Hartpury Saddlery Top Tips- Rug Cleaning

Rug Cleaning- The Facts !

              By Hartpury Saddlery 

                  01452 700800

      www.hartprysaddleryshop.co.uk

Have you ever stopped to think?

                               IS MY RUG CLEANING COMPANY USING 

                            THE SAFEST METHODS FOR MY HORSES SKIN?

You may think cleaning is cleaning; however there are factors to consider

 when thinking about the longev- ity and hygiene of your rugs,

 and exactly what you are paying for ? 

Have you ever thought about what happens to your expensive rugs

 when you drop them off for cleaning and more importantly RE-PROOFING? 

 As a horse owner myself, I have spent a lot of money on rugs over the years

 and want to ensure they are looked after and treated professionally 

when I send them off for cleaning. 

So with this in mind Hartpury Saddlery has undertaken research 

to bring you not only the best rug cleaning service around but the facts

 behind the dirty job too.

Detergent-free washing- cleaning your horse rugs detergent free ensures

 a thoroughly clean rug with no risk of an itchy reaction for your horse &

therefore avoids skin conditions, plus it is totally environmentally friendly.

Disease prevention is important to all horse owners, and  it is essential that

 your rug cleaning service has methods in place to prevent any spread. 

Good storage practices, separate areas for clean and dirty rugs and no old bags should ever be taken from customers for transportation

 and defiantly not returned in them.

Reproofing is an important part of ensuring the long life of your rugs 

and keeping your horse dry and comfortable.

 It is essential that the right product is used to do this. 

we only use Nikwax aftercare treatments.

"The Swedish Society for Nature Conservation claim that Nikwax 

are the only manufacturers of aftercare products that contain no 

fluorochemicals, Fluorochemicals are able to enter human tissue,

 which can have harmful effects on fertility and hormones. 

They are also known to spread environmental pollutants into water

 and the air So when we use Nikwax we know it is safe to 

You, Your Horse & your rugs.

Hartpury Saddlery recommend for the longevity of your rugs 
to have them re-proofed at least once a season, or twice for very heavy use. 

Revolutionary

ABOUT HYPOCARE

"PEOPLE USE HYPOCARE TO CLEAN & FLUSH WOUNDS AND INJURIES AS WELL AS STUBBORN FUNGAL INFECTIONS"

WHAT IS HYPOCARE?

Hypocare is a revolution in infection control. It is a topical application that mirrors the body’s own immune system. Working naturally with the body, it rapidly kills bacterial, viral and fungal infections. In the equine world Hypocare is used to clean and flush wounds and injuries as well as stubborn fungal infections, such as Ringworm, Mud Fever and Thrush.

HOW DOES HYPOCARE MIRROR THE BODY’S OWN IMMUNE SYSTEM?

The active ingredient in Hypocare is Hypochlorous acid, which is produced naturally by the body’s own immune system. When a wound or infection occurs in the body, neutrophils, a type of white blood cell are deployed to the site of infection. The neutrophils then engulf the invading pathogen and produce Hypochlorous acid which kills the bacteria.

HOW POWERFUL IS HYPOCARE?

Hypochlorous acid is amazing.

Hypochlorous acid is between 80-300 times more effective at killing pathogens than hypochlorite or bleach. Although its disinfecting powers are unrivalled, it is kind to healthy tissue and has a skin neutral pH, ensuring that it will not slow down the healing process.

"HYPOCHLOROUS ACID IS BETWEEN 80-300 TIMES MORE EFFECTIVE AT KILLING PATHOGENS THAN HYPOCHLORITE OR BLEACH"

DOES HYPOCARE STING?

NO. Hypocare will not sting when applied as it has been formulated to emulate a skin pH, which means it works in harmony with the body.

WHAT ANIMALS CAN HYPOCARE BE USED ON?

Hypocare can be used on any Mammal. In the domestic pet world, it is frequently used because of its ability to help maintain healthy and itch-free skin. It is also safe if ingested, so you won’t need to worry about your pet licking the affected area.

WILL HYPOCARE HARM HEALTHY TISSUE?

No. Because Hypochlorous is a chemical that the body produces naturally, it is completely harmless to sensitive areas such as around eyes, cuts and open wounds.

"UNLIKE ANTIBIOTICS, PATHOGENS CANNOT BECOME RESISTANT TO HYPOCHLOROUS."

CAN PATHOGENS BECOME RESISTANT TO HYPOCARE?

No. Unlike antibiotics where overuse has resulted in resistance, pathogens cannot become resistant to Hypochlorous.

IS HYPOCARE COMPETITION SAFE?

YES. Hypocare contains none of the banned substances disapproved by the FEI.

