Key pointers for going Bare by Lucy Nicholas, author of ‘The Barefoot Horse - an Introductory Guide to Barefoot & Booting’

In our latest blog we take a look at the key points for taking your horse barefoot with barefoot expert Lucy Nicholas from The Saddlery Shop. Lucy's book The Barefoot Horse- an Introductory Guide to Barefoot and Booting packed full of information about barefoot hoof care can be purchased from The Saddlery Shop. Click here to view! 

Here are my key points, if you are considering this method of horsecare-

1. I believe there are very few equines that do not have the potential to lead sound, working lives without metal shoes. But ‘transitioning’, post de-shoeing, requires patience. When taking a horse barefoot, you are suddenly allowing the hoof to function at full capacity, with improved circulation and firing of nerves. This will in turn bring to light the true state of health in a newly de-shod hoof. When the shoes are initially removed, a horse with no major issues will usually be sound immediately at pasture, and will often be sound for at least short distances on a hard, flat surface, and only sore on stony surfaces; this horse could transition in just a few weeks. Whereas a horse with very flat soles; one that has been shod with excess ‘flare’ at the hoof wall; or an equine with metabolic challenges may take many more months to get to the same level of comfort. Hoof growth is a reactive process, stimulated by movement and wear, so the hooves need to be given time to respond to the increased requirements placed on them.
   
2. Afraid of excess wear? You can use hoof boots when protection is required; they also provide shock absorption on concussive surfaces.
   
3. With a barefoot horse, you will see precisely how diet affects the feet, notably how quickly high-sugar grass or feeds can be detrimental to hoof health. Diet is key to successfully managing a horse without shoes. High-quality forage and relevant vitamins and minerals, such as those found in very high-specification feed balancers or supplements, are vitally important.
   
4. Choosing a good hoof care professional (whether trimmer or farrier) is key. LANTRA (the UK’s Sector Skills Council for land-based and environmental industries) coordinates the National Occupational Standard (NOS) for Equine Barefoot Care. There are a few different trimming associations in the UK, as well as some good, independent trimmers; and many farriers are becoming more experienced in the field of trimming for work and performance. Seek personal recommendation! 

The Saddlery Shop offers a wide range of hoof boots from brands including Easycare, Old Mac, Renegade and much more! Visit the website today to find out more or make a hoof boot or barefoot enquiry which will be answered by Lucy Nicholas! 

Kids clothing

High quality kids’ clothing is usually designed to offer warmth retention and also protect against overheating; it may also have waterproofing capabilities, as well as durability and comfort. Technical clothing may also dissipate perspiration, and offer adequate air permeability.

Look out for soft fabrics that won’t irritate gentle skin, and garments that have a good shape. For riders, the item must go with the body, and not restrict movement.

Here are some of our faves-

http://goo.gl/PUuDZU  - The Mark Todd Bally children's waistcoat - £4.99

http://goo.gl/TdfZd2  - The Sherwood Forest synthetic, Pararda long riding boots - leather look! - £39.99

http://goo.gl/6e8rkD  - The Equisafety Polite Air Road Safety Fluorescent Waistcoat - available in small sizes - just £22.49

Remember that you often get what you pay for – a low RRP item may have less shape stability or colour-fast properties. However, there are many bargains to be had, especially online at The Saddlery Shop, where good quality items are reduced in price. Happy Shopping!

Bridling the Sensitive Horse

This month's edition of Local Rider Magazine featured a bitting feature from our in-house expert Lucy Nicholas. If you are based in the South East read the full article by picking up a copy of the fab magazine today available from good equestrian retailers in the South East! 

Lucy says... 

"We recently helped a customer whose horse can be very fussy around the head, and doesn’t settle very well when being ridden. He doesn’t like his ears being touched and wasn’t very comfortable in his single jointed snaffle and conventional bridle; here’s what I advised, to help him settle."

Young and sensitive horses and ponies can often be reactive to the pressure created by the bridle or the bit, creating a common issue for horse owners. This sensitivity can be innate, a natural part of the horse’s personality, or it could have been created by previous owners or trainers. However, the initial thing to rule out is a physical problem.

