Articles by Tammy Patterson on ArticleSnatch.com

Equine Allergies & the difficulties in Diagnosing

Fri, 20 May 2011 19:18:06 -0400

When it comes to allergies, as humans we know they can be difficult to diagnose. It is important to be fully aware of any symptoms the horse may be displaying in order to assist in the correct diagnosis of the problem. Horse owners should be aware that symptoms can easily be mistaken for other common diseases or conditions and due to this; acute observation is always helpful in the determination of the problem. There are wide arrays of symptoms that can be portrayed by the horse, signalling a horse suffering from an allergy. Some of the most common include; • Coughing • Raised lumps on their skin • Streaming from the eyes or nose • Behaving as though under the weather – lethargic, irritable etc. A good horse owner will know when their horse has a change in behaviour away from the usual. Causes of Equine Allergies Many different items found consistently in many of our horses' environments can contribute to an allergic reaction. • Dust • Mould Spores • Some proteins found in certain pastures • Certain foods • Hay • Grains • Insect bites • Supplements Like us allergies are very specific to the individual. **End Summary** Topics: equestrian]]> animals]]> horse]]> pet health]]> health]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Tammy is a avid horse rider who loves to advertise the correct ways to be looking after horses. Tammy works part time for a company who specialise in jodhpur boots as well as equestrian waterproof clothing & jack murphy waterproof coats in the UK. For more info, please visit Anything Equine for a range of equestrian clearance products.

The problems of Itchy Horses & making a horse drink if you take him to water

Wed, 18 May 2011 11:10:05 -0400

Exzemoid Dermatitis is not a commonly recognised term, it is more commonly known as pasture rot, rain scald, mud fever, scratches or grease heel. Whichever way you are used to knowing it, it is not good for your horse to have. It is caused by a combination of fungal organisms and bacteria causing lesions on the skin after it has become irritated. Wrinkled areas of skin, as found on the bulbs of the heels or back of the pastern area are most commonly affected. Symptoms include; • Inflamed skin • Redness • Oozing of oedema • Cracks There are many factors that bring about the cause of this condition; • Moist conditions • Poor stable management • Rough pastures (potentially causing the initial scratches that then become infected) • Clipping (if micro-cuts are caused by clipper blades) The most successful course of action that can assist in the reduction of the severity of these symptoms and in-turn in the healing of the problem is a change in stable and pasture management. **End Summary** Topics: equestrian]]> animals]]> horse]]> health]]> pet health]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Tammy is a avid horse rider who loves to advertise the best ways to be looking after horses. Tammy works part time for a company who specialise in horse boots as well as Toggi Canyon boots & cheap horse clothing in the UK. For more info, please visit Anything Equine for equestrian articles and a range of horse riding tack and equestrian clearance products.

Looking after your Horse in the Summer Months

Wed, 18 May 2011 08:01:29 -0400

It is not only humans that get hot and bothered in the hot summer months. Like us they can react badly in a number of ways to excessive heat and humidity. They too can suffer from; • Heat Stroke • Sunburn • Exhaustion As we use horses for recreational purposes this can often mean that we enjoy a ride on a summer's day. Horses can sometimes go through a great deal of additional physical exertion due to the heat on these days. Their body can struggle to properly regulate their core temperature, causing the release of too many vital electrolytes through sweat. As well as this, other vital fluids can be lost – resulting in heat exhaustion. It is interesting and important to note that your horse does not have to be a race horse, or top eventer to suffer from this. Horses, like us, can cope with their own individual amount of exercise before needing time to recover. Heat will reduce this. It is also important to remember that it is not only exercise that may induce heat exhaustion. **End Summary** Topics: equestrian]]> animals]]> horse]]> pets]]> pet health]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Tammy is a passionate equine rider who loves to promote the correct ways to be treating horses. Tammy works part time for a company who specialise in riding breeches as well as equine tack & champion body protectors in the UK. For more info, please visit Anything Equine for equestrian articles and a range of turnout rugs and equestrian clearance products.

