Northern Store

THE new John Whitaker all purpose (GP) leather saddle has an elasticised nylon tree that is designed so that when the horse moves the tree moves with it. The tree also comes with a lifetime guarantee. The panels are made from latex, a lot lighter than the stuffed panels, which moulds back to its original form when the saddle is removed from the horses back, ideal for the people who have a number of horses of a similar shape.

The available colours are Black or Tan Sizes available 17 and 18 inch seat Tree widths are adjusted in house for the perfect fit The saddle comes with a two year guarantee. Priced at 795.00

Available from Ayton Saddlery, 74 Newton Road, Great Ayton, Middle-sbrough, Cleveland, TS9 6DG Tel: 01642 722196 Tuesday through Saturday 10am - 6pm

Sugar Beet in ten minutes

SPEEDI-Beet from Masham Micronized Feeds is a unique ready in 10 minutes sugar beet feed for horses and ponies. It is ideal for endurance horses as it is high in fibre, which helps provide the required stamina for horses to compete over long distances.

It also pro-vides rapid re-hydration whilst optimising energy release rate. This is due to the soluble fibre in Speedi-Beet, which has a high water holding capacity increasing the amount of fluid in the horses hindgut. This reservoir can then be drawn upon during prolonged exercise such as endurance riding to help replace water lost through sweating.

Speedi-Beet is ready and soaked so fast you can prepare it whilst making the feeds.It is an excellent complementary feedstuff to hard feed as a top dressing and is extremely palatable.

Speedi-Beet was launched in 2000 after an extensive period of research and development. The feed has high nutritional qualities and is unmolassed 95% sugar free. It is unlike any other sugar beet product, in that it is ready to use in less than 10 minutes, where conventional pulps take anything up to 24 hours to soak before use.

By adding small amounts of Speedi-Beet to water it may also encourage difficult horses to drink during events.

For further information contact Masham Micronized Feeds on 01765 689518.

Aloe Veterinary Formula

Aloe Vera has been shown to be effective in treating or alleviating a number of animal problems like ringworm, mud fever and contaminated wounds.

Of equal significance were the results of orally administrating Aloe Vera Gel to a group of horses suffering from persistent leucopaenia and lethargy. Although some had failed to respond to other treatments, including multi vitamins and antibiotics, 11 out of 14 animals treated were able to return to a useful life.

Aloe Veterinary Formula is made with a high percentage of Stabilised Aloe Vera Gel, used for its moisturising anti-microbial action.

It is ideally suited for cuts, abrasions, bruises, chafes, infections and other external problems. Allantoin, a proven activator in the treatment of wounds, is the only other ingredient.

The nozzle control spray makes application to any size or type of pet easy, offering quick relief, soothing, protecting and assisting the healing of wounds.

For more details contact Aloe Vera Direct 01388 83480

Easywalker shoes for horses

THE more refined the sport, the more ingenious the equipment. Take a training shoe with its air cushioned soles for example. Today sport without synthetic material is almost unthinkable, from the ball to clothing, to the flexible pole of the pole jumper. It is an endless list with one thing in common; syn-thetic material, as it possesses ideal qualities for the toughest of conditions.

The lower part of the horses leg is equipped with joints that arent designed for lateral movement, it is the hoof that has to compensate for uneven ground and thereby protect the overlying joints, ligaments and tendons. Scientific studies show that the hoof with its joint-like mechanism can carry out three dimensional movements. Thanks to the elastic material of the Easywalker, all natural hoof movements are maintained. This leads to a better circulation of the hoof base and in turn to a healthier hoof. The easywalker shoe also acts as an important shock absorber from the hoof vibrations and hard blows from jumping or road work for example, due to elastic, wear-resistant and shock absorbing material.

The horn of the natural hoof is a poor conductor of warmth and cold which is ultimately designed to protect the hoof. Heat from the summer, i.e from asphalt, and the cold in the winter, i.e snow and ice is prevented from travelling to the inner hoof. With this protection the essential hoof functions are not impaired. The polyurethane composition of easywalker gives it similar heat conduction qualities to the natural hoof of the horse.

At faster paces the horses hoof is subjected to great centrifugal forces which are massively increased by hoof fittings. The greater the weight of the shoe the more intense the strain and exertion on the joints, ligaments and tendons. To prevent this the shoe should be as light as possible. Easywalker has reduced the weight by almost two thirds the average weight of a shoe, still keeping the high durability. This also means there is less danger of injury between two horses clashing in the paddock or from knocks to their legs, not to mention safer for the rider to.

Harald Riedl, Austrian Champion three-day eventer, National trainer and World Champion com-petitor in Jerez 2002 said Easy-walker allowed one of my top horses to improve greatly in walk. The easywalker is so light and elastic and has such excellent shock absorption that it meets all the demands of a modern sport shoe.

Additionally, the wider contact surface of easywalker provides great protection against injuries and contusions in the hoof sole. The free positioning of studs in the entire hoof protection zone allows a completely safe and steady ride surface, even on difficult surfaces.

For more information on the easywalker shoe please contact Mr Peter Snowball on 01325-378255 or www.equestrian-essentials.ltd.uk

Graze-On is an excellent digestible fibre

FEEDING the endurance horse for optimum and sustained performance is critical, as anyone involved in the sport is well aware.

By feeding Graze-On from Northern Crop Driers, a highly nutritious chopped dried grass you can ensure your horse receives an excellent source of digestible fibre.

Of the three main energy sources used by the horse, fibre is most important. This digestible fibre is broken down by the hindgut microbes to produce slow release energy in the form of volatile fatty acids. The fatty acids are then used directly as fuel in the cells or are converted into fat stores for energy production later. The process is an elongated one and perfect for endurance events where energy is required over an extended period of time.

