCVS; SMS Veterinary Consultant, Stewart Hastie BVMS MRCVS; Winston Williams, BSc (Hons) MMCA IVCA MRCC and Emma Phillips, BSc (Hons) MMCA IVCA MRCC who will look at chiropractics for the horse and human.

�ere will also be a range of Saddle Work Stations to provide advice, practical knowledge and experience.

�ese include help on saddle panels and construction; recognising the di�erence between quality and inferior saddles; types of tree and broken trees; and saddle safety.

Tickets are £60 and include refreshments, lunch and a goody bag.To book your place contact Hazel Morley on 01449 711642 or email [email protected]

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Tack & Turnout • News

the deal they are getting is a good one! �ere may be situations where the

seller blatantly takes advantage of a �rst-time buyer and in these cases �e Society of Master Saddlers would encourage those new to horse ownership to take a more experienced

person with them.As well as making sure the saddle and

bridle �t correctly, also take the time to make sure the tack is in good condition.

Over the years there have been many instances where a Society of Master Saddlers’ Quali�ed Saddle Fitter has been to check the saddle for owners of a new horse or pony and come away very disillusioned.

It can often be the case that the new owner was thrilled to bits when the seller informed them they were providing the tack as well to help them out.

But in many instances the tack can be scratched and very well worn, with even some of the stitching loose and the girth being used too long.

Similar instances include stirrup leathers not being a pair and saddle �ocking that has become �at, hard and lumpy.

In this issue we talk to the Society of Master Saddlers to gain advice on

whether to purchase the saddle and bridle when buying a new horse.

Although at first glance it can appear like a ‘bargain’ to buy a horse with tack it may not always be a positive.

Obviously the most important aspect to �nd out is, if you like the horse enough to want to buy it, does the tack really �t as well as it should.

Don’t automatically assume that the saddle �ts - although there is no excuse today for using ill-�tting tack, the seller may not have a great deal of knowledge when it comes to correct saddle �tting and they could simply be using a saddle they already had when they bought the horse in the �rst place.

Unfortunately a buyer caught in this type of situation often tends to be fairly novice and may simply assume

YARD BEDDINGFor a bargain priced bedding that really performs, look no further than

Yard Bedding wood pellets.�e wood pellets are made using premium quality pine from Scandinavia and are supplied in easy to handle 12.5kg bags. �e pellets are absorbent, easy to use and reduce the amount of waste removed from the stable, the amount of bedding on the muck heap and time mucking out. Not only is Yard Bedding great for stables, it can also be used in kennels, catteries, poultry housing and around the farm.

Yard Bedding is available in full and half pallet loads. When bought as a full pallet, prices start at £4.25 per bag.To �nd out more or to order, see www.yardbedding.co.uk or call 01285 648240.

Lost shoes, problem solved!Eventer Muriel Colquhoun has invented an odd

looking product she has named ShoeSecure. It's a removable thermoplastic shield which the farrier can prepares for the owner, the shield can be attached or removed as needed, on a daily basis. �e ShoeSecures were primarily designed for turnout only, however it is simple to modify them for riding. both protects the heel bulbs of the front feet and forms an unbroken protection zone over the heels of the shoe. A horse can still reach forward with a hind foot, but it can’t damage the back of the pastern and bulbs and it can’t catch the heels of the shoe.

Geography has a lot to do with both why riders are looking for a product like ShoeSecure and how it came to be. �e rolling countryside along the banks of the River Clyde in Renfrewshire, Scotland is a great place to condition event horses, but the thick and o�en boggy earth puts all horses at risk for stepping on (and pulling o� ) the fully-�t horseshoes that their farriers �t for them.

Yes, even if your horse is shod by 2013 world champion farrier David Varini, you can still lose shoes. Or, in the case of Muriel’s horse, you could still lose shoes on a regular basis. “David was making far too many return trips,” Muriel recalls. "He and his partner Paul Robinson (both World Champions) have helped with ShoeSecure; they were basically fed up coming back into my yard to put lost front shoes back on my horse, Banjo Paterson. I was also using lots of fuel and time going down to their smithy in Ayrshire to get shoes replaced. David doesn't believe in cutting the heels short so I came up with ShoeSecure."

