Acceptable Weight / Horse Ratio
Master Saddler & Master Saddle Fitter Kay Hastilow has been working to develop a new formula that seeks to enable a more accurate assessment of the weight that an individual horse or pony can comfortably carry and the results of that study have just been published. Kay explains more about what the new formula is and the potential welfare benefits it offers ...
Read more ...Inspiring Owners To Keep Horses Trim And Reduce Health Risks
Now that the grass is growing in abundance, the risk of weight gain and associated health problems for horses and ponies is significantly increased. Spillers hopes that by sharing two real life case studies, it can help highlight the importance of good weight management to minimise the risk of serious conditions such as laminitis.
BETA Feed Awareness Week Flies The Flag For Equine Nutrition
BETA Feed Awareness Week is back - running for a third time - earlier in the year than usual, but with the same mission, to dispel feeding myths and grow nutritional knowledge. This popular campaign will take place from 27 March to 4 April, just as spring arrives and the competition season begins to unfold.
Carl Hester - In The Frame on H&C Tonight (Thur 18)
Carl Hester is the latest guest to feature in 'In the Frame', the new series from Horse & Country (H&C) where presenter Alice Plunkett asks an equestrian legend to select five photographs that define their career.
Carl’s selection spans his early days in Sark right through to the Olympics and beyond.
This evening (18th Feb) at 5pm GMT Carl will join H&C’s Jenny Rudall for an Instagram Live interview on the H&C Instagram page. Expect more great stories about Carl’s choices and his extraordinary career.
Vet Advice: Mud Fever Management
British weather means rainy days are a typical feature of winter and early spring, resulting in our horses and ponies spending more time standing in the mud when they are turned out. Mud fever is a common finding in these situations, so it is hardly surprising that a recent study by the Blue Cross Equine Charity found that mud fever accounted for 40% of skin disease in horses. Mud fever is a non-contagious (meaning it does not pass from horse to horse) skin condition that causes for irritation, pain, and scabs to form on the lower limbs of horses. In more severe cases, swelling and lameness of the affected limbs can occur. The most frequently affected areas are the back of the pastern, between the fetlock and the hoof. Understanding how to prevent and manage the condition can make a big difference.
New Research Into Equestrian Body Protection Delivers Surprising Results
FOMO, the company behind FAZE, one of the UK's newest body protectors, has just released the first findings in a study into body protection for the equestrian market.
FOMO was awarded an Innovate UK SMART Grant in October 2019 and spent 15 months completing a feasibility study on particular named technologies, working alongside thought leaders, including the University of Edinburgh, to determine ‘life-like’ test methods for assessing each technology.
The company was founded in 2016 by Carmen Cummiskey, an experienced equestrian and a graduate in Sports Engineering from the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow. Throughout her development of FAZE, Carmen was always of the belief that the best balance of performance and comfort would not be achieved with the use of a single technology and that the combined characteristics of complementary technological solutions would be needed to achieve a step change.
Blue Cross Call To Ditch New Year's Eve Fireworks
Blue Cross is urging people not to let off any fireworks on New Year's Eve, as horse owners reveal the extent of suffering they cause in a recent survey.
As a difficult year for everyone comes to a close, it is understandable the British public may be wanting to celebrate new hope for 2021 this winter and for some, that might include letting off fireworks in their garden or private fields.
However, the animal charity is asking people to think about horses and pets this New Year’s Eve and resist the temptation to use loud fireworks, which we know terrifies many of the animals we share our lives with.
Blue Cross surveyed horse owners in early December and found that there were high levels of concern in the equine community about the impact on their horses and the difficulty in predicting when the fireworks may be let off in order to try and plan ahead. (1)
Give the Lasting Gift of Saddle Fitting Know How
Saddle Fitting Know How - For Riders and Trainers is available as two videos for unlimited download or streaming from Master Saddler & Master Saddle Fitter Kay Hastilow’s own Vimeo On Demand page for a one-off charge of just £35 per video – the perfect equestrian Christmas Gift for less than the cost of a good quality saddlecloth!
Read more ...H&C and British Riding Clubs Announce Live Streaming Partnership
International equestrian sports network Horse & Country (H&C) and British Riding Clubs (BRC) have announced a new partnership which will see selected BRC events live-streamed on H&C’s membership service, H&C+. BRC is dedicated to supporting and encouraging amateur riders at all levels and runs a wide range of championships and events throughout the year. The partnership will commence with the BRC TopSpec Dressage to Music Championships taking place at Bury Farm (2nd – 4th October) and further events will be announced in the near future.
Introductory Course In Saddle Fitting
The Society of Master Saddlers (SMS) is running an Introductory Course in Saddle Fitting this autumn, so if you've ever thought about a new career as a qualified saddle fitter, this could be for you! The theory lectures will be run as webinars over two afternoon and evening sessions on October 26 and 27, followed up with a one day practical next April.
Read more ...Search On To Find 2020's Top UK Veterinary Nurse
Blue Cross has begun its annual search for the UK‘s 'Veterinary Nurse of the year' and is calling on pet owners and veterinary practices to nominate vet nurses who have gone the extra mile in 2020. The charity’s award recognises the dedication of the country’s vet nurses and their invaluable support to their veterinary teams, the nation’s pets and pet owners.
The Donkey Sanctuary Supports Equine Microchipping Drive
A call by the UK’s Chief Veterinary Officer, Christine Middlemiss, for all donkey, horse and pony owners to microchip their animals ahead of an Autumn deadline has been backed by international animal welfare charity, The Donkey Sanctuary. From 1 October 2020 it will be mandatory for all equine owners to microchip their animals in England, so their details can be added to the Central Equine Database. The database will enable local authorities and the police to trace owners of abandon or stolen equines, while also helping to improve animal welfare standards.
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