Horse Help: Preparing for Equine competitions

Mon, 09 May 2011 22:00:00 -0400

To ensure you are ready for the show ring there are many things you can do in advance to prepare. This will ensure you have more time on the day to concentrate on the competing rather than the details. 1. Pulling your horses mane / tail 2. Cleaning tack 3. Cleaning your boots 4. Loading the horse box for the competition you are attending 5. Pre filling haynets Pulling your horse's mane and tail can be a chore for many of us, especially if we do not use the most efficient aids and techniques in which to do so. There are many products that assist in this, Solocomb's, mane combs, shampoo etc. Pulling is best done after your horse has exercised and on a warm day. This will ensure the hair follicles are more relaxed and open, hopefully then reducing the pain the horse may feel as you pull the hair out. It is also advised that the hair is clean but not too clean. This means it is advised that you wash your horse's mane and tail the day or two before you wish to pull them and do not use conditioner. **End Summary** Topics: equestrian]]> animals]]> horse]]> competitions]]> sports]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Tammy is a passionate equine rider who loves to promote the correct ways to be treating horses. Tammy works part time for a company who specialise in equestrian clothing as well as mark todd horse rugs & equestrian rugs in the UK. For more info, please visit Anything Equine for a range of horse riding boots and equestrian clearance products.

What does an Equine Behavioural Consultant do?

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 19:19:03 -0400

If you are experiencing an Equine behaviour problem or if your horse is doing something that you do not understand then an Equine Behavioural Consultant is the person you need to help you fix the problem. Problems that can be helped include – loading problems, leading problems, riding problems such as bucking, rearing and spooking; barging, biting and kicking to name a few. An Equine Behavioural Consultant will start off by taking a full case history that could take up to a couple of hours. This is so he / she can build up a true picture of your horses' way of life and routine and can start to work out why the problem began, the triggers for it and most importantly how to solve the problem and make yours and your horses' life better. A good Equine Behavioural Consultant should be able to then have a look at the horses' behaviour (without putting the owner / handler or rider in any situation that they are unhappy with) in order to make a full diagnosis. **End Summary** Topics: animals]]> pets]]> horse]]> equine]]> health]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Tammy is a passionate equine rider who loves to advertise the correct ways to be treating horses. Tammy works part time for a company who specialise in horse riding clothes as well as mark todd long boots & horse riding boots in the UK. For more info, please visit the site for a range of horse rugs and equestrian clearance products.

Equestrian Care: Bathing a Horse

Tue, 05 Apr 2011 19:18:17 -0400

As most horse owners will know, there are many ways to get and keep your horse cleen. Some of these methods will vary depending on your horses preference to them. At this time of year many of us are wanting to prepare and get ready fo heading out to the first shows of the season. This will not only include a more tailored training routine but will alse require you and your horse to look as smart as you can. A common way of gettin your horse sparkling clean is to give them a bath. Items you may want to get out and ready prior to starting may include - Large sponge - warm water - scoop / large cup as a method of applying the warm water to your horse - Horse shampoo (many varieties are available depending on whether you want to e.g. brighten up white socks, bring out the colour of your horses bay coat, and many others have different horse related smells) - mane / tail comb - water brush (for hooves) - mane and tale leave in conditioner - wicking rug - Safety tie - sweat scraper. **End Summary** Topics: diet]]> animals]]> pets]]> horse]]> equine]]> health]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Tammy is a avid horse rider who trys to promote the best ways to be looking after horses. Tammy works part time for a company who specialise in equestrian clothing as well as equestrian waterproof clothing & jack murphy waterproof coats in the UK. For more info, please visit the site for a range of turnout horse rugs and equestrian clearance products.