Natural anti-oxidants found in Graze-On also help to maintain and enhance the immune system.

It is also completely dust free, the high temperature drying process and compre-hensive dust extraction pro-gramme kills any moulds and fungal spores and assists in the maintenance of a healthy res-piratory system.

The natural alternative to grazing, help bring the field to the stable with easy to handle 15kg bales, perfect for travelling or for use around the yard.

For more information contact Northern Crop Driers on 01759 318396 or visit www.northerncropdriers.co.uk

Sue Carsons saddles

With more than 17 years of experience in the equest-rian field and as a keen competitive rider, British Horse Society Assistant Instructor, Andrea Gray has brought the highly acclaimed range of bespoke saddles from Sue Carson to the north of England. After gaining valuable experience in the application of cold laser therapy for the treatment of muscular injuries, Andrea understands the necessity for an accurately fitted saddle and is able to appreciate the importance of a balanced and comfortable riding position.

Each individually tailored saddle is hand crafted by dedicated saddlers in Walsall and is fitted with the Flair system as standard. Replacing the traditional wool flocking found within the saddle, the four airbags unique to the system mimic the contours of the horses back alleviating pressure and offering a much higher degree of support without compromising the riders position. Filling each airbag individually according to the muscular-skeletal development of the horse ensures an exact fit throughout the horses life. Additionally, a wider gullet ensures that there is no interference with the horses spinal processes. A variety of seats and flaps, combined with variable knee and thigh rolls ensure that the rider is constantly balanced and in unison with the horses movements. Bridles, training aids and accessories have also been developed, with maximum comfort and performance optimisation at the forefront of the design process.

For further information please contact Andrea Gray 01768 342357 or 07801 056012

Premier 3000c clipper

The strain of seasonal clipping has been eased, say the manufacturers of the new Premier 3000c Clipper from Brookwick Ward. The lightweight design, with a slim hand piece ideal for smaller hands, is proving popular with owners - particularly women - keen to avoid the aches and pains experienced during prolonged clipping sessions.

Already a best seller in the US, the Premier 3000c features a permanent magnetic motor and ventilated clipper head to reduce the temperature of the blades and ensure a smoother finish.

The model is also the only interchangeable clipper on the market able to take Premier and Lister UK blades, guaranteeing an expert finish for all users from single horse owners to professionals. The clipper comes complete with a standard medium blade set and a full range of Premier blades is available.

Available in the UK through Yorkshire-based Brookwick Ward, part of animal care group Ritchey Tagg plc, the Premier clipper is part of Brookwick Ward's range of that includes the supply, service, sharpening and repair of clippers.

The Brookwick Ward portfolio that can be viewed at www.brookwickward.com Tel Sean O'Toole 0870 1118610.

Trafalgar paddock and stable vacuum cleaner

Trafalgar Cleaning Equipment claims to have launched a revolutionary new concept in muck collection.

This vacuum cleaner opens up a new way to collect muck from fields and stable blocks. It is light weight (50kg) and easy to pull around the paddock with a powerful suction that leaves no muck stuck on the grass. The holding container made of high-density plastic carries up to 350 litres and easily emptied.

The suction unit is powered by low noise 48cc two stroke engine that reduces emissions into the atmosphere by 40pc. The clean fan suction unit is so called as the muck is sucked up through a five inch diameter hose and does not go through the fan.

As well as muck collection, at low revs the machine can be used for leaf collection from gravelled surfaces without removing the gravel.

The paddock cleaner can also be towed on the back of a quad bike, ride on mowers or compact tractors.

For more details and free demonstration contact Paxton Equestrian 01325 378377 or mobile 07801 737437.

Nupafeed anti-stress formula

Nupafeed Liquid Calmer is an anti-stress calming formula that comprises of the MAH VET (magnesium aspartate hydrochloride) formula.

This organic magnesium compound, whose origin is patented throughout the world, has been used for many years in Continental Europe where the product is highly acclaimed.

Erratic behaviour is often caused by an increase of the release of the stress hormone adrenaline which can cause the calcium- magnesium balance in the cells to be displaced, leading to excess calcium in the system. This calcium overloads the nerve and muscle cells which in turn allows the build up of tension and anxiety.

Normally, magnesium (Mg) and calcium (Ca) are the major balancers in horses, but where mineral deficiencies in the soil may be apparent, this can lead to not only depleted magnesium in the grazing area but also affects magnesium levels in feed.

MAH Vet works by restoring the calcium-magnesium ratio to normal, and whilst the magnesium is proven to reduce the release of the stress hormone, unlike simple magnesium formulations the Nupafeed MAH Vet is capable of removing calcium from the cells whilst protecting against further overload.

For further information, contact Nupafeed in the UK on 01438 861900 or visit the web-site www.nupa feed-uk.co.uk

Horslyx equine vitamins and mineral supplement

THE makers of Horslyx claim it is the ideal way to supply essential vitamins, minerals and trace elements without the need to bucket feed.

Many horse owners underestimate the importance of making sure that they are supplying adequate amounts of vitamins and minerals to their animals. Forget the supplementary feeds of cereals to put on condition; if your horse is deficient in certain minerals such as magnesium and manganese, his ability to efficiently absorb - and hence digest - carbohydrates, proteins and fats will be compromised.

If you are lucky, during the winter months your horse may be receiving the optimum amount he requires through his supplementary compound feed.

But what about the spring and summer? The grass is good, we turn our horses out for longer periods, they get fat and we think they are getting everything they need.

Horslyx claims to be a palatable, weatherproof source of all equine essential vitamins, minerals and trace elements, it is suitable to be used both in the stable and field. Available in 5kg,12kg and 50kg tubs.

For further information please contact the Horslyx Helpline 01697 332592 or visit www.horslyx.co.uk

Published: 30/07/2004