Education Zone

Over the past few years, the equine world has exploded with new products, and not in the least when it comes to boots for your horse or pony. But where do you start when there is so much available? Sometimes it is simply best to go back to basics and in this instance, what could be a more obvious choice than the unassuming Brushing Boot. Here we have explored some of the most frequently asked questions about brushing boots, to help you make the best decision the next time you’re shopping for boots for your four-legged companion: What is a brushing boot? Brushing boots (traditionally referred to as splint boots) are a type of protective boot used to protect the lower part of the horse’s leg. Originally, these boots were made from traditional materials such as leather, however, in 1981 Louise Woof designed the first brushing boot to be made from neoprene; thus paving the way for the vast assortment of modern horse boots to be made from synthetic materials. What is a brushing boot used for and why? Brushing Boots are a popular choice of boot to protect the horse’s lower leg during exercise from ‘brushing’ injuries. These are injuries that may occur if one leg, or hoof, strikes the opposite leg. These types of injuries are often seen during fast work, such as jumping or lunging, but brushing boots can also provide protection from minor scrapes and injuries during schooling, hacking, or turnout. Does my horse need brushing boots? Most ridden horses are likely to need leg protection at some point in time; and if you are unsure of the type of protection your horse needs, a pair of brushing boots is a good place to start! Often regarded as the most basic of horse boots, brushing boots are a staple piece of equipment for most horse owners. These boots offer effective protection against injury and light compression around the cannon bone, that can provide a supportive feeling for many horses, as well as reassurance for the rider. The modern brushing boot is also likely to be lightweight, durable and the most cost-effective boot for everyday use. Some are used regularly for turnout too as a lightweight and comfortable option for wearing all day. How do I find the right size? Whilst sizing of brushing boots is likely to vary from brand to brand, there are a few key features you can look out for to make sure you have the best size and fit for your horse: Take measurements. Most boot brands will offer boots in sizes ‘small’, ‘medium’ and ‘large’ or ‘pony’, ‘cob’ and ‘full’, but these can be rather abstract terms (as many of us will have experienced when trying to shop for clothes – one shop’s ‘small’ is another’s ‘extra large’!), so having an idea of your horse or pony’s actual measurements can help. Particularly as it is not uncommon to need one size for the front legs, and a different size for the hind legs Look at the strike pad. The size and shape of the strike pad can not only dictate the amount of protection the boot can offer, but it can also influence how the boot stays in place on a horse’s leg. For example, a large round oval shape strike pad may appear to provide a large area of protection, but if fitted to a fine leg may cause the boots to twist or drop during use. Look at the straps. The humble brushing boot is now available with every type of strap or fixing system imaginable; single lock, double lock, strapless, stud… The list goes on! When choosing your boots, be sure to look for a fixing system that is quick and easy to fit and remove, but that is also going to be secure. What if a brushing boot is not enough? For many horses in low to mid-level work, a set of brushing boots provides ample protection for everyday knocks and scrapes. For higher impact disciplines or horses who need more protection, you may wish to look for a boot that has additional areas of strike protection, like the Tri-Zone All Sports Boots or Impact Sports Boots. So what’s the verdict? A good pair of brushing boots should certainly be on the list of ‘must-have’ items for any horse owner, but there are points to consider before purchasing. Performance, fit, and protection are all key factors when choosing your new brushing boots. Many riders now look for a balance between fashion and function when purchasing new products, and whilst it’s important to look and feel good with your horse, your boots should always be up to the task of protecting your horse’s delicate legs.

Horse & Hound’s Alice Collins gives her first 10/10 product score to Tri-Zone All Sports Boots. Overall Verdict“These boots do exactly what they say on the tin, I cannot fault these boots – they are ideal for all uses” “They’re billed as ‘robust and versatile’ …. perfect for a range of activities from hacking and schooling to jumping and galloping” Read the full review on Horse & Hound.  

Boots are safety equipment As riders, we protect our most vital areas (head and torso) with riding hats, body protectors and more recently air jackets. Rider protective equipment is subjected to extensive testing to meet standards and regulations and we believe that as a vital part of your horse, protective boots for your horse’s legs should undergo a similar testing process. Tri-Zone boots go through a unique 3-phase testing process, giving you confidence that you are choosing the best leg protection for your horse. Materials are carefully selected to provide maximum protection but without being bulky, heavy and not make your horses legs hot and sweaty. Each individual layer in the Tri-Zone boot is researched and sourced for their advanced technical properties and tested in an independent laboratory before it goes anywhere near a horse’s leg. What is the Boot Testing Process? Testing Phase 1 – Independent Laboratory In the same laboratory that test standards of riding hats and body protectors, Tri-Zone boots are safety tested to their limits for their ability to withstand concussion and penetration whilst remaining lightweight, breathable and flexible. How are the boots tested and what for? Protection For concussion and penetration the testing is carried out using a custom made test rig consisting of a tower from which either a blunt hammer or a cutting blade is dropped onto the boots in a controlled fashion. The weight of the blade and hammer are fixed and different forces are applied to the boots by varying the height from which they were dropped onto the boots. Boots were hit with forces ranging from 1.25 to 20 Joules. These forces were chosen as being those likely to occur in the horse during exercise, for example when hitting obstacles or over-reaching. Heat & Breathability We test our boots to measure how well the boots allow heat to escape in order to reduce the risk of tissue damage. Research has shown that when tendon cells are heated to 48°C for 10 minutes approx, 80% of them die*. We use several different methods to assess heat release from boots. The heat release is estimated by fitting the boots to a metal flask containing water at 45°C in a room at 20°C with no significant radiation. The surface temperature of the boots is measured using a thermal camera. We tested Tri-Zone boots, along with a number of other boots on the market. From this it was clear that some boots were very effective insulators and kept the heat in so the outside of the boot appeared cold. Other boots appeared much hotter on the surface, showing that they were allowing heat to escape. Heat release was then estimated by measuring the rate at which the temperature of the water in the flask dropped whilst 20°C air was being blown over the boot (via a fan). This was done to simulate the movement of air over the boot and leg as would occur during exercise. Flexibility If boots are constructed of inflexible (i.e. stiff) material or if boots are applied too tightly, they have the potential to restrict joint movement and cause other problems such as tendonitis. Stride characteristics and performance could also be affected. Boots need to allow as much freedom of movement as possible without compromising on their primary function of protection. We test our boots to make sure that they do not restrict the horse’s movement whilst still exceeding protection requirements. An 8cm x 1m steel pipe is set up secured to a workbench. The boots are fixed to the pipe and a 10kg weight is attached with a clip on the boot and the downward direction measured. The degree of flexibility is measured by how much the boot bends. Weight Adding even small amounts of weight to the end of the leg in the form of a boot significantly increases the effort the horse must make to run and can also alter the stride characteristics. Some boots can double in weight if the horse is being exercised in the rain, on wet ground or going through water. This can seriously affect stamina and performance. We design and test our boots to minimise water absorption, excess weight but without compromising on protection. Testing Phase 2 – Tester Panel The boots then undergo trials by an extensive tester panel of horse owners and riders who test them for the fit, comfort,  ease of use and washing to ensure we have not only a safe product but one that people can easily use and trust. Testing Phase 3 – Rider Tests Finally the boots go through the rigorous test of being used all day, every day on busy competition yards by teams of professional riders. Tri-Zone boots are worn either at home or at competitions by an array of Olympic riders, world champions and top producers. *The effect of exercise-induced localised hyperthermia on tendon cell survival. | Journal of Experimental Biology | The Company of Biologists

