Equi-Ads December 2012

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December 2012 The UK’s No.1 Equine Health, Management and Training Magazine

Nutritional needs of

older horses

Horse security

Strangles – clinical signs,

treatment and prevention

C H R I S T M A S G I F T G U I D E

deccover6.indd 1 21/11/2012 13:25

December 2012 www.equiads.net 1

‘Rider of the 20th Century’ Mark Todd CBE is expanding his business horizons by investing into the recently launched super premium equine feed company Keyflow®. Mark, who competed in his seventh Olympic games this summer in London, winning team Bronze for New Zealand, is a shareholder and has also been appointed a Director of Keyflow®.

The super-premium equine feed brand offers a complete range of scientifically advanced and balanced horse feeds to the European sport and leisure horse and pony market. Stay Cool, Maestro and Perfectly Balance forms the Mark Todd range. Additionally, The Whitaker Bros Range: Jumpmix and Jumpmix Jnr, as well as Keyflow® Key-Plus and Key-3 Oil complete the Keyflow® family.

All of these feeds are now available through leading equine feed retailers. As well as being a Key Rider alongside Michael and John Whitaker MBE, Jonelle Richards and Tim Price, in his role as Director Mark is involved with the strategic business planning

and development of Keyflow® as a company.

He is joined on the executive board by Managing Director Cam W Price a senior equine feed and nutrition professional and Vicki Glynn a former global executive from the pharmaceuticals industry as Executive Director. Keyflow’s range has been scientifically formulated in a unique collaboration between two of the world’s leading equine nutritionists Dr Ray Biffin from Australia and Dr Catherine Dunnet from the UK.

The mixes contain beetroot, stabilized rice bran and cold-pressed canola oil. The use of beetroot is pioneering with recent research in humans suggesting that it may be responsible for an increase in performance through reducing the energetic cost of muscle contraction.

Cold pressed canola is a superior source of omega 3 compared to commonly used soya oil and stabilized rice bran delivers slow release energy.

Mark Todd, Keyflow Director, comments; “All my horses are fed on Keyflow®, they’re eating it really well and look and feel great.

Maestro certainly has put a spring in the step of Regent Lad who sometimes can be a bit laid back and Major Milestone, who is on Stay Cool, now appears to be more relaxed in the dressage”.

The Keyflow® super-premium range is available at leading equine feed retailers. For a list of stockists visit www.keyflow.co/where-to-buy and for further information www.keyflow.co E: [email protected] T: 01672 519000

HealTH Care 1, 2, 4, 23 – 28, 48

News 1

TraiNiNg 2, 29

Have Your saY 4

FeediNg 6, 9 - 22, 46

Fibre 9

TopspeC giveawaY 20

FeediNg veTeraNs 12 - 22

Horse beHaviour 22

worMiNg 25

sTraNgles 26

pHYsioTHerapY 28

HolidaYs 29

sCHooliNg 29

seCuriTY 30 – 32

Field & sTable 30 – 36

iNsuraNCe 31 – 33

TaCK & TurNouT 34 - 40

sTaNd ouT 34

HorseY gadgeTs 36

CHrisTMas giFTs 40 - 45

beddiNg 46

Horses For sale 48

Contents

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Todd aiming to hit the Mark with Keyflow®Leading names from Eventing and Show jumping give new horse feed thumbs up

Healthcare • News

over the past few years, we have been witnessing the development of a new phase in therapeutics for many conditions. Termed Regenerative Medicine, this is the process of creating living, functional tissues to repair or replace tissue or organ function lost due to injury, disease, age or congenital defects by using autogenous factors (from the person’s or animal’s own tissue).

The field holds the promise of regenerating damaged tissues and organs in the body by stimulating previously irreparable organs to heal themselves: heart muscle after a

heart attack, skin for burn victims, restoration of movement after spinal cord injury, regeneration of pancreatic tissue to produce insulin for people with diabetes. Regenerative medicine can improve the quality of life by supporting and activating the body’s natural healing. Of course much of this is specific to human medicine and how we use it in equine medicine at this point primarily involves the treatment of soft tissue and joint injuries.

These treatments include Platelet-Rich Plasma, (PRP), interlueukin-1 Receptor Antagonist Protein, (iRAP), ACS, Autologous Conditioned Serum, and the most common, Stem Cells.

Stem CellsThe use of stem cells is controversial in medicine, but the tremendous healing and regenerative benefits make pursuing this technology

worthwhile. There are alternative methods to collect these cells which do not involve embryonic tissue. This discussion focuses on methods to collect equine stem cells, but it is worth remembering that there is overlap with the human side.

By definition, stem cells are immature, vigorous cells that mature into any of the hundreds of various body cell types--nerve, blood, heart, muscle, fat, bone, cartilage, etc. They are what turns an embryo into a foetus into a baby into an adult. They have plasticity, meaning they are adaptable and capable of being manipulated into different cell types. it’s this adaptability that is so promising for treating equine tendons, ligaments, joints, and bones. Often, injuries at these sites cannot repair themselves to a stable, pre-injured status. Adult cells are geared toward maintaining the status quo, possessing a limited capacity for replicating normal cells. Often instead of producing new, healthy, normal tissue after an injury, scar tissue is produced, and scar tissue is often a weaker, inferior tissue, making the recently healed site prone to re-injury.

Cells harvested from the patient’s own bone marrow show great promise for several reasons: first, there is no risk of tissue rejection. Second, studies show that the adult mesenchymal stem cell (from which arises connective tissues of the body, blood vessels, and lymphatic vessels) in the human has tremendous plasticity. in fact it is just as plastic--maybe more so--than embryonic stem cells. Third, blood marrow contains fibronectin (which aids cell migration through the area of injection) and growth factors (which enhance healing). finally, this therapy could provide very quick pain relief, as was found on the human side when human orthopaedic surgeons started using this procedure for tears of the Achilles tendon, patellar tendon. quadriceps tendon and of lateral epicondylitis tendonitis.

in 2001 a paper reported the results of 100 suspensory injuries not treated with bone marrow stem cells and compared the results to 100 horses that had been treated. in the untreated group, less than 30% went back to work and stayed sound; in the treated group, 80% went back to work and stayed sound for at least one year. in another paper all sport horses and 91% of racehorses with superficial digital flexor tendon injuries returned to work following stem cell therapy. 20% of racehorses that returned to racing following stem cell

treatment, rest, and rehabilitation re-injured themselves, whereas 66% of horses experienced re-injury when undergoing only conservative treatment of rest and rehabilitation.

On the equine side, adult stem cells come from one of two sources: fat or bone marrow. As would be expected, there are proponents of both methods. The fat-derived stem cells are harvested from adipose tissue collected from the horse, usually the tail head area, and are processed over a 24-hour period for subsequent injection. While bone marrow-derived stem cells possess growth factors as well as mesenchymal stem cells, adipose-derived stem cells may be more convenient because bone marrow derived stem cells may take weeks to be cultured. The collection site is left with a small incisional scar (recently, and scarily the development of a liposuction technique minimizes this blemish). There are advantages with fat-derived cells rather than cells derived from bone marrow aside from speed. it is a minimally invasive, safe procedure that provides a readily available source of stem cells, the concentration of cells is higher than bone marrow, and lastly the cells are able to differentiate into multiple tissue lineages including: bone, cartilage and muscle. Which method used depends on the available lab and your vet. The stem cells are returned in the quantity determined by the size and number of lesions. The cells are then injected into the affected tendon or ligament using sterile technique with ultrasound guidance. Cells can also be injected into joints in certain cases.

My impression has been that horses treated may show earlier filling in of the tendon or ligament defect on the ultrasound than those treated conservatively. This dangerously gives the impression that the structure has healed sooner, but in reality the tissue present is still quite immature, and the appropriate period of rest still applies. So the treatment may not shorten the rehabilitation period, but the quality of the repair is the benefit as the research has shown.

With conservative treatment (rest) alone, there is more potential for the tendon or ligament to heal with some fibrous (scar) tissue. The scar tissue is less than ideal for the optimal function of the tendon/ligament, as it does not possess the elastic properties that normal collagen fibres do and is thus more prone to re-injury.

December 2012www.equiads.net2

Healthcare • Training

The words ‘solution horsemanship’ best describe me, i can’t say my horse ‘won’t do this’ and ‘can’t do that’. i look at issues as if they are a puzzle, and it’s my job to find the answer. Sometimes it is there staring you in the face and other times you have to dig deep to find it, but it is there.

i can show you how to teach your horse in a way that’s easy for him to understand, without force and without frustration. Horses are not complicated. We make them complicated and if you want the best from your horse i can help you achieve it. i know what it’s like to

feel you are not good enough and blaming your horse, but that doesn’t work, you’ll be left wondering what would have happened if you had tried something different. i know what happened when i found something different. i found answers. Answers to the questions that previously people had brushed aside.

To do anything with your horse he needs to be relaxed, soft and in a learning frame of mind. These methods will give you this and more.

For more information go to www.solutionhorsemanship.co.uk or call 07814419144

I can help you with your horse, whatever your need.

Cont. on p4

Regenerative medicineBen Sturgeon, BSc, BVM&S, Cert EP, MRCVS

30 - Equi-Ads - June 2010

Health Care - Sweet Itch

cont. on p.32

environment in some cases, but there do seem to be some horses and ponies which are more prone to stress than others (or do they just display the signs more clearly?). This may be related to genetics and breeding.

SIGNS OF STRESS:

1) Physical manifestations:

• Weight loss

• Gastric ulcers

• Increased susceptibility to infection

• Laminitis – anecdotally, this is suggested, but there is little hard evidence to back up the claims

2) Vices:

• Box walking/weaving

• Windsucking/cribbiting

3) Behavioural Changes:

• Anxiety or nervousness

• Biting/kicking or other aggressive behaviour

• Riding/driving difficulties

• Handling problems

If you think your horse or pony may have more stress in his/her life than is healthy, consider the following points:

• Is he/she allowed time outside to graze?

• Does he/she have company with

whom he/she feels at ease?

• Does he/she have access to fresh water and forage?

• Is his/her workload reasonable and stimulating?

In my opinion, the best treatment for a stressed horse is to allow it to be a horse again – turned out with other horses and plenty of space!

Common injuries of competition horsesBen Sturgeon, BSc, BVMS, Cert EP, MRCVS

When will evolution really kick in? Darwin or somebody of his esteemed ilk said that we are but 0.1% removed from an ape, genetically speaking. Personally I think the apes far more advanced than us lot. Let me give you a statistic – 55% of all animal related injuries admitted to one A & E department were horse related, the commonly asked question in a trauma clinic when presented with, and I quote “both blunt and penetrating high-energy transfer injury” were

asked whether they had been riding a motorcycle or a horse. But as Winnie and Piglet discovered when they wandered in circles searching for the elusive Heffalump, or when Bill Murray found waking up to Ground Hog day every day, we really should think about things a little more.

Competition injuries can be freaks of course but it is increasingly recognized that more often a cyclical process is occurring weakening structures until ultimately arriving at catastrophe. Whilst these may not result in the death of the animal, although racehorses are definitively over represented in competition fatality statistics, many

injuries can not only be painful and therefore ethically questionable but may also result in the premature end of the horse’s career.

Many studies have been performed on competition horses identifying the commonest injuries and most highlight soft tissue (tendon lesions, ligament strains, ligament luxations, lacerations and wounds,) skeletal (fractures of multiple bones and dislocations,) and several medical problems (pulmonary haemorrhage, azoturia or tying up and severe blood vessel failure.)

So how should we view this? We could quote the fatalities around all of the British Racecourses and simply call for a ban on all racing or eventing or showjumping etc remembering that we are a pretty daft species and get injured by horses all the time, so let’s ban horses. Or we could try and work out why and so put in place a plan to avoid or at least reduce the potential for injury, fatal or not.

Assuming you have that 0.1% genetic difference read on.

Firstly, we can look at actual injury stats and try to find commonalities. One study conducted on horses in hurdle and steeplechase races on six UK racecourses in 2000 and 2001 questioned trainers on the horses’ pre-

race routine and observational data was collected. Some practices were common to many starters, such as withholding food and water before racing whereas other practices, such as schooling, were more variable. There was a total of 2879 starts and 83 injuries or medical events (28.8/1000) with the commonest injuries being tendon/suspensory injuries and lacerations. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify any relationships between predictor variables and the risk of injury. Risk of injury or medical event was associated with distance of the race and weight carried, speed of the race and foot conformation. Whilst this is helpful but perhaps slightly in the bleedin’ obvious category (importantly except for poor foot balance) when the conclusion appears to say then that the harder the race the more likely for injury. Nature of the beast some would say.

A second study looked at a specific and the most common fracture in racehorses - lateral condylar fractures of the third metacarpus or metatarsus again to identify if any relationship existed between a number of independent variables and the likelihood of fracture. In this study they found horses doing no gallop work during training and those in their first year of racing were at significantly increased risk of fracture on the racecourse. Horses affected were also more likely to have started racing as 3- or 4-year-olds and

national.indd 30 21/05/2010 13:00


Have your Say • Healthcare

PRPPRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) refers to the platelet-rich portion of the blood. There are several methods available to concentrate the platelets, which are natural blood components we all have.

Once the platelets are acquired they are injected into an equine tendon or ligament injury to help the healing process. in humans, PRP has been used since the mid 1990’s. its use for musculoskeletal injuries especially with athletes such as Tiger Woods as well as professional football and baseball players, has garnered considerable interest in human and equine sports medicine.

The process by which the platelets improve healing centres around activation. Once this happens platelets release their granular contents into the surrounding environment. The granules are abundant and of particular interest because they contain many of the growth factors responsible for the initiation and maintenance of the healing response.

The active secretion of these proteins by platelets begins within 10 minutes after clotting, with more than 95% of the pre-synthesized growth factors secreted within 1 hour.

After this initial burst, the platelets synthesize and secrete additional proteins for the balance of their life (5–10 days).

The fibrin matrix formed following platelet activation also has a stimulatory effect on wound healing.

This matrix traps platelets allowing a slow release of a natural combination of growth factors while providing a provisional matrix that provides a physical framework for wound fibroblast migration and presentation of other biological mediators such as adhesive glycoproteins.

All of these methods described here are particularly beneficial with an injury involving fibre damage for tendons and ligaments in horses. One very interesting study was that in specific cases, where an injury of tendons or ligaments was older and not very reactive anymore (i.e. had stopped healing), injection of PRP gave an enormous boost to the resting cells to make more tendon or ligament tissue.

Overall the healing time was still 4-6 months, as with an ordinary tendon or ligament healing process but the structure and organization of the tissue was much better than in the untreated control group.

As with stem cells, restoration of tendons and ligaments with original tissue quality is a major factor in healing and avoidance of re-injury because there is less scar tissue present.

A new kit recently became available allowing the harvesting of platelets for PRP treatments within 30 minutes of taking blood from the patient. All of the treated cases involve soft tissue injuries, specifically tendons or ligaments from the proximal flexor tendon of the forelimb down to the distal pastern ligaments. Hind

suspensory ligament cases have also been treated. Once the PRP is collected the lesion is injected with ultrasound guidance into the affected area similar to stem cells.

