Diet and Supplements - horses for courses!

For centuries, horses thrived on natural supplements such as herbs and minerals then, almost 200 years ago, an 'equine tonic' was launched, starting a whole new industry.

Healthy horses with a good diet and exercise regime may not require specific attention but if you know your horse, you will know when it's under par. Some natural herbal remedies may give a boost when needed. Here are a few natural supplements that are commonly found:

• Nettles are rich in vitamin C, iron, sodium, protein and fibre. They may be helpful to horses with poor circulation, arthritis or rheumatism.
• Mint aids digestion, it's menthol is a useful anti-bacterium and anti-parasitic.
• Meadowsweet is an antacid that can relieve acid indigestion and treat diarrhoea. It is also an anti-inflammatory and pain-killer - an equine paracetamol equivalent.
• Garlic is good for the respiratory system and can reduce blood pressure. It is also useful for pain relief, has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties - and helps to repel flies!
• Seaweed is an excellent source of multi-vitamins.

As always, moderation is key. Seek expert advice before changing your horse's routine.

horse care products

Little Lucky Natty

One of the Sherwood Equestrian team was lucky enough to see this beautiful foal not long after it was born, before the news of it's birth became widespread. For more details click BBC news.

Tips for Horse Rug Care & Repair

• Wash Horse Rugs Regularly using an anti-bacterial, anti-irritant rug wash.
• Check for damage to the fabric. Iron-on patches may be used for small repairs; heavy duty blankets may require sewing.
• If a waterproof layer has been damaged, seek professional advice. Inadequate repairs may trap moisture and be detrimental to your horse's well-being.
• If surcingles, straps or buckles are damaged, seek professional advice.
• If necessary, reproof rugs to protect your horse and prolong the use of the rug. To test, drop a teaspoon of water onto the rug's surface - it should form 'beads' or run off but if it is absorbed, it should be water-proofed before the next shower.  

SHERWOOD EQUESTRIAN IS NOW ON FACEBOOK

Please visit the Sherwood-Equestrian page on facebook and LIKE it!

MENS & LADIES DRESSAGE JACKETS PRICED TO CLEAR £50!

 
Equetech Dressage Riding Jackets at unbelievable discount. Hurry - limited number of sizes left in stock.

LADIES DRESSAGE TAILS

An elegantly styled dressage jacket with weighted tails at an affordable price.

Made from washable polyester fabric with false waistcoat front.

*** LIMITED STOCKS
*** WAS £102.12
*** NOW ONLY £50 INC. VAT
*** WHILE STOCKS LAST

At the time of writing, sizes 38" and 40" Ladies Jackets are available. For more details and to place your order online, go to Sherwood Equestrian Specials.

MENS IN-VENT SHOW JACKET

Mens In-Vent Show Jacket by Equetech, with one breast pocket, two front pockets with concealed zips and plush velvet collar.

Made from durable polyester with teflon coating for a showerproof finish.

*** LIMITED STOCKS
*** WAS £119.95
*** NOW ONLY £50 INC. VAT
*** WHILE STOCKS LAST

At the time of writing, sizes 44" and 46" Mens Jackets are available. For more details and to place your order online, go to Sherwood Equestrian Specials.

Go grab yourself a bargain!

Checklist for Pony Club

Listed below are the main items for Pony Camp Weeks but there may be others depending on the individual Schools.

Camp List for Rider

• Hat
• Beige Jodhpurs and jodhpur clips
• Long sleeved shirt
• Tweed hacking jacket and hanger
• Black or brown jodhpur boots
• Riding Gloves
• Hairnet for girls with long hair
• Waterproof Jacket
• T-Shirts

Camp Kit List for Pony

• Hay Net
• Grooming Kit - body brush, curry comb, dandy brush, hoof pick, hoof oil.
• Fly Spray
• Sweatscraper
• Saddle and Bridle
• Numnah (must be black, brown, white or navy & follow the contour of the saddle)
• Tack cleaning Kit
• Boots/side reins/daisy reins if required.
• Polo Bandages x 4 (fleece bandages)
• Head Collar and spare rope
• Free standing saddle rack

Revisiting Corks Creak

You may remember our friends at Corks Creak?

Corks Creak tailor-make sporting breaks in beautiful locations. Take a look at their comprehensive website, dream a while, then contact them to discuss your perfect sporting or relaxing break.

http://www.corkscreak.co.uk

Equestrian Trade Fair, NEC, this month

BETA International is the world’s leading trade fair for the equestrian, country clothing and pet product markets. This year, it takes place at the NEC, Birmingham, from 20 to 22 February.

An attraction on the opening day of the show is "An Audience with Martin Clunes and Monty Roberts" featuring TV's "Doc Martin" and the "Horsepower" horse whisperer as they address issues such as "Is it cool for modern man to love his horse?"

Ladies Dressage Tails, Reduced

ladies' dressage tails

Equestrian sports are steeped in tradition and Dressage riders need to adhere to the dress code.

As a strictly governed sport, Dressage riders have a number of rules to follow regarding how they dress and behave.

Dressage is judged subjectively, therefore correct turnout conveying the right impression are important.