Days lost from training are just what horses on a conditioning schedule don’t need. Muriel wouldn’t stand for the inconvenience and potential injury to her horse’s hooves and bulbs; she challenged Varini to help her solve the problem.


MFP Mud Barrier & Leg GuardCreates an immediate and complete protective barrier against harmful bacteria that can lead to mud fever.

Multi-WashA fast-acting biocidal cleanser with Hibitane. Great for washing muddy legs and equipment!

Mud-Free Ponies(and equipment!)

Providing protection against problemsassociated with wet and muddy conditions

IVHORSE ®

horseplay redef ined.

Find out morewww.4horse.co.uk01888 544261 • [email protected]

Super-effective!

and read more customer reviews

" Unbelievable product!

Do not waste your time with

other mud products or

routines. Five stars, a tack

room essential! "

Jennifer FreemanNewcastle

" I use this for cleaning brushes, buckets etc.

and with MFP - ten out of ten product. Wouldn't be without it! "

Mairin Ni AonghusaDublin

130913 Mud-Free Ponies A4.indd 1 15/09/2013 19:47:38Equi_Ads_Oct_National_Rev2.indd 45 25/09/2013 12:13

Poor horn quality?Horn infections?

The Laminitis Clinic has dealt with hundreds of horses and ponies with “bad feet”; without the correct products they can be a real pain to sort out! The data we collected from these cases

4 4enabled us to develop Formula Feet and Solution Feet. They proved so successful that they are now regarded as the “Gold Standards” against which other hoof care products are measured.

4Formula Feet is the market leader. It is highly palatable, produces excellent improvement to horn and coat in as little as six weeks by providing over 65 essential micronutrients.

4Solution Feet is the most efficient way of preventing and the most effective way of dealing with

4 horn infections such as white line disease and seedy toe. Solution Feet contains no dangerous chemicals and, being isotonic, it can even be used

4 painlessly on wounds. Farriers use Solution Feet Matrix where prologned horn disinfection is needed e.g. under pads or in white line defects or hoof cracks.

Equi Life Ltd Tel; 01249-890784 www.equilife.co.uk

(secure online ordering available)

horn inf contains no dang painlessly on w pr whit

t Matrix whereection is needed e.g. under pads or in

Selling a horse, equipment or service through Equi-Ads' classifiedadvertisement section couldn't be easier. Just call us on 0115 946 1146 or if

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EXPERIENCED ALLROUNDERvery prettymare, 15 years. Mollyhas competed all PC activities &

loves jumping. She hacks outwell on her own. Very good in

traffic, box, etc.£2,500 to good home07077 1010 (Surrey)

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EquiadsClassifiedandsubs_Layout 1 25/09/2013 10:57 Page 1

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Seven sets of 15kg Holder and 15kg Original Horslyx

up for grabs

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

Original Horslyx is a palatable, nutrient rich lick containing optimum levels of the vitamins, minerals and trace elements required to maintain peak health and condition for all horses and ponies. Anti-oxidants, a healthy hooves package and high oil content along with the vitamin, mineral and trace elements package all combine to provide a balanced lick, which balances the de� ciencies found in forage and grazing.

Some horses love Horslyx so much that they can become very enthusiastic when enjoying their lick, occasionally leading to damaged tubs. Horslyx now have a solution, the new 15kg Lick Holder gives horse owners a simple and safe way of protecting their Horslyx from wayward hooves both in the � eld and the stable.

Having been trialled against kicks and knocks, the re-usable 15kg Lick Holder o� ers a totally weatherproof and cost e� ective feeding method. � e new addition also complements the existing 5kg Lick Holder, which is designed for use in the stable, meaning that horse owners now have a holder for all situations.

TO ENTER simply answer the following question: What is the weight of the new Lick Holder? Send your answer along with your name and address and contact telephone number to Horslyx Competition, Equi-Ads Ltd.,126, Derby Road, Long Eaton, Notts. NG10 4LS or email your answer to [email protected] � e � rst seven correct entries drawn will be deemed the winners. Entries close on the 25th October. Winners will be announced in the following issue.