The horses are sedated and have the area desensitized before injecting. Newer treatments are using a combination of PRP with stem cells to improve the healing processes through the use of regenerative cells, fibrin matrix and growth factors.

iRaPiRAP (interleukin-1 receptor antagonist protein) is becoming a more common therapy that again uses the horse’s own blood, to produce a product that has a number of potential advantages without the use of outside medications. The most frequent use is in joints that have become inflamed. it may be considered a first line treatment for some of these and for others it is used post joint surgery.

iRAP competes with interleukin-1 (iL-1)--an enzyme that is considered to be a major joint inflammatory mediator--for the iL-1 receptor. in this fashion iRAP blocks the effect of iL-1, producing a significant anti-inflammatory effect.

iRAP is harvested from the patient’s blood and incubated for 24 hours in a syringe filled with chromium-coated beads. The centrifuged and treated product is a concentrated mix of iL-1 antagonist, protein growth factors, and other anti- inflammatory agents described as an “anti-inflammatory soup.” As with many treatments reducing inflammation is beneficial

to returning the tissue to health, iRAP also provides growth factors which are in stem cells and PRP aiding healing.

Many horses are undergoing joint surgery or where the potential for issues concerning joint health are expected to persist post-surgery are excellent iRAP candidates. While the horses are at a hospital for surgery, blood can be collected and processed so numerous syringes of iRAP can be produced and stored.

Once the horses are home and recovering the joint can be injected on a weekly then monthly basis for a period of time to maximize the chance of reducing inflammation and restoring joint health.

if we can successfully block some of the major intra-joint inflammation without the chronic use of systemic therapies and limit the number of steroid injections into a joint then we have improved the health of the joint and decreased the secondary problems that can develop with the other medications used over a long period of time.

To summarize, if we can inject cells into damaged tissue that will allow for regeneration, we have the potential to significantly improve the healing rate, but more importantly, positively affect the integrity of the healed injury. But and vital to a positive out come, even with regenerative medicine, gradual loading of the structures over time is as essential as this is for “normal” tendon healing, emphasizing the need for a rehabilitation program.

Cont. from p2

There seems to be a disturbing and growing trend for equine insurance companies to pay for BoTH a solicitor(s) anD also a barrister to defend a claim in the Small Claims Court.

in a particular case, it took nearly a year and a half from the inception of the claim to the date of the trial. During this time the legal costs of the solicitors’ practice alone would have been substantially in excess of the claim. furthermore, the costs for a barrister to travel and appear in court for one day would be exponentially more than this specific claim.

The other party to the dispute was not legally represented. This decision would appear to have been entirely logical and sensible, based on the fact that the origins of the Small Claims Court were that non-lawyers

could bring legal actions for minor sums of money. indeed it is ridiculous to conceive that any sensible person

would contemplate the expense of paying a team of lawyers more in fees than the sum of money in dispute.

During the late 1990’s, widespread concerns surrounding the escalating costs and delays in the civil justice system were the very reasons why the Woolf Reforms were implemented to reduce excessive costs and delays. However, the aims that originally led to the creation of the Small Claims Court and the implementation of the Woolf Reforms appear to have been thwarted.

This state of affairs benefits the legal profession to the detriment of horse owners who pay the premiums. A

principal reason for this suggestion is that a barrister utilises his/her specialised knowledge of the rules of court procedure to the detriment of the party who acts for him/herself, having no knowledge of the niceties of evidential protocol.

furthermore, the legal jargon and the honed skills of examination and cross-examination militate against and disadvantaged the unrepresented claimant. So, fellow horse owners, one might ask: - why are the costs of our equine insurance policies increasing so much over the past few years?

Possibly these questions are relevant:

Q1) Who pays the solicitors PLUS allows them to also instruct barristers in a minor equine claim when a party is covered by insurance?

a: the insurance company

Q2) Who pays the insurance

companies premiums? a: horse owners

Q3) What is happening to horse owners’ insurance premiums?

a: they have heavily and steadily increased over recent years.

Q4) So, whose premiums fund solicitors practices and barristers fees of, for instance, more than £1,500 EACH for say a total claim of £1,500?

a: HORSE OWNERS

Q5) is this liaison between the insurance and legal sectors fAiR or JUST from the perspective of horse owners who are being forced to pay heavily increased premiums to fund the legal profession which simultaneously forces the costs of insurance premiums beyond the reach of many horse owners?

a: fellow horse owners, i REST MY CASE

name and address withheld

Have your say.

PU

RE & N ATUR

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


Feeding

Many of us have an older, much-loved horse or pony that has served us well over the years – an equine friend that deserves special care and attention to keep him healthy, comfortable and content through his final years. Mollichaff Veteran from HorseHage is a high fibre forage mix that has been specially formulated for older horses and ponies and those that are unable to consume long forage and require a complete forage replacer. Many elderly equines have loose or missing teeth and cannot chew long stemmed forage such as hay or haylage. Mollichaff Veteran is made from chopped ingredients so it is easy to manage and is very palatable too, making it great for fussy feeders. it is made from a balanced blend of dried grass, dried alfalfa and high quality oat straw and is topped with a unique dressing combining linseed and soya oil with a small amount of low sugar molasses and added vitamins and minerals, plant-based antioxidants, biotin, mint, nettle and salt. These added ingredients have all been carefully chosen to benefit the equine veteran. Linseed oil is a rich source of amino acids and essential fatty acids including Omega 3 which can help in the nutritional maintenance of arthritis and inflammatory skin

conditions and also help optimise the immune system. Antioxidants from a plant-based source are included to help combat free radicals and maintain your horse in good health. Nettles are naturally high in vitamins and minerals and therefore make this herb ideal for use in feeds to help in the nutritional support of the circulatory system, laminitis, rheumatism and arthritis, which many older horses can suffer from. Mint contains flavanoids that act to relax the digestive tract and most horses also find the aroma and taste of mint to be particularly appealing; and Salt provides two important electrolytes – sodium and chloride. Mollichaff Veteran also contains added limestone to provide additional calcium and biotin for healthy hoof growth. Containing only natural ingredients, Mollichaff Veteran can be fed alone, as part, or in place of, the entire forage ration. if you would like further information or feeding advice, please call the HorseHage Helpline on 01803 527257 or visit www.horsehage.co.uk

Mollichaff Veteran for your Golden Oldie

Veteran horses show signs of an inability to gain condition, reduced digestive function and a compromised immune system which can be helped by providing a balanced diet of nutrients to meet their increased requirements.

Think Pink from Brinicombe Equine is a concentrated feed balancer in a powdered supplement form which includes a broad spectrum of vitamins and minerals with specially selected live yeast and linseed oil. This helps to support the digestive system

and supply the increased nutrient requirements needed by the older horse whilst promoting condition. Think Pink offers unbeatable value whilst at the same time helping to reduce your horse’s feed bill.

A 2kg container will last a horse for up to 40 days. RRP £12.99. Larger even more economical sizes available.

For further information please contact Brinicombe Equine on 08700 606206 or visitwww.brinicombe-equine.co.uk

Put your veteran horse in the pink for just 32p a day….

We all try to make healthy choices for ourselves and our families, and of course we want to do the same for our horse. But we are not all equine nutritional geniuses, so we rely on information given to us to help us make those decisions.

Super-Premium feeding is feeding quality. it makes sense. No corners are cut in creating the feeds and only the best ingredients are used, even if they cost a little more. Here are a few things you should find in a quality feed..

Wet Steam extrusion. it’s almost like a form of pre-digestion. Grains are crushed, mixed, then rapidly steam pressure cooked. We know that the starch in many grains is what makes horses “fizzy”; it is the inability of the horses small intestine to digest the starch that can cause this problem. Wet steam extrusion bursts open the starch molecules, making them over 90% digestible in the small intestine. Your horse will utilise so much more of what you feed him, but in a non-heating way.

Oil is very beneficial to horses, but did you know oils such as sunflower oil and soya oil have high levels of Omega 6 and less Omega 3. Look for feeds

with a quality oil such as cold-pressed canola (rapeseed) Oil, which have a better ratio of Omega 3 - Omega 6 fatty acids. it is a small change but definitely one worth making. Beetroot. The benefits of eating beetroot are endless, try Googling it. We eat beetroot often not realising these benefits, but if you know them, you will understand why the new super-premium feed company Keyflow® uses it in their feeds. it’s a great fibre source and is chock full of anti-oxidants making it a fantastic feed ingredient.

Keyflow’s® new Mark Todd range of feeds and the Whitaker Bros range of jumping feeds also contain Protexin®, a high quality pro-biotic for enhanced feed utilisation. it’s the extra things like that that make a feed super-premium and means you can feed less for better results. if Super-Premium means quality ingredients, advanced processing techniques, expert nutritional input, and a healthier horse, all the while saving you money by feeding less - it’s probably worth trying. You are, after all, what you eat.

For more information go to www.keyflow.co or telephone 01672 519000

You are what you eat...


Feeding • Health Care

Dr Derek Cuddeford, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh

The veracity of this statement has long been recognised in the field of human dietetics both in terms of nutrition and health. The best example that comes to mind is the established impact of the soluble fibre content of oats on cardiac disease in the human population. One component of the soluble fibre found in oats is beta-glucan which has been proven to lower blood cholesterol. It forms a gel that traps substances related to cholesterol reducing its absorption into the bloodstream. The “bad” cholesterol (Low Density Lipoprotein-LDL) is trapped without lowering the “good” cholesterol (High Density Lipoprotein-HDL). The accumulation of LDL cholesterol is implicated in many types of cardiovascular disease. One study showed three grams of oat soluble fibre/day decreased total cholesterol by approximately 2%, which correlated to a 4% decrease in coronary artery disease. Another study showed 43 grams of

oatmeal/day for two months resulted in a loss of 3% in total cholesterol and a 14% reduction in LDL cholesterol. So basically if you eat the equivalent of a cup of oats daily, say in porridge, you significantly reduce the risk of heart disease! Of course, generally speaking horses are not at risk from heart disease in the same way as we are so how does fibre type impact the well being of the horse?

The term “dietary fibre” embraces a wide variety of substances that have very different functions and it is really a misnomer since many of the so - called dietary fibres are not fibrous at all! The British Nutrition Foundation defines dietary fibre as “a collective term for a complex mixture of substances with different chemical and physical properties which exert different types of physiological effects” - not very helpful to you, me or the horse because it does not tell us what these substances are! Most people associate the term fibre with material that is indigestible and fibrous but this is incomplete and inadequate - in other words, only part of the story. We all think of fibre in terms of hay and straw when feeding horses and this means that we are only considering one of the types of fibre that the horse eats. Dietary fibre can be classified on the basis of its solubility in water so that there exists both soluble and insoluble fibres in plant material. The insoluble fibre that we all know about is found in wholegrain cereals and wholemeal bread and of course, it is wheat bran. If you are worried about constipation then you can sprinkle bran over your cereal in the morning because it is very poorly digested and contributes bulk (fibre) in the rectum so this is the type of fibre that has a “physical” or a mechanical function. A lack of indigestible fibre in the diet can also lead to higher rates of bowel cancer. Bran mashes have been given to horses over the centuries for the same effect. The soluble fibre, that you are perhaps less familiar with, is

Not all fibres are equal in value (to the horse and us!)

cont. on p.10


Feeding

for example found in fruit, oats and vegetables (including beta-glucans, pectins, natural gums and inulins) and this contributes more of a “chemical” effect; the cardioprotective effect mentioned above. We have seen over the last few years’ new terminology introduced to describe some aspects of horse feeding. One term in common use is that of “super fibres”. All this refers to, are those raw materials that contain highly fermentable fibre components, in most cases, these “super fibres” contain a large proportion of soluble fibre. One of the best examples is sugar beet pulp but there are others such as soya hulls, apple pomace and vegetable material such as carrots. Use of these raw materials in horse diets enables the animal to rapidly obtain short chain fatty acids; some of these materials are so easily degraded that some are even fermented before reaching the large intestine. The attraction of this feeding approach is that it majors on “natural feeding” for which the horse is fully adapted. However, there is no need for these “super fibres” if the forage is of good quality although they can be used to upgrade the existing fibre source in any ration.

What is insoluble fibre? Essentially, it is mostly structural carbohydrate (plant skeleton) in the form of plant cell walls that are strengthened as the plant grows taller (stops it falling over!).

Thus, the content varies according to the plant’s age. Growing grass contains 13 to 20%, hay 30 to 40% and oat straw has around 40% (all figures on a dry basis). In contrast, cereals contain little fibre; the most “fibrous” being oats at 10%. How useful to the horse is this fibre? Well, it depends on how old it is; unlike wine, it does not improve with age! Like the horse, we cannot digest the components of structural fibre (cellulose and hemicellulose) in our small intestine but the horse has bacteria in its large intestine (caecum and colon) that produce special enzymes (cellulases) that can “digest/ferment” these components of fibre. However, these enzymes can only attack “unprotected” fibre components; once they become lignified (protected) for added strength as the plant gets taller, the enzymes cannot work so the material remains undigested and passes out in the faeces. We can digest plant cell contents (non-structural carbohydrate) in the same way as the horse, in the small intestine. So, plant cells supply the horse with highly digestible cell contents (small intestine), plant cell wall that can be fermented (large intestine) and lignified plant cell wall that is indigestible (faeces). The balance between plant digestion in the small intestine and large intestine and the heap of manure behind the horse reflects the quality/nutritive value of the plant material consumed by the animal. Young fibre is highly digestible, old fibre

is poorly digestible! Thus, you cannot expect horses to extract much energy from grass hay made from mature grass. The value of roughage fibre will depend entirely on its stage of growth so, well-managed young grass will meet even the huge energy and protein demands of a mare in early lactation. In contrast, cereal straw would barely maintain a horse…

Long fibre has to be chewed thoroughly by the horse before it can be swallowed and, associated with this chewing, is the copious production of saliva. Saliva lubricates the food bolus and buffers stomach acid and the process of eating/chewing provides the horse with occupational therapy. A 500kg horse will chew between 3500-4500 times/kg long hay at a chew rate of up to 80 chews/minute or, 4800chews/hour if the horse does not stop for a breather …..Thus, it will take a horse around one hour to consume about a kg of hay. Ponies take much longer because they have much smaller mouths and have to give a kg of hay about 12000 chews! Thus, they will take 3-4 hours to consume just 1kg of hay. Grinding and pelleting fibre virtually removes the need for the horse to chew so grass/lucerne pellets can be consumed at speed just like concentrate pellets. With little chewing there is little salivation and a high risk of choke when fed 10/12mm pellets. Pelleted fibre is generally unpalatable

because the pellets are very hard as a result of the very high pressures necessary to “stick” the material together. It is important to realise that the total fibre content is not altered by this processing but its physical format is grossly changed. So it is not just the fibre content of the diet that matters but in some cases, the nature of the fibre is more important in terms of satisfying the horse’s behavioural need and keeping it healthy.

We have seen that whether or not fibre is good for your horse depends on the type of fibre, the form of the fibre and the extent of lignification but, is fibre essential for your horse? Not really in the nutritional sense since nutrients are obtainable more readily from other sources but, it is advisable to feed long fibre to satisfy behavioural needs and to maintain salivary flow. All horse feeds contain some fibre but too much lignified fibre (such as wheat straw) can result in impaction/constipation in horses.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that there is more to fibre than meets the eye- not all fibre is fibrous in a physical sense but all types of fibre contribute to the maintenance of health in humans and certain types of fibre are absolutely essential to the wellbeing of horses!

cont. on p.12

A “non soak” conditioning feed that is perfect for sustaining all horses and ponies in maintenance or light work. Help your horse out-shine the rest by feeding Fibregest as part of its daily diet. Fibregest is a combination of digestible “super soluble” fibres derived from cooked sugar beet pulp, alfalfa and lean black oats, together with added seaweed meal, bio-available minerals, vitamin E and Oatinol.