Firstly for a query such as this, I would ask whether the horse has received sufficient equine dental treatment. The bridle and the bit place pressure on the tongue, the bars of the mouth and the poll, so the first thing I would want to rule out is a dental problem! If you have a sensitive horse that hasn’t had his wolf teeth removed, this issue could may be the culprit, as the bit can interfere with the wolf teeth, causing pain. Ask a qualified vet or equine dental technician dentist to come and assess your horse’s teeth if you haven’t done so already, and keep up regular assessments and treatment to rasp any sharp teeth or hooks, and assess for unhealthy tooth matter. 

The Micklem

Providing that all bases are covered in terms of dental care for sensitive horses, and that there are no further veterinary complications such as ear mites or pain in the poll region, in terms of a bridle, I like the Micklem.

The Micklem has been specifically designed for those horses that don’t conform well to regular tack. Designed by trainer William Micklem, the innovation is based on increasing comfort in a range of different avenues, as it is designed from the inside out, following the shape of the skull itself instead of the outward appearance of the head.

In particular, the Rambo Micklem Multi-Bridle avoids pressure on the facial nerves, the projecting cheek bones and the upper jaw molar teeth. This prevents the potential pressure put on facial nerves and the sensitive tissues lining the cheeks inside the mouth by tight fitting cavesson or flash nosebands. 

The Rambo Micklem provides a great solution for the many horses that resist because of pain around the bars of the mouth, hate significant pressure on the tongue and as a result fight the contact or get their tongue over the bit. The headpiece of the Micklem has been widened and padded to reduce pressure and is ideal for a horse that is difficult to settle, particularly if changing the bit has not worked.

Myler Comfort Snaffle

In terms of bitting, I also suggested a Myler Comfort Snaffle. There are various versions available. These bits do not pinch like conventional bits can, and wrap around without the conventional nutcracker action, allowing independent side movement. Many of the mouthpieces in the range limit poll pressure, ideal for a sensitive horses, or those with a large or fleshy tongue. Ask an expert which version would suit your horse - if your horse likes a loose ring style, the Loose Ring Myler is also very nice, and has a sweet iron mouthpiece and copper inserts.

NOTE: Because we rarely encounter problems with our horses' ears, we often take them for granted. However, discomfort, headshaking or resistance to the bridle can in some instances be caused by ear mites. These cankerous little parasites are small insects, white in colour, and less than 1mm in size, so are only just visible to the naked eye! Ear mites can produce a waxy plug in the ear canal, reducing hearing and irritation. If ear mites are bothering your horse, the vet may need to use sedation in order to examine the deep ear canal, and recommend relevant medication and treatment! 

To find out more about the Rambo Micklem Bridle and the Myler Loose Ring or Comfort Snaffle available from The Saddlery Shop or if you have a question visit the website www.thesaddleryshop.co.uk or contact our team via the website or on Tel: 0344 880 6900

How could the hot days seen in July affect horses’ feet?

We are all too familiar with the old proverb “no foot, no horse” and it still couldn’t be truer today. Hoof health is indisputably important, as neglected hooves can lead to discomfort, pain, disfigurement and even lameness. But what effect has a dry summer on our equines’ hooves? The Saddlery Shop takes a look... 

Firstly, it is worth noting that a dry hoof is better than a wet hoof; excess moisture causes the bonds within the hooves’ molecular structures to weaken. It is said that hoof horn is strongest when it has a moisture content of around 25%; like our fingernails, which become flexible after a swim or a soak in the bath, hooves are strongest when dry.

There’s not much we can do about the dry weather of course, however certain management aspects can make its effects worse:

• Inactivity – a lack of exercise will compromise equine circulation and hoof integrity.
• A lack (or imbalance) of essential minerals and vitamins, and other key dietary requirements – hoof health starts from within.
• Poor shoeing or trimming – if these do not allow the hoof to function properly, environmental factors will be more influential.

What can we do about dry hooves?

