Education Zone

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)

Riding horses in winter to provide exercise is a vital part of their care. We take a look at a few tips on how to keep your horse happy during winter riding. Riding horses in winter – the warm-up. More important than ever, is your horses’ warm-up. Correct warm up is essential to prepare the body for exercise and reduces the stress on the body. This in turn can help prevent injury. When it’s colder this warm-up time is even more essential. Further to that, if your horse has been stood in their stable, they may need more warming up too. Here’s some things to consider for your warm-up: Did you know, it can take as long as 15 minutes or more to warm up muscles and joints – so make sure you factor this into your riding time. Make sure you build up the intensity slowly. This could include only using large shapes instead of small circles for a good while when riding. Before getting on, consider warming up your horses back muscles. Using the Massage Pad prior to riding can help warm their back up before putting weight on it. Use the Massage Pad over a rug so that your horse stays warm.  Riding in snow: In the right conditions, snow can be great fun to ride in! Here’s some points to consider to keep you both safe. Stay slow. Don’t get carried away and make sure you know the ground well underneath the snow. Soft, fresh powdery snow is better to ride on than compacted snow, which can ball up in their feet or be slippery. If you’re worried about snow balling in your horses’ feet, use Vaseline, grease or similar to encourage it to stay out. Avoid riding on hard frost or ice. It might be an obvious point but a necessary one! Keep your horses’ muscles warm. Consider using a quarters sheet, especially if they are clipped. Make sure the boots on your horses’ legs are suitable for wet conditions and don’t hold water. They are likely to get wet and if the hold water, they may slip and rub. Care after riding in winter. It doesn’t have to rain for your horse to get wet in winter when riding. Make sure you keep your horse dry and warm after riding. ‘Old fashioned’ methods such as thatching could help dry a horse, but there are also a lot of modern-day materials and rugs that can keep them warm while drying them quickly too. Using a Massage Pad on top of a cooler or wicking rug while they cool can help with your horses cool down. Other considerations: Make sure feet are picked out – particularly after riding in snow. If your horses’ legs have gotten particularly wet or muddy, wiping them down with a towel can help keep the skin healthy.  Read our blog on caring for the stabled horse in winter here, or a horse living out 24/7 here. Find out more about our Equilibrium Therapy range here. Find out more about our Tri-Zone Boot range here.

Caring for horses in winter can be tough, whether you're stabling your horses or turning them out... or just want to ride! We’ve put together a few tips on how to look after your stabled horse in winter, which brings about a few challenges. The number one challenge when stabling horses, is likely to be stiffness and or lack of circulation. The easy way to explain how they might feel is if you think about how you feel on a flight. You might not only feel stiff after sitting for long periods of time, but your feet and legs may begin to swell too – making you feel quite uncomfortable. The obvious solution would be to keep your stabled horse as mobile as possible. One way might be to use a Munch Block in a Munch Net. It encourages them to use their lips, neck and back in ways similar to when they are browsing in the field. Take a look on how to use it and the benefits here. Other ideas include: Using treat balls. Putting hay in different areas. Taking them out for frequent bouts of exercise/hand walking Hand-grazing several times. Sometimes it’s not always possible to keep stabled horses moving if you’re not around. In this instance, using a boot or chap can help. It will provide gentle compression to the lower leg, that can help keep it warm, this in turn will help keep the circulation moving. Stable Chaps are perfect for this, but if your horse needs a bit more help then Magnetic Chaps might be a better option. Hind & Hock Magnetic Chaps also provide coverage higher up their hind legs. Another common challenge when stabling horses is keeping their brain occupied. Keeping your horse occupied and mentally stimulated in the stable will help. Again, using a Munch Block in a net will ‘activate’ their natural foraging behaviour. Other ways of doing this include treat balls or even just hiding carrots. Hanging the munch net in a spacious area (i.e. not against a wall) will make your horse have to work harder for it too. Sprinkling SimplyIrresisitible over hay or haylage will keep your horse occupied as they forage for it. It will benefit their digestive system too with the probiotic it contains!  Take A Look... Forage blocks such as Munch Blocks can help top up their fibre too. Our Munch Blocks contain 50% of the essential vitamins and minerals recommended for the average horse (500kg). Did you know you can soak the munch blocks in warm water too for a warming high fibre treat!

