Muddy Issues!

After extreme wet weather, countless yards are trying to cope with muddy conditions with a large amount of rain nationwide leaving us paddling in the mud at the yard and in fields. In this situation a decent pair of Wellington Boots is an absolute investments so why not check out the range The Saddlery Shop has available today? Sadly in addition to ruined grazing and squelching around many equine owners are also having to deal with skin conditions developed by our horses and ponies as a result of the boggy conditions. Skin Problems Mud related skin conditions known as pastern dermatitis, mud rash or mud fever occurs in horses and ponies alike and is often associated with equines standing in mud and wet conditions. Mud caused skin conditions can range from mild skin irritation to painful infected sores which can cause swelling in the limb and lameness. Treatment Treatment of mud induced conditions involves minimising exposure to mud, removing and cleaning any scabs or lesions and keeping the limbs as dry as possible. Stabling horses on clean, dry bedding and clipping around the lesions can help alongside using a medicated spray or cream and a health supplement. The Saddlery Shop offer NAF Mud Guard a specialist supplement for horses living in wet, muddy and challenging conditions offering nutritional support for skin. This supplement designed for horses prone to mud fever when used in conjunction with topical barrier creams can provide a high level of protection for your horse or pony against bacterial and fungal skin infections. Keratex Mud Shield Powder available from The Saddlery Shop is a very highly effective waterproofing & disinfecting powder for horse's legs.

Looking at Laminitis with The Saddlery Shop

The word laminitis often strikes fear into the heart of any horse owner as the all too common condition can lead to debilitating welfare problems and acute lameness in many horses and ponies. Frustratingly there is still much about the condition which is not fully understood but there are measures which can be put in place to help avoid and manage equine laminitis. What is Laminitis? The term Laminitis, describes the process of the laminae tissues becoming inflamed. This causes pain and lameness, can lead to tears of the internal bond between the dermal and epidermal laminae. In severe cases this tearing can be so acute that it can lead to the rotation or drop of the pedal bone. One of the factors we do know in relative certainty is that laminitis can result from improper nutrition, namely overfeeding. Many leading experts recommend that in order to try and prevent the condition the amount of sugars in the diet should be reduced such as reducing the level of concentrate feed provided, soaking hay offered and limiting turnout on rich pasture. Utilising correct body condition scoring can also help horse owners determine our horse’s weight, and whether they food consumption is correct for their type and their workload. Remember the problems general arise when the ingestion of pasture and feed is combined with a lack of exercise. This is simply because our equines do not burn off and use the sugary starches provided in their diet and it is a well documented link that increased risk of metabolic problems caused by obesity, can also lead to laminitis. Three Top Tips from The Saddlery Shop for Avoiding or Managing Laminitis 1.) Restrict your horse’s grain quantities and seek out a high fibre, low sugar, low starch alternative such as a forage rich hay. Always feed your horse in relation to their workload- remember they only need calories they are going to use! 2.) Limit your horse’s pasture time or if he is happier in the field restrict the area they have access to with temporary fencing or a grazing muzzle. 3.) Choose wisely about when you turn your horse out to graze. Studies have found that the risk of laminitis can be increased when horses are turned out on pasture which has been exposed to cold nights and sunny weather, especially if there has been a frost!

The Horseware Ada Hoody; Perfect for the Season

The cold, wet weather at this time of year causes us equestrians to want to be warm and cosy in a comfortable hoody. The Horseware Ada Hoody is a slender fit, warm, winter hoody with contrast colours and embroidered embellishments. The super-soft brushed cotton lining of the Horseware Ada Hoody and anti-pilling rib make this Hoody a winter must have. Why not layer it up with Horseware's Juliette Rugby Shirt and Babel Ladies Padded Jacket? or wear on its own? Available in stunning Red in sizes XS, S and L from The Saddlery Shop's website while stocks last! Visit www.thesaddleryshop.co.uk

Avoid Winter Equine Dehydration!

The summer months are typically more conducive to equine dehydration but actually the winter time can cause our equines to suffer from dehydration too. With freezing weather conditions, horses sweating as their clips grow out and their thirst mechanism in some cases not always functioning as efficiently can lead to equine dehydration in the winter time. What is Dehydration? Water is lost from the horse’s body daily, through their waste products, the moisture in their breath and more obviously from sweating if the equine is working hard or their thick winter coat has not been clipped. If this lost water is not replenished this can cause dehydration affecting the functioning of variety of different roles in the body and delivery mechanisms including transporting vitamins and nutrients to cells, flushing out toxins, regulating body temperature and metabolising and digesting food. What Do Our Horses Need to Avoid Dehydration Most horses require a minimum of 10-12 gallons of water per day to meet their physiological needs and horse owners should always ensure during winter time that equine’s have access to clean, fresh water and that in freezing conditions the ice on the water is broken and removed at least twice daily. How Does Dehydration Occur in Winter Horses may consume less water during winter for many reasons such as; consuming less food in general, reducing the amount of water required for digestion, disliking excessively cold water, the water buckets or tanks becoming frozen, and ingestion of less grazing. Grass is rich in water, containing up to 80% moisture, whereas hay can be as low as just 10%. What can you do? 1.) When our equine’s stabled time increases and hay becomes the main food source why not soak your hay that you provide to your equine friend? 2.) Monitor the amount of water your horse consumes by providing ample buckets of water in the stable and assess how much they consume on a regular basis. 3.) Studies have shown that warming the water provided to your horse in freezing temperatures can encourage equines to drink up to 40% more, so why not try adding warm water to your equine’s drinking water?