1. Although opinion does vary on this matter, many farriers and trimmers believe it is inadvisable to completely drench horses’ feet with water for long periods, and that this is a dated school of thought. However, the simple act of bathing the horse in hot weather, when the water will trickle down and wet the hooves, or allowing the field water trough to overflow, so the horse stands in wet grass while he drinks, could be beneficial.
2. Avoid painted-on hoof products. Topical hoof products, with a few exceptions, generally do not improve hoof integrity and may compromise the ‘breathing’ function of the hoof. 
3. Assess the diet. A balanced diet is vital to the condition of the hooves, and ensuring the horse has a forage-based diet that is low in sugar and starch, with appropriate levels of vitamins and minerals, is key. Minerals often lacking in the equine diet that are key ingredients for hoof health are Biotin, methionine, zinc (provided with copper), and Magnesium Oxide; but you can also have too much of a good thing,  so it may be advisable to have your hay analysed for deficiencies, so you can ensure you provide everything your horse needs for healthy feet in all conditions.
4. Provide exercise to encourage circulation within the hoof. Mere turn out in a traditional field may not be enough – ideally the horse needs purposeful, regular activity. Creating a system of tracks instead of an easy-to-navigate square, to encourage maximum movement whilst foraging, is also an excellent way to increase everyday movement.
5. Many horse owners are now turning to barefoot hoof care as a long-term management regime. One benefit is that the hooves can expand and contract with the changing environmental conditions, without the restriction of shoes. Hoof boots with pads can be useful for the barefoot horse, for comfort and protection when transitioning from horse shoes, or for longer term use when the ground is particularly challenging.

Beat the Bugs!

Summer brings with it the irritation of flies – and some yards and properties are seemingly more prone to these unwanted visitors than others so in our latest blog The Saddlery Shop takes a look at ‘Beating the Bugs’.

The flying culprits

Horse flies, from the Tabanid family, are often considered the worst offenders in terms of fly irritation. They cause pain and discomfort to the horse and are also guilty of transmitting infectious diseases. Black Flies (Simuliidae) are biting flies, which may have high populations in the spring and early summer, particularly in pasture areas along streams. Black flies can pose a serious problem to your horse’s health.  Like Tabanid flies, the female Biting Midge (Culicoide) is a tiny gnat (1-3 mm long) and, like black flies, inflicts painful bites and sucks the horse’s blood. Again, the midge’s bites causes extreme itching. There are several other pests to contend with; Stable Flies (Stomoxys Calcitrans) can pose a problem in moist stables, and they are associated with poor hygiene; their bites typically appear as painful wheals. Meanwhile, Mosquitoes, Bees and Wasps can also provide irritation.

Fly facts

• One fly can lay hundreds of eggs in a day. Common breeding grounds are near dropped food or empty cans – keep the stable kitchen area clean, and bins sealed.
• Ideally choose open areas, as opposed to woodland, or field surrounding ponds, for turn out.
• If your horse succumbs to sweet itch, it is best to contact your vet for advice, as he may recommend corticosteroids that are injected to suppress the allergic response to the Culicoides midge, or Simulium Equinum black fly.
• Apply a fly repellent product regularly. If you’re buying a proprietary brand, look out for essential oils and herbal concentrates, plus ingredients like vitamin E to keep the hair and skin in peak condition. You could always consider making your own, as you may find a recipe that really works for your horse – see below.
• Consider a fly mask – they can reduce irritation around the sensitive facial areas of the horse. Fly masks are incredibly useful and come in versions with or without ear coverage. They cover the eye area to stop irritation and are usually fastened with a wide Velcro closure – the face area is meshed. 

Visit www.thesaddleryshop.co.uk to see a range of fly protection products or call the team on Tel: 0844 8806900

In April we ran a competition with Local Rider Magazine alongside Shires Equestrian and we were thrilled to receive this lovely, fun email from competition winner Helen Francis.

Helen said…

“I just wanted to say thank you for the Shires fly set that I won in Local Rider. Rupert was very pleased with his new look – he just can’t work out why we are all laughing at him!”