One of the well-known benefits of massage is that it can reduce stress. During a massage, endorphins are released by the pituitary gland, these are the body's natural feel-good hormones. The release of endorphins suppresses stress hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline. Endorphins can also have an analgesic effect, reducing the sensation of pain. The reduction of pain leads to a more relaxed state and can attribute to the effect you are seeing. Another effect of endorphin release is a reduction in blood pressure. Reduced blood pressure suggests a more efficient circulation that is putting less pressure on the cardiovascular system. You are likely to notice longer, deeper breaths and a reduced heart rate. Both of which can make a horse sleepy and more relaxed. Heart rate is an easy parameter to measure to help understand how a horse is reacting to any situation.

Caring for horses in winter can be tough! We’ve put together a few tips on how to look after your horses living out 24/7 or those who are just turned out for a period of time. Turning your horse out in the snow. Some horse owners may decide not to turn out in the snow due to the risks. While fresh snow is fine for most horses, compact, icy snow can certainly cause a problem. As snow starts to melt, it can also cause the field to become incredibly wet and slippery. Here’s a few tips for dealing with the snow: Using grit or sand on areas which are likely to get slippery, i.e., gateways and tracks. Vaseline or similar under their feet can help prevent snow balling up and compressing in their feet. Keep a hoof pick at the field to clear their feet as much as possible. Make sure they have enough to eat. While horses will certainly browse for grass under the snow, eating forage will help ‘ignite’ their internal heating system to keep them warm. A warm settled horse is less likely to run around in the snow and wet. If your horse does tend to, a protective turnout chap might help. As the snow melts and the field becomes increasingly wet, you might want to think about shielding your horses’ legs from the elements. Using a breathable turnout chap can help create a barrier to keep skin healthy until the field has dried up a bit.  Leg protection for horses on limited turnout. While this might apply for ‘field hooligans’ who live out 24/7, horses on limited turnout in winter may be ‘fresh’ and exuberant. We know their legs are precious and easily injured. Using a protective turnout boot, such as our Hardy Chaps, will help reduce the impact of any potential injuries. They also provide some protection against the elements too, keeping legs drier and less muddy. Leg protection for horses living out 24/7. There are 2 main considerations you may want to use turnout boots or chaps for when your horse is turned out all the time. Skin protection and health. Being out in the wet and cold (and snow!) takes a toll on skin. There are arguments for and against feathers, which may provide a natural barrier for some horses. Using a breathable turnout boot, such as the Close Contact Chaps, to keep legs drier with the majority of mud off to keep skin healthier. This may be of benefit for horses prone to Mud Fever. Stiffness. Especially for the golden oldies out there. While we don’t want to wrap them up in cotton wool, stiff joints can be tough for horses living out. Using a turnout chap to keep the legs warm and dry, such as our Hardy Chaps, can help those stiff achy joints. Access to water, especially for horses living out 24/7. If you horse is just out for the day, you can break the ice on their water and that should last them in the normal UK winter temperatures. However, if your horse is living out 24/7, their water could potentially be frozen overnight… Using a tennis ball or a plastic bottle with water and salt in it will help keep the water moving. This helps to prevent it freezing. Other things to consider: Don't just break it, take the ice out. Using a bigger trough will reduce the likelihood of freezing over.  Other things to think about for your horse in the field: If they are out 24/7, make sure you check their rugs twice a day. Additional forage. They might need a bit of extra help or something to keep them busy if the grass is limited. Munch blocks are perfect for a fibre boost and contain added vitamins and minerals. If they aren’t getting regular hard feed, they may need a multivitamin. Essential vitamins and minerals help maintain healthy skin, bones, muscles, and digestion.  Is your horse in the stable overnight? Read our blog here about caring for your stabled horse in the winter.  Find out more about our Simply Nutrition range here. Find out more about our turnout boots here.

We look into the benefits of massage for horse riders, used alongside heat, to target the four main areas horse riders tend to commonly suffer with Hannah Donnelly, Chartered Physiotherapist BSc (Hons).