When considering boots for our horses, whether they are tendon boots, brushing boots, schooling boots or cross country boots, most horse owners are now aware that the ‘modern’ horse boot should be breathable, but do we really understand the importance of choosing a breathable boot for our horses? Firstly we must consider the horse’s leg. The horse’s leg is made of many bones, joints and muscles with a complex structure of tendons and ligaments that support the weight of the horse’s body. Because of the workload often put upon them, tendons and ligaments are frequent sites of injury and disease. What is heat in the leg? As tendons and ligaments continually extend and contract to allow the horse to move, they create heat as a ‘by-product’. This is a natural process. However by design, horses tendons operate near failure limits when exercising – there’s a fine balance! Temperature and Tendon Damage Work by Alan Wilson and Allen Goodship (1994) at the University of Bristol showed that the temperature inside the tendons of horses galloping without boots on could reach 45°C. This is only second highest to muscle temperatures. The tendon temperatures are very high not only because of heat production within the tendons, but because they have a relatively poor blood supply, which in any other tissue would help remove heat. Are these Temperatures of Concern? In 1997 the same group published the results of a scientific study in which they showed that isolated tendon cells in culture were sensitive to heating. When the tendon cells were heated for 10 minutes at 45°C, around 10% died, but when they were heated to 48°C for 10 minutes then around 80% died. These results were also confirmed by a more recent study of equine tendon cells in Japan (Hosaka et al. 2006). This study also showed that the higher the temperature, the more tendon cells that died and that inflammatory mediators were released after heating. Inflammatory mediators are chemicals and hormones within the body that cause inflammation (heat, swelling, pain) and tissue damage. If tendon core (central) temperatures can reach 45°C during a few minutes galloping without boots, it is almost certain that they will get even hotter when boots are being worn. What happens when you use boots on your horses legs? The fact that the lower leg gets hot during exercise and even hotter when boots are used presents another potential problem: sweating. When boots are removed the leg underneath is often wet from sweat. When skin is in contact with moisture for a long time it becomes hyper-hydrated; this is the effect you see if you stay in the bath for too long. Wet skin cannot “breathe” normally, and it becomes more permeable allowing greater absorption of anything on the skin. Wet skin is also more susceptible to mechanical damage, with an increased risk of abrasions and grazing. Finally, wet skin is also more susceptible to bacterial or fungal attack and hence a potentially increased risk of conditions such as mud fever, caused by the bacterium Dermatophilus congolensis. Considerations: Many boots claim to be breathable, however some boots are more breathable than others. Materials and Boot Structure You may like to ask yourself, do the boots you currently use leave your horse’s legs hot after exercise, are the legs sweaty? Look closely at the materials used next to your horse’s skin. Consider the thickness and padding around the leg. Do they look well ventilated? How do they allow the heat to escape from the leg? Do they have a hard outer shell or rigid panels that cover a large area? You might want to do some research on the materials used within the boot you are using too!   Choose the Right Boot for the Job Primarily horse boots are worn to protect the horse’s legs from penetration or concussion injuries during exercise or turnout. But do think carefully about wearing the right boot for the activity you are doing. Often a highly protective boot isn’t necessary for low level schooling and will often be bulky and heavy and without allowing the horse’s leg to breathe. Limit Time on the Leg It’s important to make sure boots are used only during the period of actual exercise and not left on for long periods when the horse is not active, especially after exercise. Removing boots soon after exercise and cooling the legs is advisable. Our Standards When developing our Boots, Wraps and Chaps not only do we source advanced technical fabrics with breathable properties, but we actually test these factors in a laboratory. See our Boot Testing Methods. Our Tri-Zone Range features brushing boots, all the way to breathable cross country boots. Tested in an independent laboratory to ensure that they are not only providing lightweight, flexible protection, but that they are also importantly, breathable too! Our Stretch & Flex leg wraps were one of the first ‘breathable boots’ on the market. Made from an actively breathable fabric called Stomatex®, Stretch & Flex are designed to offer comfortable, flexible support for dressage schooling, flatwork and light hacking. Stomatex® is made of a special type of Neoprene which repels external water, while actively pumping moisture away from the skin through tiny pores in the fabric. Originally developed for human athletes, Stomatex® was designed to provide four-way stretch, to enable use around mobile joints, plus excellent support for active limbs, and an outstanding ability to keep the skin dry, so it could be worn comfortably for many hours. Conclusion: It is important to choose boots or bandages that allow a good rate of heat loss, and consider the length of time boots and bandages are worn by the horse. Extracts taken from: The Pros & Cons of Equine Boots by Dr David Marlin www.drdavidmarlin.com

The Tri-Zone Brushing Boots have undergone independent testing with Dr David Marlin to establish exactly how breathable they are, and how this compares to other similar boots on the market. The testing method was designed to measure the amount of moisture escaped from the boot. This was performed in a controlled laboratory environment to eliminate as many variables as possible that can be experienced when testing on a live horse. The Testing Method: A model of a horse’s leg had several holes drilled into it around the tendon area and cannon bone where a boot would usually sit. An inlet for steam was attached to the base of the leg and this was all housed within an acrylic box fitted with temperature and humidity sensors. There were also 2 fans fitted within the box (one at the top and one at the bottom) to ensure air movement. The leg was fitted with the breathable brushing boots, and duct tape applied at the top and bottom to create a good seal. Steam was pumped into the model leg and the rate at which the moisture passed through from the inside of the model leg, through the holes and the boot into the acrylic box was recorded. Figure 1. A = temperature and humidity sensor; B = fan; C = steam inlet; D = plastic leg; E = drain; F = steam generator. This method was then repeated for various types of similar brushing boots so a comparison could be made. The test was also carried out with no boot on the model leg so a ‘best case scenario’ could be compared back to. Results If the test with no boot on the leg allowed 100% moisture release from the leg, all other readings can be compared back to this. The New Breathable Brushing Boot allowed 87% moisture to escape through the boot. The average amount of moisture released from the other 11 boots that were tested was 48%. In conclusion the new Breathable Brushing boot allows 80% more moisture release than other similar boots that were tested. 87/48 = 1.8 = 80%  