WHY HAS IT NOT BEEN AVAILABLE BEFORE?

It has long been acknowledged that Hypochlorous is highly effective at killing a wide range of microorganisms and that it is safe for users and has no environmental implications - unlike traditional chemical sanitizers or disinfectants. Until now however, it has not been possible to produce high strength Hypochlorous with a shelf life of more than a few hours.

"HYPOCARE IS GROUND BREAKING TECHNOLOGY THAT WILL CHANGE HORSEMANSHIP AND ANIMAL CARE FOREVER"

GROUND BREAKING TECHNOLOGY

Hypocare is a ground breaking technology developed by a British company that has succeeded in making high strength, stable Hypochlorous acid that will change horsemanship and animal care forever.

 To purchase-http://www.hartpurysaddleryshop.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=848

BIOCIDAL TECHNOLOGY

Hypocare® is a biocidal product designed for cleaning and flushing for hygiene purposes and is not a veterinary treatment. Hypocare does not claim to have any medical effect on the conditions listed.

                Hartpury Saddlery Topic talks Evening

Natural horsemanship talk by Samantha Bolam

& Sports massage demos by Dynamic human and equine sports massage

4th Dec at 7pm

A fun and informative evening learn more about communicating with your horse and improving your partnership, plus the benefits of sports massage for you and your horse.

Limited spaces book now !

01452 700 800

Hartpury Saddlery Top Tips-Scoop Measures

Scoop measures

It is important to know how much feed is appropriate 

for your horse.

Most feed manufactures will pace feeding guides on the feed 

bags as a guide, however it is important to not only know 

what your individual horse requires but to be accurate

so as to avoid fluctuations to keep & his optimum healthy

weight- (More on this in our next top tips)

The best way to know how much you are feeding your horse

 is to buy a spring balance from a hardware shop, or your feed 

merchant, and weigh your feeds properly, however to help you out

Saracen horse feeds have provided a helpful guide below which gives you a guide 

to the weight of most feeds when using a traditional round hand-scoop, filled level.

N.B two different peoples scoop sizes (level or heaped) could produce a variation

 in weight as much as 50%.

Saracen feeds and more are now available on our NEW CLICK & COLLECT service

http://www.hartpurysaddleryshop.co.uk/index.php?cPath=54&osCsid=f465a136acaf187c624d5fc1b1d5f371

PRODUCTS	WEIGHT KG
Saracen Sports Horse Mix	1.1kg
Saracen Cooling Mix	1.0kg
Saracen Veteran Mix	1.0kg
Saracen Fibre Mix	500gm
Saracen Speed Mix	1.0kg
Saracen Show Improver Mix	980gm
Saracen Stud Mix	970gm
Saracen Pencils	1.5kg
Saracen Re-Leve	1.08kg
Saracen Enduro 100	1.00kg
Saracen Barley Hoops	950gm
Saracen Bruised Oats	1.2kg
Saracen Crushed Oats	900gm
Micronised Flaked Barley	870gm
Micronised Flaked Maize	950gm
Micronised Flaked Peas	1.2kg
Dengie Alfa A	330gm
Dengie Hi-Fi	225gm
Molassed Chaff	350gm
Sugar Beet Pellets - wet	2kg = 295gm DM
Sugar Beet Pellets - dry	1.4kg

Hartpury Saddlery top tips-The ultimate joint care

Joint Care from global herbs

Looking after your horses joints can be a tricky

 field to navigate, take a look at some of the 

benefits we think global herbs can offer, plus 

includes lots of practical joint care advice. 


http://globalherbs.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Global-Herbs-Movefree-booklet-DL-version.pdf

Available now from http://www.hartpurysaddleryshop.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=3_135_137&products_id=543 & Instore

Hartpury Saddlery Top tips- What is and why use a Gut balencer ?

http://www.hartpurysaddleryshop.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=835

What is a probiotic?

Probiotics are defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as "live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host".

How do probiotics work?

Probiotics have been shown to work by the following mechanisms:

• Competition for nutrients
Within the gut, beneficial as well as pathogenic microorganisms will be utilising the same types of nutrients. This results in a general competition between microorganisms for these nutrients. When a probiotic is administered there is an overall reduction in nutrients available for pathogenic bacteria and consequently this minimises the levels of pathogenic microorganisms.

• Competition for adhesion sites
Probiotics can attach to the gut wall and form colonies at various sites throughout the gut. This prevents pathogenic bacteria from gaining a foothold, resulting in their expulsion from the body.

• Improvement in digestion
Probiotics have been shown to increase the efficiency of digestion.

• Lactic acid production
Probiotics produce lactic acid which acts to reduce the gut pH, inhibiting the growth of pathogenic bacteria, which prefer a more alkaline environment.