Product testing is an important part of our company DNA, and while scientific testing is important to us, knowing exactly what horse owners (and most importantly - their horses!) think of the products and the benefit they provide them is just as vital too! Our Massage Pad Heatsense development followed this same protocol. Working with equine physiotherapists and electrical experts, we designed the Heatsense to deliver therapeutic levels of heat consistently, but also SAFELY. Once we were confident in this, the Pad was trialled both in house and out of house by a number of different horses in different disciplines. Once the concept was tweaked and finalised, we took the product on the road and here's just some of the reviews from those who have tried it!  Emily Mustow Eventing I was lucky enough to be one of the riders who got to trial the Heatsense whilst at Osberton International competing in the CCI2* with 21 year old Prime Time II. At his age, getting through trot both trot ups was a little nerve wracking. However the HeatSense, along with the magnetic boots, helped keep Fred relaxed, warm and supple which meant he flew through both trot ups easily. On dressage day, Fred wore the heat sense about an hour before his test while he was being plaited up. He was so relaxed and seemed to really enjoy it. He then went on to do his best ever international dressage test to score a 33. He was so cooperative and on side. He can be a real nervous horse in this phase, so for him to finally show what he can do was very emotional. I will definitely be getting my own Heat Sense ready for next season!  Tamsin O'Connor Aero (Riversides Caballero) is a 15.3hh, 9 year old, Warmblood x Part-Bred Arab, chestnut gelding. It was a bit touch and go for the BRC Championships as it became apparent the week before that he had tweaked his back and required an emergency chiro treatment the night before we were leaving! However, we won both our Prelim Championships the day before our Music Championship, which was amazing, but he still felt a little tentative. On the Sunday I was very grateful that we had booked the new Heatsense pad to trial before my music tests. We finished 3rd in the Novice with 70%, and to top off an already incredible weekend we WON our Prelim with 73% - they were big classes and many superb horses competing so never did I imagine we could do so well! After using the Heatsense pad he really felt great, tried hard, and absolutely gave me everything.  Sophie Wymark This massage pad is incredible, my horse instantly showed releases when the massage and heat pads were turned on. She felt much more supple over her back and quarters during her warm-up when we trialled it at the British Riding Club NAF Five Star Introductory Championships. It has been added to her Christmas list!  Lauren Lanik - Adventures of Megatron Mega has been lucky enough to trial the Equilibrium Products HeatSense Massage Pad over the last month or so. I bought the standard massage pad for Mega over 2 years ago and I’ve always seen benefits of using it so was intrigued to see the differences vs the new HeatSense pad. - I love the extra length of the pad to provide full coverage across their entire back - the self temperature regulating heat element of the pad gives me complete reassurance that Mega is benefitting from the optimum temperature for her muscles - the elasticated belly straps make securing the pad fast and easy - no having to adjust them if you’ve put the pad on over a rug - the additional motors in the massage pad seemed to noticeably provide further relaxation vs the standard pad - the option to run just the massage function or heat or run them together! Full multi purpose/use item making it great value Katie Rogers Equine Physiotherapist - Founder of Sky Equine Rehabilitation We are very lucky to have been given the opportunity of trialling for a few weeks, the new Equilibrium Massage Pad HeatSense.  This was launched at the beginning of this month and so far it is proving very  much loved by our patients. Most of them have experienced it now and they all fall asleep.  We use an array of the Equilibrium Products anyway for the physio and rehab of our horses and the addition of the heat to the massage pad is a welcomed one. Each of our horses have an individual programme of treatments and plans and the massage pad features heavily in it.  It works amazingly at helping to reduce tension in their back, especially when on box rest and maintaining a good level of circulation.  With the heat addition, it helps to warm the muscles as well as providing that massage effect. We love it at Sky Equine and so do our horses.  It's on the Christmas Wish List

Horse fly masks are a common piece of equipment for horses, but many people don't realize that they also provide UV protection. In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of UV protection for horses and how horse fly masks can help. We will also provide some tips on choosing the right fly mask for your needs.  UV rays can damage the skin and eyes of horses. Preventing sunburn. Horses can get sunburned, just like humans. Sunburn can cause pain, inflammation, and even skin cancer. Horses with pink skin are more susceptible to this, however prolonged exposure can still cause damage for all horses.  Protecting the eyes. UV rays can damage the eyes, leading to cataracts, corneal ulcers, and other problems. Just as you might buy sunglasses with UV protection for you own eyes, horse equivalents are available too!  Preventing photosensitization. Photosensitization is a condition that occurs when a horse's skin is overexposed to UV rays. It can cause the skin to become red, itchy, and painful.  UV and Headshaking.  UV light can be a trigger for headshaking in horses. Headshaking is a condition in which a horse shakes its head violently, often in response to a trigger such as wind, sunlight, or dust. The exact cause of headshaking is unknown, but it is thought to be caused by a combination of factors, including: Inflammation of the trigeminal nerve. The trigeminal nerve is the fifth cranial nerve and is responsible for sensation in the face. Inflammation of this nerve can cause pain, which can trigger headshaking. Allergies. Allergies to pollen, dust, or other environmental factors can also trigger headshaking. Nerve damage. Damage to the nerves in the head and neck can also cause headshaking.  Find out more about headshaking here.  Horse fly masks and rugs can provide UV protection.  Differing levels of UV protection are available. 100% UV is difficult to achieve in a fly mask as these are generally made from mesh to ensure visibility. The holes in the mesh will naturally allow some UV in - however if there weren't holes it would be unlikely that your horse will be able to see. Fly rugs with UV protection are commonly used not just for flies - but to reduce bleaching to your horses coat caused by the sun's rays. Think of it like garden furniture which usually has UV resistant fabric. The materials colour would fade much more quickly when left in the sun without any UV protection properties, when compared to UV resistant material.  There are a variety of horse fly masks available, so it is important to choose one that fits well and is comfortable for your horse.  Before choosing a mask for your horse, you should consider your horses full needs - do they have sensitive skin, are they easily irritated, what are the 'must-have' features for your fly mask? You might want to just shield their eyes, in which case a mask without ears or a nosepiece might do, however other masks are available offering more coverage if you need it. Other things such as padding, a close fit, the UV rating and protect guarantee are just some of the things you should consider. Read more about choosing the perfect fly mask here.  Conclusion Horse fly masks are an important piece of equipment for horses, and they can also provide UV protection. By choosing the right horse fly mask and cleaning it regularly, you can help protect your horse from the harmful effects of UV rays.  Tips: Choose a horse fly mask that fits well and is comfortable for your horse. Clean your horse fly mask regularly to prevent the build-up of bacteria and mould. Replace your horse fly mask if it becomes damaged. Apply sunscreen to your horse's exposed skin, such as its nose, even if they are covered by a horse fly mask. Where relevant, horses should be kept in the shade during the hottest part of the day in extreme temperatures. This will help to reduce their exposure to UV rays. Shade, be it natural or artificial, should always be accessible to your horse.