Selling a horse, equipment or service through Equi-Ads' classifiedadvertisement section couldn't be easier. Just call us on 0115 946 1146 or if

you don't want to phone fill out the form below and post it off to us now.Enclose your credit card number or cheque/cash/postal order.

Fold and return - we pay your postage CLASSIFIED ORDER FORM

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PLEASE TICK� WANTED� Standing At Stud� Ponies for Sale� Horses for Sale

� Horseboxes for sale� General Items ForSale� Fun Rides

EXPIRY DATE:

£22.00 £22.50 £23.00 £23.50 £24.00 £24.50 £25.00

To show readers what you have to sell, simply send your photo and descriptionMaximum of 32 words) with this form to Equi-Ads Ltd.

Name. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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Cheques/postal orders made payable to: Equi-Ads Ltd,126 Derby Road, Long Eaton, Notts NG10 4LS.

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EXPERIENCED ALLROUNDERvery prettymare, 15 years. Mollyhas competed all PC activities &

loves jumping. She hacks outwell on her own. Very good in

traffic, box, etc.£2,500 to good home07077 1010 (Surrey)

Photographyou supply

UP to 32words

Advert size:44mm x64mm

Se

e n

ext p

ag

e fo

r free

po

sta

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e n

ext p

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What you get!

3-DIGIT SECURITY NUMBER:

Your FREEEquestrianMagazine

You can now upload your ad at:www.equi-ads.com

SOMETHING TO SELL?

ONLY £30 inc VAT, ONLINE! (PRIVATE SALES ONLY)

email your ad to [email protected] or call it in: 0115 946 1146



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WANTED Land to buy not to rent

[email protected] 07554 144 496

Have you got an Equestrian property for sale?

Advertise a property for sale advert in Equi-Ads and get a free advert on the newly launched Equi-Homes website.

Telephone 01159 461146 for more information

Have Your Say

• Management – most winter skin conditions result from a dirty coat which provides the ideal environment for bacteria and fungi to thrive. Keep coats as clean and as dry as possible with suitable rugs or shelter and regular grooming.

• Hygiene - rugs, tack, grooming and stable equipment can spread contagious skin conditions or repeatedly re-infect the same horse unless you eliminate infectious agents by disinfection and cleaning (veterinary surgeons can advise on suitable products that will not harm your horse).

• Correct Nutrition – poor diets, especially those lacking in essential vitamins and minerals, can have dire e� ects on the skin health. Consult an equine nutritionist if you suspect current dietary intake is not aiding a healthy skin and coat.

• Vigilance – check horses daily for signs that a skin condition may be imminent. � ick winter coats can easily mask problems such as mud fever, rain scald, ringworm and lice.

• Prevention – if it is known that an individual horse is prone to certain winter skin conditions then preventative measure should be taken. For example, horses prone to mud fever may bene� t from a barrier cream or regular

treatments with an anti-bacterial cleansing wash such as Activ Wash.

• Clipping and Trimming – it may help to trim or clip horses coats during winter to make them easier to keep clean and dry. Skin problems will o� en be more evident when coats are clipped and horses in work will be more comfortable as they will sweat less and dry o� quicker.

• Treatment – a skin condition must be correctly identi� ed in order for treatment to be as e� ective as possible. If you are in any doubt or if the condition has appeared for the � rst time always seek advice from your veterinary surgeon.

• Washing – continually washing and bathing horses can weaken the skin structure removing essential oils. � is can lead to the skin becoming chapped and sore and irritated by particles of soil, leaving it more susceptible to infection. Avoid excessive bathing during winter; grooming will remove dirt and scurf without stripping the coat of its natural oils.

• Products - anti-bacterial washes can be used prophylactically on

susceptible animals or to treat existing skin conditions caused by bacterium. � ey will help to remove any encrusted debris such as scabs.

• Healing - removing scabs carefully using an anti-bacterial cleansing wash (if bacterium is

the causative organism) will remove any existing bacteria and dirt held

in the scabs allowing new clean scabs to form and heal. It is very important

that any sponges that are used in the washing process are clean and that the area washed is rinsed well with clean water and then dried thoroughly. For more information contact Robinson Animal Healthcare on 01909 735000 or visit www.robinsonhealthcare.com

Rising dressage starEspayo Equestrian are sponsoring up and coming dressage rider, Phoebe

Peters (14) from Worcestershire. Having recently returned from the Pony European Championships in

Arezzo, where she made history by becoming the � rst British U21 rider to win Gold medals in the Individual and Kur Championships, Phoebe and her 148cm German Riding Pony SL Lucci also broke the world record in the Kur with a massive 84%. Phoebe and Lucci also topped the Team Test and helped her Team win a Bronze medal putting the British team back on the podium for the � rst time in seven years.