The Horse’s Hock Joint “The horse’s hock is a complex joint, and plays a major part in the generation of power to jump and gallop, as well as to “sit” in advanced dressage movements. As such, hocks are prone to both degeneration and injury.” Natalie McGoldrick MRCVS The horses hock joint is complex, but important and as most things with horses, can pose multiple problems to our horses working lives. We look into the anatomy of the joint, as well as the common problems associated with it, how they are diagnosed and finally, how they are treated. Horse's Hock anatomy The horse’s hock joint is one of the hardest working of all the joints, and plays a critical role especially in performance horses. It is also one of the most complicated. The horse’s hock is made up of 10 bones and 4 joints supported by several ligaments. The largest joint is the tarso crural joint (TCJ), which forms the upper part of the hock and has a ball and socket mechanism. The TCJ has the greatest range of movement and is known as a high motion joint. The other 3 joints, the proximal intertarsal (PIT), distal intertarsal (DIT) and tarsometatarsal (TMT), act as shock absorbers and are low motion joints. The lower joints – and particularly the DIT and TMT - are the most common sources of lameness in horses because they are under significant stress in a working horse. Common problems of horse’s hock joint Horse lameness is often caused by inflammatory changes that interfere with the normal structure and function of the horse’s hock. Problems can develop gradually so early signs may be as subtle as loss of performance. Other symptoms include: intermittent lameness with or without heat or swelling initial stiffness that improves during warm-up resistance to going downhill soreness in lower back muscles as a result of overcompensating for the hocks Potential horse hock joint problems include: capped hock thoroughpin (puffy swellings similar to windgalls seen around the fetlocks) bog spavin (not a condition as such but caused by an inflamed joint) bone spavin and most commonly, osteochondritis dessecans (OCD) and osteoarthritis (OA) i.e. arthritis of the bone. Osteochondritis dessecans (OCD) OCD and OA are progressive conditions, which mean they tend to worsen over time. They both affect the bone and cartilage causing inflammation and pain. In OCD, abnormalities of the bone and cartilage may result in small fragments breaking off and floating around inside the joint which also cause inflammation. OCD may arise due to rapid growth – it’s often seen in young horses and in foals less than a year old – or due to nutritional issues, genetics, hormonal imbalances or due to trauma relating to exercise. Osteoarthritis (OA) OA arises because the inflamed bone produces additional bone and arises in the lower hock. This process of new bone formation causes restricted movement in the joint, alongside pain and lameness. Horses undergoing high-intensity exercise or those with poor conformation, such as straight, sickle or cow hocks, are more prone to developing hock problems such as OA, though it can also arise in horses doing little work. Diagnosis of OCD and OA of the Horse’s Hock Joint Your vet can perform a number of tests to diagnose hock problems, including flexion tests and X-rays. Natalie McGoldrick MRCVS of South Coast Equine Vets says,”The horse’s hock is a complex joint, and plays a major part in the generation of power to jump and gallop, as well as to sit in advanced dressage movements. Hocks are prone to both degeneration and injury.Probably the most common hock issue is arthritis; this can present subtlety as a small drop in performance, up to signs as obvious as moderate to severe lameness. It is rare to see hock arthritis other than in the lower two hock joints. The hock is also very exposed. It is a common joint to bear the full force of a kick from another horse, or to be badly wounded if a horse kicks through fencing. I always advise for any hock wounds or swellings to be seen as a matter of urgency, especially if combined with lameness. Treatment of OA of the Hock Joint For OA in the horse’s hock joint, the usual course of action from your vet is the injection of anti-inflammatory drugs, such as corticosteroids, directly into the hock joint (intra-articular injections). Your horse will need to have a couple of days rest afterwards and then slowly ease back into work. The benefits of these injections may range from a few weeks to a year or longer. For cases that don’t respond to the conventional steroids, hydrogels may be injected with the aim of reducing pain, conserving cartilage and improving joint mobility. For cases of OCD, treatment is usually surgical removal of the abnormal bone and cartilage though factors need to be considered such as the severity of lameness, location of OCD and age of the horse. There are also non-prescription joint supplements available which may promote healthy cartilage and are preventative rather than therapeutic. Use of alternative therapies such as massage, magnetic and heat can also help keep surrounding muscle tissue healthy, as many horses may begin to compensate elsewhere in their bodies.  

Emma Alcorn and Delphi’s story: Delphi is a 14.2hh Dapple Grey Mare who suffers with the mud during winter. With Delphi having to be turned out 24/7 all year round due to not being able to stable her it has meant that her legs don’t get the chance to recover, resulting in this impacting her jumping career. Emma has owned Delphi for 3 years and has tried multiple lotions and potions to try and fix the problem but nothing has worked. This is where the Equi-Chaps Close Contact Chaps come in! Emma’s review: ‘As soon as I’d tried them on Delphi I realised that the Equi-Chaps Close Contact Chaps really are ideal and perfect in every way possible! The material used is breathable and stretchy meaning that it didn’t prevent any movement whilst being worn during turnout The boots are extremely quick and easy to put on, and even easier to take off especially when covered in mud thanks to the well designed tabs They‘re a perfect fit and sit snug around every contour of the leg from the knee to the hoof, which made me notice how they act as over-reach and brushing boot due to the full coverage They really do work to prevent mud from getting on the leg. Every time I have taken the boots off, Delphi’s legs have been completely dry, mud free and clean! They aren’t only good for keeping mud off the legs, but also as extra protection in the field, such as bashing legs whilst rolling and getting caught in fencing The Equi-Chaps Close Contact Chaps ensure that legs are kept warm too, helping to keep joints from getting cold during the winter. After over a week’s use, I have noticed a huge difference in Delphi already. Her legs are completely free from any scabs or sores and she is feeling much better in herself. She’s trotting around the field on her own which she wouldn’t have done before she had her Equi-Chaps Close Contact Chaps! These boots really are a miracle & I’m so pleased and grateful that we have finally found the perfect piece of equipment to protect Delphi. I can’t imagine life without them now and will most definitely be ordering some more in the future for use on all my horses! I would highly recommend these to anyone and everyone as they truly are something every equestrian should own.’ Find out more about the Equi-Chaps Close Contact Chaps here