Fibregest will provide conditioning and energy reserves and a sustained high level of fibre digestion for the benefit of your horse or pony. It is particularly good for older horses and ponies with poor teeth and those who are fussy eaters.

A 20kg bag of Fibregest has an RRP of £11.20. For more information or to order, please visit: www.gwfnutrition.com or call GWF Nutrition direct on 01225 708482.

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Feeding • Horsebox • Tack & Turnout


Feeding • Veterans

Grass kept horses and ponies.

Many owners choose to keep their horses or ponies at grass throughout winter for many reasons, including reduced workload, lack of stabling, and time restrictions. Some horses and ponies are happier when they are out all the time and as long as they are checked regularly and have an adequate supply of food and water this can sometimes be the best option. Stabling can be very stressful for some horses and ponies and can exacerbate existing problems such as respiratory

conditions, filling of legs and stable vices. Weight loss can easily go undetected if rugs are not changed everyday, so make sure you look under your horse’s rugs regularly to check that they have an adequate bodyweight and are not loosing condition from using their energy sources to keep warm. Supplying plenty of fibre is the most important consideration of any horse or pony throughout winter, but even more so to grass kept equines. Fibre provides the most ‘warming energy’ and is essential for optimal gut health. If the grass is limited in your fields,

supplement fibre requirements with hay or haylage. The best way to ensure your horse or pony is getting a balanced diet if they are grass kept is to include a high quality feed balancer such as one from the Blue Chip range. Blue Chip Original, as with all the balancers in the Blue Chip range is whole-cereal and molasses free, making it very low in sugar and starch. Original contains an EU approved probiotic that has been proven to double the digestibility of fibre, meaning horses will get twice as much ‘warming energy’ from the fibre in their diet. Blue Chip balancers also include a complete hoof and respiratory formula and a fruit derived form of the powerful antioxidant Vitamin E. Ensuring a constant water supply is available for the grass kept horse or pony can be a problem when the temperature drops; try floating objects such as balls in the water to help prevent it freezing over. Stabled horses and ponies

The majority of horses and ponies are stabled through winter and this management routine can be very different from the summer routine where they are out 24/7. Keeping them entertained can be a challenge, so supplying adequate fibre to keep them amused and allow them to ‘trickle feed’ whilst ensuring healthy gut function is a priority. Ensuring the stable is well ventilated can help reduce the risk of respiratory conditions occurring and although you may think it is warm and snugly with no draughts, horses naturally live outside and need plenty of ‘fresh air’. Horses and ponies will often drink less in winter, especially when the temperature drops. Mixing feeds with plenty of water and using products such as un-molassed sugar beet can help

to increase water intake. Water can also be warmed slightly to tempt those reluctant to drink and help reduce the chances of impaction colic. Feeding a balancer from the Blue Chip range will ensure your horse or pony is getting a nutritionally balanced diet, especially when grazing is restricted during the winter months. The generous levels of magnesium in Blue Chip balancers will help to keep your horse or pony calm and settled especially if stabled for long periods. If your horse or pony becomes upset with having to be stabled, add Blue Chip’s liquid calmer, Karma to their daily feed. Made from 100% natural ingredients with no banned substances, the water soluble magnesium, L-tryptophan and Vitamin C will subdue any anxiety and make being stabled a more pleasant experience for you both! For more feeding advice visit www.bluechipfeed.com or call 0114 2666200.

Baileys Horse Feeds are launching three new fibre products from the middle of November, in the form of Alfalfa Plus Oil, Light Chaff and Ultra Grass. All are British-grown and molasses free and have been developed to complement Baileys’ complete range of compound feeds. Alfalfa Plus Oil is pure high temperature-dried alfalfa with additional soya oil to give it an 11.5% oil content and a Digestible Energy (DE) level of 12.5MJ/kg, all slow release, and equivalent to that of some conditioning or competition feeds. It represents a valuable source of digestible fibre and quality protein and is particularly ideal for horses with higher calorie requirements, those who are poor eaters of traditional forages (hay or haylage) or when the nutritional value of these is questionable. Baileys Light Chaff has been specially developed as a low calorie, high fibre option to feed alongside Lo-Cal balancer to good-doers and those prone to laminitis. This low starch blend of alfalfa and oat straw has a very light coating of soya oil, for coat shine, plus a dusting

of mint and is ideal for helping to maintain the fibre intake of those horses and ponies who have limited access to grazing and forage. Ultra Grass is, quite simply, dried grass with a splash of oil so is great for bringing a hint of summer pasture into the feed bowl, whenever grass is scarce. With a medium DE level of 10.5MJ/kg, it is also a useful source of additional calories and, like all Baileys fibre products, can be fed with the horse’s concentrate ration or in a separate bucket as an alternative or additional forage source, giving the stabled horse variety and encouraging natural foraging behaviour. These new Baileys fibre products join the existing ones of Baileys Alfalfa Blend, a unique blend of alfalfa, green oat straw and clover, and Golden Chaff, a traditional molassed straw chaff,

which has been repackaged, and mean that the Baileys range now caters for every horse and rider’s feeding preferences. For more information, contact Baileys Horse Feeds on 01371 850247 or visit www.baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk

Feeding the stabled or grass kept horse over winter

New Baileys Fibre Products

Keep a sharp eye on veterans in the autumn, especially if you know they’re prone to weight loss. As grass becomes scarcer, introduce hay or haylage sooner rather than later to ensure fibre intake is maintained and to give your horse the benefit of the internal heat provided during its fermentation. Baileys Everyday High Fibre Cubes are ideal to help maintain fibre intake for the dentally challenged and soak down easily to make consumption even easier. Top Line Conditioning Cubes or Mix, alongside forage, are perfect for poorer doers, providing more digestible calories per scoop even than Baileys Senior Mix, whilst Outshine high oil supplement can supply a calorie boost in a small volume when added to an existing balanced diet.

For advice on feeding your older equine, contact Baileys Horse Feeds on 01371 850247 (option 2) or visit www.baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk

Senior Solutions




Nutritional needs of older horses

Correct feeding for your veteran is imperative especially with the onset of winter. Recent years have brought about advances in equine nutrition and improved veterinary care, which has ensured our horses are living for longer. Whilst every horse is individual there is no doubt that their immunity, digestive system and teeth will naturally deteriorate with age; so it is essential to give them the support they need to carry them in to their golden years.

As horses grow older they can find it difficult to chew concentrate feeds and even hay and haylage. This could result in a loss of condition particularly during the winter months when turn out is limited and the grass is of a poorer quality.

To maintain a happy veteran it is crucial that the feed source provided is easy for your horse to consume and digest to ensure they get the vital vitamins, minerals and trace elements

they need. Horslyx provides these essential nutrients through a palatable and digestible lick, helping to reduce these concerns.

The high specification of vitamins, minerals, trace elements and natural anti-oxidants in every Horslyx acts to support the immune system and the high oil content helps maintain a shiny, healthy coat. A unique healthy hooves package contains biotin, methionine and zinc to support hoof quality and there are a variety of formulas available to enable horse owners to target their horses nutrition in one simple, cost effective tub. Many older animals suffer from stiffness, in that situation

using Mobility Horslyx which has added glucosamine HCl and MSM added for healthy joint function is an option.

Horslyx is available in Original, Respiratory, Garlic and Mobility formulations in 5kg, 15kg and 80kg weatherproof tubs. Prices start at £9.95.

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

According to a survey by the Veteran Horse Society, veteran horses, typically classed as being over the age of 15, make up more than 30% of the UK horse population. If your horse is one of these, then you may need to adjust his diet and lifestyle to suit his changing requirements. Allen & Page nutritionist Rachel Parrott BSc (Hons) provides nutritional advice to help your older horses stay healthy. Just like humans, the equine population is ageing, however, a great many of this growing veteran population is still exercised, enjoying a range of activities from light hacking to high level competition. In order to maintain health, condition and performance, it is important to adjust the way you care for your horse to suit his changing needs. He may look as fit as a fiddle on the outside, but age brings with it a range of slow degenerative problems such as failing dentition, decreased digestive efficiency and arthritis which will all need careful management. Fibre first

Horses evolved as trickle feeders, grazing for the best part of the day and therefore, fibre sources such as hay,

haylage and grass should remain to form the majority of the veteran horse’s diet. Fibre is not only vital to maintain digestive health and function, but also to satisfy the horses natural need to chew. As winter can mean restricted access to turnout and grass loses some of its nutritional value, long stem fibre such as hay and haylage will need to be fed in higher proportions to maintain condition. For horses who struggle to chew, it is worth considering a high fibre hay replacement feed instead. Central heating

During the winter months, as the cold closes in, fibre is even more important as it provides a good source of calories and heat as it is fermented in the body. As veteran horses can sometimes struggle to maintain condition, providing warmth from fibre digestion can help them to hold their weight. Feeding a high fibre feed containing highly digestible fibre sources, such as unmolassed sugar beet, will help to maximise the amount of energy produced. Digestive health

Fibre fermentation plays an important role in overall health,

and supporting digestion with pre and probiotics can help the veteran horse to maintain digestive efficiency. By improving the balance of beneficial bacteria in the gut, pre and probiotics can help the horse to make the most of the nutrients in his feed which in turn supports weight maintenance. Many veteran feeds contain a good calorie level to help maintain weight and also provide energy for more active horses and ponies. If weight loss persists however, it is worth looking into other health or husbandry issues, for example worm control. Dental problems

An almost inevitable part of ageing for many veterans is dental deterioration and this makes it more difficult for them to chew long stem fibre. Regular dental check ups will help to ensure that your veteran’s teeth are in good condition

and not causing any discomfort, however, it is worth keeping an eye on his eating habits. If he seems to be struggling to chew, dropping his food (quidding) or is not eating as he should, then introducing soft, leafy forages is ideal for those that can manage. However, a high fibre, soaked feed that is easy to chew and

can be used as a hay replacement is a good alternative for those that still struggle and will help to ensure that enough fibre is provided in the diet. When to introduce a veteran specific diet Every veteran horse is different and the rate of ageing, very much depends on the individual. Some horses can feel their age at 17 whilst others still act as a three-year-old into their twenties. While this means that there is no set age to introduce a veteran feed, it is worth monitoring their health, condition and workload and introducing a veteran specific feed only when needed. A balanced feed such as Veteran Vitality provides all of the essential nutrients for the older horse and when soaked, it forms a nice soft mash. However, if the veteran horse is a good doer and does not need the extra calories, Fast Fibre may be the better option as it still provides the nutrients needed, but with fewer calories. If you think it’s time to reassess your veteran horse’s diet, contact the friendly Allen & Page nutrition team on 01362 822 902 or visit www.allenandpage.com

For happy veterans





Healthy Veterans Feeding the veteranHannah Briars SPILLERS® Nutritionist

Maintaining condition in the older horse is crucial, particularly during the winter months where horses may suffer in the cold, so the feed offered to your veteran horse must be both palatable and digestible. Without these qualities the food source may not be digested efficiently leading to problems such as malnutrition from lack of absorption of nutrients, or digestive upsets such as colic.

Alpha Plus from Chestnut Horse Feeds is ideal for the veteran horse, offering a digestible and balanced blend of alfalfa, oil and cereals complete with vitamins and minerals. Alpha Plus is rich in quality protein containing all of the essential amino acids, which are vital for tissue repair. The high oil content of Alpha Plus not only promotes a healthy weight, the Omega 3 found within the oil can help to control inflammatory responses such as

arthritis and help the functioning of the eyes, brain and hormones. The inclusion of a comprehensive vitamin and mineral package in Alpha Plus ensures that the powerful antioxidants are able to support the immune system and body, when the gut’s ability to optimise nutrients is reduced. Alpha Plus is high in fibre, low in starch and helps maintain health and vitality in the veteran horse.

Alpha Plus is available, at no extra charge, for delivery in the exclusive Chestnut Horse Feeds Bulk Bin Feeding System, or in 20kg bags. Prices start at £15.75.

For more information on Alpha Plus or the wide range of feeds available from Chestnut Horse Feeds visit www.chestnuthorsefeeds.co.uk or tel: 01455 558808 to speak to a member of the team.

Although historically many people considered a horse old at 16 years, nowadays with good nutrition and management, many horses are still active and healthy well into their twenties. Just because your horse or pony has reached a certain age doesn’t mean there is an immediate need to change his feed. Only when you begin to see him showing signs of old age will you need to consider altering his diet to provide extra support.

As horses and ponies get older there may be considerations and challenges that need addressing in order to keep them in great condition. Below are some of the common signs that may suggest your horse or pony is starting to feel his age:

• General signs of stiffness• Difficulty in holding body weight, particularly over the winter months• Deterioration in teeth and loss of molar teeth which may affect the chewing and grinding of food, especially long fibre• Elongated front teeth (incisors), which may be seen as difficulty in biting off grass• Deepened hollows over the eyes• Reduction in topline and muscle tone, leading to a dropping or swaying of the back• Greying of the coat particularly over the eyes• Coat may become dull and the skin may start to lose its elasticity• Winter coat may become slower to shed in the spring• Pot belly appearance due to overall loss of muscle tone and topline• Increase in general infections, especially skin conditions such as mud fever

General management tips for the senior horse• Monitor body weight and condition on a weekly basis to monitor changes in external body fat. There are many scoring systems available, but we use the 1-9 scale, where 1 is extremely thin and 9 is obese, aiming to keep your horse at a score of about 5-6 (moderate).• Ensure regular dental care. With all horses, dental health is critical, but in older horses it is especially important as their teeth begin to deteriorate. The most common reason for weight loss in older horses is their inability to chew long fibre such as hay and haylage or grass. Mouth ulcers, abscesses and infections are also more prevalent in older horses.• In horses that find it difficult to maintain weight, rug them well to reduce

the amount of calories they need to burn to stay warm; particularly now when the temperature is dropping. If however you have an active oldie that holds too much weight, then use winter to your advantage and try not to over rug.• Regular foot trimming is extremely important even if you are not riding your horse and he is retired at grass. Unbalanced feet can put a strain on already stiff limbs and make matters worse. Also regular foot trimming can help detect early signs of laminitis. • Maintaining a good worming programme is important in the management of all horses and shouldn’t be forgotten in the older horse as a heavy worm burden can have a significant impact on your senior horse’s health.• The development of respiratory conditions such as RAO (Recurrent Airway Obstruction) is more common in the older horse as they are often stabled for longer periods of time, increasing their exposure to dust and allergens. To prevent this keep stables clean and ventilated, soak hay if needed and consider using a respiratory supplement if required.

Below are some of the nutrients and additional functional ingredients that are key in a senior diet to support overall health and wellbeing:

WaterOlder horses are more prone to impaction colic therefore regular drinking is very important to help reduce the risk. Keep water buckets clean and ensure that water sources are not frozen in winter. Dehydration can also be a problem in older horses, especially when turned out with more dominant animals, who may keep them away from the water trough.

EnergyWhether young or old, horses are individuals and some will require more energy/calories than others to maintain their condition. Some especially native breeds generally hold their weight well, for these horses choose a low calorie feed and for poor doers choose a higher calorie feed; ideally both should be designed for older horses.