The Easyboot Transition Hoof Boot from The Saddlery Shop

Earlier this year the brand new, innovative hoofboot for barefoot horses – the Easyboot Transition was launched and is now available through The Saddlery Shop. This technologically advanced boot is suitable for those horses and ponies transitioning from a shod lifestyle to barefoot but the Transition boots are also actually ideal for any equines in general that have suitable size/ shape hooves to enjoy the benefits of these Hi-Tec hoof boots. The Easyboot Transition uses a similar sole production process to human running shoes. It takes the best attributes of the most popular hoof boots, plus new technology, producing a hoof boot that will fit many shapes and sizes of hoof, including round, slightly longer than wide, and even slightly wider than long. The Transition offers a combination of shock absorption and support which has never been seen before in a hoofboot. The sole of the Transition uses three layers of material to produce a resilient shock absorbing sole that gives support and stimulation to the hoof structures. A lightweight upper protects the hoof and pastern, while reversible, industrial strength Velcro straps at the front and back secure the boot, allowing for precise fit adjustments. At the boot’s core, a polyurethane ‘bumper’ offers pliability and resilience. The hoof stands on a supportive midsole; depressions within the outer sole structure are filled with the softer midsole material, to create an integrated cushion. Comfort pads may be used inside, for additional support in therapeutic applications, or transitioning after de-shoeing. This is the ideal hoofboot to provide shock absorption to the equine hoof structures and limbs. A huge range of equine hoof boots are available from The Saddlery Shop. Visit the website to find out more or to make an enquiry to receive bespoke advice about which hoof boot is suitable for your horse or pony.

Get Ready for 2014 with The Saddlery Shop

With Christmas and the New Year behind us many of us have started looking forward to the dawning of spring and the new competition season! So what should we all be considering in order to prepare our equines and ourselves? Fitness In order to enjoy your riding, training and competing to the full this coming season, it is critical your horse is fit for the level of work he will be doing. Being appropriately fit minimises the risk of injuries and accidents. All fitness work should be completed gradually. Remember this rule applies to your own fitness too! Before beginning a fitness programme ensure your horse has a general health check including dentistry, vaccinations, worming and checking all your tack fits. The Saddlery Shop offers a wide range of horse tack including saddles, bridles, martingales, breastplates, stirrup leathers and much, much more! Feed The most important aspect of the equine diet is forage. At this time of year the grass in some areas is still a little sparse so it is vital to include ample amounts of good quality forage alongside a hard feed or a supplement such as the range from The Saddlery Shop to include plenty of vitamins and minerals. Setting Goals It can really help our motivation and increase our chances of achieving our aspirations if we set reachable goals. Setting goals can propel you forwards and proper goal setting can help break larger aspirations into smaller, more achievable stepping stones. Share your goals with your riding instructor and let 2014 be the year to start achieving them! So get ready for 2014 with The Saddlery Shop.

Winter Equine Feeding Tips

So far this winter with lashing rain and high winds we have experienced somewhat different winter weather! Nonetheless the wind and rain can mean our equines require extra care and the freezing conditions are sure to join us at some point so The Saddlery Shop is getting ahead and sharing our top tips for equine nutritional winter care. During the winter our horses and ponies require additional specific care, particularly during freezing conditions in order to maintain their health and well-being. It is vitally important that your equine stays both warm and nourished in order to allow him to enjoy the winter months. Always ensure water is available In cold weather when your water tanks and troughs are susceptible to freezing over break the ice at least twice a day, and try adding hot water where possible to your horse’s drinking water in order to keep is from freezing. Provide Ad Lib Forage During the winter months our grazing is reduced alongside becoming depreciated in nutritional value. This means it is vital to provide sufficient hay or haylage as an alternative not to mention always offering hay or haylage in the field when the ground is covered by frost of snow. Including essential fibre keeps the gut healthy and mobile and as the horse digests fibre the fermentation process of the roughage literally warms him up from the inside out. Add Vitamins and Minerals to the diet In order to provide essential micronutrients during the wintertime consider feeding a vitamin and mineral supplement in the diet such as the range available from The Saddlery Shop such as Clop, Equivite and Benevit. Keep the weight and the rug on! If your horse is lucky enough to still be getting to enjoy regular turnout ensure your equine is sufficiently rugged in order to make sure he doesn’t lose energy, calories and weight in order to keep warm. This is especially important if your horse has been clipped, losing his natural defences to cold weather. A huge range of equine stable and turnout rugs are currently on sale with reductions of up to 50% off from The Saddlery Shop as part of the January sale. Why not visit the website today and pick up a bargain? Winter doesn't need to be a puzzle with fantastic advice and products on hand from The Saddlery Shop just visit the website or make an enquiry online to find out more!