Founded on the values of innovation, technology & protection our range of horse rugs have been engineered to provide effective protection and superior comfort for your horse or pony.A global market leader in horse rug technology our range of rugs include lightweight turnout rugs, medium weight turnout rugs, heavyweight turnout rugs and stable rugs with PE liner compatibility* for weight customisation, offering a range of benefits for you and your horse.Explore the benefits of the PE rugging system and find the best option for your horse below.5 Key Benefits of The PE Rugging System1) CustomisabilityYou can customise your rug to the required weight for the weather or season. Easily apply your rug liner by securely attaching it to the outer rug when required. With our rugging system you have the ability to transform your lightweight turnout rug into a medium weight turnout rug or your medium weight turnout rug into a heavyweight turnout rug; ideal for the changing seasons.2) HygieneYou can remove the rug liner and wash them as required, helping to maintain good hygiene without having to wash the entire outer rug. PE rug liners fit into most domestic washing machines. Dry naturally.3) StorageStoring 1 outer rug and 1 or 2 rug liners may take up less space in your tack room than 3 separate weight option rugs. Ideal if you have limited storage space.4) Expand Your Weight Options CollectionOur rugging system allows you to create custom rug weight options by combining different outer rugs with rug liners.We offer 100g, 200g and 350g rug liners to combine with our range of turnout rugs & stable rugs with rug liner compatibility. Choose your outer rug and choose your rug liner to create a custom weight rug combination.5) ReplacementWith the PE rugging system, if you need to replace your turnout or stable rug you will only need to replace the outer rug. Your collection of rug liners will still remain to make your custom rug weight combinations. This may be more cost effective than purchasing 3 separate rugs if you require a lightweight turnout rug, medium weight turnout rug, heavyweight turnout rug and stable rug.Which Option Is Right For Your Horse?Requires a Combo Rug (Fixed Neck Cover)Look for rugs with the word 'storm' or 'combo' in the title or description. This indicates that the rug features an integrated neck cover. Our storm/ combo rugs are compatible with our Combo Rug Liners.Requires a Detachable Neck CoverLook for rugs with 'detachable neck cover' in the title or description. This indicates that the neck cover can be removed or applied as required. Our rugs with detachable neck cover are compatible with our Standard or Combo Rug Liners. *For Lucanta rugs use Lucanta Rug Liners or Combo Rug Liners.Has Sensitive Withers/ High Withers and Requires a Neck CoverLook for rugs with 'Lucanta' in the title. This indicates that the rug has a forward cut neckline with strategically placed wither pads to distribute pressure over a larger surface area. Our Lucanta rugs with detachable neck cover are compatible with our Lucanta Rug Liners or Combo Rug Liners.No Neck OptionsLook for rugs with 'Original' in the title. This indicates that these rugs do not have a neck cover and do not have attachments for a neck cover. Our Original turnout rugs are compatible with our Standard Rug Liners only.Buster HardyBuster Hardy rugs feature no attachments for rug liners or neck covers. The forward cut neckline is ideal for horses who have sensitive or high withers. Available in 0g or 100g options.Complete SystemsOur Titan Trio Complete 4 in 1 Turnout Rug offers 4 rug weight options in 1. The rugging system comprises of a 100g turnout rug, 3 rug liners and 2 neck covers. Use the 100g turnout rug on its own as a lighweight (plus) layer or add any of the 3 different weight (fill) rug liners to increase warmth. Possible weight (fill) creations:100g200g300g450gProducts You May LikeHorse Laundry Wash Bag Large 10 Acting as a filtration system for your washing machine, this horse laundry wash bag is ideal for washing your saddle pads, rugs and dirty riderwear without damaging/ clogging your washing machine with loose hair and debris.Premier Equine Storage Bag Medium 18, Large 26Use them on the yard to store rugs, horse boots, saddle pads etc. or use them for competitions and load them with all of your competition items - keeping them clean and safe during transport.5 Benefits of Our PE Rugging System1) Customisability2) Hygiene3) Storage 4) Expand rug weights collection5) ReplacementThe PE rugging system is the ideal solution for the changing weather/ seasons. Ideal for equestrian professionals working on busy yards the rugging system allows for quick and easy application or removal of rug liners to customise the weight of the rug in use.For expert advice on the best PE rug for your horse, pony or working yard please call the order line on 01469 532279 and our customer services team will be happy to help.*Excluding the Hardy range and Stable Buster Lite 100.

