The Big Test; Stable and Yard Essentials
Shovels, buckets, brooms, forks, hook, bags for this, that and the other, treats and toys to keep them amused (the horses not the grooms), mirros, disinfectants and washing paraphernalia, not to mention rugs for the dogs!! Yes, you've guessed it - the October issue of Equine features all manner of goodies essential for keeping the stable and yard in tip-top working order. Read on for just a few of the top rated products......
VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - Westgate Labs – 4Count Healthcare Kit
The company says: This very popular pack contains everything you need for four worm counts, including vouchers and a record card all in a handy zipped wallet, with no end time limit on use. This pack can also be used to test two horses twice or in whichever way you find most convenient. Now with prepaid return envelopes for extra convenience - no need to stamp. Results can be phoned, faxed, texted or emailed. Naturally you can still access our free advice when your result is through and we keep confidential records of all your tests. Please note there is no postal option with this pack or postal follow up. We aim to keep the 4count as economical a choice as possible by keeping costs down. £31.00 plus £2.00 p&p. Other kits/packs available. For further information visit www.westgatelabs.co.uk
Our tester, Susan Chappelhow, says: I used this on two horses and having collected required samples, sent them off then within four days, I received the results. I have also been given updates and advice as to how to go on with the worming results. Great product, very cost effective as I don't have to worm them because they are worm free. Fabulous, fabulous idea.
VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - NAF – Appy & Minty Treats
The company says: 100% natural, they have been formulated using only the best quality ingredients, including REAL peppermint in Minty Treats and REAL apple in Appy Treats! So now you can offer your horse or pony a healthy and delicious treat that is both highly palatable and smells delicious! Ideal to feed every day, or just now and again as a reward, training aid or simply to let him know how much you love him. 1kg. RRP: £3.99. www.naf-equine.eu/uk
Our tester, John Collier, says: Such a brilliant idea. They smell delicious, and giving them to your horse is like feeding a donkey strawberries! My horse has developed an addiction to them, and I’ve applied to NAF for a job on quality control. I reckon I could even be a human guinea pig on their development for their treats lol!! I preferred the smell of the mint treats, but the horse had no preference, just pigged out on them both. A nice reward for your horse and better for him than just a holey mint or two. Well worth the expense, but they’re not expensive if you know what I mean.
VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - Moorland Rider – Bale Carry Bag
The company says: The perfect way to move a bale of straw or hay around the yard, or even in the car, as the strong, showerproof bag keeps everything safely inside. Made using a shiny, lightweight material that repels loose 'bits' and prevents them from sticking to the carry. It has two well positioned handles to make the bag easy to lift and also a drawstring top to keep the contents safely inside. Blue. RRP: £21.95. www.moorlandrider.co.uk
Our tester, Gillian McMurray, says: This was used to carry hay in the lorry. It held a whole bale of hay easily and I had no difficulties in inserting the bale into the fully opened bag. I could then tighten the neck with the strong drawstring to prevent hay escaping. This is strongly made of showerproof material with good stitching. It also had two webbing handles for ease of lifting and carrying. When empty, it takes up little room and it is machine washable.
VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - Moorland Rider – Hay Carry Bag
The company says: Avery handy product which can move straw, hay and haylage around the yard, and even allows these three items to be transported in a car. The versatile bag has a drawstring at the top, carry handle at the base and can hold up to half a bale of straw or hay, or the equivalent of haylage. The carry can be used to move anything that is 'loose' without leaving a mess that needs to be tidied up later. Blue. RRP: £10.95. www.moorlandrider.co.uk
Our tester, Gillian McMurray, says: Similar attributes to the Moorland Rider Bale Carry Bag but is smaller and therefore suitable for physically carrying a haynet load around the yard, or too and from the car, which in turn keeps the vehicle hay/straw/haylage free.
VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - Aquamax - The Fine Tine Fork
The company says: The perfect tool to use when mucking out wood pellet and crumble bedding. The fork, which combines a long handle with an angled bucket made using closely arranged plastic tines, makes mucking out a breeze. The fork allows clean bedding to be sifted away from the smallest pieces of droppings and hay, so there’s less clean bedding on the muck heap and a lot more in the horse’s bed. Not only does this mean less trips to the muck heap, it’ll also help save money as less clean bedding gets discarded. RRP: £35.00. www.aquamax.co.uk
Our tester, Anne Chappelhow, says: I have only positive feedback on this fork, which is impressively simple in design but so effective. I used it to clean out our stables over the recent weeks in which we use Skogs Logs equine bedding. This bedding easily passes though the plastic sieve effect of the fork and, like magic, leaves only the muck to dispose of. I was delighted to find this as past experiences with other forks had the smaller droppings going through onto the cleaned bed. The deep sided design was a big plus in helping to ensure no escaping muck bounced off the edges whilst in use. The length of shaft suited me as I find some on the short side which is not good for my back!
You'll find the full report on pages 37-42 of the October issue - which you can download free from this link.... http://content.yudu.com/Library/A3x0kv/EquinemagazineOctobe/