Equine: Hacking Out

Sat, 12 Mar 2011 19:49:55 -0500

Horse riding is recognised as a dangerous sport and riding horses out on the roads is particularly dangerous even for those who have a horse who is generally safe and well behaved. The quality of hacking varies a lot throughout the country with some places having safe bridlepaths and lanes to ride on whereas some people are not as fortunate and are forced to ride down busy roads in order to get to the destination. Irrespective of where you are riding it is important that you are well equipped. Reflective gear can save the life of the horse and the rider not only with traffic but also makes other people aware of you such as hot air balloons and aircraft. Also in the case of an accident it is helpful to any rescuers trying to find a missing horse or rider. There are various items available to buy such as reflective exercise sheets and jackets for riders. Reflective boots work particularly well as they catch drivers eyes as they move. When riding horses it is also important to wear a riding hat. **End Summary** Topics: hacking]]> animals]]> pets]]> horse]]> equine]]> health]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Tammy is a passionate equine rider who trys to advertise the correct ways to be looking after horses. Tammy works part time for a company who specialise in jodhpur boots as well as mark todd long boots & horse riding boots in the UK. For more info, please visit the site for a range of turnout rugs and equestrian clearance products

Equine Diet: A Horse's Water intake

Mon, 07 Mar 2011 01:04:37 -0500

Water intake is a vitally important part of the horse's diet. An average sized horse will carry around 300 litres at any one time. For this reason it is essential that the horse has enough water in its daily diet. A horse can live for many weeks with no food but can only survive for a few days without water. At rest a horse will lose water through excretion, evaporation and evaporation from the skin. They will consume up to thirty litres on a typical day and on a hot summer day can consume around fifty five litres. Horses will take water both from drinking and from food; the contents of their diet will affect the amount of extra water they need to consume. For example haylage has higher water content than dry hay. If a horse does not get enough water in their diet then they run the risk of becoming dehydrated. If they lose a lot of water during exercise through sweating then it is important that this is accounted for and replaced. Another time when their water intake should be monitored is during transportation. **End Summary** Topics: diet]]> animals]]> pets]]> horse]]> equine]]> health]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Tammy is a passionate equine rider who loves to advertise the correct ways to be treating horses. Tammy works part time for a company who specialise in riding boots as well as mark todd saddlery & waterproof riding boots in the UK. For more info, please visit the site for a range of horse rugs and equestrian clearance products

Guide to towing a horsebox or trailer

Mon, 14 Feb 2011 00:02:05 -0500

Everyday horses are travelled in trailers either long or short distances. When towing a horse in a trailer it is important to ensure they have a safe and comfortable journey, if not it is easy to make them afraid of travelling and bad to load. The safety of the trailer is important, before travelling you should check that the floor of the trailer is stable, if it is loose, rusty or soft then the horse will be able to feel this, or worse it could give way whilst travelling. You should also check that the lights work and check the tyres for pressure and wear. Another important consideration is the towing vehicle. Many people are not aware of the weight that they can legally tow with their vehicle or how much a fully loaded trailer might weigh. The weight you can tow depends on the kerbside weight of your towing vehicle, it is essential to comply with this as to keep within the law and to be safe. A trailer that is too heavy for the vehicle towing it may prevent the brakes from working properly and may destabilise the vehicle. **End Summary** Topics: horse]]> animals]]> equestrian]]> equine]]> towing]]> pet]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Tammy is a passionate horse rider who wishes to promote the best ways to be treating horses. Tammy works part time for a company who specialise in horse riding jackets as well as equestrian waterproof clothing & jack murphy waterproof coats in the UK. For more info, please visit the site for a range of riding jodhpurs .

A guide to Polo with Horses

Thu, 10 Feb 2011 07:39:25 -0500

Polo is a game played with a team of four riders on horseback using a long mallet to hit a small ball into the opposing team's goal. The object of the game being the team to score the highest number of goals. Traditionally polo is played on a large grass field up to 300 yards and 200 or 160 yards wide. After each goal is scored the teams swap goals so as to account for the wind and conditions. In America polo is often played in arenas which are smaller and only have teams of three riders rather than four. A game of polo is split into periods of play known as chukkas usually around seven minutes long. Between chukkas players often change ponies in higher level competitions often more ponies are used between four and eight ponies per rider. Although called polo 'ponies' the mounts used are often horses up to 16hh tall. They are selected for their agility, speed and temperament. Temperament is important as the horse should be controllable at all times even when the pace of the game gets exciting. **End Summary** Topics: sports]]> animals]]> horse]]> equestrian]]> game]]> pet]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Tammy is a avid equine rider who loves to advertise the best ways to be looking after horses. Tammy works part time for a company who specialise in jodhpur boots as well as equine tack & champion body protectors in the UK. For more info, please visit the site for a range of horse riding hats products