Having committed herself to pure dressage from the age of eight years old Phoebe is aiming for a career in the equestrian world. Aspiring to be on Junior, Young Rider and Senior teams to represent Great Britain, her current form suggests she is on route to more success. The � ermatex Quarter Sheet

from online retailer Dressage Deluxe is styled in an advanced high performance quilted wicking fabric, this sheet combines a unique wool and acrylic blend with a polypropylene insulating layer. Designed to help keep your horse’s quarters warm without interfering with your leg aids or adding unnecessary bulk, it also features sturdy Velcro � xings for easy attachment/detachment to saddle.

susceptible animals or to treat existing skin

– continually washing and the causative organism) will remove any existing bacteria and dirt held

in the scabs allowing new clean scabs to form and heal. It is very important

that any sponges that are used in the washing process are clean and that the area washed is rinsed well with clean water and then dried thoroughly. For more information contact Robinson Animal Healthcare on 01909 735000 or visit www.robinsonhealthcare.com

Ten Top Tips for Preventing Mud Fever

Machine washable, this sheet is a great addition to your horse’s winter wardrobe. Sizes: 4� 6 & 4� 9 RRP: £75.00Dressage Deluxe Free Phone: 0800 321 3001

Quarter horses!

Phoebe Peters European by Camille Peters


For all horses

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Property Abroad Brittany & Normandy Cardyke Overseas PropertiesProperties suitable for horses at a fraction of UK prices. Tel: 01775 630 008

SaddlerySouth EastAndrew Reilly SaddlersSpoods Farm, Tinkers Lane, Hadlow Down, East Sussex TN22 4ETTel: 01825 830484

DirectoryWormingEastRegular worm egg counts can save money! 6-8 weekly spring through autumn £5 each. Church Farm FEC Tel: 01728 685 638 Email: [email protected]

FeedingThe Haylage Co.A cost e� ective alternative to hay. Based South Hertfordshire, we deliver to locations nationwide.Tel: 07831 454 166Email: [email protected]: www.poloforage.com

Wholesale� inking of starting your own equestrian retail business? � en contact us:Hucklesby AssociatesEquestrian Wholesalers to the tradeTel: 01362 696 309 Fax: 01362 696 582Email: [email protected] for a free trade e-catalogueWebsite: www.hucklesbyassociates.co.uk

Include your details here.Call 01159 461 146

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News • Healthcare • Insurance

Tel: 0845 5214840www.equineanswers.co.uk

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PREMIER FLEX HA (advanced joint supplement) £23.95PREMIER FLEX PLUS (with devils claw) £26.95365 COMPLETE (feed balancer) only £18.95BUTE SUBSTITUTE 1 Litre only £15.95MUD WARRIOR 1kg 45 day supply £27.95MUD WARRIOR CREAM 200g £5.50FARRIERS FAVOURITE (hoof supp) 2kg £22.99PREMIER LYTES (electrolytes) 2kg £26.95PURE DISTILLED MSM 500g (cheap!) £12.95VIRGIN LINSEED OIL 5 litres £22.95

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We are sad to note the sudden illness and death in August of Terry Johns, (58), well-known for many years in Derbyshire as a rider,

inspirational trainer and coach of both horses and other riders. He was born in Swansea, South Wales, then his family moved when he was four to Abergavenny, where he grew up, became an excellent schoolboy footballer, and learned to ride, leaving at eighteen to train as a riding instructor.

Terry was a horseman of immense talent, who also loved rugby, his Welsh identity and his children; he was much loved and valued by his family and friends for his warmth, sense of fun, persistence and ‘hwyl’ – spirit and energy. Apart from some years as a very successful salesman, horses were his life – most recently at Essential Equine, the livery, training and schooling centre run by Terry with Janice Bull, based in Ticknall, near Ashby-de-la-Zouche.