FibreFibre is essential for optimum digestive health and at least 75% of the diet should be fibre. Sources of long fibre such as good quality hay or haylage may be ideal. For horses with poor teeth, avoid long stalky forage and

cont. on p.18



Cost Effective Feeding


For your VeteranEquine America V-Biotic® Powder. More Than Just a Feed Balancer! Super concentrated V-Biotic® - a premium grade, broad spectrum product which has been specially formulated to provide the comprehensive balance of essential vitamins and minerals your horse or pony needs, and which may be lacking in their domestic diet. V-Biotic® contains Echinacea for the immune system, Turmeric for a healthy liver, highly effective probiotics and powerful anti-oxidants, and the very best ingredients to support bone, hoof and muscle tissue and benefit the circulatory system. V-Biotic® will complement any feeding regime without any additional ‘heating’ effects - feed to all horses daily for optimum health and condition. V-Biotic® can help maintain vitality in the older horse. Available in 908gm (a one month supply) RRP £24.90 and 3.2kg RRP £79.99. Equine America Cortaflex HA Regular

Solution. Although our Cortaflex Powder is still our number one seller some customers insist on a liquid supplement but not everyone can afford our Super Strength Cortaflex HA solution and not every horse needs it. So we have formulated Cortaflex HA Regular Solution for just £19.99 rrp a special introductory offer. It is probably the least expensive liquid joint supplement on the market and probably the second most effective second only to Cortaflex HA Super Strength, but not that far behind. Trust us Cortaflex HA Regular works. www.equine-america.co.uk Telephone 01403 255809.

consider alternatives such as a suitable hay replacer. For those horses that still struggle to eat this, high fibre cubes can be soaked to form a mash and fed as an alternative to long fibre.

In addition fibre blends specifically designed for the older horse can be added to compound feeds and balancers to complement the senior diet, extending chewing time and adding additional fibre.

CerealsAlthough people often worry about starch, in moderation and when suitable, controlled levels of cereal are great for weight gain. Cereals must be either steam flaked or micronized to increase digestibility of starch, which is especially important in senior horses that may have a compromised digestive system.

OilAs well as improving coat and skin condition, oil contains about 2 ½ times as many calories as cereals and therefore is a useful calorie source for weight gain and great for those horses that can’t tolerate a high starch feed. Look for feeds containing more than 4% oil. If adding additional oil, supplement the diet with 100 iu of vitamin E for every 100 ml of oil added.

Protein Protein is broken down and used to maintain muscle and tissues and used

in components such as enzymes and hormones. Older horses may have reduced digestion of protein and therefore may have a higher requirement for quality protein. Look for feeds with a protein content of 12-14%, containing quality protein sources that supply good levels of essential amino acids include soya bean meal.

MineralsPhosphorus absorption and retention may be reduced in older horses, therefore choose feeds with a phosphorus level of 0.45% to 0.6%.

Vitamins and trace elementsVitamins and minerals are needed in tiny amounts to support many bodily processes. If out at grass senior horses can often receive less than they require of certain key micronutrients, therefore for those on forage only diets a senior balancer may be required. In addition, the older horse may have impaired production of B vitamins by bacteria in the hind gut, therefore choose feeds with good levels of vitamin B to support digestive health.

Live yeast: Added live yeast may help to support digestion and maintain a healthy hind gut

AntioxidantsIn the older horse the destructive action of free radicals on the body’s cells increase, therefore it is important to

supply antioxidants.• Vitamin C: Support the respiratory system• Vitamin E and Selenium: Support an active immune system

Joint supportThe risks of degenerative diseases such as osteoarthritis increase in the older horse, therefore supportive nutrition such as the addition of glucosamine to the diet can help support joint mobility.

So which feed is best?There are many senior feeds available on the market, but not every senior feed may be the most suitable for every type of senior horse. Some older horses are

active, some are retired, some require extra condition, some hold their weight well while others are prone to lamintis. Below are some examples of the types of feed that may be most suited to your senior horse:

Feeding the working veteranIf you have an active oldie that maintains condition on a normal adult compound feed but has starting to show a few signs of old age then try moving to a compound feed designed for the older horse in work. Feeding the good doing veteranFor the older horse showing some signs

cont. from p.16

cont. on p.19


Senior SupportThe horses diet plays a major role in keeping him warm, healthy and in good condition during the later years in life and as the nights slowly start to draw in many horse owners will start to worry about how their veteran will cope this winter, so it is essential to plan ahead to ensure your horse stays fit and healthy.

Senior Support is a specialist veteran mix designed for older horses at rest or in low level work with elevated nutrients to meet with the higher nutritional needs of the veteran. With a high oil content this helps horses to achieve the required body condition, promoting weight gain while the high fibre level provides an excellent source of slow release energy.

Every 2kg of Senior Support

provides 4g of Glucosamine HCL to help support joint mobility and 5g of Yeasacc 1026. Yeasacc will help support optimum fibre and mineral digestion within the hind gut and help to maintain gut health. Extra Biotin is also added to maintain healthy hooves along with super high levels of Vitamin E to help support the immune system and maintain healthy antioxidant levels.

Consisting of small sized particles it is ideal for older horses that chew and digest less efficiently and also contains

natural herbs spearmint and garlic.

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



of age, but happily maintaining condition on less than a full ration of compound feed or on a forage only diet, then try a senior balancer to supply vitamins, minerals and protein without too many calories. Alternatively a combination of a part ration of senior compound feed alongside half a ration of senior balancer may be the perfect balance.

Feeding the retired horse or pony that doesn’t hold conditionIf you have a real golden oldie who finds it hard to hold condition, then firstly ensure he is on a full ration of compound feed. If he is and still isn’t holding his weight then try feeding a conditioning feed designed for the senior horse, to provide extra calories as well as additional vitamin and mineral support.

Special dietary needsIf your horse or pony has any special dietary needs such as laminitis, Cushing’s syndrome, is prone to colic or has liver disease a specialist senior feed may not be the most appropriate option. In these cases it is advisable to call an equine feed careline for specialist advice.

Ensure you support the older horse this winter by maintaining their condition and supporting their joints, digestive system and differing energy levels, to keep a healthier more active senior horse. For more information on feeding the senior horse in winter and all year round call the SPILLERS® Care-Line on 01908 226626.

cont. from p.18

SPILLERS® Senior Conditioning Mix has been formulated for the older horse that struggles to hold weight, while SPILLERS® Senior Maintenance Mix is designed for our veteran good doers. Both contain small, easy to chew particles and have all the extra vitamins and minerals your older horse or pony needs, including glucosamine, to help him stay in the best of health.

Alternatively SPILLERS® Senior Balancer is suitable for all senior horses and ponies, to be fed alongside compound feeds or forage only diets. It has added glucosamine, magnesium and biotin as well as extra levels of other vitamins and minerals to help support older horses.

Partner them with SPILLERS® Senior Fibre, a unique blend of balanced

natural fibres, for the perfect complement.

For friendly feeding advice on how to keep your senior healthy call the SPILLERS® Care-Line on + 44 (0)1908 226626, email to [email protected] or visit the SPILLERS® website at www.spillers-feeds.com. You can also join Team SPILLERS® on Facebook.

A Super Fibre conditioning feed, Fibre-Beet is a formulated blend containing all the benefits of the original Speedi-Beet product with added high quality Alfalfa for optimum condition, and to provide quality protein for muscle tone and function. Ideal for veteran horses, Fibre-Beet is very palatable and easy to chew even if teeth are poor or missing. Fibre-Beet has added biotin for hoof quality and is approved by The Laminitis

Trust. It can also be used as a forage replacer (up to 40% of the daily forage allowance). Soaked and ready to feed in only 45 minutes in cold water, or 15

minutes in hot water. RRP is around £11.35 for a 20kg bag. For more information on Fibre-Beet contact British Horse Feeds on 01765 680300 or visit www.britishhorsefeeds.com

Give your oldie the extra care he deserves with SPILLERS®

Fibre-Beet – The Super Fibre Conditioning Feed



TopSpec TopChop Grass - 14 Bags to Win

Keep your senior horse in the pink….

NEW TopChop Grass is a blend of specially selected, dried, British grasses. It is ideal for horses and ponies needing a soft, very palatable chop, perfect for fussy feeders including fit performance horses and elderly horses. The formula for TopChop Grass was tested and developed at the Middle Park Equine Research Unit and has been approved by the nutritional team as suitable for all horses and ponies, other than those prone to laminitis and those that need to lose weight TopChop Grass is a high quality chop that can be fed solely with a TopSpec feed balancer or supplement. Additional feed, for example a TopSpec Blend, can be added if extra nutrients for work or condition are required. It can be used as a hay replacer, especially for elderly horses struggling to maintain condition, as a result of poor dentition reducing their ability to chew hay or haylage TopChop Grass is dust-extracted and the grass has been high-temperature dried. These two procedures minimise potential mould, making

the chop suitable for horses and ponies with respiratory problems. Always dampen feed if your horse or pony has respiratory problems. TopChop Grass features:• A very palatable, soft grass chop.• A high-temperature-dried, blend of British grasses. • Lightly coated with soya oil.• Does not contain alfalfa.• Contains no molasses or any other sugar coating.• Contains no preservatives or artificial additives or colourings. • Dust-extracted.• Non-GM formula. TopChop Grass is available in 15kg sacks, price £11.95. For a chance to win a bag of Top Chop Grass, just send your name, address and telephone number on a postcard to TopChop Grass Giveaway, Equi-Ads

Ltd., Office 1, Tayview Estate, Friarton Road, Perth PH2 8DG or email [email protected] subject: TopChop Grass Giveaway. Offer closes 31st December 2012. For further information please contact the Multiple Award-Winning Helpline on 01845 565030 or visit www.topspec.com

An exciting new, scientifically balanced formula from NAF has been launched. In The Pink Senior is especially formulated to meet all the nutritional requirements of your older horse and is designed to give him all the support he needs to stay forever young. Make In The Pink Senior part of your older horse’s daily diet and, by addressing the natural aging process of the body’s systems, it will help keep him in tip top condition both inside and out. In The Pink Senior will: Help balance the diet and the digestive system, to enable your horse to maximise the value of his feed intake. Provide pre and pro biotics for optimum support of the gut. Donate all the vitamins and minerals required by the older horse for all round health.

Supply a unique combination of naturally sourced antioxidant ingredients to flush excess toxins from the system. Support a ‘youthful spark’ in your horse in response to the selective herbal content of the formula. Provide nutrients to support joint health. In The Pink Senior is recommended for all older horses and ponies, whether signs of age are obvious or not. It is designed to allow you and your best friend to enjoy ‘the good old days’ together. Available from your local NAF Stockist,

In The Pink Senior retails at the following RRP’s: 900g (30 days supply): £19.95, 1.8kg (60 days supply): £32.50 For more information please call the NAF Freephone advice line: 0800 373 106, email [email protected] or visit www.naf-uk.com


Feeding • Veterans • Horse Behaviour

TopSpec Senior Feed Balancer

Speaking The Language, Part 7

Keep your veteran in tip top condition with TopSpec Senior Feed Balancer. TopSpec Senior Feed Balancer is a very palatable ‘non-heating’ feed that contains several supplements including the levels of micronutrients and digestive aids normally only found in high quality specialised supplements. Of particular importance to elderly horses is the inclusion of micronutrients known to help maintain mobility. The scientifically recommended rate of 10grams of glucosamine/500kg horse/day is a key feature of the mobility supplement included in this formula. This superb specification allows elderly horses to utilise far more nutrients from the forage and straights in their diet, which often means that their hard feed intake can be reduced with many resulting benefits. Using TopSpec Senior

Feed Balancer will help to maintain mobility and also promote muscle development and topline, which often starts to decline as horses age. Feeding it will help to maintain good hoof quality and promote a supple skin with a shiny coat. TopSpec Senior Feed Balancer helps to maintain a healthy immune system and also includes a highly available source of vitamin C to help maintain healthy lung tissue. Feeding it may also lead to a calmer

temperament in stressed horses and ponies. When feeding TopSpec Senior Feed Balancer there is no need to add any further supplements. For further information contact the Multiple Award-Winning TopSpec Helpline on 01845 565030 or visit www.topspec.com

(THIS series is based on a glossary of equestrian and scientific terms presented at the First International Equitation Science Symposium, 2005. The glossary description is given in inverted commas, followed by Susan’s discussion.)

AID

‘A stimulus that elicits a learned response in horses. We prefer the terms cues or signals.’

This is the ‘umbrella’ topic for this month but there are other related entries in the glossary which should be part of our discussion, given below in alphabetical order:

ARTIFICIAL AIDS: ‘Equipment used to alter a horse’s behaviour under-saddle or in-hand (e.g. whips and spurs). When employed correctly, these are generally used to negatively reinforce various locomotory responses and are most commonly used to fortify the light or natural cue to achieve the desired response. By convention, these are distinct from the natural cues since they do not involve direct use of parts of the rider’s body.’

CUE (and SIGNAL): ‘An event that elicits a learned response. In equitation, cues are sometimes termed aids or signals. Rein, leg, whip and spur cues are initially learned through negative reinforcement and then transformed to light cues (light rein, light leg, voice, seat) via classical conditioning because of the temporal relation between the two. In traditional horsemanship, the cues are divided into two groups – the natural cues and the artificial cues. This distinction is misleading as it neither identifies nor correlates with the two different learning modalities through which the horse

acquires its responses to the cues. These are learned through classical conditioning when a response comes increasingly under stimulus control.’

NATURAL CUES: ‘The body, seat, hands (reins), legs, weight and voice, as used to signal to the horse. Some of these cues are acquired via negative reinforcement (e.g. leg and rein responses), while others are acquired by classical conditioning (e.g. weight and voice cues). The distinction, therefore, is not based on learning theory.’

AIDS: From the viewpoint of riding, a stimulus means pressure on his body or some kind of noise which causes a horse to do something, from standing still to galloping at full speed.

Why do Equitation Scientists and trainers using equine learning theory (the process by which horses learn – which is rather different from how many people think they learn) prefer the terms ‘cue’ and ‘signal’ to ‘aid’? They argue, justifiably, that traditional methods of training (schooling) burden the horse with supposedly possessing a human mentality and view of their world. We often expect that horses actually want to be nice and obey us, and judge that a particular individual is either ‘willing to please’ or not. The word ‘aid’ comes from the French ‘aider’ meaning to help, and traditionalists tend to assume that the pressures we apply to the horse’s body via legs, hands, seat/weight, whips and spurs, and the sounds we make with voice or tongue, will help or aid the horse to understand what we want so that he can please us by doing it.

Conversely, equitation scientists regard horses as probably having no particular desire to please us. They react to what

we do to them and learn initially by trial and error (trying different movements or reactions) what action from them will stop the pressure which they may find rather irritating (hopefully not painful). They learn to respond in a particular way (forward to a squeeze from the legs or a tap from the whip; slow, stop or go back to pressure from the bit), and produce a ‘learned response’. So, as horses, like us, just want to be comfortable, they learn how to remove the pressure for their own sake rather than to please us, so the terms ‘cue’ and ‘signal’ are more appropriate than ‘aid’. None of this reduces the affection (probably mutual) between horse and rider in a good relationship. Understanding the ‘cold, hard science’ actually improves it.

The eminent 20thC classical horseman, Nuno Oliveira, said that initially the rider must shout the aid and the horse will whisper the response. With time and practice, the rider can whisper the aid and the horse will shout the response.

Horses have long been known to learn quickly through the association of ideas (the clatter of buckets means that food is coming) and, as their training progresses, they respond as Oliveira described - quicker and more emphatically to lighter and lighter aids, if these are delivered clearly and as identically as possible every time so that the horse is not confused.

