Help Mountains Animal Sanctuary - Scotland's largest Horse rescue and adoption centre

Any horse owner will know the importance of looking after and caring for animals in need, which is why charities like Mountains Animal Sanctuary, Scotland's biggest re-homing and adoption centre for horses and ponies. 

For over 30 years, Mountains Animal Sanctuary in Forfar, Angus, has been dedicated to caring for vulnerable horses in need of some TLC and a safe and suitable home. In order to keep themselves out on the frontline, bringing in and re-homing horses, ponies and donkeys in order give them a shot at a better life, Mountains relies on charitable donations and volunteers. However, sadly, they now need your help more than ever after suffering a break-in last week, less than two weeks before Christmas. 

A statement from the Mountains Sactuary website reads:

On Sunday night/Monday morning (9th/10th Dec) at about 3.30am Mountains Animal Sanctuary, was broken into. All our donations from the previous day at our Nativity Concert were taken as was stock from our Visitors Centre and our unique much loved carved horse, Milton, we used for our Armistice Service. Plugs were put in sinks and taps left running so the visitors centre was also flooded, the office was completely wrecked. We are all devastated that anyone would target us especially at this time of year.

Any help would be much appreciated, if you live close by and can help with the big clean up please contact the office on 01356 650308.

You can donate by following the links on this page, any amount however small would be appreciated.

If you have any information that might help the police contact the office on the above number.

  

Make your own horse treats and cakes

It's Christmas time and here at Tic Tac Equestrian, we know that horse owners aren't the only ones who enjoy indulging in a bit of festive indulgence. Earlier, we gave you recipes for basic Christmas cakes for Horses. This time, we've scoured the web for a handful of great little treats and cookies to help you horses get into the spirit and reward them for being great companions over the past year!

Oat 'n' Apple Chewies

Treat your horse or pony to these simple squares made of wholesome ingredients. Keep them fresh in the fridge. Remember not to feed too many of any treat too often.

INGREDIENTS:

1 ½ cups unsweetened apple sauce
1 cup oat bran cereal or ground oatmeal/porridge oats
½ cup all purpose flour (approx.)

PREPARATION:

Preheat oven to 180C/350F
Oil a 9inch x 9inch square cake pan
Spread the batter evenly in the cake pan and bake for 20-30 minutes. The batter will start to shrink away from the sides and it will be firm to the touch.

Slice into squares while still warm. Keep chewies in the refrigerator in an air-tight container or bag.


Molasses Cookies Horse Treats

Your horse will love the sweet crunchiness of these cookies. They keep well in an air-tight container. Never feed too many treats too often.

INGREDIENTS:

1 ½ cup all purpose flour
1 cup bran
1 cup molasses
1 cup grated carrot or apple

PREPARATION:

Preheat oven to 190C/375F
Oil two cookie sheets
Put aside a small bowl of white sugar and a drinking glass with a flat bottom.
In a large bowl mix all the ingredients thoroughly. The mixture shouldn’t be too wet, and should stick together.


Add more flour to make the mixture firmer and hold together if necessary. Drop by teaspoonfuls, about 1 ½ inches apart on a greased cookie sheet. Grease the bottom of the glass, dip it in the sugar, and stamp the cookies to flatten them slightly. Bake for about 10 minutes. This makes about 25 cookies, depending on the size. Store in an air-tight container or bag.



Baked Carrot Crispies

2 carrots,shredded
1 apple,shredded
1/3 cup molasses
3/4 cup flower
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup water
3/4 cup bran
3/4 cup porridge oats/oatmeal

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat over to 200C/400F. Generously grease a muffin tin. Mix carrots and apples into a bowl with molasses.,bran,brown sugar,water,flour and oatmeal. Mixture should have a thick and doughy consistency. Add more bran if needed. Scoop dough into a muffin tin,sprinkle each muffin with brown sugar and bake in the over for 30-50 minutes until well cooked

A Horse Is For Life Not Just For Christmas

'A pet is for life, not just for Christmas'

It's an old saying, but at this time of year, it's particularly important to remember. There is nothing quite as special as the first time the horse of your dreams comes into your life, especially on such a special day as Christmas Day itself. But as any horse owner will tell you, the reward of making this special connection comes with a lot of hard work. 