Daylight is getting longer and the temperatures are lifting, which means…the competition season is within sight! Why not get prepared and take a look at these essential products we believe you need this season? The boot that does it all! The Tri-Zone Impact Sports Boots are ideal for any high-impact activity, including Cross Country, Polo, and Racing to give your horses’ legs the ultimate protection. They offer the perfect balance of weight, protection, breathability and flexibility. There is no need to worry about them getting wet in water combinations either as they are still lightweight even when wet! SHOP NOW Everyone needs to relax after a competition, especially our horses! The Equilibrium Massage Pad is a fantastic way to improve back flexibility and promote relaxation. You could even pamper them with a massage before they compete to ensure they are feeling their best. It has three different, easily adjustable programs so you can choose the most suitable intensity of the massage. SHOP NOW Comfortable, flexible and super soft schooling dressage wraps! These Training Wraps are soft & comfortable and give fantastic support. They are ideal for both dressage and schooling, so why not grab yourself a pair that you can pop on in the warm up? Their extra thick soft padding supports and protects the tendons, the inside of the cannon bone, and the fetlock joint, whilst looking nice and smart! SHOP NOW Smart, weather-proof, and scientifically tested! We all know that accidents happen, so why take the risk when travelling your horse? The Stellar Safety Headcollar is designed to break when your need it to, helping prevent injury! Scientifically tested, the Stellar is made to release when poll pressure is applied, with an average of 83kg downward force - strong enough for safe horse handling, but low enough to prevent serious injury to the horse in the event of an incident! SHOP NOW Does your horse get frustrated and bored waiting long hours by the lorry on competition days? Why not try our Calmmunch? It is made from top quality Timothy grass and is a unique, healthy, tasty, high fibre, low calorie, low sugar, cereal free snack. The Munch Net can also be used with it to increase the eating time – an essential for fast eaters! SHOP NOW

Should horse boots be considered as safety equipment? You must have heard of the phrase ‘no hoof, no horse’? Well, this could ring true for a number of other things too, such as their lower legs – one of the most common areas to be damaged or suffer from injury. As riders, we protect our most vital areas (head and torso) with riding hats, body protectors and more recently air jackets. Rider protective equipment is subjected to extensive testing to meet standards and regulations. We believe that protective boots for your horse’s legs should undergo a similar testing process, which is why we send our Tri-Zone Boots to be tested by an independent laboratory, before they go near a horses’ leg. So what features should you be looking for in a pair of boots? The primary function of a boot is protection. There is little evidence to suggest that boots can provide support, although boots are commonly sought out for this use too. The problem is, you can’t tell how protective a boot is, just by simply looking at it. The only way to tell if a boot is protective enough is for it to be tested under controlled conditions, to forces that we can replicate (such as when a horse hits a fence, over reaches or strikes itself with another limb). There are some other factors to be considered too, which can potentially hinder performance or increase the risk of injury. So what other features should be looked at? Flexibility or Stiffness Rigid or inflexible boots have the potential to restrict joint movement, which in return can affect stride characteristics and performance, and possibly even compromise tendon function. Boots need to allow as much freedom of movement as possible while still providing enough protection. Weight and Ability to Hold Water The more weight added to a horse's leg, the more effort the horse will have to use to move that weight - resulting in unnecessary effort and wear and tear. It can also change the way the horse moves too. If the horse is likely to go through water, taking into consideration how much water will be held by the boot, will impact the weight on the horses' leg too. Breathability and Insulation Tendons naturally get warmer through the process of loading and unloading during exercise. The ideal boot would allow this heat to escape, instead of insulating it. It's a fairly well known concept, but also backed by research, that tendons are particularly sensitive to heat, and it can result in tendon damage and/or inflammation. Fit of the Boot The bot should of course be comfortable for the horse too - we know when we wear ill-fitting boots they can not only rub, but also cause you to change the way you move to try avoid the pressure the boot is putting on a certain area. A correct fit will also ensure debris and surface does not get underneath the boot to cause any irritation. Lastly, over-tightening of boots and/or bandages can cause restriction and rubbing too. Our Unique 3-Phase Testing Process Tri-Zone boots go through a 3-phase testing process, giving you the confidence that you are choosing the best leg protection for your horse. Materials are carefully selected to provide maximum protection but without being bulky, heavy and not make your horses legs hot and sweaty. Each individual layer in the Tri-Zone boot is researched and sourced for their advanced technical properties and tested in an independent laboratory before it goes anywhere near a horse's leg! FIND OUT MORE

It may seem like you have tried everything you can to help your horse who head shakes, but nothing seems to be helping? Here’s a story to keep you going and encourage you not to give up! Take a read about Kyle and Vin’s journey. Kyles Story I bought my RPSI gelding, Vin, back in 2012 when he was an 8 year old. He had previously done some fox hunting and low level dressage. During the first few months of owning him, he started to exhibit a head toss during exercise, which would increase as we worked more. At first, my trainer and I thought it might be him avoiding contact or staying in frame for collected dressage work, so we spent time building muscle, top line, balance, etc… When that didn’t alleviate anything we went the martingale route (which I’m ashamed of now, knowing he was dealing with something he literally couldn’t control) which would allow us to work but he’d still rail against the straps during our entire ride. It was about a year into it when I started reading about products to help with this. One of the first hits we got was the Muzzle Net from Equilibrium Products. Both my trainer and I looked at it, and both agreed there was no way it was that simple and moved on to the next product. We began with antihistamines, since he’d often rub his nose on his legs when it got the worst. When that didn’t solve anything we tried Equiwinner patches. After losing patch after patch in the pasture and not knowing how long he kept it on we decided to forgo that. We purchased all kinds of sun protection contraptions, all with no results. Then we moved on to using magnesium, which we did see a small improvement with. The head toss would still be there but would take a few more minutes into work to present itself. During this “stage” in our experiments, I went ahead and ordered the Muzzle Net from Equilibrium. Both my trainer and I shook our heads the day I was bridling him up and attaching it, but we were also at our literal wits end on what to try. That very first ride with the net we had almost ZERO toss. He was finally able to relax, release some tension at the poll and seemed to just “breathe”. We both kicked ourselves for not trying this months/years earlier.  The magnesium/net combo helped for a few years, or at least calmed it enough for us to compete in jumping and dressage at a low level. As Vin got a bit older, his shaking progressed some and got back to the point where it was almost too violent for me to ride him. His tosses when he got going were so large that he’d throw his front legs off the ground at times. I found a study online that utilized injectable dexamethasone administered orally, which seemed a little scary, but at this point I was considering just retiring him out to pasture so we gave it a shot. We spoke to our vet, which understandably was pretty cautious and moved forward. Within the first couple months we saw AMAZING improvement. By pulse #4 we had no toss/irritation as long as we continued to ride with the Muzzle Net. Since then, we can get by with pulsing only when his symptoms present themselves and usually only 1 to 2 times per year. It’s literally saved him for us.