A series by SUSAN McBANE explaining equestrian and scientific terminology in relation to equine behaviour and psychology, and its effects on horses and training

cont. on p.24


Feeding • Health Care


Health Care

In order to avoid confusing horses, we need also to release (stop) the aid the instant the horse gives the right response so that he can connect the response with the release of pressure, and so learn ‘what it means’. He actually is learning that a specific action from him removes a specific pressure. A horse associates the release of your aid with whatever he was doing a second or so beforehand, which is why we must always, if we want a light, ‘obedient’ and confident horse, stop our demands the instant the horse does what we’re asking.

Horses also begin to associate aids with other things in addition to the aid such as the shift of a rider’s weight (intentional or not) or a sound (‘terr-ott’). In scientific terms, this association of ideas and responding to lighter and lighter aids, accompanying ‘extras’ such as weight and voice (and to buckets clattering), is known as ‘classical conditioning’. To enhance the horse’s association and teach him weight and voice aids, they must be given immediately before the leg/bit aids he already knows. He comes to understand that the seat/voice aid will be followed quickly by the leg/bit aid and becomes ‘classically conditioned’ to obey the former.

Seat/body/weight aids and voice aids are enough to ride a sensitive horse who has made the association between them and our leg and bit/rein aids to the extent that the latter are not needed. However, it is known that using them to the exclusion of the leg and rein aids can result in a horse becoming desensitised or dull to the basic rein and leg aids, so these need to be constantly refreshed.

ARTIFICIAL AIDS: The spur and whip-tap can, if necessary, be used to fortify/strengthen light leg aids given up to two seconds previously, rather than using heavier leg aids. Our aim is to have a horse responding promptly to light aids. A non-painful aid from a spur or repeated, rapid tapping (not hitting) immediately behind the leg until the horse performs the movement required (gives his ‘locomotory response’) is far

more ethical and effective than heavier scrubs, thumps or kicks from the leg or heel. The horse has no interest in whether aids are natural or artificial: to him the pressure is what he feels wherever it comes from.

Whip taps are humane and effective with most horses. If a horse is whip-shy, it is better to re-train him to recognise the whip as not connected with pain so it can be used to fortify other aids or reach parts of the horse otherwise inaccessible, rather than be forced to use heavier aids to get a result.

The terms CUE and SIGNAL have been explained above, along with ‘classical conditioning’ and points related to it.

The term ‘negative reinforcement’ under this definition simply means that removing (subtracting or taking away) an aid as soon as the horse gives the required response reinforces his response, or rewards him for making that particular movement. ‘Negative’ in this term does not indicate something bad.

‘Temporal relation’ means the relationship in time. As discussed above, if a weight/seat or voice aid is given immediately before the already-learned rein or leg aid, the time relationship is very close which is what enables the horse to associate or link the two: he learns that the familiar rein or leg aid is going to come straight after the weight/seat or voice aid, and responds to that instead.

‘Stimulus control’ describes a horse who reliably and consistently performs a behaviour/response to a single, light aid. He is ‘on the aids’, to use a dressage term, or ‘forward’ in its correct meaning of instant response rather than its commonly-mistaken one of speed. By contrast, a horse who is more motivated by his environment (concentrating on or spooking at things around him rather than ‘listening’ to his rider) is under environmental control. (A client of mine says that all horses are under ‘food control’, and there’s no denying that!)

Having explained, I hope, the terms and

definitions in the glossary, there are some points connected with aids which should be discussed here.

BASIC RESPONSES to aids/cues/signals: These are forwards, backwards, faster, slower, sideways and turn the forehand and hindquarters. Every move a rider requests of a horse contains one or more of those elements. They can be grouped into four basic responses to the aids, described as ‘building blocks’, to create all movements required in-hand and under saddle. They are:

1. Go forwards, at the same pace, faster, with longer steps or perform upward gait changes.

2. Stop, slower, shorter steps, downward gait changes and rein/step back.

3. Turn the forehand/forelegs.

4. Turn the hindquarters/hind legs.

PRIORITIES: The most important thing to teach a young horse, or one being rehabilitated after poor training, apart from standing stock still, is to respond correctly and promptly to light pressure on his body via the headpiece and noseband of the headcollar, the noseband of a bitless bridle, the bit in his mouth, the reins or rider’s hands on his neck, the legs against his sides and the whip tap to back up physical aids or reach where your hands and legs can’t.

A result of consistently using and solidly establishing these basic aids to go, stop and turn is the lessening or disappearance of the horse’s fear responses (bucking, spooking, napping etc.) to such things as loud music at shows, applause, other animals, certain items of humans’ clothing, umbrellas, aeroplanes and what have you. Many horses ridden by riders who do not apply aids correctly or do not stop them the instant the horse responds correctly are working at a level of anxiety or even fear due to lack of confidence in the rider and confusion as to what his or her various actions mean. Once such a horse is thoroughly trained, correctly and kindly, to respond to the basic aids so that he works from light pressures most of the time, his confidence spreads to other areas of his life as well. His general behaviour improves with humans and other animals, and fears and phobias lessen greatly or disappear, without the need for specific training to habituate the horse, or get him ‘used to’ the object of his fear.

When some riders fail to get the desired responses to their aids, they often up the ante, use much stronger pressures and bits, crank up the noseband, shout, use harsh spurs with increasing pressures and use the whip for punishment (to purposely inflict pain). Many innocent horses are thus subjected to a life of confusion, pain and fear.

Although the basic bit and leg aids can, with further correct training, become associated in the horse’s mind with seat/weight aids and voice aids which can produce almost effortless riding in a skilled, ‘tuned-in’ horse-and-rider pair, if a horse is in a frightening or very exciting situation, seat and voice will probably not be enough to control him, so it is essential that he is refreshed daily, and in different places, in his responses in-hand and under saddle to the headcollar, bit and leg aids, otherwise his responsiveness to them could diminish.

Diminished responses, where the horse or pony becomes heavy to hand and leg aids and slow to respond - often wrongly believed to be due to laziness, stubbornness, naughtiness and a lack of generosity - are actually due to our confusing the horse; to our failure to regularly revise the horse’s responses to the basic aids; to incorrect use of negative reinforcement (releasing the aid too late); applying two or more conflicting aids at the same moment (such as ‘go’ with the legs and ‘stop’ with the bit as in the extremely common ‘driving a horse up to the bit’); expecting two or more different responses from the same aid; and, crucially, not giving aids always in an identical, clear way for a particular movement.

Many of a rider’s practical problems, apart from lack of knowledge, are due to a poor seat, position and balance. If a rider has a deep, light and steady seat, which affords excellent balance, then consistently giving and releasing aids accurately (in time and position) becomes much easier.

Websites for more information: Classical riding www.classicalriding.co.uk. Equitation science: www.equitationscience.com, www.equitationscience.co.uk, www.aebc.com.au

(The 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 and a Practitioner Member of the International Society for Equitation Science. Author of 44 books, she co-publishes ‘Tracking-up’ with Anne Wilson (see advert this issue). For lessons and clinics in and near Lancashire, ring 01254 705487 or email [email protected]

cont. from p.22


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Health Care • Strangles

Strangles is a disease which gives everyone cause for concern, be it horse owners, yard owners, or vets.

That said Strangles is really a management disease, which can largely be prevented through good yard hygiene and quarantine measures.

This article will discuss the cause of Strangles, the clinical signs, treatment and prevention measures.

Causes; Strangles is a respiratory disease caused by the bacteria Streptococcus equi, subspecies equi (S. equi).

Strangles is highly contagious, and will quickly spread around a yard affecting almost all horses. It is a disease characterised by a high morbidity and low mortality, therefore during a yard outbreak most horses will contract it, but very few will die as a result of it.

The main reservoir of infection in the horse population are undiagnosed

“carrier” animals who have the S. equi bacteria within their Guttural Pouches. The Guttural Pouch is an outpocketing of the upper airways, which lies between the throat and the ear.

Carrier horses will have contracted the disease earlier in life, but never successfully killed all of the bacteria. Instead the bacteria are encased within the Guttural Pouch and intermittently shed by the carrier horse.

The shedding can increase at times of stress, such as moving yards or foaling.

In outbreaks caused by carrier animals it is not uncommon that the horse which brought the disease onto the yard will not show full clinical signs, leaving the owner of the first horse to be ill being “blamed” for the outbreak incorrectly. Transmission of the disease is through direct, nose-nose contact, of horses and through “fomites”. Fomites are indirect transmission processes where the bacteria are spread through nasal discharge (snot), or tiny drops of moisture which are expelled out with every breath. These fomites can also attach to clothing, tack, food buckets or grooming equipment so it is vital that there is not contact between different owners and horses during an outbreak.

There is no spread of Strangles in the air, and the disease will only jump between yards through inadequate quarantine methods or non-compliance with control programmes.

Clinical Signs;

Once a horse contracts Strangles the bacteria will invade across the lining of the respiratory tract and migrate to the Sub-Mandibular Lymph Nodes under the jaw.

Here they resist being destroyed by the horses’ white blood cells and form the classic Strangles abscesses. This happens as more and more white blood cells are recruited to try and counter the infection, leading to a large volume of pus being produced.

The incubation period for Strangles disease is typically 3-14 days, with the full blown abscesses developing approximately 2 weeks after infection.

Infected horses will typically have a high temperature, profuse green snotty nasal discharge, swollen lymph nodes under the jaw, and may be inappetant. This inappetance is mainly due to the fever caused by the disease, but can also be a result of the size of the abscesses.

Treatment;The disease is self-limiting, with most horses needing only anti-inflammatories to reduce their temperature. Antibiotics are not always used in cases of strangles and is often a personal choice of the attending vet based on their findings. If caught at the right time some horses will benefit from the lymph nodes under the jaw being lanced with a scalpel, drained and flushed by your veterinary surgeon. This will accelerate the speed at which the lymph nodes will heal.

In very rare cases the bacteria can invade other lymph nodes in the body,

causing the disease Bastard Strangles. This occurs when white blood cells carrying the bacteria migrate around the body to other lymph nodes, taking the infection with them. Bastard Strangles is a much more severe disease, as the other infected lymph nodes will rupture inside the horse.

Bastard Strangles can be life threatening if not treated quickly with antibiotics, fortunately however Bastard Strangles is very rare.

Diagnosis;Strangles can be diagnosed on clinical signs alone, as abscessation of the Sub-Mandibular Lymph Nodes is characteristic for the disease.

However a definitive diagnosis will be needed, especially in potential carrier animals, and horses which may have been in contact with infected animals.

To accurately diagnose this disease a bacterial culture swab is taken from the throat, or Nasopharynx, by passing a flexible plastic swab with a cotton wool tip up the nose of the horse and into the throat.

Most horses will tolerate this with only minor restraint, but some may require sedation.

This swab will then be sent to the laboratory where the Streptococcal bacteria will be grown and identified. This takes 5-7 days.

Preventing an outbreak;Controlling Strangles is daunting, given the speed at which it spreads and the fact that horses which contract Strangles will shed bacteria to other horses before they show the clinical signs of disease.

The most effective and simple way to prevent an outbreak is to quarantine and isolate ALL NEW HORSES moving onto the yard for 14 days.

This needs to be done in a box which is well away from other horses, with no direct contact.

Strangles Peter Fenton BVM&S, MRCVS


Health Care • Strangles

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Dr Gracy Sailo Lebeau, the Director at Coventry University Microbiological Consultancy (CUMC) explains: “One of the chief benefits of the KBF99 range, is in the level of protection, against the accidental transfer of pathogens between horses. As animals may not

show any sign of Strangles infection before diagnosis takes place, a horse may be an unwitting source of infection for others, in the immediate area. KBF99 helps to quickly reduce the likelihood of transfer of pathogens by its effective antimicrobial action.”

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In this situation it is essential that horses that show signs of respiratory infection be swabbed to detect if they are carrying the Strangles Bacteria, and allowing them to be treated.

Carrier animals are treated by flushing their Guttural Pouches to remove the bacteria. This is done using remote cameras (Endoscopes) and can be done under standing sedation.

A vaccine also exists to prevent Strangles, but it is most effective if >80% of horses on the yard are vaccinated. If interested, please ask your vet for advice!

Control during an outbreak;If Strangles breaks out on a yard IMMEDIATE ACTION needs to be taken, as any delay will only allow the disease to spread further.

The yard must be closed, with NO MOVEMENT OF HORSES either OFF or ON. While this may feel like prison it is important to realise that the quicker the disease is eradicated the quicker normal routine can be resumed. Act fast and act hard!

Strangles is controlled through strict quarantine and isolation measures combined with good hygiene and cleaning, and NO SHORTCUTS can be taken if the disease is to be contained.

If a horse is suspected of having contact with a Strangles horse, or is suspected of having the disease themselves they need to be ISOLATED IMMEDIATELY in their box. The disease will then be tested and if confirmed to have Strangles they need to be isolated until they are tested and judged to be free of the disease.

While being isolated it is vital that there is no contact between affected and unaffected horses. At our practice we recommend a simple “traffic light” system of quarantine;

RED- All horses showing clinical signs.

Confined to isolation boxes with no sharing of tack, rugs, grooming kit or feed/water bowls with other horses. Owners with multiple horses where some are RED and others aren’t need to look after their other horses first, leaving affected horses until last to prevent the spread of bacteria. All clothing worn around these cases washed in biological

detergent and not worn twice. This means that if you feed your horse’s twice a day, wear two sets of clothes a day! Foot dips should also be used when entering and leaving affected horse’s boxes to limit the spread of the bacteria.

AMBER- All horses who may have had close contact with infected RED horses. (Such as in the same field/turnout or in the box next door)

Box rest for 2 weeks with close observation for the development of clinical signs.

If these horses show clinical signs they move to being RED, if no clinical signs develop after 2 weeks they are moved to GREEN.

GREEN- All horses which have had NO CONTACT AT ALL with any horses that are RED or AMBER. These can be treated as normal and turned out in paddocks AWAY from all other horses. They should still be very closely observed for any clinical signs and no contact can occur with RED or AMBER horses.

Despite being unaffected GREEN horses still cannot leave the yard.

The Strangles bacteria can survive for up to 7 weeks in the environment, especially if the weather is warm and wet (does this sound like the UK to you?!) so it is

also very important that all tack and feeding/grooming equipment is cleaned thoroughly and often.

Luckily Strep equi is easily killed by drying, disinfectants (Jeyes Fluid/Virkon/FAM90) and UV radiation (bright sunlight).

It is essential that all nasal discharge and pus is cleaned away using disinfectant, as the bacteria will happily live in this for days while infecting other horses.

All affected horses, once they have recovered and their lymph nodes healed, need to have 3 swabs taken, each 1 week apart, to confirm no more bacteria are being shed.

Once all horses have been swabbed “clean” the yard can re-open.

As you can see controlling Strangles is a difficult and frustrating task, but it IS POSSIBLE!

Remember if you have any questions about Strangles then feel free to ring your veterinary surgeon.

I can assure you they will be more than happy to advise you as they, like you, would much rather prevent the disease than treat it!!!

Protection from Strangles with KBF99


Health Care • Physiotherapy

By the time a horse is approaching middle age its system has usually become quite acidic, owing to the higher levels of sugary substances now available in its feed. This acidity is often made worse by the increased levels of pesticides, fungicides etc used on modern crops, and although the amounts ingested are tiny, they can build up in a mature horse’s system making it more prone to a range of illnesses which didn’t trouble

it in its youth. Modern worming practices often present similar problems.

Systemic acidity gives rise to reduced oxygen being made available throughout the horse’s system. This is because an acidic bloodstream can absorb less oxygen than one with the optimum balance of acid / alkaline. The result is a fall off in performance and behaviour, often coupled with a horse becoming

more prone to illness.