• Effect on immunity
Probiotics have been shown to increase the levels of cell-signalling chemicals and the effectiveness of infection-fighting cells (white blood cells).

What makes a good probiotic?

Safety - the microorganism chosen must be non-pathogenic and non-toxic. Within the EU all probiotics must be registered for use in an individual animal species. For example, Saccharomyces cerevisiae (NCYC Sc47) 4b1702 is registered for use in horses.

Viability - the microorganisms within a probiotic product should remain viable during their storage. The probiotics should also be able to pass safely through the stomach so that they can colonise the gut. A good freeze-drying process will enable the product to be stored at room temperature throughout the duration of its shelf life. Microencapsulation will afford protection throughout the low acidity of the stomach.

Sufficient numbers - the concentration of a probiotic must be such that inclusion rates provide a beneficial effect.

Quality assurance - when manufacturing probiotic products, high quality standards and processes are imperative. This ensures that the product meets label specifications and is also effective and safe to use.

Are there any side effects associated with the use of probiotics? Can you give too much?

There are no side effects associated with the use of probiotics. All EU-registered probiotics have to pass stringent safety trials before being approved for use in each species. It is not possible to give too great a quantity of probiotics as any excess will simply pass out in the faeces.

Can probiotics be used at the same time as antibiotics?

Yes, evidence shows that taking a probiotic at the same time as an antibiotic can reduce the incidence of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea. For the best results, give the probiotic at the opposite end of the day to the antibiotic. Where this is not possible, give the probiotic at least three hours after the antibiotic. The probiotic will not affect the efficacy of the antibiotic.

How do Probiotics help horses that have been wormed?

Anthelmintic products (wormers) are used regularly to keep a horse worm-free. Wormers can disrupt the microflora causing a temporary dysbiosis. A short course of probiotics before, during and after the worming regime can restore this imbalance.

What is a prebiotic?

A prebiotic is a non-digestible carbohydrate (complex sugar) which acts as a food source for beneficial bacteria in the microflora and therefore stimulates their growth. Preplex® prebiotic is exclusive to Protexin and consists of fructooligosaccharide (FOS) and gum acacia (a source of arabinogalactan). This dual source prebiotic is of benefit across a larger area of the gut compared to a single source prebiotic.

Do Protexin products require any special storage methods?

We would recommend that Protexin products are stored in dry, clean conditions, out of direct sunlight and kept sealed once the original container has been opened in order to exclude moisture and thermal decomposition. The shelf life of Protexin products, if stored at room temperature, is 24 months.

Do the probiotics survive the very acidic conditions of the stomach?

All Protexin probiotics are microencapsulated which affords their protection through the low acidity of the stomach and enables them to reach the small intestine where they can find sites to grow.

What is microencapsulation?

Microencapsulation is the process whereby the probiotics are enclosed by a protective coating, during the manufacturing process. This allows the yeast to remain dormant until they are ingested.

What is the microflora?

The microflora consists of various bacteria, protozoa and yeasts. These are distributed throughout the length of the gut and coexist in a symbiotic (mutual) relationship in the healthy animal.

What is dysbiosis?

Dysbiosis is the condition of having a microbial imbalance on or within the body.

What can cause dysbiosis?

The main causes of dysbiosis include:

• Antibiotic treatment
• Intestinal pathogens
• Worming
• Poor nutrition
• Stress (e.g. travel and shows)
• Life-stage (e.g. weaning and old age)

The most common symptoms associated with dysbiosis are diarrhoea, colic and altered appetite.

Nikki and ray- Dealing with Ulcers

Well, we made it  to the Regionals at Mount Ballan and had a fab time, we got a creditable score of 63%, It was   quite nerve racking up against some very smart horses, but I have to say that we didn’t look out of place.

I am convinced that this is down to the Equijewel and Releve and Ray  has started to gain weight and condition.

  Rays energy levels have also improved and consequently I have been able to work him accordingly. He is starting to get a bit of a top line…..even in a short space of time and I am hoping that by the time of the Pet Plan Regionals in October comes round, he will look even better. (We haven't qualified yet….that's  the next goal!!) 

        He is eating really well and never leaves a crumb. Hope to get him weighed and re scoped mid Sept.

I compared his photos before and after this week and am amazed at the difference in Ray in such a short space of time.

I would recommend anyone with similar issues or just looking for improved condition for there horse give Saracen feeds a go.

Thank you to Nikki from Saracen Feeds and Stacey From Hartpury Saddlery for all your help.


May 2013

www.hartpurysaddleryshop.co.uk

   Aug 2013

Part 5 Nikki and Ray dealing with ulcers

July

Well Ray is loving the new feed and is really eating well, so fingers crossed.

