The Big Test - Useful yard and stable equipment
From haynets, stable toys and shovels, to forks, buckets and storage and leather care, our panel members have been busy down on their yards testing items to keep their horses happy.... here’s just a taster; the full report of 18 different products appeared in the October issue of Equine magazine.
VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Aquamax – Fine Tine Fork
The company says: Not only reduces mucking out time, it could also reduce your bedding bill as it sifts clean bedding away from muck and hay, so more stays in the stable. An angled basket is made up of tightly arranged plastic tines, which move clean bedding away from soiled with ease. Lightweight and easy to use. A must-have for those who use pellet and crumble bedding. RRP: £35.00. www.aquamax.co.uk
Our tester, Anne Chappelhow, says: This fork is so much better suited to the fine wood product bedding that we use for the horses, rather than any other ‘shavings fork’ that I have used before.
The bedding passes though easily when shaking, whilst leaving the muck in the deep sided fork, including some of the smaller pieces of muck that would normal escape back through, into the bedding. So it has actually made cleaning out the stables quicker as well as neater. Good length of shaft, including a balanced feel when in use. Great tool for the job its designed to do.
VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
NAF - Five Star Sheer Luxe Leather Care
The company says: Leather Food - Feed and nourish your tack with this luxurious rich lotion to revitalise and moisturise recently cleaned or new leatherwork. RRP £9.99. Cleanse and Condition - For a luxurious finish, this deep cleansing formula is easy to use and leaves a non-sticky natural finish. RRP £9.99.Leather Balsam - An intensive conditioner designed to penetrate and nourish tack, keeping it luxuriously soft and supple. With free sponge inside for easy application. RRP £9.99. www.naf-equine.eu/uk
Our tester, John Collier, says: Every so often a product comes along that really makes an impression; this is one of them. I have never known a product be so well received on the yard. The range consists of a leather cleanse, leather food and a leather balsam and they all do what they say on the tin. The cleanse and condition really does do that, and with the balsam you end up with soft, supple tack which has a really nice shine that is not sticky. The leather food, and also the cleanser, are not suitable for all types of leather so some care is required using it. Price wise, they represent good value for money as the product goes a long way, it even appeals to the ‘watching the pennies’ side of me. An ideal present for a pony owning child, it makes tack cleaning quicker and less of a chore. Try some; if you’re half as impressed as I am, you’ll be well pleased.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Hy -Small Holed Extra Large Haynet
The company says: A large, small mesh, polypropylene hay net with 4 x 4cm mesh holes to help slow consumption and reduce wastage. Black, Black/Blue, Navy/Silver & Pink/Black. RRP: £10.00. www.Hy-Equestrian.com
Our tester, Clare Chappelhow, says: I am a fan of the smaller holes of this haynet, from a safety point of view, so if a horse paws there is no chance of catching its hoof in the net. I also find there is less hay wasted, as the horse is only able to take smaller amounts at a time. I have used this haynet in the stable and it holds sufficient to last the horse overnight. Its capacity is half a large slice of haylage or three chunky slices from a small bale of hay. I have also used the haynet whilst travelling, and tied it between horses to share. I did find the string to tie it up with on the long side for my preference, but some may like that, depending where you are tying it. It also came undone a couple of times, and I wondered if this was due to the tie string being slimmer than what I have used before? (so I have made some adaptations).
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Equine Speedskip
The company says: A stable tool which now makes mucking out stables, arenas and paddocks easier and faster. The strong rake is every effective at removing only the manure, saving expensive bedding and the arena surface ending up on the muck heap. Brilliant on paddocks too as the rake does not get tangled up in long grass. Blue, Red, Green, Purple & Black. RRP: £26.50 with rake + p&p. Items also available separately. www.equinespeedskip.com
Our tester, Peter Bulman, says: Excellent……I was initially surprised how well this actually worked - and it quickly gets better with practice ‘according to your style’. The fork lets you quickly ‘flick’ all those separate little bits of muck into the skip, along with those ‘messy’ smaller bits, much more cleanly and quicker, whether on grass, arena or in the stable. The skip is fairly large and holds a fair weight of muck thus the barrow (or whatever) needs to be close by, so as to tip it into. The rake looked a bit flimsy but proved not to be so as it has taken all the rough handling without complaint. In the stable there is less bedding picked up, as by placing the skip a few inches away from the muck and as you flick the muck in, most, (if any), bedding drops back into the bed, same in the arena. Definitely makes that mucky job a bit more bearable and gets it over with much quicker – and cleaner. - Will save on the cost of gloves too.
VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Noble Outfitters – Wave Fork
The company says: An innovative breakthrough in stable management that cleans stables with ease. Aircraft grade aluminum handle built for lightweight durability. Adjustable grip on handle for personalised comfort. Copolymer plastic resin tines bend but don't break. Outer tines form a basket for maximum load. Lightweight and customisable with a choice of eight colour ways of tines for personalisation. Five year guarantee. RRP £39.95. www.nobleoutfitters.co.uk
Our tester, Caroline Mosley, says: Oh my goodness for anyone thinking about getting a shavings fork, BUY THIS ONE!!! You will not be disappointed! Compared to my current one it is much, much, lighter and so far is indestructible! My horse has stood on it, thrown it across the yard and knocked it on the floor countless times and it’s still in perfect working order. It has been used to muck out large shavings beds, wood pellet bedding and even a straw sheep pen. It saves so much time and it makes mucking out fun (I never thought I would say that!!). I love that it comes in a variety of colours too and it is guaranteed so parts can be replaced. This is an essential must buy!!
VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Moorland Rider – Hay Carry
The company says: Designed to carry up to half a bale of straw or hay from the barn to the stable. Made using showerproof material, it has a drawstring top, carry handle, and base handle to make it really easy to empty. The bag can be used to carry or store hay, straw or haylage on the yard and in the lorry, trailer or car. Blue. RRP: £13.95. www.moorlandrider.co.uk
Our tester, Josella Scott, says: When I was offered a bag to test in which to carry hay I was doubtful that I would actually have a need for it. How wrong was I! In fact this large, waterproof bag has come in very handy. I do sometimes end up having to put hay-nets into the back of the car which usually means a trail of bits and mess. Now with this bag that doesn’t happen. I pop the ready filled nets into this bag and we arrive with a neat and tidy car which is always a bonus. I also used it (as advertised) to carry approximately half a sliced bale to fill field hay-nets. The carrying was easy, there is a handle on the base or it can just be slung over your shoulder. However, I have found that this bag had other uses than just carrying hay-nets , especially when travelling to events, as it was ideal to carry all kinds of horsey and (sheep) bits and pieces. Its size meant I could fit most of my grooming kit, boots, spare clothes, white coats, etc., into it. Helping to keep the trailer tidy too!
This article first appeared in the October issue of Equine. If you would like to read more of The Big Test reports, back issues are available for secure online purchase from www.theequinestore.co.uk where you can also subscribe to Equine.