He loved competition, had strong opinions, and was doggedly determined: he could fall out with people, yet it was almost impossible to dislike him. At his funeral, many of the people who had ridden, trained or schooled their horses with him made comments such as ‘He made me believe in myself ”, “ He gave me con� dence in what I could achieve” and “He never had a bad word to say about anyone”. � ose words, the riders he trained and the horses he schooled will be his legacy in the equestrian world: he will be much missed.

Penny has retired a� er twelve years on the

King’s Troop gun team to the World Horse Welfare’s Rescue and Rehoming Centre in Blackpool. “Hallmark, as she is known in the Troop has been a real asset to the regiment, however, it is now time for her to enjoy life at a more sedate pace,” says Captain Owen Beynon-Brown, King’s Troop Press O� cer.To � nd out more about Penny’s story visit World Horse Welfare’s website here: www.worldhorsewelfare.org/Article/World-Horse-Welfares-horse-to-retire-from-world-famous-Kings-Troop

King’s Troop horse - Penny retires

Terry Johns


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FREE EQUIGLO TREATS 1KG WITH THIS VOUCHER

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Only one voucher per customer per transaction.Only one voucher per customer per transaction.

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Pet & Equine Days Axminster & Crediton Saturday 12th October• 10%o� all pet food and

accessories.• 10%o�all equestrian products.• Manufacturers on hand for advice.• Competitions, prizes & attractions

- a fun day for all the family!• Refreshments available

Equine Day OkehamptonSaturday 26th October• 10%o�all equestrian

products • Manufacturers on hand

for advice.• Competitions & prizes.

Plus fundraising forHospiscare at all events

Valid only on 12th October at Axminster & Crediton and 26th October 2013 at Okehampton

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Valid only on 12th October 2013 at Axminster & Crediton Mole Avon Town & Country Stores.

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MOLE AVON TOWN & COUNTRY STORES PET & EQUINE EVENTSMole Avon Town & Country Stores will be holding Equine Event Days at

its three retail branches in Devon this October.� ere will be Pet & Equine Days on Saturday 12th October at the stores in

Station Yard, Axminster and Mill Street, Crediton which will feature one day only special o� ers including 10% o� all equestrian products and 10% o� all pet food and accessories.

Specialists from equine and pet manufacturers will be in store o� ering help and advice, plus there will be, draws, prizes and attractions, and local equestrian businesses on hand for all your equine queries. A fun day out to be had by all the family!

� e Mole Avon Town & Country Stores in Exeter Road, Okehampton will be holding an Equine Day on Saturday 26th October. � e day will o� er 10% o� all equestrian products, equine manufacturers will be on hand for advice, plus there will be extra discounts available on products for both horse and rider for one day only.

At all events there will be a prize draw and fundraising for local charity Hospiscare, Mole Avon’s chosen charity for its 40th anniversary year.

Mole Avon’s sta� look forward to welcoming both new and existing customers to all event days. For further information about these events or for any other query please contact your local store – Axminster 01297 32441, Crediton 01363 774786 or Okehampton 01837 53886.

Pictured are the Mole Avon Town & Country Stores branches (L-R) Okehampton, Axminster & Crediton.

Jan Tops buys Palloubet D’Halong for a record US $15 Million!

Great news from Switzerland.

Alban Poudret of Cavalier Romand has just received con� rmation about the sale of Palloubet d’Halong to Jan Tops. He bought the chestnut gelding for his wife Edwina Tops-Alexander.

In the interview Hansueli Sprunger has spoken about an

amount of 11,000,000 euros ($15,000,000 USD), an absolute record. With his daughter Janika Sprunger Palloubet d’Halong was the best horse in the Furusiyya Nations Cups this year. He always jumped double clear. In Aachen he was second in the Grand Prix and at the European Championships in Herning the pair was seventh.

To studforlife.com Sprunger says that Palloubet is still in her stable, but that he is expected to leave. � e ten year old gelding by Baloubet du Rouet x Muguet du Manoir has been with the Swiss rider since he was six, and has developed into one of the world’s best horses.