Saddle Fitting and why it is important for your horse

Wed, 09 Feb 2011 06:58:34 -0500

It is important that any saddle you use on your horse is well fitted so as not to cause any problems. A poorly fitting saddle can restrict movement and lead to further problems such as lameness, muscle spasms and even behavioural problems due to the pain. If the saddle does not fit the horse properly it will shift the weight of the rider and this will mean that pressure points can build under the contact areas. Also if the saddle is too small for the rider then they will also be more unbalanced and can cause the horse muscular problems. Many people use accessories to help their saddle fit better such as pads, half pads etc however it is preferable to have a well fitting saddle in the first place. If you are not experienced in saddle fitting it is strongly recommended that you consult a professional saddler however some basic tips to consider are: The saddle should sit far enough back so as to allow free movement of the horses shoulder but not back further than the top of the last rib and the thoracolumbar junction. **End Summary** Topics: horse]]> animal]]> pet]]> equestrian]]> saddle]]> tack]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Tammy is a passionate equine rider who trys to advertise the best ways to be looking after horses. Tammy works part time for a company who specialise in horse saddles as well as Toggi Canyon boots & cheap horse clothing in the UK. For more info, please visit the site for a range of saddle pads and tack products

How to warming up the horse before schooling

Sat, 05 Feb 2011 08:41:13 -0500

Before schooling, competing or exercising a horse intensively it is important to ensure they are warmed up fully. This helps to prevent injuries particularly of the musculo-skeletal system. Muscles that are not warmed up are not as flexible and elastic as those that are and so therefore they are more likely to become injured. Warm up is even more important during winter months when it is cold, particularly if the horse is stabled for long periods of time as muscles can become stiff and inflexible. Older horses may need longer periods of warm up. It is a good idea for riders to ensure they are also warmed up, particularly if taking part in an event such as cross-country or other high exertion sports. The more balanced and supple a rider is the easier the horse will be able to move. When warming a horse up it is important to start slowly and consider all the muscle groups they are going to need. Start in walk and then add some stretching exercises bending both ways. It is essential to warm up on both reins as different muscles are used if bending in different directions. **End Summary** Topics: animals]]> pets]]> horse]]> equine]]> health]]> equestrian]]> schooling]]> howto]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Tammy is a passionate equine rider who trys to advertise the correct ways to be treating horses. Tammy works part time for a company who specialise in equestrian clearance clothing as well as mark todd long boots & horse riding boots in the UK. For more info, please visit the site for a range of turnout rugs and horse rug products

Tips for achieving top marks in your dressage tests

Mon, 15 Nov 2010 23:31:13 -0500

Preparation is of vital importance when deciding on entering and training for your dressage test. When considering competitions, as a rule of thumb it is vital to know that the training of the horse and rider is of a standard sufficient to or preferable higher than that of the level test you will be performing. The rider should know the test off by heart; this will allow the rider and horse to concentrate on their working relationship rather than any confusions or worries about direction or which exercise comes next becomes a distraction. Training and practicing each part of the test and the different exercises that will be ridden during the test is a vital part of you and your horse's preparation for this. It is advisable though that a few weeks prior to the test you should perform the entire test in as close an environment as possible. This will give you a good indication of areas that need to be worked on, whether you and your horses concentration throughout a complete test becomes tested at any specific points or whether transitions between certain exercises need a little extra practice. **End Summary** Topics: dressage]]> tips]]> advice animals]]> pets]]> horse]]> equine]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Tammy is a passionate equine rider who loves to promote the correct ways to be treating horses. Tammy works part time for a company who specialise in Lazy Jacks clothing as well as equestrian waterproof clothing & jack murphy waterproof coats in the UK. For more info, please visit Anything Equine for more horse care articles