The Brushing Boot. Usually the first boot you buy for your new horse or pony, and the one that’s probably been around the longest too. Traditionally used to protect the inside of your horse’s cannon bone and fetlock against brushing, these boots are simple to fit, quick to take off and do their job.  But could they be better? Brushing Boot Materials:  Usually made of neoprene, there isn’t much to a brushing boot. There’s normally a strike guard on the inside to protect against brushing (where one leg strikes or ‘brushes’ the inside of the other leg).  Neoprene is generally a non-breathable material with a ‘closed cell structure’. Not only can this cause your horses’ legs and tendons to get hot, but it can also cause them to sweat more, leading to skin and tendon damage (find out why it’s important to keep them cool and dry here).  There are also some horses who are allergic to neoprene. So, for such a commonly used boot used for such a variety of disciplines – why did the industry choose neoprene as a suitable material for horses’ legs?  Although it compromises some vital aspects in horse leg care, the material does offer some benefits too. It generally doesn’t hold water, and it is normally flexible and comfortable for your horse to wear.  Brushing Boot Fit:  While a lot of horses can brush the inside of their legs, the rest of the leg is left vulnerable to overreaching, or potentially even hitting objects. Sometimes if you’re out hacking and need to open a gate your horse may step into it, you may decide to jump a log out in the woods and your horse could misjudge and hit it with the front of its legs. Your horse could slip causing their back legs to go underneath them, so they may want more protection down the back of their legs. Brushing boots provide what they are designed to – protection from brushing! But depending on the horse, the activity, and the circumstance, this isn’t always enough and there’s certainly room for improvement.  What is the answer to a modern-day brushing boot?  There are certain things we expect from a ‘modern’ boot.  Comfortable fit including flexibility while staying light on the horses’ leg. Breathable material to keep the legs cool and sweat free. Protective material to give some cushioning to the leg. Easy to use, maintain and long lasting.  Introducing the Tri-Zone Brushing Boot Expect MORE from a Brushing Boot. More breathable, lightweight and flexible, these boots have tested protection and are the MOST breathable in the Tri-Zone Range. Easy to use and care for, they are ideal for gentle schooling, hacking and turnout!  The Tri-Zone All Sports Boots A small 'step-up' from the Brushing Boot, providing all round tested protection for all disciplines – whether you’re hacking down the road or jumping cross country! With no neoprene, tested for breathability, protection and flexibility, all while remaining lightweight and comfortable for your horse to wear.  Rated 5/5 on Feefo "The Sport Boots have been tested jumping, cross country and on fun rides numerous river crossing where the boots stayed on and felt fantastic. The boots are easy to wash and would highly recommend."