British Horse Feeds are sponsors of the North & East BD Region and provide feed advice as well as support at camp and events.D Squad Winner Darci WardHere we catch up with Darci and her mum to find out all about her pony Emular Dare to Dream and their D Squad win along with plans for 2024 and beyond.What is Squadding?When a young rider starts on their BD Youth training journey, they can attend assessment and training days in their region which could lead to being allocated to a BD Youth Regional Squad. Being part of a squad opens a whole bunch of opportunities for team competition, including the Home Nations and Inter Regionals.BD Youth squad competitions are not just about riding dressage tests. Rider skills are also tested which focus on position, riding proficiency and influence on the ponys way of going. Points are awarded and progress is monitored so that young riders can advance through the squads as their skill grows.The BD Horse Care programme is also a key part of the squadding journey and all young riders need to be participating in the course at the relevant level to be eligible for regional teams.Meet Darci Ward and Emular Dare to Dream2023 was Darcis first year squadding with the North & East BD region. Dream as she is known at home is a Welsh Section B pony which Darcis family bought almost three years ago as a three-year-old. They had gone to see another pony to buy for Darci but she saw Dream in the field and fell in love with her. With help from her mum on the ground Darci trained the young pony to be ridden and then go out and take part in their first competition.In her first year with BD, Darci and Dream worked hard on their squadding and slowly built their scores as the year went on. Gaining a high scoring win in the Inter Regional competition representing North & East BD region took them to the top of the table resulting in a dream win for the pair.Stacey Ward, Darcis mum, was with her all the way saying, Darci and Dream have done every first together from initially sitting on her for the first time right through to this first win. She has worked so hard this was our first year with BD too and we didnt know anything! We have all learnt so much and I couldnt be prouder of them both.Looking forward to 2024 and beyondDream has now been sold to another family as Darci was outgrowing her and a new pony Lucky has joined the family. New Forest pony OakFarm Lucky Lad is already a very lucky pony his mum was hit by a car on the New Forest when she was in foal with him but survived it and went on to give birth to this very handsome ponyNow in C Squad, Darci has quite a lot to work on with him and as her mum put it, He has very big shoes to fill.Well done Darci and Dream and good luck for 2024 from us all at British Horse Feeds!The post British Dressage North & East Region sponsorship D Squad Winner Darci Ward appeared first on British Horse Feeds.

