Equine Hoof Boots!

Did you know alongside an amazing range of rugs, equestrian attire, equipment and tack The Saddlery Shop offers a huge range of equine hoof boots? The Saddlery Shop has built up a reputation for being the country’s leading authority on booting barefoot horses and in fact holds the largest stocks of hoof boots and accessories in the UK! The Saddlery Shop aim to have all the information you as a barefoot horse owner would need in order to choose the best hoof boot for your horse. Within this department, we offer free specialist hoof boot advice by email from one of our booting experts, including Lucy Nicholas one of our directors and author of 'The Barefoot Horse'. We aim to provide optimum customer service to our barefoot horse owners so our hoof boot enquiries are treated as priority and usually answered within 4 working hours! To see the huge range of equine hoof boots, books, cushioning pads and inserts and equine barefoot maintenance tools such as rasps visit the website www.thesaddleryshop.co.uk.

Keeping Equine's Waistline in Check this Autumn!

With the weather on the turn and autumn weather heightening the risk of laminitis The Saddlery Shop takes a look at keeping our equine's waistlines in check! Feeding horses and ponies that are prone to gaining weight can be a real puzzle for lots equine owners so how do we keep their waistline in check whilst providing all nutrients they need to live a healthy lifestyle? Some breeds, particularly native types are sensitive to grass which is high in starchy and sugary calories sometimes resulting in an expanding waistline. If you own a “good doer” and forage is the main part of their diet, for health reasons it may be wise to restrict their access to excessive grazing when it is especially lush. This can be achieved either by using restrictive fencing or a grazing muzzle available from The Saddlery Shop so that you don't have to limit your horse's turnout time. Your horse needs access to plenty of low calorie forage but some equines, if they are carrying a few unnecessary pounds, may need their concentrate feed to be reduced. However it is essential to remember when reducing calories in our equine’s diet that they may require supplementation of vitamins and minerals in their diet to maintain optimum health and wellbeing. This is because in order to be healthy our horses and ponies require a balanced diet which incorporates all the vital vitamins and minerals they need. Vitamins and minerals play a multitude of roles within the body including supporting the immune system, bone and teeth structure, benefitting eyesight and assisting nerve and muscle function. The Saddlery Shop offers a range of vitamin and mineral supplements in health and well being including brands such as; Clop, Equivite or Benevit. Don’t forget a healthy lifestyle should also include regular exercise too and any dietary changes should be implemented gradually.

The Rain is Back!

It is that time of year again and the weather is starting to feel distinctly more autumnal. The rain showers are back so why not invest in a waterproof exercise sheet to keep your horse or pony warm and dry whilst riding? The are a range of Waterproof exercise sheets available from The Saddlery Shop including brands such as; Horseware, Weatherbeeta, Luna, Rambo and Shires. The specially designed rugs are cut to cover just the loins and hindquarters of the horse which is perfect for ridden work and preventing your horse, particularly once he has been clipped, from catching a chill. The range available from The Saddlery Shop also includes a range of high visibility, reflective waterproof rugs keeping you safe on the roads during darker, foggy or low light weather conditions. Visit the website wwww.thesaddleryshop.co.uk to find out more and to purchase your waterproof exercise sheet today!

Equine Insulin Resistance

Many of us will have heard the term insulin resistance, but some remain unaware this harmful condition can affect our horses o her at The Saddlery Shop we thought we would tell you a little more about it. Insulin Resistance in horses is becoming more common an research has indicated that the condition results from an improper lifestyle, feeding and exercise regimes. Studies have found that 51% of horses are overweight or obese from a lack of exercise and an improper diet contributing to the risk of our equines suffering Insulin Resistance. So what is Insulin Resistance? Insulin is a hormone that is produced by cells that are present within the pancreas. The action of insulin in the body is widespread targeting the metabolism of sugar, starches, fats, and protein and is required by most cells in the body to transport glucose across the cell membrane providing fuel and energy at a cellular level. The body’s natural response to the release of insulin is elevated blood glucose. When the food source is high in starch a higher proportion of glucose is required in order to complete the digestion of the starchy substance. When a horse or pony has the condition known as Insulin Resistance (IR) this means that their body does not process glucose properly not only depleting their energy stores but causing the delivery of glucose to the cells to not occur, instead storing the glucose in fat and muscle instead of in the cells. Insulin resistance can lead to the equine having fatty deposits around the body, an increased level of inflammation, body and hoof pain, lack of energy and a higher risk of laminitis. What can horse owners do to prevent Insulin Resistance? Regular exercise and low levels of concentrated feed are essential alongside maintaining a forage based diet. Forage provides natural fibre for our horses, giving a low carbohydrate and low sugar food source. In addition feeding a supplement such as the range of vitamin and mineral supplements available from The Saddlery Shop will help boost the levels of nutrients in the diet, ensure the horse receives optimum nutrients which promote health but without increasing the calorific quantity of the diet. In addition, reducing excessive access to lush pasture and maintaining regular, correct hoof care plays a crucial part in preventing Insulin Resistance. Reducing stress levels has also been beneficial in reducing the instances of the condition so your horse’s environment should offer calm, solstice and meet your equine’s needs. Studies have shown that including Magnesium in the diet can help to reduce stress and highlighted it’s involved in the secretion of insulin so the inclusion of Magnesium in the diet can be helpful. To see the range of equine supplements available from The Saddlery Shop including vitamin and mineral and magnesium supplements visit the website www.thesaddleryshop.co.uk

How Has The Heatwave Affected Our Equine's Feet?