Your horses Canter

Thu, 11 Nov 2010 07:46:17 -0500

The working canter is the canter used from the beginning of a horses training, this has 3 beats and is classed as 'three time'. The sequence of horse's foot falls is as follows; • Outside hind leg • Inside hind and outside fore at the same time • Inside fore leg • This is then followed by a moment where all horse's feet are off the ground at the same time momentarily. This is called the moment of suspension. The horse can canter with a left or right foreleg lead. The lead is determined by whichever foreleg reaches the farthest forward on landing. This three time movement causes a rocking motion when ridden. A disunited canter is a very common fault when cantering. A united canter should always be worked towards and this is classed as such when the horses leading foreleg and leading hindleg appear to be on the same side. When cantering 'disunited' the leading hindleg appears to be on the opposite side to the leading foreleg. Common reasons for a disunited canter are often attributed to lack of strength, fitness, tension or a physical problem. **End Summary** Topics: canter]]> horse care]]> animal]]> pets]]> horse]]> equine]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Tammy is a avid horse rider who trys to advertise the correct ways to be treating horses. Tammy works part time for a company who specialise in lazy jacks sweatshirts as well as equine tack & champion body protectors in the UK. For more info, please visit the site for a range of horse blankets including turnout rugs

Complementary Therapies for Horses

Thu, 04 Nov 2010 20:38:05 -0400

Homeopathy Homeopathy was first used as a complementary or alternative therapy for humans in 1796 and is based on the theory that 'like cures like'. A small amount of a substance is used that has been seen to cause the same symptoms, this is said to invoke a reaction in the body which then brings about a curative process. It is a difficult thing to review because even the trained and qualified homeopathic practitioners are not able to give a definitive answer as to how it affects the body. A homeopathic remedy is prepared by taking an extract and diluting it then generally dispensing this in a sugared tablet form. These extracts are gained from a variety of sources such as plant, animal and mineral. In more recent years homeopathy has become more common for use in treating animals and now you can purchase many homeopathic remedies over the counter to treat various ailments. Some common ones include: sweetitch, bruising, skin conditions, arthritis, headshaking; COPD, laminitis, sarcoids, and Cushing's syndrome. It is useful for chronic conditions but is not a method of first aid. **End Summary** Topics: alternative treatment]]> homeopathy]]> animals]]> pets]]> horse]]> equine]]> teeth dentistry]]> health]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Tammy is a passionate equine rider who trys to advertise the best ways to be treating horses. Tammy works part time for a company who specialise in Lazy Jacks clothing as well as mark todd saddlery & waterproof riding boots in the UK. For more info, please visit the site for a range of equestrian clearance products

How to Tell the Age of a Horse From His Teeth

Fri, 15 Oct 2010 09:23:00 -0400

The age old practice of telling the age of a horse by looking at its teeth is one that continues even in this day and age. While it is not always an exact science due to better equine dental supplies in the modern age, the general concepts will hold true. A horse grows two separate sets of teeth during its lifetime similar to a human. They grow baby teeth and permanent teeth. When a horse has grown its permanent set of teeth to completion it is considered to have a 'full mouth'. It is easier to determine a horses age accurately when it is younger. However, with practice the general age of a horse can be determined at any stage of its life. Early Life From the time a horse is born until it is roughly two weeks old the foal will will have two central upper and lower incisors. In latter weeks, roughly four to six, the laterals will appear. The corners appear after six to nine months. After roughly a year of its life passes a horse will develop a full incisor set. This includes the middle, six upper, and lower teeth. **End Summary** Topics: animals]]> pets]]> horse]]> equine]]> teeth dentistry]]> health]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Tammy is a passionate equine rider who likes to promote the best ways to be looking after horses. Tammy works part time for a company who specialise in equestrian clothing as well as mark todd long boots & horse riding boots in the UK. For more info, please visit the site for a range of Mark Todd equestrian products