The Underwriting Exchange Irish Senior Show Jumping team return to Longines League of Nations action on Friday and Michael Blake has named a strong quartet for the Rotterdam leg of the prestigious competition. Ireland currently leads the League of Nations standings after an Abu Dhabi runner-up finish and an Ocala win, before the St Gallen leg fell victim to the weather and was cancelled. Qualification to the Barcelona final in October is already secured but with the Paris Olympics on the horizon and Irish teams riding the crest of wave currently, High Performance Show Jumping Director Blake is hoping for another excellent performance. Blake has named Daniel Coyle with Paris-nominated Legacy, Mark McAuley with the Irish Sport Horse GRS Lady Amaro, Shane Sweetnam with RR Combella and Cian OConnor with Eve DOuilly. The 10 best teams in the world will be jumping on Friday, with Ireland facing hosts The Netherlands, []

What can I do for my horses joint pain? Its a question we all ask our veterinarians at some point. Whether from an injury or age, most horses suffer from osteoarthritis or a musculoskeletal injury sometime during their lives. 60% of horses will become lame due to osteoarthritis during their lifetime, according to research in Joint Disease in the Horse, Second Edition. Zoetis Pro-Stride APS is a Regenerative Medicine Device that uses your horses own blood to produce a concentrated cell solution that when injected back, helps heal the joint space and provide anti-inflammatory relief. This helps relieve pain and improve lameness in horses suffering from joint injuries or arthritis.Photo courtesy ZoetisDr. Chad Davis recommended that we use the Pro-Stride APS device to support CRs joints, given the high level of work and impact that he sustains for training as well as competition, shares Colleen Rutledge, whose horse Cover Rights called CR is a retired 5-star eventer. The 2006 gelding now competes in PSG dressage. CR has been on other treatments in the past but has now been on Pro-Stride APS for three years. As most horse sports are a game of millimeters and seconds, anything that we can do to maximize comfort and minimize damage is always welcome. CR has always been very demonstrative when he doesnt feel his best, and the Pro-Stride APS device helps him maintain his comfort.Colleen Rutledge and Cover Rights. Photo courtesy ZoetisWhat is Pro-Stride APS and How Does it Help Horses with Joint Pain?Pro-Stride APS autologous protein solution is a device that produces an all-natural concentrated injectable solution that uses your horses blood to help counteract the effects of osteoarthritis and musculoskeletal injuries. The Pro-Stride device utilizes a combination of concentrated anti-inflammatory proteins, white blood cells and growth factors from platelets derived from the horses own blood, explains Dr. Holly Helbig. It works primarily by blocking interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) from binding to the cartilage surface. These are two major pro-inflammatory proteins that lead to degeneration of the joints.Dr. Holly Helbig. Photo courtesy ZoetisYour veterinarian can administer Pro-Stride APS stall-side in about 20-30 minutes. They will draw your horses blood and run it through a centrifuge in a two-step process. This creates a concentrated cell solution that contains your horses own anti-inflammatory cytokines and growth factors. When injected back into your horse, it helps to reduce inflammation and pain. Not only does this therapy address inflammation, but it also promotes healing of the joint space, explains Helbig. Biological therapies continue to gain the attention of veterinarians and horse owners for corticosteroid-free management of osteoarthritis.In a 2014 study published in the American Journal of Veterinary Research, client-owned horses who were evaluated for lameness and then treated with Pro-Stride APS showed significant improvement in lameness grade up to a year later, and in some cases longer, after just one injection.1How long effects last will vary from horse to horse, depending on many factors including type of injury or condition being treated. Helbig explains that after one treatment, your veterinarian will assess your horses response and create a plan from there. In her experience, Helbig says, We evaluate the horses response to see if the Pro-Stride device improved lameness approximately 4-6 weeks post injection.An Alternative Treatment to Steroids for Horses with Joint PainWhile corticosteroids are the norm for treating osteoarthritis and musculoskeletal injuries, Pro-Stride APS may be a better alternative. Steroids are known for being fairly fast-acting, reducing pain quickly, but does not address the healing process like Pro-Stried does. Additionally, there are potential negative side effects to repeated and long-term use. High doses of corticosteroids as well as repeated use has more recently been associated with degradation of articular cartilage, leading to potential further damage to a horses joints, explains Helbig. This means that the treatment you are using may eventually make the problem you are trying to solve worse.A hind limb flexion test being performed on a horse. Photo courtesy ZoetisWhile all injections have a small risk of complication including localized pain, swelling or infection at the injection site, Pro-Stride APS will not degenerate the joint further like steroids. The Pro-Stride APS device has safety and efficacy studies showing a strong safety profile and efficacy up to 12 months post-injection, she adds.Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDS are also common systemic treatment for pain in horses with osteoarthritis and musculoskeletal injuries. However, NSAIDS have negative side effects from prolonged use as well, including papillary necrosis, equine gastric ulcer syndrome and right dorsal colitis, according to Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs and Associated Toxicities in Horses published in 2022.With Pro-Strides APS, you may be able to ditch the NSAIDS too. It depends on the condition that were treating or managing, explains Dr. Chad Davis, when asked about stopping NSAIDS with regenerative therapy like Pro-Stride APS. In our practice, its uncommon to keep horses on chronic NSAID therapy or treatment. Rather, we would look to medical devices like Pro-Stride APS to allow for a more comprehensive response and better outcome than using NSAID therapy alone. Our thought process when using orthobiologic devices and therapies is to condition and train the injured location and associated cells to be less inflammatory in response to an injury or disease, and more reparative and regenerative in nature. Inflammation control is key, but how you address inflammation is the science behind the treatments and therapies.Can I Compete with Pro-Strides APS on Board My Horse?A big question with any treatment we use on our horses is whether its legal for competition. So can you use Pro-Stride APS before a competition? There are no drugs, medicines or additives in a Pro-Stride device since its a byproduct of the horses own blood, answers Helbig. Speak with your veterinarian to ensure that your horse is fit for competition, and if lame, has an appropriate diagnosis and plan to ensure timing of the injection. Most equine organizations have a minimum number of days between injection and competition times. Check with your veterinarian or governing body for appropriate rules and regulations.Dr. Helbigs vet truck with Pro-Stride, Highlighting a Pro-Stride My Ride set up at the Vet Lounge sponsored by Zoetis at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event.Photo courtesy ZoetisAs for using the Pro-Stride APS device before a big event, the short answer is yes, adds Davis. The extended answer is to ensure you have enough recovery time after the therapy to achieve the maximal responses. We see many orthobiologic therapies and devices, not only as point-of-care medicine but also as preventive medicine. Preventive medicine ensures optimal performance and predictable outcomes and is a focus at our practice with the Virginia Equine Rehabilitation and Performance Center.We all want to keep our horses happy, healthy and pain-free. Pro-Stride APS uses your horses amazing power of self-healing to ease discomfort and possibly regenerate the joints. Learn more about Pro-Stride APS at the Zoetis website and ask your vet if it may be right for your horse.1 Bertone AL, Ishihara A, Zekas LJ, et al. Evaluation of a single intra-articular injection of autologous protein solution for treatment of osteoarthritis in horses. Am J Vet Res. 2014;75(2):141-151. doi: 10.2460/ajvr.75.2.141.This article is a web exclusive for Horse Illustratedmagazine.Click here to subscribe!The post Manage Your Horses Joint Pain with Pro-Stride APS, a Non-steroidal Treatment for Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Injuries appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Do you remember Sunny? He was a foal taken in by Hope Pastures Horse and Donkey Sanctuary. In autumn 2023, Sunny went off to his new loan home.Sunnys heartwarming tale is of resilience, compassion, and newfound joy. Rescued from uncertainty, Sunnys future has transformed into warmth, love, and security.Since arriving at his loan home, Sunny has blossomed. Basic training has become his second nature, with tasks like picking his feet, fly spraying, bathing, and visiting the vet no longer daunting challenges but opportunities for growth. His gentleness and eagerness to learn shows just what a special boy he is.A touching aspect of Sunnys journey is his love for grooming. During these moments, a bond forms between him and his loaner, and the silent exchange of trust and affection shows his newfound confidence.Sunnys integration into his new herd of two geldings (Sunny lookalikes) has been seamless, a testament to his adaptable nature and charm. His loan home describes him as a lovely boy with a hint of mischief balanced by impeccable manners and a heart filled with love.Sunnys future looks bright as his loaner explains:I would like Sunny to eventually become a childs riding pony so I will teach him to be ridden with assistance from my instructor. I would like him to be ready to be a pony for my child in years to come. There is also the option to potentially teach him to drive as my groom is experienced with this. However, I will take it slow and see how he responds as he grows to see what he will be best suited to.Sunnys experience exemplifies the power of love and care. Every pony deserves a chance to thrive, and with kindness, even the most uncertain days can give way to a bright future.As we say goodbye to Sunny in his loan home, but we look forward to introducing you to another Hope Pastures resident and their journey to a new home.With the help of sponsors like British Horse Feeds and donations from the public, Hope Pastures are able to help support the future of foals, ponies, horses and donkeys like Sunny. If you feel you are able to contribute to the everyday costs, which include feed, enrichment, the vet, the farrier and physio, then you can do so via our donate link here. You can donate via Paypal or a Debit or Credit card. Thank youThe post Sunny Days: A Bright Future Ahead appeared first on British Horse Feeds.