This summer has brought warmth and sunshine quashing any British complaints of a lack of summer but it is well worth considering how the recent heat wave may have affected our horse's hooves. We are all familiar with the old proverb "no foot, no horse" and this sentiment still couldn't be truer today. In actual fact the dry weather is not quite as detrimental as extremely wet weather for our equine's feet, as it is in fact the wet weather causes the bonds within the horse's hooves to weaken on a molecular level. Nonetheless the hot weather can result in the following; Inactivity; A lack of exercise during the summer months as a result of the summer holidays, hard ground or simply when it is too hot to ride can cause the the amount of circulation to the hoof to decrease which can compromise hoof integrity. To prevent issues like this affecting your horse provide regular turnout and exercise where possible. Imbalance or Lack of Vitamins and Minerals Dry, overgrazed or parched grazing is common during the hot weather and this can cause there to be a lack of vitamins and minerals in the diet. Offer your horse a vitamin and mineral supplement which is specific to his needs will help to balance the diet. Poor Shoeing or Trimming. During the summer your horse's hoof growth can sometimes reduce when this is paired with poor shoeing or trimming it can be a recipe for disaster. Always provide the best hoofcare in order to allow the hoof to function as effectively as possible and limit the negative effect of any environmental factors. Provide optimum hoof care is paramount to equine health and wellbeing. For a range of products to compliment our horse's lifestyle visit www.thesaddleryshop.co.uk.

Equine Travel

The summer months bring plenty of fun activities, with lots to do with your horses and ponies. So whether you are competing or taking part in Pony Club Camp or Riding Club activities it normally means that your equine will have to travel. Travelling in a trailer or lorry can sometimes induce stress which can lead to weight loss, tiredness and a bad, upset temperament. However simple management techniques can help make travelling easier and more enjoyable for your horse or pony and so you can enjoy your event or competition. Top Tips From The Saddlery Shop for Stress-free Travel 1. ) Loading can provide a challenge for some equines so when loading your horse remember to provide a calm, positive environment for your horse to load into his trailer or transport in a quiet, stress free setting. 2.) Always ensure that sufficient forage is supplied on board so your horse does not become hungry, restless and frustrated whilst travelling. The Saddlery Shop offers a range of hay nets, including an extra large smalled holed haynet; perfect for travelling. 3.) Where necessary incorporate a calming supplement into the diet to help keep your equine relaxed. Supplements including magnesium and B vitamins can be beneficial such as Equus Mag-Need and Feedmark Steady Up available from The Saddlery Shop. 4.) Keep your horse protected whilst travelling to negate the risk of accidents and injuries. Boots, bandages, rugs and a poll guard can keep your horse safe, and stop you worrying too! Check out The Saddlery Shop for everything you need for your equine to travel safely. 5.) Always ensure your horse is sufficiently hydrated during and after travelling, on a long journey make several stops to offer your horse water and make sure you remember to give your horse a drink as soon as you arrive at your destination to maintain optimum health and wellbeing, not to mention performance! Following these tips and advice can help to minimise the stress associated with travelling so your horse can arrive at the show fit to perform at his best!

The new Radius Rasp for Barefoot Equines Hits The Saddlery Shop's Shelves!

The Saddlery Shop adds a new, innovative product to their leading range of products for barefoot horses; the Radius Rasp! The evolutionary rasp is a brand new, pioneering product which allows horse owners to maintain their equine's hooves between traditional, professional trims. The Radius Rasp is designed for barefoot or unshod horses but can also be used on those horses that have lost a shoe. The handy tool can be used safely by horse owners in order to control flare of the hoof and to round or roll the edge of the hoof, known as the mustang roll. Regular rasping of the feet between professional trims allows our equines to maintain correct hoof shape, keep the hoof in balance and maintain a correct break-over; the process of the heel leaving the ground and rotating the toe. The Radius Rasp is compact and lightweight yet a solid, durable design which allows one-handed efficient rasping. The blade is curved in its design ideal for creating the "mustang roll" (bevelling the hoof wall) with a finger friendly, fast and easy cheese grater like action. There is even a conveniently hidden magnet in the handle for attaching the Radius Rasp to your hoof stand! The Radius Rasp offered by The Saddlery Shop is the ideal hoof wall maintenance tool and when used in conjunction with the Radius Rasp Pro and the Hoof Buffer, provide the perfect kit to prevent chips or splits, promoting perfect hoof condition all year round alongside professional trimming. For more information about the Radius Rasp or the wide range products available for barefoot horses visit the website: www.thesaddleryshop.co.uk