Why You Should Float Your Horse's Teeth

Tue, 05 Oct 2010 17:40:44 -0400

Like humans, horses get two sets of teeth – baby teeth and permanent teeth. After a horse's permanent teeth grow in (usually by the age of five), there will be 36-44 teeth. Just like humans, horses' teeth demand attention and care. Ignoring your horse's dental needs can cause problems while you ride and can affect your horse's digestive system. Horses need to have their teeth floated. So why do they need their teeth floated and what does this even mean? Instead of chewing their food, horses grind from side to side. Grinding hay and grass breaks the food down into a pulp. The hay and grass can then be digested better and more nutrients can be absorbed. However, the grinding motion wears the teeth down unevenly. Horses' lower teeth will become sharp on the inside next to the tongue and on the upper teeth next to the cheek. The sharp points can cut the horse's cheek and tongue causing discomfort. The bridle can create even more pain so your horse my toss her head or refuse to take the bridle. Uneven teeth will also prevent proper digestion and as a result, your horse may begin to lose weight. **End Summary** Topics: animals]]> pets]]> horse]]> equine]]> teeth dentistry]]> health]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Tammy is a passionate equine rider who trys to promote the correct ways to be treating horses. Tammy works part time for a company who specialise in horse riding clothing as well as mark todd saddlery & waterproof riding boots in the UK. For more info, please visit the site for a range of Mark Todd equestrian products

Horse Equipment Needed for hacking out safely

Sun, 19 Sep 2010 12:03:04 -0400

It is important to remember that any equipment when used on or around horses should be kept in a good condition and free from wear and tear. In particular, important items such as reins, girth, girth straps and stirrup leathers should be regularly checked to prevent wear and tear from going unnoticed and becoming dangerous. It is not only the stitching that needs to be monitered, any leather should be cleaned regularly and a suitable leather cleaner / saddle soap should be used to prevent cracks, weaknesses and tears. Whichever saddle you use, GP, westewrn or synthetic, it should fit correctly and your bridle should sit comfortably and neither should rub in any place. There are a wide range of safety accessories that can be utilised when hacking. Boots and or bandages are the best ways of offering protection to the horses legs. There are many different types, fetlock boots; brushing boots; complete boots that offer protection to the tendons and fetlocks as well as wicking moisture away from the legs, preventing rubbing and over-reach boots. These can be made using many different materials, leather, neoprene, nylon and synthetic fabrics are all common. **End Summary** Topics: horse]]> animal]]> pet]]> equestrian]]> hacking]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Tammy is a avid horse rider who loves to advertise the correct ways to be treating horses. Tammy works part time for a company who specialise in equestrian saddles as well as mark todd saddlery & waterproof riding boots in the UK. For more info, please visit the site for a range of WoofWear equestrian products

When is it recommended to use gadgets to assist in training horses?

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 12:25:48 -0400

There is always a mixed reaction from people when talking about the use of gadgets to assist in the training of horses. In todays world of ever advancing technologies, research and training techniques there are more gadgets than ever and something that will apply to most training situations. Some people do not like to use them, others dont like to ride without them. Some of the more popular and well known training aids include side reins, the chambon, market harboroughs, de-gogues and the pessoa. Ideally we would not need training aids to help us with our horses but sadly because our abilities and our horses abilities are rarely perfect so we often opt for a helping hand. In many circumstances, when used correctly, training aids can be of benefit to bot horse and rider, this is not always the case though if they are used irresponsibly or incorrectly, making the dangerous and detrimental. Advantages of the use of relevent training aids can be seen when the horse is guided into e.g. the correct outline or a softer contact. This can prevent the rider from beginning an argument with the horse and only slowing any progress down. **End Summary** Topics: behaviour]]> horse]]> animal]]> pet]]> equestrian]]> welfare]]> care]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Tammy is a avid horse rider who wishes to advertise the best ways to be treating horses. Tammy works part time for a company who specialise in horse rugs as well as mark todd horse rugs & equestrian rugs in the UK. For more info, please visit the site for a range of WoofWear equestrian products