In partnership with Wintec SaddlesOne of the secrets to enjoying hacking is being comfortable in the saddle especially over long distances and this is vital as you work towards your #Hack1000Miles goal.If youre not comfortable, your body becomes tense and starts to ache, and this will have a negative effect on your horse too.Being and staying comfortable starts before youre on board. The Franklin Method is used worldwide to help all types of athletes and has a positive effect on riders.It will improve your body awareness and train your mind-body connection while also improving your movement.Alysen Starko-Bowes, head of Franklin Method Equestrian, explains four exercisesUpper body postureOne issue contributing to rider head misalignment and upper body postureis neck and shoulder tension, which will make you uncomfortable in the saddle, particularly on long distances.The following exercises aim to reduce tension in your neck and shoulders by rolling on a ball.Exercise 1: relieve neck tensionRelieve neck tensionExercise 1:Lie down on your back with your knees bent. Place the ball under your neck.Slowly roll your head forwards and then roll it backwards.Repetitions: 10Exercise 2:Lying in the same position, gently turn your head to the left and then to the right.Repetitions: 10Relax your shouldersExercise 3:Lying on your back, placea ball under your left shoulder blade.Bring your left arm up and take it back past your head and then down to your thigh.Repetitions: 10Exercise 4: relax your shouldersExercise 4:Clasp your hands together behind your neck and gently roll your shoulder blade over the ball in a circular shape to the left and then to the right.Repetitions: 5 in each directionExercise 5:Lift your left arm out to the side so that its level with your shoulder on the floor. Now lift your arm up and take it across your body.Repetitions: 10Remove the ball and noticethe difference between your two shoulders.Now place the ball under your right shoulder blade and repeat steps one to three on this side.Improve your breathingThe next set of exercises are for improving your breathing.Become self-awareTapping exercise: improve your breathingThis first tapping exercise will improve your awareness and proprioception (your self perception of where your body is in space). You can use two Franklin Balls or your hand in a soft fist.Exercise 6:Before you start take a couple of deep breaths and notice what this feels like. This gives you your starting point.Tap all around your ribs on one side only for 30 seconds to a minute. Focus on the area that you are tapping.Once you finish try taking a deep breath into the lung on the side that youve just tapped. Now take a deep breath on the other side and compare.You should feel youre able to breathe more fully on the side you tapped.Repeat the exercise on the other side.Strengthen your diaphragmUse a resistance band to strengthen your diaphragmThe next exercise will strengthen your diaphragm muscle for improved and better breathing. For the following exercise you will need a resistance band.Exercise 7:Open up the resistance band and wrap it around your ribs at the back.Cross the band over in front and take it to the back again.Cross it over once more, bringing the two ends of the band to the front.The band should feel snug. Securethe ends by tying a bow.Breathe deeply and try to push your ribs out 360 degrees into the band.Take between five and eight full breaths and then take a break.Repeat two more times.If you feel light-headed, do fewer repetitions. Build up to more asyou become more practised.This content is brought to you in partnership with Wintec Saddles, durable, comfortable, easy-care, weather-proof saddles for everyone.Further readingHollowing your back or slouching? Why your stirrup length matters when hacking a horse and how to get it rightShould you hack out on a contact? 5 reasons why you should and when you shouldntWhy hacking is so good for fitness plus how to track improvementsThe post How to keep your body comfortable when riding long distances in the saddle appeared first on Your Horse.

The Haycube streamlines hay soaking with a simple four-step process.The post Soaking Hay Has Never Been So Easy appeared first on The Horse.