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Tack & Turnout

Gersemi’s stylish top is made from a technical mix of Polyester and Spandex, the Functional Top and matching Long Johns are the height of luxury with a so� �eece

next to the skin and a smooth easy glide outer. Colours: Black, White, Graphite, Blue Stone; Sizes XS – XL £42.00; Long Johns £34.00

POWER AGAINST SAR-X6 week supply £353 month supply £65

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“It has now completely gone!”“My 7 year old gelding developed a medium sized lump on his belly.

I did not want to go down the route of treatment advised by my vet.

I started to feed him the powder 10 weeks ago and it has completely gone. His hair has grown back and you would never know it had been

there. I am so pleased; I cannot praise the powder enough!”

Ruth Mitchell

Totally TweedGersemi have introduced a

stylish slant for their winter 2013 equestrian wardrobe.

Taking a play on traditional tweeds they have mixed this country heritage with Scandinavian design to give a unique high fashion equestrienne feel.

Using tweeds from some of the most sought a�er mills in Scotland they have mixed them with modern sports styling to give a perfect �t for today’s rider.

�e cute PYRI vest is a padded, close �tting, two way zip style that features a high fur trimmed collar. It has leather trims on the pockets, shoulder epaulettes and half belt together with a leather, back waist panel complete with embroidered logo.

�is neat piece can be worn when riding or as a fashion look for a more relaxed country occasion. With its light padding it can be used as an

alternative to a jacket for the cool autumn days.

It comes in a choice of Tweed fabrics that have a small plaid design.

Gersemi PYRISizes: XS – XL Colours: Blue Stone, Moss, Graphite – Plaid (check) tweed. Mocha – Plain tweed RRP £126.

Greenway Horse Trails Launched

HorseWorld seeks old hay to help feed ponyIn the care of Horseworld, pony

Jessica is currently su�ering with Equine Metabolic Syndrome (a severe hormonal disorder causing insulin resistance), therefore she requires older hay which has depleted sugar content to keep her condition under control.

She is currently pain-free and doing well on the old hay but Horseworld are rapidly running out. If you live local to Bristol we would be willing to collect any donated old hay, or if needed, we are willing to buy it.” Contact Amy Williams 01275 893034.

The Forest of Dean Greenways, an

impressive new network of horse riding trails across the Forest of Dean is now open.

�ese routes link up new bridleways, existing Public Rights of Way, Forestry Commission tracks and quiet country lanes to form a series of inter-connected circuits for horse riders, leisure cyclists and walkers and, where possible, carriage drivers.

Four linked Greenway circuits have been created, extending from Dymock in the north of the district to Blakeney and Yorkley in the south, and they connect up with many local towns, villages and rural businesses as well as with accommodation providers, tourist attractions and equestrian centres in order to maximise the project’s bene�t to the local economy. �e four Greenway routes comprise:• �e Dymock Forest Greenway• �e Huntley Woods Greenway• �e Hope Wood Greenway• �e Blakeney Greenway and Carriage

Driving Circuit�e most southerly, and the longest

section of this network, the Blakeney

Greenway and Carriage Driving Circuit, is a spectacular twelve and a half mile long �gure of eight horse riding and carriage driving route which is almost entirely o�-road and is also suitable for para-carriage drivers.

�is project has been undertaken by the Forest of Dean and District Horse Riders’ and Carriage Drivers’ Association (FODADHRACDA), a group of local people who set out as far back as 2005 to improve the fragmented Higher Rights of Way network in the Forest of Dean district and to secure greater access to the Gloucestershire countryside. It is the only project of its kind in the UK to have been delivered by a voluntary organisation.

www.fodgreenways.co.uk – to �nd out more about these routes and then

experience them for themselves.”

�e project was o�cially launched at the start of the Blakeney Greenway and Carriage Driving Circuit by Heather Clatworthy, Senior Executive, Access and Rights of Way Department at the British Horse Society.


POWER AGAINST SAR-X6 week supply £353 month supply £65

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For a free consultation ring now: 0800 970 9421Free calls from a mobile: 0330 100 5266


“It has now completely gone!”“My 7 year old gelding developed a medium sized lump on his belly.

I did not want to go down the route of treatment advised by my vet.

I started to feed him the powder 10 weeks ago and it has completely gone. His hair has grown back and you would never know it had been

there. I am so pleased; I cannot praise the powder enough!”