Margaret Donnelly, Timmy’s owner and founder of Equilibrium Products talks about what it’s like having a horse that frantically tosses their head, how she solved the problem and how helping her horse, she actually managed to help so many other horses too. I bought Timmy as an un-backed two year old in Ireland. I just fell in love with him – he was such a classy horse! He was backed as a 3/4 year old, and from day one, he was always a fantastic horse for hacking. As a 5 year old, it started becoming clear that he had developed a violent reaction when ridden for probably about the first 10 minutes, where he was tossing his head, trying to strike his nose with his front leg, rearing up, he was snorting continually – literally just one day, completely out of the blue! I remember hacking him out one day that wasn’t too hot or with too many flies, but he got so bad, that I actually got off and put my jacket over his head to calm him down – and that gave him instant relief! One of the other things I noticed, is that when I had him tied up, what he liked to do was rub the end of his nose against the old, traditional brick stables, which seemed to settle him! He would also often try hide his face from any wind or anything like that. He would try tuck it under my arm or something like that to shield it. So working in product development for all of my career, I was used to having a problem, and trying to solve it. Knowing a little bit about sewing as well, I got out my sewing machine and started making a few things for him. After a few weeks of trying different things, I found this very rough mesh that basically, with a close fit, worked the best for him. I noticed he liked to wriggle his nose against it, so it almost provided like a little scratching pad for him. So I found a solution for my horse, I was so delighted! I was being faced with having this fabulous horse that I fell in love with as a two year old, and having to put him down as a 5 year old because the head tossing behaviour had become so violent. No one wants to make that decision. As it was though, he went on to be a fabulous dressage horse, who didn’t really ever miss a Regional Championships. He got to the National Championships and was placed 10th – just got in the ribbons!  Then, more people got to know about this and asked me what was on Timmy’s nose… Although it was quite subtle, which I liked. The design also allowed saliva to escape so it was comfortable to wear, easy to wash and could stay on the bridle all the time, so it was quite easy. I’m always one for keeping things simple, for both horse and owner! I had someone else on my yard say they also had a horse showing the same behaviour, could I make her a Muzzle Net too… turns out, she was also having lessons with someone who had a Grand Prix horse who was also a horse doing the same thing, could I make them one? At the time I was working full time in London, coming back every evening and making more and more Muzzle Nets, and I thought, there’s actually more horses showing this behaviour than I realised – I originally felt very isolated because I thought I was one of the few people who had experienced this! What I decided to do from there was contact the Royal Veterinary College, and they put me in touch with De Montford University and Dr. D. Mills, who was designing a survey to determine if there was a correlation between breeds, ages, background, training, feed, or some sort of pattern of horses across the UK that were showing this head shaking behaviour. I contacted Dr Mills, and at the time, he and his PHD student Katy Taylor were actually trying to test potential products that might reduce the frequency of the head shaking behaviour. I showed him the Muzzle Net and he said, he thought that actually from the feedback from the panel and observations, he felt the Muzzle Net might have a good chance of helping a lot of horses. It went into the clinical trial and was tested against a number of other products, but the Muzzle Net was the most effective of them all. It didn’t help everybody. But it did indicate that 79% horses showed a decrease in the frequency of the head shaking behaviour. In fact, 50% of the horses showed a 100% improvement, which was incredible. The Net Relief Muzzle Net I was at work one day, and I had a friend who was helping me with orders for Net Relief Muzzle Net. She rang me to say the phone had been going mad for the Muzzle Net with people wanting to know where they could get it from, because Horse & Hound had done an article on it. I was working just off Oxford Street in London and I ran down to try find a Horse & Hound somewhere in the middle of London – going into every WHSmiths looking for it. Eventually I got it, and there was a tiny article, about an eighth of a page, showing a picture of Timmy with his Muzzle Net on! This made it clear that Timmy wasn’t in such a small minority, and this was a product that lots of people had been waiting on. The reason Horse & Hound had written the article, was because British Dressage had allowed the Muzzle Net to be used in competition, with written dispensation from the vet. It was a break-though! The letters we’ve had since then to now have been fantastic. We even had one owner in Canada thanking us, saying ‘Thank you for giving me my horse back’, which makes me feel very emotional.

Kissing Spine in horses seems to be all too common today with so many diagnosed. We caught up with Clara Kavanagh about her horse Chili, who is currently in rehabilitation following ‘the ligament snip’, as she explains his symptoms & diagnosis, her decision and the recovery!  The Early Days “I started looking for my ‘dream horse’ last summer, this was a very exciting time for me as I had only ever been able to beg, borrow and lease ponies/horses in my childhood up until I finished my degree in Equine Management. I purchased Chili in August 2018, he is a 6 year old Thoroughbred. I always thought about buying a racehorse and retraining them for a new career. Chili was last raced in June 2018 under the name Farrier Fury. I knew Chili was the right horse for me as he had such a great temperament and once I got him home he was brought on very slowly and took to his new career like a duck to water. He has always acted like an absolute gentleman wherever I brought him! The plan was to gently start him over the winter with a goal to compete in our Riding Club Dressage Spring league and do some Retraining Racehorse to Riding horse classes in the summer of 2019.” The Start of Our Setbacks “Chili unfortunately got a stone bruise in February which I thought would be our only hiccup. However this was only the beginning of our setbacks. One day I went to tack him up for a short hack and noticed he was unusually girthy, and he was very grumpy, which isn’t like him at all. I called the physio to come take a look at him. The physio was concerned that he was showing a lot of stiffness over his back and sacroiliac region, the first thing that came to mind for me was Kissing Spine.  His whole temperament had changed, it was hard for me as it was like I was losing my best friend. I was worried about Chili, so I rang our local vet. I had the vet out to give Chili a once over, the vet gave us advice to continue light work. I had people telling me that I must be imagining something was wrong or that I was silly spending money for the physio and vet to come out just because I had a gut feeling. I was starting to think, they might be right or I might be a hypochondriac the way I was worrying because even though the vet gave him a once over I knew something wasn’t right with him. I wanted to get a second opinion, so I rang Troytown Greyabbey Equine Hospital and spoke to their lameness/orthopaedic specialist and explained my concerns.  So I booked him in for an appointment the following week. Diagnosis Chili spent about two hours having a full lameness diagnostic done which consisted of a trot up, lunging, flexion tests and x-rays. On seeing the X-rays it confirmed my fears, it was Kissing Spine, he had four processes touching. The vet confirmed that the kissing spine had most likely resulted from his racing career and his back conformation. Our choice was to have surgery (Interspinous Ligament Desmotomy, aka ‘The Ligament Snip’) or to medicate via corticosteroid injections. Chili also turned out to have a bone chip on his near hind fetlock however it causes him no issues! I brought him back to the hospital for bone scintigraphy scans, this helped me decide that the surgical route would be in Chili’s best interest as he was still a young horse and he would benefit the most from the ligament snip. The specialist vet was optimistic that if the surgery and rehab was successful Chili would be more than capable of returning to a competitive career with a rehab time of 6-8 weeks. This meant there was a small glimmer of hope for us, so I booked Chili in for surgery. Chili spent 4 days at the Equine Hospital, the surgery went very well, and Chili began intensive hand walking by the nurses the day after surgery. I brought Chili home on 26th of April and have been continuing to hand walk him for 30 minutes twice daily. Chili has since had a check up at Troytown Greyabbey to remove the stitches and the vet could not be happier with his progress.  He has been an absolute pleasure to rehab so far, he really is my dream horse! My advice to any horse owners that may be going through the same challenges as Chili and I faced would be to always trust your gut, you alone know you’re horse well enough to make the right choice regarding what is best for them. If in doubt don’t be afraid to ask for help or a second opinion. I dread to think how long Chili might have continued to soldier on in pain had I not trusted my gut. I would highly recommend the Equilibrium Massage Pad to any horse owner. It is very easy to incorporate into your everyday routine warm-up/warm down and it has made a big difference to Chili! It was comforting to know that the massage pad kept him relaxed! Chili is now starting week 4, he has started long reining in walk this week and will incorporate work in a Pessoa once the incision points on his back have had more time to heal. Our Physio has also been out this week to release any tension and do some laser therapy. I have been using Massage Pad and Magnetic Rug daily since the operation and it is honestly like having my best friend back! He is much more relaxed in himself and I have Troytown Greyabbey and Equilibrium Products to thank for that! Chili has another 4 weeks at least until he can begin work back under saddle but its a big step in the right direction!”  