Overview of the equestrian company, Polly Pads

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 09:57:22 -0400

Polly pads are a completely British company. They design, manufacture and distribute solely from the UK, making them a rarity in the industry today. They are manufacturers of numnahs, saddle cloths, leg protectors and pet bedding and have been trading for years firmly establishing themselves as one of the best manufactures of quality saddle pads and numnahs today. PolyPads were the first recognised saddlepads to give significant back protection and that allowed people to do away with the necessity for fitting straps and fixings that are usually needed with other similar items. We have all seen lookalikes on the market today but there is only one original PolyPad that will stay with the saddle and provide protection to the horses back, and that also comes in a large variety of colours and a variety of thicknesses, allowing anyone to find the perfect PolyPad for their horse. PolyPads have been developed for a hard working, long life. They have resilient fiber core that refreshes after each wash, double stitching on all seams and premium quality polycotton outer that is extremely durable. **End Summary** Topics: horse]]> animal]]> pet]]> equestrian]]> welfare]]> care]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Tammy is a avid horse rider who likes to promote the correct ways to be looking after horses. Tammy works part time for a company who specialise in PolyPads as well as jack murphy waterproof coats and mark todd horse rugs in the UK. For more info, read our Equestrian articles

Equestrian Products - Woof Wear : A review

Sat, 21 Aug 2010 19:12:46 -0400

Woof Wear have been, designing, creating and manufacturing horse boots from the highest quality neoprene, Kevlar and Airprene alongside cutting edge manufacturing techniques and state-of-the-art computer aided design. They take great care to ensure that all their materials and final products meet tough international quality standards and along with feedback from customers, riders and other professionals in the industry they confidently produce brushing boots, bandages, fetlock boots, tendon boots and boots to protect the horses' pasterns and heels during exercise, travelling whilst turned out or in the stable. All their products are hard-wearing and provide protection but also work in harmony with the horse and its needs at the time. Closed Cell Neoprene is a light flexible and extremely hardwearing material and used in many of Woof Wear's products. It resists compression and will not retain water. This means that the horse has maximum protection from any impacts to the area and that the boot is securely moulded to the contours of the horses' leg. Their High Density Locking Straps used on Woof Wear horse boots are made from hook and loop fastening tape. **End Summary** Topics: horse]]> animal]]> pet]]> equestrian]]> welfare]]> care]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Tammy is a passionate horse rider who loves to advertise the best ways to be treating horses. Tammy works part time for a company who specialise in WoofWear as well as Paddock Vacuum, Pro-Vac & Ventair riding hats in the UK. For more info, read our equine articles

Thermatex Equestrian Brand â An overview

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 19:07:59 -0400

Thermatex are a very well established UK company working within the equestrian industry, providing technologically advanced wicking exercise rugs, stable rugs and travel rugs for horses for over 25 years. They are well known for their high quality and after sales services. The technology involved in providing their fantastic wicking products is what makes their items so unique and why they have been used and appreciated worldwide by professional and amateur riders for the last two decades. The fabric is a woollen type material made up of two knitted layers, holding a middle insulation layer made of polypropylene. It is this three layer system that creates the wicking properties from the inside of the rug allowing it to evaporate into the atmosphere. The materials used to manufacture Thermatex rugs are spun specifically for Thermatex, making these rugs totally unique! Just some of the qualities these rugs have include; **End Summary** Topics: horse]]> animal]]> pet]]> equestrian]]> welfare]]> care]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Tammy is a avid equine rider who trys to promote the best ways to be looking after horses. Tammy works part time for a company who specialise in Thermatex Rugs as well as Paddock Vacuum, Pro-Vac & Ventair riding hats in the UK. For more info, read our horse articles