Ruth Mitchell


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Product Description Size/Price Qty Total (£)

EquiFlex® – 496g £19.95

Equiflex Bulk – 1,488g 6 months’ £56.95

EquiMSM™ – 600g £14.95

EquiHoof – 496g £17.95

EquiSenior™ – 496g £15.95

EquiCalm® – 434g £16.95 £13.95

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All products are sold by Healthspan UK Ltd. To order by mail, please make cheques payable to ‘Healthspan Ltd’ who are the collection agents for Healthspan UK Ltd and post with this order form to VetVits, PO Box 64, St Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 3BT. Prices featured are valid until 31.10.13. Please allow up to 10 days for delivery. All product prices shown include VAT at applicable rate. **Free postage & packaging applies to UK only. Calls may be recorded for training purposes. Our Customer Charter provides a no-quibble refund on our products and a guarantee that your personal data will not be passed on to any third party. Offer valid on VetVits products only. ††Last three digits on the back of your card. If you would prefer not to receive any future product updates please tick this box

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*Prices valid as at 09/08/2013 from www.equineproductsdirect.co.uk Equine America CortaFlex 454g x 6 £221.94. 12 month supply VetVits EquiFlex 496g x 6 £119.70. All prices are based on single purchase and exclude any price or multiple purchase promotions.

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Although uncommon, horses can fall on cross country courses

and it is important as riders that we prevent this as far as possible, for both animal and human welfare. Most can be avoided by correct and quick reactions, as well as the proper preparation and � tness for the discipline in hand.

PREPARATION Horses must never be over-faced in a competition, or be asked to tackle a type of fence that they have not encountered, so homework and practise at several venues are essential. Di� erent types of terrain, hill work and working over ditches and in water must all be tackled. You must be accustomed to jumping up and down hills, and in and out of shade. Combination fences and angled jumps should be mastered – everything at a lower level and increased when con� dent. � is will prevent mis-understandings between horse and rider and give your horse the skills he requires to adjust himself to maintain balance.

FITNESSAs a cross country course is both testing and tiring with undulating territory, twenty or more obstacles to jump and perhaps up to two or three miles of solid canter work, � tness of both horse and rider is essential. A structured training programme beginning weeks before the � rst event covering both plenty of slow road work to strengthen the horse’s legs and prolonged canter work to ensure correct breathing, heart rate, etc, is key. A horse is more likely to tire towards the end of the course, causing possible mistakes, so a plan will help. Interval training, with trot and canter work monitored and slowly increased, is a good basic

� tness programme and used by professionals.

GROUND CONDITIONSAssess the going when you walk the course, probably the day before, and decide if you need to use studs, and if so, which variety. Generally the deeper the going, the larger studs you will need, so with good going, select your smaller, pointy ones. It is recommended that you use two studs in each shoe for safety and balance. You will also have to take decisions on how to ride the course according to the going and your routes through the di� erent options. Very wet conditions are the most dangerous

and should be ridden more cautiously and collected. Speed helps no one, if you are not clear!

RIDER INTERFERENCEIt is important you are able to give the right signals and judge a safe take o� point, and that you have a good degree of trust between you and your horse. If you can consistently give him the correct balance and the right take o� point for each jump, as required, nothing should go wrong. However, if your signals are unclear or mis-judged, you will then interfere with his natural ability and could cause many problems, possible falls and eventually refusals. A trainer will monitor and correct mistakes, and is money well spent.

RIDER IMBALANCE� is would usually occur when you are in a tricky situation and your horse has had to make an awkward jump. If there were no rider involved,

the horse would very rarely fall, so you must be able to allow him as much freedom of movement as possible in this situation and have the ability to slip your reins and either remain upright, or lean slightly behind the momentum. Tipping forward could shi� the balance, causing a fall rather than preventing one. Of course, you are unable to ‘practise’ for this situation, but you can ensure you are � t and ready to ride with strong leg muscles from work on the lunge. Instinct for self-preservation should kick in and help with automatic decisions which have to be made on the spot.

Prevention of falls and problems must be foremost in your preparations for a good cross country season. Once you and your horse are � t, prepared and experienced at the level at which you want to compete, clear rounds should come easily and with success comes fun and glory and stepping stones to a bright future for you both.