Does your horse has any unusual lumps, bumps rashes or bald patches? How do you know what skin condition it is? Understanding horse skin conditions can be confusing and frustrating to know how to treat them. Skin irritations can develop at any time of year, but each season can create a problem for sensitive horses. We look at 6 of the most common skin conditions, advice on recognising them and the treatments available. Mud Fever/Pastern Dermatitis By far the most common skin condition, especially during the winter months, is mud fever, or pastern dermatitis.  This is a dermatitis involving the skin on the back of the pastern, fetlocks, and further up the leg. It requires moisture to become established, which is why it is often called “mud fever”. However, it is also commonly seen during the summer months, due to the early morning dew, followed by hot sun. Horses with white legs appear to be very susceptible. In these cases, you will often see the dermatitis extending all of the way up the horse’s white “sock”.  It is mainly caused by the bacteria, Dermatophilus congolensis. Treatment Treatment involves keeping the legs as clean and dry as possible, and clipping the hair is also helpful. If the legs are swollen, a vet must be consulted, as this usually indicates infection, which will need antibiotics. The legs are often very sore, and once the area is clipped and cleaned, applying a soothing topical cream will aid comfort. Occasionally severe pastern dermatitis, especially during the summer months, in areas with pink skin (white socks) may be an indicator of a more severe underlying problem. It could indicate liver disease, or an immune mediated disease, so, if in doubt, speak to your vet. Rain Scald Rain scald is basically mud fever, but on a horse’s back. As with mud fever, this is caused by the bacteria, Dermatophilus congolensis, and is due to the horse’s back being exposed to prolonged periods of wet weather.  Treatment is to keep the area clean and dry, and will often require a period of stabling to resolve. Leg Mites An extremely common condition seen in horses with lots of feather, is leg mites, or “Chorioptes equi”. This condition is easily identified, as the horse normally “stamps” its legs on the ground, bites at its legs, or tries to find gate posts or low fencing to rub the backs of its legs on.  The mites irritate the skin, and this, combined with the horse rubbing the skin, can result in infection. Treatment If not treated promptly (often with ivermectin injections), flies can be attracted to the hair and damp skin, resulting in maggot infestations during the summer months. Keeping the legs clipped, and changing bedding frequently, will minimize the risk of leg mites. Allergic/Urticarial Reactions Horses can present with raised patches of varying sizes over their bodies, due to various allergic reactions. The horse may have: eaten something. rolled in something. or been stung by something that he/she is allergic to. If there are just a few lumps, and the source is removed, then these should resolve on their own. If your horse is covered in raised patches, especially if these are anywhere near the head, then your vet should be called.  Steroids, administered by a vet, will normally result in rapid resolution of the reaction. Unfortunately, anti-histamines rarely work well in horses. Sweet Itch Sweet Itch is a specific type of allergic reaction, as it presents in a very specific way readily recognized by most horse owners. Sweet itch is hypersensitivity to the biting midge, Culicoides. The disease can start at any age, and usually worsens with each consecutive summer. Pruritus (itching) usually occurs at the sites where the midge feeds, so the mane and tail, and often the back. Treatment The best way to treat and manage Sweet Itch, is by removing the horse from the source. This means stabling the horse at dawn and dusk (normally around 5pm-8am) and keeping the horse well covered with a light ear to tail rug when turned out, to try and prevent the midges from biting.  Keeping the horse in an electrified paddock, where he can’t itch, will prevent the rubbing, but won’t help the horse’s comfort. In some cases, your vet will prescribe steroids, but the risk of steroid induced laminitis must be considered.  Good fly/midge repellants are essential. The skin is usually hot and sore, so applying soothing creams and gels will aid comfort. The skin can very easily become infected due to rubbing, so Sweet Itch treatment will nearly always involve your vet. Sun Burn Horses with pink noses/white faces can suffer from sun burn, just as we can. Any areas of pink skin must be kept covered up, either with a well fitted fly mask with nose cover, or sun block, or both.  Fly masks are easily removed by some horses, so ensure you buy one that both fits well, and is of good quality, to avoid rubbing. Treatment Sun burn can be relieved using cooling/soothing gels and in the worst cases, oral anti-inflammatories. Apparent sun burn on a pink nose may also be a sign of underlying disease, so consult your vet if it does not resolve quickly.