Pro-Vac Field Vacuums

Fri, 13 Aug 2010 19:41:13 -0400

Pro-Vac are manufacturers and distributors of the ultimate multi-purpose Vacuums suitable for equine paddocks, stables and yards. They can also be used for leaf and grass collection. Pro-Vac are a small yet specifically tailored business that have been manufacturing field vacuums for years. They have developed their products with the help of hands on individuals that have been working manually trying to clear and collect their fields, yards and stables for a lifetime. It is the time spent in this way that has enabled this manufacturer to develop and fine tune their products, enabling them to be used in a variety of situations and circumstances. All their products have an 11hp Honda, 4-stroke 340cc petrol engine with a push button electric start. They are manufactured using galvanised steel where they can to increase longevity and are well known for needing very few spare parts over their life time. They really are the best value field vacuums and paddock cleaners on the market today. The products mulch material they vacuum up and because of this need emptying less often. **End Summary** Topics: horse]]> animal]]> pet]]> equestrian]]> welfare]]> care]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Tammy is a passionate equine rider who wishes to advertise the correct ways to be looking after horses. Tammy works part time for a company who specialise in Pro-Vac Field Vacuums as well as Paddock Vacuum, Pro-Vac & Ventair riding hats in the UK. For more info, read our equine articles

Equine Massage Therapy for your Horse

Wed, 11 Aug 2010 19:49:58 -0400

The benefits of massage therapy are often overlooked in the equestrian world. Massage can be used for a variety of physiological reasons including: improving circulation, increasing muscle tone and fitness and to release muscle spasm. Strengthening and fittening of the muscles can help improve difficult movements such as lateral work or jumping. Massage has also been proven to improve the nerve supply to muscles enabling increased performance. Stimulation of the nerve supply can help where there is reduced feeling in an area for example if the horse is reluctant to move forward off the leg. Massage can also be beneficial in desensitizing areas which are hyper sensitive to the touch. Overall this will provide better communication between the horse and rider. Psychological benefits include: to 'wake up' a lazy horse, to calm a nervous horse or to improve the animal's trust in people. Regular massage therapy can help horses of any discipline and can be extremely beneficial whatever level the horse is working at. It also minimizes the risk of injury and helps to detect early signs of injury or problems. **End Summary** Topics: behaviour]]> horse]]> animal]]> pet]]> equestrian]]> welfare]]> care]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Tammy is a passionate equine rider who wishes to promote the best ways to be looking after horses. Tammy works part time for a company who offer services such as equine massage treatment as well as products like horse rugs, funnell turn out rugs and mark todd saddlery in the UK. For more info, read our horse articles

Equine Mctimoney Manipulation

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 07:37:59 -0400

Mctimoney manipulation for animals is a treatment that has been developed from a form of human chiropractic treatment; however under current legislation the term chiropractor is a protected term and refers only to the treatment of humans therefore Mctimoney animal therapists are not chiropractors. The treatment was developed initially by John Mctimoney who was a human chiropractor; it has been developed over the years and is currently taught as a masters level course. You should always consult your Vet before manipulation or massage treatment as it is illegal for anyone to treat your animal without your Vet's approval. Under the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 it is illegal for any person to treat an animal unless they are a Veterinary Surgeon or a paraprofessional working under veterinary supervision. Mctimoney treatment aims to correct misalignments in the horse's bones, generally focusing on the spine and the pelvis. It works alongside and encourages the body's natural ability to heal itself. There are many factors in a horse's day to day life that can cause misalignments (restrictions in the normal range of movement in a joint). They can occur if a bone is forced further than its normal range of movement. **End Summary** Topics: horse]]> animal]]> pet]]> equestrian]]> welfare]]> care]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Tammy is a avid equine rider who likes to advertise the correct ways to be looking after horses. Tammy works part time for a company who offer services such as Mctimoney manipulation as well as selling products like horse rugs, funnell turn out rugs and mark todd saddlery in the UK. For more info, read our equine articles