Fabulous Discounted Shires Rugs from The Saddlery Shop

The Saddlery Shop stocks a wide range of horse rugs from turnouts to fly rugs, all offered at some of the lowest prices on the Internet. We are one of the largest suppliers of Shires, Horseware, Mark Todd and Weatherbeeta rugs in the UK, to fit every budget. We currently have some fabulous Shires rugs included in the Deals of the Week section of our website which are ideal for the Spring months. The Shires Tempest Original is a medium weight rug with a fill of 180grams and a ripstop 600 denier Shiretex waterproof outer providing a breathable outer shell. If you prefer rugs with a neck the Shires Tempest Combo is the one for you. Also with a fill of 180grams but including an integrated, contoured neck cover. For the warmer spring months the Shires Tempest 100 is ideal with a lesser fill of 100grams when a heavier rug is too warm. All the Shires rugs we have on offer are fully lined with clip breast straps, adjustable cross surcingles, fillet straps and tail flaps. Prices Shires Tempest Original £44.99 Shires Tempest Combo £55.79 Shires Tempest 100 £43.19

The RX Therapeutic Hoof Boot from The Saddlery Shop

Did you know The Saddlery Shop has built up a reputation for being the country’s leading authority on booting barefoot horses, holding the largest stocks of hoof boots and accessories in the UK? We also offer free specialist hoof boot advice by email from our booting experts, which include Lucy Nicholas one of our directors and author of 'The Barefoot Horse'. The Easyboot RX is a therapy boot for horses that need relief from lower limb or hoof disorders. It also speeds recovery and offers protection to the hoof and lower limb after surgery or injury, and lessens fatigue and adds protection during transport. It is also recommended to help rehabilitate horses with chronic laminitis. The sole is made from a durable, soft material, and three air vents provide air circulation to keep the hoof cool, while preventing debris accumulation. Easycare comfort pad included. Not intended for riding, but can be used for light turnout. To see the range of hoof boots available from The Saddlery Shop including the Easyboot RX why not visit the website today www.thesaddleryshop.co.uk or Tel: 0844 880 6900 to speak to a member of our friendly team.

Care & Maintenance of your Hoof Boots

Your hoof boots are expensive pieces of equestrian kit so they deserve regular care and maintenance. Looking after your hoof boots will not only increase the longevity and durability of the boots but also protect your equine’s welfare and limit the risk of bacterial infection in the hoof. Lucy Nicholas from Trelawne Equine advises “Hoof boots are like any other piece of tack or equipment you use on your horse, and should be cared for to get the best from them. After each use, the boots should have the worst of the mud removed from them (a good hose-down or dunk in a bucket of water will usually do this very quickly!), and the inside should be checked for small stones / gravel and any lumps of mud or deposits that could cause rubbing. Hoof boots should be routinely inspected for signs of wear, any screws or fitting checked for tightness, and cables or buckles checked for signs of stress or fraying. Just like all tack, damaged boots should not be used until the problem has been rectified, or they have been checked by a knowledgeable individual for safety. In addition it is also worth measuring your horse’s hooves every couple of months, especially during transitioning, to monitor your horse’s foot shape / size, as they can change – just to make sure the boots are still the best boots for your horse! If you are using one pair of boots on more than one horse, it is wise to use a disinfectant spray in between horses, to prevent the spread of infection. Something akin to the spray used to disinfect shoes at a bowling alley for example can be used, or there are some specialist hoof disinfectant sprays on the market. At least once a week Pads should be removed and the boot and pad should be sprayed liberally, before returning the pad to the boot.” For more information about the hoof boots available from Trelawne Equine visit the website www.trelawneequine.co.uk

Considering Synthetic Tack with The Saddlery Shop

Here at www.thesaddleryshop.co.uk we specialise in below RRP items, which means we know about the importance of keen pricing for customers. Owner of The Saddlery Shop Lucy Nicholas says "As a horse owner and someone that has been involved in the equestrian industry for many years, I have always enjoyed the thrill of buying new tack – and that wonderful smell of leather!" So why are we suggesting you should consider purchasing synthetic tack? Read on... Lasting a lifetime Leather tack has been a popular choice of tack for many years, and there’s no denying its durability – if well maintained, it can last a horse’s lifetime, with regular attention from a saddler to ensure the saddle fits, and a careful cleaning and maintenance regime. Click here to see the range of leather tack The Saddlery Shop has to offer. However one of the downsides of leather tack however can be its price – as good-quality tack has a price tag to match the craftsmanship that goes into its production, particularly if it is hand-stitched. A further issue is that customers and horse owners often need to source cost effective items in today’s economic climate. And there are lots of inferior, non-English leather items in the market today that are manufactured abroad. However, the finishing is rarely to the same standard as a more costly piece of crafted tack, with for example, the edges of an item not being rounded and sealed to close the fibres within the leather. This again may lead to weakness. Synthetic tack has been around for a long time; two of the original pioneers were Ron and Ken Bates, owners of Bates Saddlery. Over the last twenty years, inferior leather goods have increasingly become available to consumers, while at the same time, research and development into synthetic goods has increased, with materials such as Cordura, Equileather, Equisuede and Beta BioThane being developed and used by manufacturers. Although each manufacturer uses their own, closely guarded materials for their synthetic products, most products today have a similar appearance. Lucy Nicholas says "I often recommend that customers choose synthetic tack over leather, especially if their budget for tack is in the mid-range. I would also add that many of the synthetic saddles available today have innovative design features that do appeal to many owners. These include changeable gullet systems and girth strap positioning, plus a choice of seat size and tree width, and scope to adjust the flocking. A great innovation is movable panel blocks that sit in front of your legs to help place you in an effective, comfortable position, and give bespoke support and comfort for your leg. Today, there’s no need to compromise on design or features of a saddle if you opt for a good brand of synthetic tack such as the ranges available from The Saddlery Shop. It can also be difficult at first glance to tell the difference between synthetic and leather makes of saddle, in terms of its appearance, plus you usually have a more lightweight product, and one whose ongoing care is much simpler! Alongside a range of synthetic tack The Saddlery Shop is also equipped with specialist synthetic cleaning products such as the Wintec Saddle Cleaning Spray. For more information about the synthetic range visit the website today www.thesaddleryshop.co.uk or Tel: 0844 880 6900 to speak to a member of our friendly team for all the advice you require on considering synthetic tack.

Beat laminitis without cutting pasture time with a grazing muzzle!

With winter on the way out and spring on the horizon it is important to consider protective measures against equine laminitis. The common, yet debilitating condition is caused by the inflammation, weakening or tearing of the laminae tissues which bond the hoof wall to the pedal bone and is often linked to being caused by obesity and a prolonged consumption of lush grass. Many people choose to keep their laminitic horse or pony stabled and though this may be necessary during an acute period every owner hopes to get their horse or pony back out at pasture upon reaching a significant level of recovery. A grazing muzzle, such as the range available from The Saddlery Shop including the; Comfort Grazing Muzzle, Shires Deluxe Nylon Grazing Muzzle, GreenGuard Grazing Muzzle and much more. The Grazing Muzzle restricts the quantity of grass which can be consumed by limiting the depth and weight of each bite but without preventing the horse from eating all together. A grazing muzzle can be incredibly beneficial in order to both prevent the risk of a greedy equine developing laminitis and to ensure a recovering laminitic can spend a period of time outside safely. Grazing Muzzles are available from The Saddlery Shop in a range of colours, sizes and styles just visit the website to find out more! www.thesaddleryshop.co.uk