The Benefits of Cold Application on Horses The main purpose of cold therapies is to constrict the capillaries and reduce blood flow to the area. This is known as vasoconstriction. This can help to: – Reduce haemorrhage (blood loss, which can lead to bruising)– reduced blood flow means fewer white blood cells, which in turn helps to reduce the inflammatory response– nerve fibre conduction falls, this reduces pain perception (based on the pain gate theory)– ice with compression can help prevent fluid leakage from damaged tissue When should I use it? Cold is most suited to use for acute conditions (meaning they haven’t been there very long). Such as:– A new injury; a knock, bump or kick– New swelling in a tendon– Bites and stings– Burns– Muscle strain– After exercise to aid recovery During strenuous exercise the tendons of the horses’ legs can increase to a level where damage may occur. If the horse is wearing boots this can be especially dangerous as it is harder for the heat to escape and therefore for the legs to cool down. Using cold therapy after strenuous exercise can help prevent further temperature increase of the tendons and help aid recovery. When a muscle is worked tiny tears in the muscle fibres occur. If left untreated post exercise this can cause a delayed onset of muscle soreness that can be uncomfortable and may make your horse feel stiff and sensitive. If left untreated long term this can lead to muscle knots and trigger points. One of the best ways to prevent this is to cool the main muscle groups involved in exercise (will be dependent on what exercises you have done with your horse) and to stretch the muscles later that day and the following morning. Where can I apply it? Cold can be applied almost anywhere it is needed, as long as you can keep it in place for the required treatment time. Cold is most commonly used on the lower limb after exercise to prevent tendons heating further after they have been worked. It can also be used anywhere over the body for bites, kicks, knocks and bruises. When applying cold it is important to keep checking the temperature of the cold pack. This is because as it starts to increase in temperature it will no longer have the desired effect. The time this takes will vary, depending on what applicator is used. It is important to always have material between an ice pack and your horses’ skin to prevent ice burns. When should I NOT use it? Cold can have an adverse effect if used:– before exercise, as it can increase the risk of muscle or tendon strains– if left on too applicators can warm up and start to have the opposite effect

The use of heat is usually accepted well by horses and ponies, and we know how beneficial it can be from using it on ourselves too. There are many factors to consider when using heat for our horses, such as: Methods of delivery. How long to use it for. How to maintain a consistent temperature. But for now, we take a  look into why we would want to use it for our horses, as well as when and where to use it too. The Benefits of Heat Increased metabolic activity and nerve activity. This leads to: An increased demand for oxygen.Widening of the blood vessels (vasodilatation) which increases blood flow and therefore delivery of oxygen and nutrients.Improved metabolism of waste products, leading to better recovery.More oxygen and nutrients are available for the cells. Increased Mobility Achieved by: relaxing muscle fibresincreased pliability of connective tissue aiding flexibilitymaintaining freer joint movement with low resistance Research suggests for an effect, tissue temperature needs to increase by at least 3 to 5°C from the resting temperature (Bockstahler et al, 2004). However using something that is too hot could cause discomfort and even damage to the tissue. When should I use heat? Heat is most suited to use for chronic conditions. Such as: muscle spasm which is very common in the horses’ back – especially in the lumbar region behind where the back of the saddle sits relaxation of general muscle stiffness – perhaps from an increase in workload or general wear and tear osteoarthritis and other joint stiffness – particularly common in the hock and fetlock joints chronic tendonitis – in other words, an old tendon injury that presents as a swollen tendon. This is common in the fore limb SDFT (superficial digital flexor tendon) and DDFT (deep digital flexor tendon) in race and ex-race horses, and in jumping horses. In dressage horses this is seen more in the hind limbs. bursitis – this in an inflamed pocket of fluid with the joint. Usually seen in the knee or in the hock. Where can I apply heat? Heat can be applied almost anywhere, so long as you can keep it in place for the required time. Use heat before exercising your horse to help warm the muscles and tendons. Heat should always be used at rest and care should be taken to not overheat vulnerable tendons in the lower limb. If your horse is not in work then heat can be applied at any time of day when they are resting, either on the yard or in their stable. As a general rule, heat should be applied for around 20 minutes at a time up to 4 times a day. When should Heat NOT be used? Heat can have an adverse effect if used: in the acute stages of inflammation (the first 72 hours after injury or surgery) on an open or bleeding wound In both of the above scenarios cold should be applied to aid vasoconstriction (the narrowing of blood vessels).

Why should you be feeding at variable heights? Sponsored Rider Judy Harvey uses different feeding heights in her stable after attending the Equine Sports Science Seminar with Centaur Biomechanics, where Sharon May-Davies presented about the requirement for domesticated horses to have variable feeding positions. While horses are grazers, if you watch them in the field, they don’t just have their heads down and eat grass. If they have a hedgerow you will quite often find them borrowing away to find little ‘treats’, or they might even eat some other vegetation at varying heights. Horses in the wild graze for 80% of their time, and browse for 20%. Why is that important? The varying positions they have to reach and get to allows them to use their necks, backs, lips and teeth in ways that some stabled horses never get to. These movements not only help keep their bodies supple, but also provides mental stimulation for them too - especially if they are only seeing the same 4 walls of their stable. Another reason for varying heights and feeding methods is so that they can use varying angles of their jaw, which is essential for their dentition. To summarise: It imitates the browsing position. Horses in the wild graze for 80% and browse for 20%. Encourages them to use their backs, necks, lips and teeth in ways that stabled horses rarely do – keeping them supple. For Mental stimulation Essential for their dentition How can you achieve variable heights? These are just a few ideas that you can combine to encourage different feeding levels: Hay on the floor Haynet at a different height Water at a different height Munch and Munch net, preferably swinging, so that the horse can be challenged and provide mental stimulation Why Munch? Especially in winter, most of us are unable to turn our horses out as much as we'd like to and Munch blocks provide nutrition, entertainment and variety for the stabled horse, while being high in fibre and low in sugar. The Munch Net is perfect to hang a Munch block high up, so that the horse has to manoeuvre it around to get a bite. This is useful to mimic hedgerow browsing in the field.

Poll Injuries from Horses Pulling Back, from a Veterinary Physiotherapists point of view:   It is inevitable that most horses will be tied up from time to time, whether on the yard, in their stable, or in a lorry or trailer. Some horses will be more comfortable with this than others. I’m sure we can all think of a time where our horse has pulled back to the point where a head collar, or a lead rope has released and they have broken free. It is also likely most of us can think of a time where a horse has pulled back and they haven’t broken free but have panicked and put a considerable amount of force against their poll, their neck and their back. As a physiotherapist, I am often called to horses that have suddenly become head shy, difficult to tack up and groom and have also become more resistant to the contact in ridden work. The onset of a majority of these cases can be traced back to an incident where the horse has pulled back whilst being tied up. These horses often present with reduced range of motion in the poll and tension in the muscles around this area. The structures commonly affected are the splenius muscle, occipitohyoid muscle, the nuchal ligament and the atlanto-occipital joint. In more severe cases, muscle strains can be seen along the length of the neck and into the back. The hind quarters may present strains too, especially if the horse didn’t manage to break free and they may have slipped with their hind legs. In a survey of 5615 respondents*, 75% of head collar injuries occurred when tied up, and injuries ranged from cuts, all the way to fractures. In a worst case scenario, pulling back in a head collar that doesn’t break can lead to poll fracture which can be career changing for a horse. Obviously this is something that we all want to avoid and so this is definitely a situation where prevention is better than cure. This is why I would always recommend using a head collar or lead rope that will break away and release before causing extensive damage to your horse. *Survey of 5615 respondents, Dr David Marlin, October 2019. Victoria Boakes, Veterinary Physiotherapist  Vicky studied Equine Sports Science at the University of Lincoln and went on to complete a 2 year Post-Graduate course, CEPT, to become a Veterinary Physiotherapist. With many years experience treating both equine and canine clients, Vicky has a particular interest in equine performance therapy. 