With this underlying condition a horse’s digestive system works less efficiently causing less nutrients to be taken up. Since a horse is designed by nature to pass relatively large quantities of feed through its system, this poor food conversion rate is rarely noticeable.

The way to reverse this situation and ensure that you are getting value for money from your feed bill is to rebalance the horse’s digestive system so that it can absorb the optimum nutrition from its feed.

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horse’s system.

This is a win win strategy – your horse becomes more healthy with an improved temperament and you save money otherwise spent on vet bills.

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My horse has been out of work for 6 months with back pain. He had an xray and was diagnosed with borderline kissing spines. My vet treated him with injections and he has been rested. They have now suggested Physiotherapy to help bring him back into work. What will the Physiotherapist be able to help me with?

Having an injured or unwell horse is always a stressful and uncertain time, and bringing your horse back into work can be just as worrying. Your Chartered Veterinary Physiotherapist will be able to help you through the stages of rehabilitation, providing your horse with the treatment he needs to recover. They will also be able to write a detailed exercise programme specifically for your horse, to gradually build him back to optimal performance.

There is a large amount of research available into Physiotherapy rehabilitation for humans with back pain, and more evidence is now building for

our equine friends. We know that back pain causes the supporting muscles of the back to become weak. This means that the spine is unable to maintain neutral posture and is more prone to recurrent problems in the future. Pain also causes muscles to become tense and sore, which reinforces the original back pain. The research also shows us that certain exercises and stretching/strengthening programmes can rehabilitate these muscles and reduce the chances of a recurrence.

It is important for horses to have strong ‘core’ muscles to support their spine in a good posture while carrying a rider and completing the activities that we ask of them. The picture below shows these core muscles, when the abdominal and spinal muscles are working correctly together they form a strong ‘corset’ type support for your horse. This maintains good spinal alignment and reduces the chance of the spinous processes impinging on each other.

Core Muscles for spinal support.

A Chartered Veterinary Physiotherapist will be able to work closely with your vet to make sure that your horse is progressed through his rehabilitation programme at the appropriate speed and that any problems are addressed quickly to allow for his continued recovery. They will assess your whole horse looking at posture, conformation, muscle development and movement. The assessment also includes palpation of muscles and joint movement. They are looking for the main problem area but also for secondary areas which may have become weak, stiff or tense while your horse was sore and out of work.

Your Physiotherapist will use a combination of electrotherapies such as muscle stimulation and pulsed magnetic therapy, and manual therapies like massage and joint mobilisations to reduce tension, inflammation and improve circulation and healing. They will also devise an exercise plan that you can carry out with your horse in between visits which will encourage stretching and strengthening. They will be able to help decide when is the best time for you to get back on your horse and guide this process making sure that your horse continues to progress towards his normal activities. The main aim of the exercises is to re-educate the abdominal and postural muscles to support your horses’ spine effectively.

Muscle stimulation treatment for back pain.

A Chartered Veterinary Physiotherapist can be there to help you through the full rehabilitation process giving you support and guidance. Once your horse is back to fitness it is a good idea to maintain contact with your Physiotherapist once or twice a year to give your horse a quick ‘MOT’ to pick up on any small changes which can be addressed early keeping your horse fit, healthy and in work.

Anna Armstrong, Chartered Veterinary PhysiotherapistBSc (HONS) PhysiotherapyMSc Veterinary PhysiotherapyMCSP ACPAT Cat A

Tel: 07711584314Email: [email protected]: www.vetphysio.org

Based in Aberdeen, covering Aberdeenshire, Orkney and Shetland.

For more information on Veterinary Physiotherapy or to find a Chartered Veterinary Physiotherapist in your area, go to www.acpat.org

Physiotherapy Problem PageAnna Armstrong


Holidays • Schooling • Training

With the nights drawing in and the fields soaked, it can be hard to find room and time to practice your jumping. Here is an exercise that can be built using just 4 jumps – and if you have wings or stands with holes for the cups on both sides you could get away with using just 5 stands and 8 poles. Plus as you set up this exercise in the middle of the arena you can school around it on non jumping days.

In order to be successful at this exercise your horse will need to be able to collect the canter and change legs smoothly – either through a brief trot transition or a flying change. Keep the jumps low at first, or just use ground poles between the wings, and work on maintaining the

rhythm throughout the exercise. You are aiming to keep the loops between each jump will the same size and shape. Try counting the strides on each loop and aim to have them all the same. On the horses stiff side he will probably want to make the loops smaller and the turns tighter and on his “bendy” (often the left rein) side he may tend to drift outwards and the loop will become larger. Concentrating on keeping the loops even will do more to promote his canter and athletic ability than just putting the jumps up higher!

Warm up over all the jumps individually first, approaching them on straight lines and ensuring you can also ride away straight and in control. Then link the jumps together in the order shown. It is possible to advance the exercise and make a “course” by riding a shallow arc (green) from jump 4 back to jump 1 and starting again.

If the loops are not even between the fences, try putting out a marker – cones are good – at the apex of each loop so you have to ride between the cone and the wall. (See where the X’s are on the diagram).

It goes (nearly!) without saying that the aim is to ride the loops using your body and legs to guide the horse, and not the reins to pull him round. Looking up and in the direction of travel will help encourage him to land on the correct leading leg for the new direction, alternatively a change of lead through trot or a flying change can be made – however you do it, aim to make everything look easy and smooth.

Jumping ExercisesRowan Tweddle BHSII (SM) B.Sc Hons


Arenas • Security

The dark winter months are upon us now. This usually means that our horses are bedded down earlier than in summer. Those living out need to be seen, fed, feet picked out, rugs attended to, water checked and so on, during daylight hours. Of course it is possible to do this under artificial light, but is much more difficult, unless the horse is being brought into a yard with mains electricity. All of this unfortunately gives more hours of darkness when horses are unattended; giving thieves or vandals a wider window of opportunity.

Where the horse is kept obviously has a huge bearing on the risk they face from intruders. If you happen to live off

the beaten track, away from any road, with your horses stabled next to your house, then you are probably in the safest position possible. If your turnout cannot be seen from any road, then few passers-by will even know that you have horses. However, this is not full-proof. These days, with the advent of Google Earth, anyone with a computer can zoom over your property and see that you have stables. Basic security measures need to be taken wherever you are.

Stable Security

Obviously the situation of the stables is criticial. It is by far safer to have your horse stabled near to a house, where there hopefully will be dogs to bark and

people who would notice if there were to be an intruder. This should be a crucial consideration when choosing a livery yard. I would be uncomfortable about a yard full of horses in an isolated situation where the owner does not live. The more horses there are, the more attention will be drawn to the yard – the more obvious it is.Security lighting is the first thing which may put off a night burglar; they prefer to do things unseen.

Alarms are another very good deterrent. These do not have to be expensive systems which are connected to a Police Station. Whilst these system are excellent, they are usually very expensive and in isolated areas, the thieves could be long-gone by the time the Police arrive, and there may be no-one else in the area to hear or act upon the siren.

My own stables have a very simple and inexpensive system, which consists of a small sensor positioned on the door jamb. When the system is activated, an audible alarm is sounded inside the house if a door is opened. The rest of my family love me if I forget to disarm the system when I go to do the early morning feed; and I can’t even hear the alarm in

the yard! If I leave the tack-room door open the alarm continues to sound. Still, this is a good system providing someone is in the house at the time – it gets any would be lazy-bones up!

CCTV would be a good deterrent; even a dummy system would probably fool a lot of thieves. If they are not sure whether it is genuine they’re not likely to want o risk being caught on camera. Even just a big sign saying that the premises are covered by CCTV would be enough to put off the casual opportunist thief.

Gates and driveways leading to stable yards should be securely locked at night.

It would be a bad idea to padlock your horse’s stable (and I have seen this done). If there is an emergency such as fire or illness/injury of the horse when you are not there, it would be difficult and time wasting for anyone trying to rescue the horse.

Horse Identification

Freeze marking and micro-chipping are probably the most common forms of identification in this country. I believe that freeze marking would be a good deterrent to most horse thieves, because

Horse Security Anne Wilson


Insurance

it is visually obvious. Signs outside the stables or field saying that the horses are freeze marked are a good idea. Obviously if they are being stolen for meat it will make no difference, but you cannot account for every possible scenario, nor should you have sleepless nights over it. If you take sensible precautions, the risk to your horses should be minimal, wherever you keep them.

I am not a fan of hot branding because of the welfare issue, but of course if you buy your horse from overseas and he already has a brand, you may as well make use of it. Make sure you have a note of the brand, be it hot or freeze-marked.

Take photographs of your horse from all angles and make sure you have his passport with the identification page filled out by a vet, handy for emergency reference if the worst should happen.

Field Kept Horses

Field kept horses who are hard to catch have a distinct advantage when it comes to security, but you cannot rely on this fact. Most thieves are very well used to horses and I believe they come well equipped, probably with plenty of food for bribes.

Leaving a headcollar on your horse is not a good idea – no sense in helping the thieves; apart from the danger of it

becoming caught on a fence or hedge.

Most turnout pastures are not very close to habitation. This obviously means that thieves will be less likely to be seen or heard, especially during the night.

Join your local Horse Watch and put up signs denoting your paddock as a Horse Watch Area.

Vary Your Visiting Times

Although horses thrive on routine, you can still vary the times you check on them, without necessarily feeding or attending to them. This is a very important factor. Most thieves ‘case’ the premises or area before attempting the theft. Be aware of any unknown vehicles either parking nearby or simply driving up and down. Ask your friends to do the same. If you live in a country area, be suspicious of any unknown vehicles, especially those travelling slowly.

Try to drive to the field at different times during the hours of darkness, as well as during the day, even though your horse has been attended to. If you can’t do this because of work or family commitments try to enlist the help of friends; maybe someone can make a detour occasionally just to check the paddock. If you have an evening out, make a point if possible of going home via your horse’s field; stop for a few minutes to make your presence

cont. on p.32


Bedding • Field & Stable • Security

Whether you are looking to save time or money, Verdo Horse Bedding can help with both! This clever unpalatable pellet based bedding, created for equine use is transformed in minutes by adding a small amount of water to the bag! Once activated, all you need to do is, tip the bedding onto the stable floor and create a lovely dry fluffy bed!

Verdo Horse Bedding not only saves on waste, is easier to muck out than traditional bedding but could also save you up to 40% on your annual bedding costs. More money in your pocket and more time to ride? Sounds good to us! For more information go to www.verdohorsebedding.co.uk or contact 01264 342009.

Have you thought about giving a Freeze Mark voucher as a Christmas present?

It is a great and unique idea and you can get vouchers from Freezemark valued from £10.00 upwards.

You couldn’t give a friend a better present. There are still so many horses going missing that it is vital owners take precautions to ward off thieves.

The only way to stop a thief is to have a visible freeze mark. They will not be put off by anything else, such as a microchip that they cannot see.

Although many people have had horses freeze marked, below please find some important facts:-

• Freeze marks are visible – vital in fighting crime• All colours of horses can be marked• Descriptions of every horse freeze marked are held on the company’s database• Freezemark Ltd. provides a 24 hour back-up support in case of theft or

straying.• Freeze mark prices range from £53.95 to £42.95 per head – a very small price to pay.• You can choose your mark for an extra £20.00. It is great to have what you like on your horse • If you own a freeze marked horse that is not registered, freezemark will register the horse and you will then be entitled to the company’s invaluable back-up service.• Over 300,000 horses and ponies have been safeguarded by freeze marking.

For bookings/information or to purchase CHRISTMAS VOUCHERS, contact Freezemark on 01295 788226 or email [email protected]

FREEZEMARK is presently giving a 10% discount off standard marks!

Saving time and money!

Freeze Marks – Best Christmas Present For Your Horse

known to any passers-by.

Chains and Padlocks

Obviously gates should all be chained and padlocked. This needs to be done on the hinged end as well as the opening end. It’s no good having a thick chain and padlock on the opening end, if all that needs to be done to open the gate is for a couple of men to lift it off the hinges. Of course, with the right tools these chains can be cut, but it takes a little time and anything which is off-putting is a help.

Trailers

If you want to minimise the risk of trailer theft, and you are leaving your trailer for some length of time, I would advise removing one wheel. Take the wheel home with you and make sure you remove any spare wheel from the trailer. It is very hard to hitch up and drive away a trailer on three wheels. In my opinion a thief is more likely to bring tools to cut a lock or wheel clamp, than he/she is to carry a spare wheel.

Whilst attending shows etc. you can quite quickly secure your trailer with a hitch lock or wheel clamp, which can obviously be used in addition to removing a wheel when parking the trailer for lengthy periods.

You can mark your trailer in large bold letters on the roof with your post-code or other identification code. You can even ask someone to weld your post-code somewhere noticeable on the trailer. This is almost impossible to remove and would make re-sale more difficult.

You have the option of registering your trailer with The National Plant and Equipment Register. This is a nationwide database ensuring your horse trailer’s serial number can be traced back to you in the event of theft.

There is a device called Data-Tag which uses state of the art identification technology to mark your horse trailer in a way that is virtually impossible for a thief to detect but that police will be able to identify and trace back to you.

Having taken all the above precautions, don’t dwell on unlikely possibilities. There’s no sense in being constantly anxious about something which may never happen.

Anne Wilson is a freelance classical riding trainer, based in Bedfordshire; trained with Sylvia Loch and holder of the Classical Riding Club Gold Award Certificate – Phone 01234 772401 or email – [email protected] – website www.classicalridingannewilson.com

cont. from p.30

And The Worst For The Thieves!!!


Bedding • Insurance


Tack & Turnout

Experts have said that first impressions are based on 60 per cent non-verbal communication and 40 per cent verbal, which means that you’re being judged mostly before you even open your mouth. This slightly unnerving statistic reveals how important it is that you are comfortable and stylish in what you wear, wherever you are. The fashion industry is one of the biggest and most important industries in the western world, with influences stretching across a great number of arenas, including equestrianism.

Although it is considerably easy to look on-trend in our increasingly fashion conscious sport, it is also possible to take a more active role in the advances and changing image of equestrian fashion. It is plain to see that fashions and styles on the high street and the yard have almost merged into one, with influences from both sides, and equestrian fashions are moving on almost as quickly as those seen in the high street shops. Now that fashion features so highly in the equestrian world, in many ways it can be easy to blend in as just another snappy dresser; a great contrast to the age old image of mud covered, welly wearing ruddy faced equine enthusiasts. In some ways the fact that fashion is now so important in the equestrian world also suggests that

many will be trying find ways to alter what they are wearing to become equine trend setters; this is certainly the case on the busy yard where I am stabled at the moment. Following team GBR’s success at the Olympics, equestrianism’s public profile is more important than ever and we all need to play our part to maintain all the positives that surround our sport, its history and its legacy.

Here are a few ways you can stay warm and safe as a rider, but stay looking cool this festive season. Organising your horsey wardrobe around these points will give you that little bit extra to help you stand out from the crowd and have all the horses turning their heads:

1. Olympic fever - Following the great year for Great Britain, with the fantastic Olympics and Jubilee, there was a wave of Olympic and Union Jack themed gear. Although it is all over, everywhere you go, we still see GBR logos and flags all over the place with people proud to wear their support for the country on their sleeves. A hint of a union jack on the corner of a hoodie, or team GBR logo on a jacket will ensure you are on trend, and still maintaining part of the atmosphere from a truly special time.