� e Prevention of Horse Falls By Jenny Richardson BHSAI

If you need XC practice, consider a training break at a leading venue. Jenny Richardson BHSAI is Equestrian Centre Business Manager at Ireland’s Castle Leslie Estate, a venue that o� ers luxurious equestrian riding holidays and training breaks in the heart of Ireland. � e team welcomes riders of all abilities and age groups and o� ers expert tuition, gentle hacks and exhilarating cross-country rides over an extensive XC course. Visit www.castleleslie.com


Product Description Size/Price Qty Total (£)

EquiFlex® – 496g £19.95

Equiflex Bulk – 1,488g 6 months’ £56.95

EquiMSM™ – 600g £14.95

EquiHoof – 496g £17.95

EquiSenior™ – 496g £15.95

EquiCalm® – 434g £16.95 £13.95

FREE Postage and Packaging* * FREE

Total order value £

All products are sold by Healthspan UK Ltd. To order by mail, please make cheques payable to ‘Healthspan Ltd’ who are the collection agents for Healthspan UK Ltd and post with this order form to VetVits, PO Box 64, St Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 3BT. Prices featured are valid until 31.10.13. Please allow up to 10 days for delivery. All product prices shown include VAT at applicable rate. **Free postage & packaging applies to UK only. Calls may be recorded for training purposes. Our Customer Charter provides a no-quibble refund on our products and a guarantee that your personal data will not be passed on to any third party. Offer valid on VetVits products only. ††Last three digits on the back of your card. If you would prefer not to receive any future product updates please tick this box

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FREE P&P** www.vetvits.co.uk FREEPHONE 0808 100 40 80

EQA-WSE

Healthspan UK Limited, Registered in England and Wales, Company Regisration No. 7485064, VAT No. GB 108880305 Witan Gate House, 500-600 Witan Gate West, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, MK19 1SH, United Kingdom.

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*Prices valid as at 09/08/2013 from www.equineproductsdirect.co.uk Equine America CortaFlex 454g x 6 £221.94. 12 month supply VetVits EquiFlex 496g x 6 £119.70. All prices are based on single purchase and exclude any price or multiple purchase promotions.

Prices worthcelebrating!

NATURALLY CALMER HORSES FOR LESS! Soothing blend of natural ingredients

Competition safe

Helps maintain your horse’s resilience to stress

FREE P&P** www.vetvits.co.uk** www.vetvits.co.uk

3off33£

Cortaflex* - 2 months supply

OUCH! £36.99

EquiFlex® - 2 months supply

ONLY £19.95

SAVE £102.24a year using

EquiFlex!*

Developed by leading veterinary experts

1 months’ supply £16.95 TRIAL PRICE £13.95

40% more glucosamine per scoop than standard glucosamine40% more glucosamine per scoop

Clinically tested glucosamine HCl and chondroitin

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The five star feed balancer for your five star horse• restores and maintains five star condition, topline and health • maximises the nutritional value of the daily feed ration• optimises the health and efficiency of the digestive system • easy to feed, palatable, pellet with great sugar free flavour• provides the best supplement specificationFeed Optimum to put the balance back into the diet and to optimise your horse’s health.

OPTIMUM will restore and maintain five star condition, topline and health, maximise the nutritional value of the daily feed ration, and optimise the health and efficiency of the digestive system. OPTIMUM comes in a concentrated pellet, each one is of the highest supplement specification available, with a great sugar free flavour.OPTIMUM is formulated to complement either a high fibre low concentrate, or a performance diet. When a daily feed is not necessary, OPTIMUM can simply be fed on its own directly from your hand.

OPTIMUM is the perfect choice for every horse, from family pony to performance athlete, it is the optimum choice for all.

For more details please go to your local NAF stockist or call our Freephone Advice Line: 0800 373 106 or email [email protected]

www.naf-equine.eu/uk

LaunchOffer

Coming

to a store

near yousoon

Every horse deservesthe Optimum life

optimum-A4-ad-13-1_0 14/08/2013 09:07 Page 1


Equi-Ads October 2013

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Transcript of Equi-Ads October 2013