We have a Heat wave now which I don't think is helping Rays energy levels, but only been on his new feed a short while so got to give it some time, oh ….and lots of flies!!!!!!!

Aug

Off to the vets today for re scope………he has put on 9 kg since the last weigh in 4 weeks ago, so although in this picture taken last week, he doesn’t look like there is any weight gain, there is a very slight improvement.

       Well, the report is good…..one lot of ulcers have  completely cleared and the really    bad ones are now graded at a 1. Becky is really pleased and suggests that I carry on with gastro guard for another month and to continue feeding Saracens Relieve and  EquiJewel, as this is def helping. I explained how he is happily gobbling every feed now where as before on his old feed he would leave and waste alot.

                                                                          

 Have seen improvements in his coat and seems happier ! We even did our first Novice test last week and got our first BD points.

Maybe we will go to the Regionals!!!!

Part 4- Nikki and Ray dealing with Ulcers

MID JUNE

       Poor Ray has just been diagnosed with grade 4 ulcers, They will need treating initially  with Gastro guard from the vet and need to look into a long term management programme, it is very important we find the best feed to help prevent ulcers once they have (hopefully) cleared.

Becky (our vet) has advised that we carry on as normal with the exercise and to have him re scoped in 4 weeks time, At least this explains the weight issues.

July 2013

What a mine field it is researching for the right feed for a horse with ulcers is !

 I have just noticed that Stacey from Hartpury Saddlery, is a stockist for Saracen feeds (which is one of the ones the vets recommended). Anyway, went to see Stacey and she was extremely impressed with her tour of the Saracens mill and the strict quality control they have at their factory,  and has arranged that I speak with Nikki McGee (The Local Saracens rep) & there team of experts.

  Met today with Nikki at Hartpury Saddlery and she was very helpful and extremely knowledgeable She has recommended  2 Saracen feeds, the Relieve cereal free (important for ulcer sufferers) and low starch

http://www.saracenhorsefeeds.com/eventing/23-re-leve 

 along with Saracen EquiJewel

 http://www.saracenhorsefeeds.com/eventing/33-equi-jewel (for conditioned weight gain and energy), 

we will get him started on it ASAP and keep you posted fingers crossed for regionals.

Part 3 Nikki and ray-dealing with ulcers

May 2013

Mud fever gone, but now have another wet related      problem…..liver fluke! Just been diagnosed by the vet through blood tests and dung samples.

At least that could be an explanation for the weight loss!!

All treated now and grass starting to come through, so hope to see an improvement very soon.

We are doing well in the dressage……almost there with the regional qualification—need 3 more prelim points before the end of June (watch this space)

June 2013 

       What a fab brilliant horse, we have just got 5 prelim points, so that’s it….we did it! Hope to go to the regional s in August, but I would just like to see an improvement in Rays overall condition.

       Ray is not quite himself……..has been out on spring grass and getting plenty to eat, but still not putting on any weight (this picture is 2 weeks into a fresh new field of grass and all the other horses have blossomed) Vet is coming tomorrow, we are going to have full blood tests done,     Nothing untoward showing with bloods, so Becky Wall from Three Counties Vets has suggested further investigation.

Part 2- Nikki and rays diary- dealing with ulcers

Feb/ March 2013

Off to a good start……we have already qualified for the pet plan regional’s and are on our way to qualify for the summer prelim regional’s.

Just getting fed up with the wet weather!! Roll on spring.

Ray is doing well….settling in well, but still struggling to get him to eat properly…not a big eater and he is very slow…..could do with more condition, I am sure it will come as soon as Dr Green arrives!

April 2013

Ray has had quite bad mud fever (like a lot of the horses this year), so has been on antibiotics and bute. Anyway it has cleared now, but he appears to have lost weight….! Bit worried as the spring grass is late, so not going to put on any condition yet!!!

He is quite happy and we have had some really good schooling sessions with Hannah , she is getting us to concentrate on working long and low to try and build up his topline.

Still competing and doing well and collecting a few prelim points.

Keep Posted ...................................

Nikki and Rays diary- dealing with ulcers

Jan 2013-

I bought Ray in Jan 2013 with a view to compete in BD and generally have a fun safe horse to enjoy….. well he is exactly that I am glad to say and so far we have quite successfully competed at Prelim level.

He was previously imported as a 7 year old and evented up till July last year, but had a bad fall XC and lost confidence, so the owner decided that he needed a less challenging life. He is 16.2hh, rising 13 yrs, black KWPN gelding and has a wonderful temperament and attitude and we will hopefully have a lot of fun together.

My goal is to qualify for Pet Plan regional’s and maybe BD summer regional’s

 this year

Keep posted for more...........................................................