2. Fluorescents - Be very wary of fluorescents! Obviously, it is very easy to stand out when you are wearing these,

but perhaps in the wrong way, and they are definitely not one to take from the yard to the high street! Fluorescent gear is not the most flattering or glamorous aspect of horsey attire, but it is vital for riders to be clearly visible when out hacking all year round, growing even more imperative during these winter months. We are lucky, as some fluorescent products have been made in a more fitted shape and one of the greatest products to be released onto the equestrian market recently are fluorescent tabards and strips with flashing lights. These can be discreet, but keep you lit up like a Christmas tree when needed - much to the delight of passing pedestrians in my experience!

3. Bling - Similarly to fluorescent gear, bling is an accessory to use with caution; too much can look pretty ridiculous. Since bling and the influence of certain celebrities exploded onto the equestrian market about 5 years ago, a great number of riders in all disciplines

are seen to be sporting a little bit of diamante here and there. If you use it well, it can really help you and your horse stand out just that little bit more. For example, if you have a bay horse with a white star, you don’t want to go overboard with diamonds etc on their browband so you could either go with a small diamond on your gloves or hat to set off the white of the star. Equally, if you have a horse with a dark face, a bit of bling on the headband looks stunning when trotting down the centre line, especially in indoor arenas during the winter.

Not everyone has time to be carefully selecting a special, flattering and stylish outfit every time you visit the yard, especially if you are like me, up at 5am pulling on the biggest coat and muddiest boots and racing about at the yard before work. However, sometimes, making that little bit extra effort can make all the difference to how you feel, and even how you ride.

Just a few months ago Paralympic dressage rider Natasha Baker was on the podium collecting two Gold medals, but since she returned home, getting some quality time in with her other talented horse, youngster Bam Bam has been just as important as she explains.

“After the Paralympics, JP had a well deserved holiday and I was desperate to see Bam Bam, whose training was interrupted ever so slightly by the Games!”

An important part of Bam Bam’s education is hacking and as well as using Golly Galoshes on Bam Bam in the school and competition warm-up, Natasha also uses the fluorescent versions for hacking out, as she explains:“I feel hacking out and seeing a bit of life is so important for all the competition horses, but especially so for the

youngsters. I also think it helps build the bond between horse and rider and gives us both a break from the pressures of training and competing. Where our yard is based, road work is inevitable when hacking out, so it’s key that we are highly visible to other road users. Golly’s are great for this and they also keep his boots and bandages clean and dry, which in turn saves having to wash them all the time!”

So, if you don’t relish the prospect of muddy horse boots and legs after every hack this winter, then Golly Galoshes will help keep boots and bandages pristine, clean and dry both out hacking and in the arena.

Prices start from £25.99 per pair Miniature Pony through to £34.99 for horse sizing.www.gollygaloshes.com

Every rider loves to have a natural deep seat, but if you struggle to achieve this or have difficulty with your riding position and sometimes experience back problems, the cause is likely to stem from your boots.

Whilst in the saddle, your seat position is very much dependant on the position of your feet. The stirrup iron should be on the ball of the foot with your heels down. That makes you sit up straight.

However, almost all short and long riding boots are designed with the point of sole contact that is no different from our everyday shoes.

With such a foot balance when riding, your toes are pushed up when your heels are down and the stirrup iron wants to slide away from your foot, which makes it difficult to keep a steady foot position.

Not only is this why you experience that irritating foot slip problem when riding, it also will make you tip slightly forward in the saddle.

As your feet slowly begin to slip, your heels come up as a counter action. This will throw you slightly forward in the saddle and that is why you lose the depth of your seat.

To compensate for this you will put excessive stress on the lower back which could lead to backache. At the same time all the effort of counteracting the foot slip problem puts extra pressure on the knee and ankle joints.

With Equitector riding boots you have no such problems as their boots are perfectly balanced for riding and you will instantly feel the difference.

Without applying any pressure your feet will stay with you in the stirrup iron, whatever your leg position and your foot is steady at all times and will no longer slip.

As your feet are now correctly balanced you will no longer tip forward in the saddle thus avoiding back and joint problems. This takes all the pressure off your body and will enable you to sit deeper naturally giving you more control over your horse.

Equitector boots are designed for better and safer riding.

For more information www.equitector.com Tel: 0208 0904029

Stand out from the crowd

From the podium to some peace and quiet!

Improve your seat through your feet

Jessica Gill


Tack & Turnout


Field & Stable • Tack & Turnout

These new ladies breeches from the Mark Todd Collection are bang on trend. The ‘skinny jeans’ design has a flattering cut and is practical for wearing on the yard or when riding, while the embroidered patch pockets add a touch of elegance. Manufactured in a blend of cotton, polyester and Lycra, Mark Todd Skinny Jeans Breeches combine comfort with style and feature a Euro seat, knee patches, belt loops and contrast stitch detail. Available in denim blue or black, the breeches come in ladies sizes 24” to 34”. They retail at £59.50

Contact Westgate EFI on 01303 872277 or visit www.wefi.co.uk for stockists

How many times have you had to call the farrier early because your horse has pulled his shoe off?

Some horses are experts at losing shoes and apart from it being a costly experience it is often inconvenient, especially if it is just before a show or that special training session. The ShoeSecure website has many unsolicited testimonials from happy owners who have used ShoeSecure and find that it really works for them and can change the relationship they have with their horse. In addition to the financial benefits, ShoeSecure limits the damage caused by shoes being ripped off by enabling shoes to remain in place and therefore allowing normal hoof growth between

shoeings. Proper foot balance can be maintained, allowing adequate support of the heels and minimising risk of lameness. Shoe Secure have recently produced a couple of fliers that demonstrate how easy they are to fit, it is suggested that one could be printed off and given to your farrier to ensure that the first one is fitted correctly. Anyone having difficulty downloading the leaflet from the more information section on the website should contact Shoe Secure directly and they will email it to you.

For more information see www.shoesecure.com or phone 01475 540687 - Mobile : 07836740557

No matter how old you are, waking up on Christmas morning only to find a pair of socks and an orange under the tree is enough to dampen anyone’s festive spirit. However, in this age of high-tech gadgets to suit every need, there is no need to feel this merry

disappointment. Whatever your hobby, interest or sport, there is something for you, and equestrianism is no exception.

We are constantly searching for new ways to make things easier, be it at home or on the yard. There are those who prefer to stick with tradition and look upon new advances as lazy or detrimental to the sport, but this could be due to the fact that they want to escape from the high-tech world when at the yard or out for a ride. It is an undeniable fact however, that most advances in gadgetry are a positive assistance and advantage for our vastly expanding sport. Following the exceptional BBC coverage of the Olympics on TV and Web (I managed to watch every second on my computer)

nobody can deny the fact that being able to use modern phones and speedy internet connections etc has allowed an influx of interest into our sport in the public sphere.

This Christmas with the industry doing so well, we can expect an increased number of equestrian games, apps and toys available to purchase. These include more general horse themed video games and ‘care for your own pony’ style apps to those designed specifically for horse owners and riders. Now, you can get an app for everything, from magazines, veterinary advice, horse care, SoS, planners, Dressage tests, help with remembering jumping courses, the list is endless and the prices are all very reasonable indeed.

There are also practical gadgets, in the form of flashing tabards for short days’

hacking, massage mitts and pads to loosen your horses back before frosty Winter rides, special antibacterial grooming kits and revolutionary grooming products, hay steamers, handling and riding kit, equestrian themed home-wear and electronics and even modernised poo pickers and so much more!

Searching the shelves this Christmas for that special gift for your horsey pal, equine or human, you will find seriously fun kit, reasonably priced gifts, stocking fillers and that all important “I love you this much” budget buster! In short, there’s something for everyone. Some gadgets are so entirely practical that you might find yourself wondering, how we lived without them! Additionally, if you feel like spoiling yourself or your special four legged friend, there is plenty you will want to get your hands on this year.

Jeanious!

Save money with ShoeSecure®

Horsey GadgetsJessica Gill


Horsey Gadgets • Tack & Turnout

Developed by therapy experts Niagara Healthcare, the New Equissage Red System delivers the ultimate cycloidal massage; enhancing performance, facilitating healing, improving health and helping to prevent performance-related injuries. This essential equine therapy product is used worldwide by vets, trainers, physiotherapists, equestrian competitors and horse owners, all of whom recognise the power of Equissage Red. The new system consists of a balanced back pad with twin batteries which conforms to fit the shape of any horse and delivers a powerful cycloidal therapy. There is also the option to run dual leg boots directly from the pad to simultaneously treat the hind or forelegs. The hand unit, which can be powered directly via the back pad, or independently via the handy belt pack, is used to deliver targeted cycloid treatments.

Equissage Red is well-known for its abilities in easing tension and relaxing tightness in muscles all over the body, not just the back. Many horses suffer with a sore back or vertebrae problem at some point in their lives. Arthritic conditions are also not uncommon in older horses due to the wear and tear joints are subjected to. Equissage can help with joint inflammation and stiffness and aid sore muscles to effectively increase mobility. Suitable for every horse, in every discipline the physiotherapy massage system is an invaluable piece of

equipment that can improve health and performance. For more information on Equissage Red or to book a FREE consultation with an Equissage Advisor please contact Equissage on 0800 072 1180 or visit www.equissage.co.uk

A must have for every yard is the New HAYGAIN HG-600 steamer. Maintaining good respiratory health all year round can be a challenge if hay is dusty. Yet ensuring your horse receives even forage is essential. Hay is undoubtedly the most ideal forage, its only flaw can be the levels of dust spores it contains, which may put horses off eating and can cause respiratory problems. Remove the spores and you have the perfect forage for any horse.

During the cold winter months the HAYGAIN will save you time, compared to the laborious task of soaking that reduces the nutritional content. With the full nutritional content saved, your horse can enjoy delicious warm steamed hay.

HAYGAIN’s unique and scientifically proven steaming method provides the complete solution, steaming the hay at the high temperatures necessary to destroy all dust spores, mites, bacteria and mould found in hay. The steamed hay will retain its nutritional goodness, and trials have shown that horses - even fussy eaters - love it because of its sweet smell and palatability.

The HG-600 accommodates half a bale, hay nets or hay wedges and is ideal for smaller yards and for use away at competitions. The unit is extremely durable and easy to move around, whether in use at the stables or whilst

travelling. This unit features HAYGAIN’s revolutionary hay-steaming technology, which transforms hay into dust-free palatable forage, giving horses a healthier respiratory system and maximising their performance.

Easy to use, the HG-600 unit with its unique design and function enables the steam to penetrate the centre of the half-bale, hay nets or wedges, diffusing evenly and completely outwards. With the latest technological advancements, the new HG-600 cycle time from cold is approximately 30 minutes, making the process incomparably fast and efficient. For further information please contact HAYGAIN hay steamers on 0333 200 5233 or www.haygain.com

The amazing Passier stable rugs with Tetris system have arrived in time for Christmas. Tetris is a collar on the rug which prevents any rubbing on the withers and any loss of mane, also on offer is the original outdoor rug range from Trust.

To add to the excitement there are new Passier products - two very innovative dressage saddles, various bridles and brow bands.

If you are looking for a special Christmas present it is always worthwhile browsing though

mindbuzzler’s colourful Busse range (numnahs, head collars and sweat rugs) and if you would like to finish the picture you could combine them with the lightweight Aluminum KAT Stirrups.

Mindbuzzler will offer their saddle fitting service right up to Christmas with new and secondhand saddles for all disciplines.

Visit the shop near Newburgh by appointment on 07446 11 26 72 or browse online http://shop.mindbuzzler.com

Equissage Red – The Ultimate Gadget for Good Health & Improved Performance

Time Saving Stable Essential

Christmas shopping at Mindbuzzler


Tack & Turnout

www.midkinleith.comWide range of quality tack & clothing at bargain prices

Spend over £50 for FREE Delivery

Online equestrian retailer World Wide Tack is offering its valued customers an exciting, festive treat that Yule not want to miss out on! In an effort to supply some glad tidings at Christmas, the retailer is offering all customers a seasonal, lucky dip gift on all orders over £40 (excluding VAT and delivery). The lucky dip gifts are worth at least £12.00 and customers will be given

either: Italian FTE Leather Tendon or Fetlock boots; Showsheen Spray (40oz bottle); Bathing Blade and washing set. Users should enter the code XMAS2012 at the till when shopping online. Customers are invited to get into the festive spirit now and receive their very first Christmas present of the season! Visit www.worldwidetack.com to order.

Xmas lucky dip for shoppers!

These good looking boots are designed to keep your feet dry and comfortable in all conditions thanks to the innovative Sympatex technical inter-lining, which is both breathable and waterproof. Manufactured in a stylish combination of nubuck and full grain leather, the boots have a grip sole and are ideal for all countryside activities.

Sizes: 37 to 42 in standard or wide calfColour: brown Price: £134.45

Contact Westgate EFI on 01303 872277 or visit www.wefi.co.uk for stockists and information

Mark Todd Country Boots

Rockies’ Flavoured Health Licks are ideal stocking fillers for your equine pal as not only are they low cost, they are actually good for them!

Flavoured Health Licks contain salt along with minerals and trace elements and provide horse owners, concerned about their horse’s calorie and sugar intake, with a calorie free treat. The unique flavourings ensure palatability whilst the high pressure presses that the licks are exposed to ensure longevity, meaning that this is a gift that really lasts.

Flavoured Health Licks are 2 kg in size and fit into conventional salt lick holders. They are available in mint, cherry, garlic, apple and carrot flavours and have a RRP of £2.99.

For more information, see www.rockies.co.uk, email [email protected] or call 01606 595025.

Flavoured Health Licks


Health Care • Winter First Aid


C H R I S T M A S G I F T G U I D E • C H R I S T M A S G I F T G U I D E • C H R I S T M A S G I F T G U I D E

Saddlecraft Touch Screen Magic Gloves

These Magic Gloves are interwoven with special thread on the thumb and first two fingers to enable activation of touch-screen mobile phones and tablet computers. One size. Price: £2.99

StableKit Gel Handle Grooming KitDesigned for comfort, these novel grooming items come in a choice of pastel shades and are manufactured with a gel layer in the handle for enhanced grip. Bucket brush, mane/tail brush, hoof pick/brush and sweat scraper available. Colours: green, pink, lilac or bluePrices: £4.99 to £7.50

Contact Westgate EFI on 01303 872277www.wefi.co.uk

Mark Todd Diamante Belts

These super snazzy belts are encrusted with diamante and come in black or white patent leather or plain black.Sizes: small/med (85cm) and large/xlarge (95cm)Price: from £36.50

JHL Diamante Browbands

A comprehensive choice of glitzy browbands from Jumper’s Horse Line with four new designs added this year.

Sizes: pony, cob or fullColours: black or brown leather Prices from £12.50 to £25.50 depending on style

Karoo Stock Pins

These sparkling stock pins will brighten up even the dullest show day. Available in three styles including a novel Farrier’s Nail design.Prices: £8.99 to £11.95

Karoo Grooming KitAdd a touch of glamour

to your grooming kit with these high quality grooming brushes which are manufactured in hardwood with top quality bristles. Body and Mane/Tail brushes feature diamante embellishment. Prices vary. Medium Body Brush £8.49

Contact Westgate EFI on 01303 872277www.wefi.co.uk

Gifts under £10 Gifts with Bling!