Some horses, if in discomfort or particularly sensitive, may find massage over stimulating. Using heat on its own is a great tool in these conditions as it is very non invasive, and is usually accepted well by even the most sensitive of souls. Heat should be concentrated on a small area for best effect. For other horses, its a great tool either on its own or combined with massage that reaps several benefits. Lets explore them! The Benefits of Heat. Heat can help to: Support healthy muscles and soft tissue. Warm up muscles or joints before exercise. Maintain lymphatic function. Increase metabolic and nerve activity. But what does this mean? In essence, heat can help our horses feeling good and promotes healthy muscles, so that they can perform at their best. Not only that, but it gives some of that necessary R&R time that we all need. Which Horses can Benefit from Heat? In short - any horse! But here's a few specifics: -             Older horses. -             Horses that are slow to warm up. -             Young horses who are learning new things. -             Horses undergoing retraining and recruiting new muscles. -             Those returning to work after a period of rest. -             Horses working hard and/or competing.     -             For any horse or pony to enjoy!  How to Deliver EFFECTIVE Heat for Your Horse. Providing heat is one thing, but providing reliable, repeatable and safe heat that is effective is another! To have an effect it is thought the tissue temperature needs to increase by at least 3 to 5°C from the resting temperature (Bockstahler et al, 2004). Our solution to this is a handy, battery operated product. The Massage Mitt Hotspot has been tested and is achieving an average of 8.7°C increase to skin temperature whilst still remaining well within the safe limits. Comparing it to other alternatives currently used for horses, we look at the various challenges associated with these and how the Hotspot can help. Comparing traditional heat methods to the Massage Pad Heatsense and Massage Mitt Hotspot  Negatives of Hot Water Bottle/Wheat Bag Positives of Massage Pad Heatsense & Massage Mitt Hotspot Unpredictable temperatures. Set to a specific target temperature with a cut off to prevent overheating. Starts very hot – can be a shock to the skin. Starts at ambient temperature and gradually increases to pre-determined maximum temperature. Starts to cool down quickly. Set to maintain correct temperature. A lot of heat lost to the atmosphere. Insulated to help reduce heat loss. Need access to hot water/microwave. Battery operated to deliver numerous sessions. Covers need to be washed – not straightforward with a wheat bag. Easy to wipe clean - and you could even use the Hotspot on yourself!    A Closer Look at the Massage Mitt Hotspot Offering comforting heat and massage options, the Hotspot soothes and relaxes your horses hardworking muscles.  The choice is yours – pick from heat and 2 different types of massage. Tailor the massage with 3 different strengths. Fits into your daily routine with a 10-minute programme. There’s no muscle you can’t reach. Battery operated to take it with you wherever you go.

Jemma got in touch with us on Instagram with some photos of her horse Monty before he used the Massage Pad, compared to after. We were astonished by the immediate clear difference in how he looked so much more comfortable, we asked her to tell us a little bit more about him and their journey! Introducing Jemma & Monty Hey, my names Jemma. I’m 30 and I’m from (the sometimes) sunny Cornwall, I work as a HCA in the NHS and I’ve owned & ridden horses from a young age on and off, but have found my love for it again the last couple years after an awful riding accident left both me & my horse Monty with shattered confidence & no trust in each other at all, & so started the long & bumpy journey to getting back into the saddle & restoring our confidence again. Monty is a 17hh, 13yr old ID x TB & I’ve had the pleasure of owning him for 8 years now, despite it being pretty bumpy at times, he’s a horse with so much love to give, he has an incredibly huge character & many quirks too, he’s actually quite well known as the “Horse who sits like a dog” and actually made it into national newspapers being compared to Eeyore the donkey for the way he “sits” & takes in everything around him ? Since using the Massage Pad on Monty I have seen such huge improvements in his overall wellbeing and I just wanted to share with you those improvements, it’s the best thing I’ve honestly ever invested in and it’s now a strong part in our daily routine. Monty is so sensitive, cold backed and has also had the tendency to stand underneath himself which has caused many problems and issues with his back, however since using the Massage Pad and incorporating stretches into his routine, the difference has been incredible. His back is so much more comfortable in all aspects, he’s nowhere near as sensitive, he isn’t uncomfortable when tacking up, he doesn’t arch his back or appear uncomfortable when it comes to me getting on him to ride, he warms up so much better and his overall general wellbeing has significantly improved. I honestly can’t thank you guys enough, I just wanted to share a before and after photo around a year apart since we’ve started using the Massage Pad and I think you’ll agree that the change and difference is incredible. Onwards and Upwards Because of the many issues we faced with our accident & riding confidence in each other, Monty is still very much a blank canvas, but in the last year or so since we’ve really got back into our riding, he’s showing that he has lovely movement & 3 nice paces, once he puts his mind to it. So, for now we are continuing to work on our flatwork & schooling & building him up over the winter period with hopes next year of dabbling in a little bit of dressage or showing, he’s a big & powerful horse who can really strut his stuff when he wants to, so who know... watch this space? Do you have a story you would like to share with us? Get in touch using the link below.