For Dressage competitions, riders will wear white breeches, worn with a belt and complemented with a white shirt and a stock tie with a small pin, worn under the Dressage Coat.

Dressage Coats are usually solid black with metal buttons, traditionally a long jacket and a colour vest or vest points at the front of the waist is usual. Gloves are generally white.

The ladies' dressage tails shown here are currently on offer at Sherwood Equestrian's on-line shop.

Follow us on Twitter

Please join us at
www.Twitter.com/SherwoodEquestr
for bite-sized chunks of news and information.

Our New Web Shopping Site Launched Today

Sherwood Equestrian is delighted to announce that their new Equestrian supplies on-line shop has gone 'live' today. Catering for competing equestrians, Show and Eventing clothes for men, women and juniors are supplemented by specialist equestrian underwear and horse care products.

We have uploaded thirty of our most popular items for the web shop launch and will be adding a number of products each week.

Sherwood Equestrian recommends the EQUETECH® clothing range in the secure knowledge that the garments are designed by riders for riders - and the majority of products have been manufactured in Britain by British companies. We are stockists for the superb ranges of products from EQUETECH® SHIRES, CHARLES OWEN, RACESAFE, ELICO and others.

Quality clothing is constantly developing. Our selection of event and showing garments include Hats, Jackets, Jodhpurs, Breeches, Shirts, Waistcoats, Stocks, Ties, gloves etc. for all age groups. Please visit www.SherwoodEquestrian.co.uk

Small Gifts for Horses & Riders

At Sherwood Equestrian's ebay shop, we have gifts from just £1!

Equestrian Christmas Gifts: stocking fillers

... for your horse, your children, your friends, yourself!

Our featured product:

2 New Elico Christmas Rein Sleeves

Great present for any horse lover or simply treat yourself (& your horse) this Christmas.

Fun and festive

Approx 12 inches in length.

Bell in the middle of the sleeves to give that festive sound.

Colour: Red with white imitation fur at each end.

Only £1.50 for the pair

Here are some more examples of what's in our shop right now (all under £10):

children's socks £4.99

children's socks £4.99

children's socks £4.99

Ladies socks £3.00

Argyle Socks £4.50

Phone Holder £3.50

Comb Set £1.50

Equerry Wash Brush £5.25

Grooming Glove £2.75

There are many more stocking fillers under £10 - visit our ebay shop now!

A ROUND-UP OF EQUESTRIAN BITS

There are many factors that should be considered when choosing which bit is appropriate for your horse, for advice on which is most suitable for your needs, someone with lots of experience who knows you and your horse should be consulted.

Bits work on many different areas of the horse’s head: the tongue, bars, corners of mouth and lips, roof of mouth, side of fact, chin groove, poll and nose.

There are essentially five difference types of bit. All work on different areas of the horse and therefore have a different result. Within the different types, bits have varying severity, for example, in the snaffle family, a Dr Bristol is far more severe than a French Link, even though they are both snaffles. To help explain how this works, we have had a look at the different families of bit to help you decide which one is right for you.


Links: SNAFFLES, DOUBLE, PELHAM, GAGS, BITLESS 


As well as choosing the type of bit, consideration needs to be given to the appropriate material:

• Stainless steel - safe and easy to clean, stainless steel is the normal material that bits are made from.
• Copper - is softer and can be used to cover other metal mouthpieces, It can be used to help horses mouth the bit and encourage salivation. Many horses like the taste.
• Cupro Nickel and German Silver - these bits have a light gold colour and have a unique flavour which can help the horse to soften
• Sweet Iron – is darker in colour and encourages the horse to salivate, This in turn produces a pleasant taste.
• Rubber – makes a very soft and very kind bit. Because of the nature of the material, bits made from rubber should always have metal reinforcement running through the centre in case the horse chews through.
• Synthetic – usually light but very strong. They are also quite gentle on the horse’s mouth.
• Vulcanite – a type of rubber that is hardened by heat. Vulcanite mouthpieces are often very thick meaning that they gentle on the horse’s mouth.

Link: FITTING & SIZES

Do you know the HorseWorld Charity?

From www.horseworld.org.uk

HorseWorld was set up in 1952 as "The Friends of Bristol Horses Society" in a campaign to save the lives of working horses who were rapidly being replaced by motorised vehicles in industry. Under the banner of “Retirement Not Slaughter” - for many were destined for the abattoir - we offered a safe haven in Bristol for the big-hearted horses, ponies and donkeys that had worked all of their lives on the railways, in the dockyards, the coal mines, the armed forces and on the roads.

Although almost 60 years later working horses are largely a memory of the past, there is still a very real demand for the charity to rescue, rehabilitate and re-home up to 100 abandoned, neglected and mistreated horses every year.

HorseWorld is now responsible for over 100 horses, ponies and donkeys at their Bristol site and over 300 who have been re-homed throughout the South-West.

If you are able to: re-home a horse.

If you're not able to re-home a horse but would like to adopt one at a distance, how about: Popeye.

Or, if you're just in the vicinity of Bristol, why not spend the day? There's lots to see and do for adults and children. Take a look at their Visitor Centre.