It's not very often we get a heatwave - so it's quite likely that our horses will struggle to cope with the warmer weather, as we might be too! Here’s just a few tips we've put together to help keep your horses cool and healthy throughout the warmer days:  In or Out Depending on your stable – it might be warmer and stuffier indoors than it is in your horses’ field with some natural shade and a small breeze. Of course, this entirely depends on your set up, but you might want to weigh up the pros and cons of both. If your horse is out, you might want to consider a fly mask with UV protection, such as the Field Relief Max, or if they have a pink nose a Field Relief Muzzle Protector will help protect against sunburn.  Riding While we don’t want to miss out on riding time, you might need to be conscious of when it starts getting too hot to ride. Generally, early in the morning will work best, so rise and shine early to beat that heat! As always, breathable boots such as the Tri-Zone All Sports Boots are a top choice, particularly in the summer months. We all know the risks of overheating legs, so getting a decent set of lightweight and breathable boots should pay off in the long run. If you do find yourself riding when it’s warm – wet your horse before you start as the evaporation of the water will help keep the horse cooler for longer. Cooling Off Continually hose your horse off or keep reapplying cold water to reduce their temperature. It’s advisable to keep re-applying water, rather than stopping to scrape the water off. Our Hot & Cold Pouches can be used to help cool legs after exercise, or as a general cooling aid to the body.  Keeping occupied in the stable If you do bring your horse in out of the sun, our Munch Blocks are a perfect healthy boredom breaker, which are high in fibre and low in sugar so that they are suitable for all horses and ponies. It can be an easy way to slow down their eating if they are on a restricted diet when fed with our Munch Net, or if you're wanting to increase your horses water intake, you can soak your munch block too!  Keeping cool in the field There is some evidence to suggest that turning out with a wet cotton or polyester fly sheet could keep your horse cooler - find out more here. Our Field Relief Fly Rug is designed with a lightweight mesh but is also light coloured to not only help keep horses cool, but to repel the flies too!

Headcollars are one of the most used pieces of horse equipment. In fact, 88% of owners use a horse headcollar every day*. As riders, we have safety equipment to protect ourselves, such as boots, hats, and body protectors. This is obviously to prevent injury or the severity of injury in the event of an accident. But is there a need for our horse headcollars to be safe too? We designed our Stellar Headcollar after researching headcollar accidents, read on to find out what we found. Why is it important that horse headcollars are safe? We’ve already established that headcollars are used frequently. But when looking into the research around headcollars, there didn’t seem to be any. Even ‘safe’ headcollars seemed to have no testing (from what is publicly available to view). First, is there a need for safety? Are headcollars potentially causing injury to horses? Dr David Marlin undertook a survey of 5615 horse owners to find out*. The results showed the following: Almost 1 in 3 horses were injured as a result of a headcollar related incident. More than 1 in 7 people were injured as a result of a headcollar related incident. 167 horses were fatally injured as a result of a headcollar. These incidents happened during various points of general horse handling, with most of them occurring when horses were tied up. If you think about it… Most horse owners tie their horses up daily. Then when we travel or compete, horses can be tied up even more frequently. Of course, there are always other accidents that can happen, especially if your horse is turned out in a headcollar. We all know of the freak accidents too, where horses get their headcollars attached to gates, or stable doors. In summary, these survey results certainly demonstrate the need for headcollar safety. While some horse owners may think that their horse doesn’t need a safe headcollar, it follows the same principle as our own riding hats. You may only fall off once every few years – but your hat is there to protect you when you do. Your horse may have never had an accident involving a headcollar. But a safe headcollar will be there to help them if they do. How do you know a horse headcollar is safe? The first step to find out if a headcollar is safe is to look at what could potentially cause injury. There is likely to be two reasons: The force placed on the horses’ head from the headcollar during an incident. The horses panic, if they are restricted, could cause them to fall or thrash around blindly. Survey Results These reasons are backed up by the survey results too, showing that horses sustained various injuries from headcollars*, including: Bruising Cuts Fractures Like a hat, body protector or pair of boots for your horse, the only way to know if a headcollar is safe is to test it. For headcollars, determining its safety is going to be related to when it releases. If it doesn’t release, this could cause severe injury not only to the horses’ head and surrounding structures, but also cause the horse to panic and potentially do further damage. Headcollar Testing Dr David Marlin tested a range of typical headcollars to find out their release points. The results were surprising, with some headcollars being able to suspend a horse’s entire body weight before releasing or breaking. Look at the below diagram for example. This is a representation of the amount of weight it takes for these headcollars to release shown in hay bales. It doesn’t take much imagination to understand how much weight goes onto your horse’s head when they are struggling to get free. On the other end of the scale there are headcollars which released far too easily. This could mean that they are not suitable to handle your horse with for day-to-day management. This too could pose a safety risk if they were to release while leading or unnecessarily.  What is the solution? For your horse’s safety, in the event they need to get free, using a headcollar which releases at the lowest amount of force will always be the safest option. This, however, is not a practical solution. We need to be able to tie up our horses and have the headcollar be able to withstand some pressure. Or lead and have the headcollar withstand a horse pulling or perhaps feeling fresh. Therefore, the ideal headcollar will provide a balance – so that you can handle your horse safely, but it will also release if you horse gets into real trouble. Without testing, there’s no way to measure this. So, using a headcollar with testing behind it can give you confidence that if your horse needs it, it’s ready to release. The Stellar Headcollar The Stellar Headcollar was designed because of this research and testing. It can be used for everything from tying up, leading, travelling and even as a field safe headcollar too. We not only wanted to create a long lasting, comfortable and smart headcollar, but we wanted one you could trust too. Horses as we know are unpredictable, so having a headcollar there for when you need it could save your horse from serious injury.  References; An online survey of equestrian headcollar use and safety - Marlin - 2022 - Equine Veterinary Education - Wiley Online Library Opening forces or failure of commercially available equine headcollars and other safety devices - David J Marlin, Kirstie Pickles, Roberta Ferro de Godoy, Jane M Williams, 2021 (sagepub.com)