Ride-Away’s gift vouchers and e vouchers make great gifts for horsy friends, near or far. Gift vouchers are available in £10, £15, £20 and £50 denominations, whereas e vouchers, which are emailed to the lucky recipient, are available in £5, £10, £15, £20 and £50 values. If gift vouchers are being presented as a Christmas gift, don’t forget to order a free Autumn/Winter Catalogue to go along with it, to let the recipient browse pages of horse, rider and canine

equipment from the world’s leading equestrian brands, helping them to select their Christmas gift. Gift Vouchers are available to purchase at www.rideaway.co.uk or by phoning 01347 810443.

Christmas with Ride-Away


for fashionistas fur is a must this season so choose a tantalising tweed and faux fur piece such as Aurnia or Mable below and you’ll be right on

trend. Aurnia Tweed Jacket, £199.99 and Mable Tweed & faux fur Gilet, £129.99 in Penrith Check Tweed from Jack Murphy www.jackmurphy.co.uk

Tweed is theWinning Ticket

The Best Gift for Horse Owners: Your horse’s mane or tail turned into a stunning piece of jewellery finished with sterling silver or 18 and 9ct gold.

We offer bracelets, necklaces, rings, cufflinks and more, all of which can be customised to your exact requirements with charms, names and dates.

New for Christmas 2012 we also have a ‘Make Your Own Kit’ that is perfect as a stocking filler. Gift vouchers are also available. Prices start at only £25.

Web: www.horsehairs.co.ukEmail: [email protected]: 01438 880936

Horsehair Jewellery

Up until now the ability to recall information and to train from the memory after reading books or watching DVD’s was the main support for training issues and learning new exercises. iRide Training recognised the power in creating training downloads in real time, helping riders absorb the correct feel through each movement.

The progress that is made between lessons with continued training delivered to you through your mp3, smart phone or iPod has proved invaluable as a training tool.

in its first year iRide training has helped to support riders training to both British Dressage regional and national levels successfully.

Grand Prix rider Sarah Millis helps you with Lateral Work and Developing Collection, Amy Stovold guides you through Basic Transitions and Counter Canter. List one five star international judge isobel Wessels coaches you through Warming Up and Working Through and The Training Scale, a training tool recognised world wide.

if being a dressage diva is not for you then why not visit the Eventers Corner and choose a ridden download from national trainer Russell Cooper on Seeing a Stride or Creating Ground Cover.

iRide’s aim is to make all aspects of training a smooth road with the support you need at the touch of a button, iRide’s library also provides non ridden downloads in the Knowledge Centre on saddle fitting, equine dental conformation and bitting.

Sports psychologist Danielle Olding helps you to achieve that often elusive competitive edge, with Maximising Performance at Shows, whilst Osteopath Liz Oakenfold guides you through a Hands On Warm Up to help stretch your horse, helping prevent injuries and identifying weaknesses.

With national and international trainers and experts at hand where ever you are, training has never been more accessible.

“i found Alison Short’s Riding The Circle of Contact download one of the most useful things ever!! Although it was basic it has helped so much. i also found Amy Stovold’s developing pushing power really helpful (i got 7s for my canter loops at elementary the day after i rode that download)”.

“i struggle to have regular lessons because i work stupid hours (i’m a vet) so i usually ride at 8pm at night so i really find the downloads focus me.”

Jenny Towers

non ridden downloads start from £2.99 and ridden from £7.99

iListen whilst iRide with audible lessons from iRide Training.



after the success of the summer’s Equestrian events Thermatex are proud to present their new and unique Union Flag pattern cooler rug.

This patriotic version of the popular T2000 rug was designed by Stella McCartney for the Olympic British Team whilst working in conjunction with Thermatex.

The rug retains all of the original features associated with Thermatex cooler rugs and includes the highly effective three layered wicking fabric.

The fabric actively draws away any excess moisture before releasing it into the atmosphere, thus helping the horse regain natural body temperature.

During this process the knitted fibres will gently relax and interlock with the coat, allowing the rug to mould perfectly around the shape of the horse. Horses instantly feel the benefit of this smart technical rug by staying warm, dry and totally comfortable.

As expected the Union flag rug is available in the colours red, white and blue and sizes from 4’0 – 7’3. The Union flag Thermatex cooler rug will make an excellent and unique gift for horse owners this Christmas.

for more information visit www.thermatex.co.uk RRP from £140 Contact details: Thermatex Tel: 01239 614648 Website: www.thermatex.co.uk

Whether you are looking for an extra special gift for that special someone (we are obviously talking about the horse!) or simply feel like treating yourself this Christmas, Derby House can help. With exclusive access to brands like Sno and Kinpurnie, Derby House really is the one stop horse shop this Christmas. Visit the Christmas Section on the website and take advantage of

exclusive offers over the festive period. Shop from top brands including Dubarry, Hunter, Dubin and many more. Gifts available for Him, Her, Kids, Horse and even the Dog! What’s more delivery is free on all orders over £75. What are you waiting for! Shop now and receive £5 off all orders over £50 when quoting EaC1, offer valid until Friday 14th December. Visit www.derbyhouse.co.uk

Get More for Less this Christmas with Derby House

Fly the flag with Thermatex.

it’s never too early to learn how to tell the time and the Rebel Rider watch from EquestrianClearance.com is great fun too!

The Rebel Rider Watch is an ideal gift for the young rider and pony fan to show off their rebel attitude with this

funky designed watch. This quartz watch features a water resistant P.V.C band and a rearing horse design. Available in Pink or Khaki the rebel Rider Watch is priced at £13.99.

For more details visit www.equestrianclearance.com

Children’s Watches Ideal For Christmas


The Townend brand was launched in 2011, comprising a range of high performance, technically inspired garments for the serious horse rider coupled with everyday leisurewear for people pursuing country or equestrian pursuits.

The range is endorsed by international Event Rider – Oliver Townend whose achievements include winning Badminton and Burghley in 2009.

The riding wear is all tested by Oliver and used by him on a daily basis.

from stylish winter coats and jackets to comfortable gilets and cosy fleece hats, scarf’s and headbands, you will find allthat you need to beat those cold winter days and to treat a loved one, in the new Townend Autumn/Winter range.

TownendDirect.com01522 529 206



The new Parelli Horsenality Mugs make an ideal gift for that someone special, you just have to work out which Horsenality they are!

These ceramic mugs are designed in four authentic colours depending on your Horsenality and have been handcrafted in the USA.

Right-Brain introvert Mug - if you’re proud to be a Right-Brain introvert who loves coffee, tea, hot chocolate, or any other beverage, then this is the mug for you!

Right-Brain Extrovert Mug - for the Right-Brain Extrovert who loves their

hot beverages on cold nights!

Left-Brain introvert Mug - You’re proud to be a Left-Brain introvert. Heck, even your coffee mug says so!

Left-Brain Extrovert Mug - features the Left-Brain Extrovert logo on a beautiful, sturdy handcrafted mug for those of you always on the go.

The new Parelli Horsenality mugs are priced at £20.33, or for members £15.25.

For more information visit www.parellinaturalhorsetraining.com

Parelli Gifts for Christmas Horslyx are joining in the fun this

festive season with their new ‘very merry’ Christmas Pudding Wrap for every Mini Horslyx.

The Christmas Pudding Wrap means that your horse or pony can join in with the frolics this Christmas with a fun and healthy treat that he loves.

Mini Horslyx are perfect for stocking fillers, token gestures for friends on the yard, or simply as a gift under the Christmas tree for your favourite equine!

if you’re struggling for those last minute Christmas ideas Mini Horslyx, priced at just £3.45, is the perfect little extra!

The fun, seasonal Christmas Pudding Wrap comes complete with a “To and from” label so you can show your loved one that you care!

Not only is Mini Horslyx guaranteed to raise a smile, but the palatable lick provides every horse and pony with a comprehensive list of vitamins, minerals, trace elements to support the immune system and promote all round health.

High in oil and a unique HealthyHooves package, Mini Horslyx will help

to ensure your horse or pony remains in peak condition this season. More than just a Christmas treat, Mini Horslyx can be used to persuade or distract your horse during periods of stress, such as catching, clipping, loading, grooming or vet visits. Mini Horslyx can also be used to perform stretching exercises.

Keep your horse supple and healthy this season with our tips and advice on using the palatable reward to perform stretches, visit www.youtube.com/user/HorslyxVideos for our exclusive video.

Available in four formulations, Original, Garlic, Respiratory and Mint, the Christmas Pudding Wrapped Mini Horslyx brings some festive fun to horsey present buying this year.

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

All horses love a Mini Horslyx pudding…

Have you got your Parelli 2013 Calendar yet? a perfect gift for a loved one or brilliant for planning in your playtime with your horse.

The calendar features Pat Parelli’s Eight Principles of Horse Training coupled with striking photos from the Parelli campus. With a month to view you can record

all your important dates and any appointments. The Parelli 2013 Calendar is a beautiful addition to any home, office or barn.

The Parelli Calendar for 2013 is priced at £8.20 regular price and £6.30 member’s price and is available to buy online www.parellinaturalhorsetraining.com

Get Ready for the New Year with Parelli


looKinG for a pair of jodhpurs to help keep you toasty and warm this winter? The K*TY Ladies Needle Cord Jodhpurs, from EquestrianClearance.com are stylish, smart and practical, and are the ideal choice as the weather begins to bite and you need to wrap up warm against the elements. These traditional jodhpurs are made from a Multi-stretch, fine cord fabric and feature a sewn full seat design, self fabric knee patches, zip front, embroidered K*TY logo on the back, belt loops and a front zip pocket. They are made from 96% Cotton and 4% Spandex and come in black, brown, olive green and navy colourways.

The K*TY Needle Cord Jodhpurs come in sizes 8 to 18 regular and 10 to 16 long. They are priced at £24.99. For further information please visit www.equestrianclearance.com

K*TY Ladies Needle Cord Jodhpurs

45

ProPerty AbroAdBrittany & NormandyCardyke 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 4ET. Tel: 01825 830484.

WormingEaSTRegular worm egg counts can save money! 6-8 weekly spring through autumn £5 each. Church Farm FEC [email protected] or 01728685638

FeedingThe Haylage Co.a cost effective alternative to hay. Based South hertfordshire, we deliver to locations nationwide.Telephone: 07836 514 435 or 07831 454 166Email: [email protected]: www.poloforage.com

WHoleSAleThinking of starting your own equestrian retail business?Then contact us Hucklesby AssociatesEquestrian Wholesalers to the tradeWebsite: www.hucklesbyassociates.co.ukEmail: [email protected] for a free trade e-catalogueTel: 01362 696309 Fax: 01362 696582

Directory

WiTH winter just around the corner the team at EquestrianClearance.com is offering some useful tips and handy hints to help you and your horse through the colder months. • Floatingarubberballinwater troughs can help stop the water from freezing over in water troughs. • Consideraddingaheatertoyour tack room, this will help keep your leatherwork warm and supple and help prevent it from cracking. • Ifyouroutdoorschoolfreezesover try harrowing salt into the surface to prevent it from freezing. • Didyouknowthirtypercentofthe body’s heat is lost through the head? Make sure you always wear a hat. • Ifit’sfrosty,de-icethestepsand top surface of your mounting block so you don’t slip and frighten your horse. • Don’tforgetyourdiet.Eventhough you might not feel like eating something chilled, your body needs help so eat fresh fruit and vegetables regularly to help combat colds and flu.

•Whentravellingtothestablesput your riding boots under the passenger side heater. Upon arrival put them on straight away and your feet will remain toasty for longer.

• Weartightsorlongjohns underneath your jodhpurs this will help keep you snug. • Wearapairoflatexglovesunder fingerless ones so they stay warm and you can still do fiddly jobs. • Investinsomethermalstheyhave been designed to trap warm air and keep out the cold. • Ifyouworkinanofficethe contrasting conditions from a warm office to the chilly outdoors make you more susceptible to colds and flu’s – so beware. Equestrianclearance.com stock a wide selection of winter riding wear and cosy coats, not to mention numerous thermal items such as Caldene Thermal Leggings, Dublin Thermal Socks, Dublin Thermal Trousers and K*TY Thermal Jodhpurs. For further information contact www.equestrianclearance.com

Cold Busting Tips


Wondering how to make the most of your forage this winter? Fed up of expensive hay or haylage traipsed through your bedding?

Eezhay could have the solution to your winter problems and help you feed in the most natural way possible. Eezhay Hay feeders not only protect your pocket from wasting valuable hay but also ensure your horse does not develop unnecessary problems from pulling at a haynet.

By feeding at a lower level the correct muscle tone is developed, respiratory and digestive problems are avoided and the teeth are not worn inappropriately. Quality and durability is guaranteed with Eezhay and the design of the hay feeder has now been evolved to follow the contours of your horse’s body when they are happily munching their hay or haylage.

This new appearance not only provides comfort benefits for your horse, but it looks smarter and sleeker in the stable and stands up to heavy wear and tear. Every Eezhay comes with a full one-year manufacturer’s guarantee and prices start at just £47.99 Now Eezhay also offer a brand new Horse Treat feeder to help alleviate boredom and ensure a trickle feeding pattern is maintained.

The Horse Treat feeder is priced at £16.99. For more information about the Eezhay stable accessories, visit www.eezhay.net or telephone: 01246 240099

Winter feeding made Eezhay!

as stabling is often vital to make sure your horse is warm, dry and ready to ride, it is fundamental to make the right bedding decision.

Belvoir Bed is not only economically priced but the combination of wheat and rape straw provides a hygienic, super soft and highly absorbent alternative to conventional shavings, traditional straw or other bedding products.

This means you can be sure your horse’s hooves will be as clean, dry and strong as possible.

Not only is Belvoir Bed ideal for protecting our horses hooves, the state of the art dust extraction process means that it is virtually dust free making it perfect for those horses susceptible to respiratory problems.

The dust extraction process minimises moulds and spores making sure your stable is a healthy environment and the inclusion of a natural, organic treatment, which is anti-fungal and anti-parasitic, helps further reduce ammonia levels, therefore improving the aroma of your stable, as well as repelling insects and flies and aiding in the prevention of bacteria growth.

Belvoir Bed can only be ordered direct and prices start from just £4.90 + vat. To find out more information call 01254 677 786 or visit: www.belvoirbed.co.uk

Put feet first this season

Bedding • Feeding



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Healthcare • Horses for Sale

Dawn Carslake Just an update on my horse’s sarcoids - he’s been on the power against sar-x, tincture and cream for 4 months now and i have to say, after all the worrying i’ve done over possibly having to lose him because of the awful massive sarcoids on his sheath, i am finally seeing a light at the end of the tunnel.

After two weeks being on the treatment i saw results and now the sarcoids are looking a lot better - they are withdrawing, a lot have come away, the skin looks pinker rather than red raw and i can actually see the outline of his sheath now whereas before it was a large hanging mass of tumours. i’ll keep you posted but thanks forest farmacy, you have made me a happy horse owner again.

Ruth louise TaylorHere’s an update on your sarcoid powder and tincture - my Arab has been on it for 3 months now and these last two weeks i’ve had fantastic results. The sarcoid on his neck is starting to lift and won’t be long before it drops off.

One of the sarcoids around his sheath has dropped off, the other little ones

have shrunk and i’m sure more have dropped off as there don’t seem to be many left.

The worst one we had was on his girth area, it was the size of a golf ball and i never thought it would go but last month it dropped off so i would highly recommend this powder. i didn’t think it would work at first but being patient and giving it time gives excellent results, thank you so much forest farmacy.

For more information please check out www.horsesarcoids.com or talk to Holly directly on Freephone 0800 970 9421 Power against sar-x starts at £35 for a 6 week supply.

Forest Farmacy’s facebook updates on Power against Sar-x - the herbal answer to lumps and bumps

Sell Your Horse with

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