We don't need to tell you that it's worth it, but there is sadly a growing trend for treating animals as if they're disposable gifts, with many new owners who were once enamoured by the idea of spoiling a loved one with a wonderful Christmas gesture soon feeling overwhelmed by the responsibility and maintenance that comes with caring for a new pet, especially a horse. 

The BHS (British Horse Society) is currently trying to raise awareness of the problem, warning against any company that is encouraging people to buy a horse for Christmas.

As the BHS states: Horses need and deserve skilled care from knowledgeable people. In this market, they may be inexpensive to buy, but they can be costly to keep.

The company, Horsemart, recently sent out an email advertising: 'Horses under £500 make great Christmas presents.'

BHS Senior Welfare Executive Lee Hackett said: “We were so disappointed to see such an irresponsible email coming from Horsemart. A horse is for life, not just for Christmas.

Particularly reprehensible is that the horses shown in the email are all young animals designed to pull at the emotions of unsuspecting buyers. These horses would need careful handling from experienced people to develop and prepare for their future. They are most certainly not to be exploited for Christmas.”

The British Horse Society and we here at The Equestrian Blogger encourage anyone with the ability to properly care for a new horse to contact any reputable local Horse Rescue Centre, where you will find plenty of wonderful horses in need of a safe and reliable home. 

Make You Own Horse Hair Jewellery

At Tic Tac Equestrian, we love jewellery, especially beautifully hand-crafted pieces you can make yourself. Horse hair jewellery in particular is a great gift for equestrians, especially at Christmas time, and not to mention, a fun and beautiful way to honour your horse.

Bracelets and necklaces can be tricky to make but with a bit of practice you can make gifts for your friends and yourself. Which is why we've scoured to net for the best ideas on how to make y

So, how do you start? Well, decide what type of bracelet you would like to make and it's worthwhile making a visit to your local craft shop to pick up the right findings/beads/charms you want to add. After that, the basic steps are fairly simple. 

You'll need: 

• Horse Hair
• Rubber Bands
• Metal beads
• Silk cord, same colour as hair
• Silver cap end
• Toggle clasp

Instructions:

• Collect horse hairs that are about a foot in length. Continue collecting them until you have small bundle--as wide as your thumb.

• Wrap an elastic band at the far end of the horse hair. Insert the thin metal wire into the centre of the bundle. Make sure the elastic band is wrapped tightly, as to hold the hairs and wire in place.

• Comb the hair gently to remove any tangles.

• Separate the small bundle of hair into three equal sections. Keep the wire in the centre of the middle section of hair. Braid the hair, concealing the metal wire, until you reach the bottom of the bundle.

• Bind the end of the braid with silk cord in the same colour of the horse hair. Repeat this process for the beginning of the braid, binding the silk cord in front of the elastic band (where the braid begins). Remove elastic band. Trim off excess hair.

• Pull the silk cord through the cap end and secure it to the end of your bracelet. The hair slips into the cap end, providing a neat appearance. Repeat this process for the other end of your bracelet.

• Slip the metal beads over the hair and position where desired. You may choose to have an attractive bead or charm in the centre of your bracelet, as a focal point.

We'd love to hear what wonderful creations you've pulled together, so feel free to get in touch here, or at the Tic Tac site! Good Luck!

To rug or not to rug - advice on winter horse rugs

For a great selection of rugs,
check out the Tic Tac Equestrian store

Horse rugs form an essential part of proper modern horse care, and a lot of thought needs to go into deciding when and on what occasions to use different types of rugs. However, this doesn't need to be confusing and does not take long to get into a useful routine. 

To help you with this area of horse care, we've compiled a series of helpful tips, highlighting notable differences between all common rug types and when or when not to use them: 

Turnout Rugs

A horse turnout rug is generally used throughout all seasons (with the exception of the middle of summer) to keep the horse warm and dry out in the pasture. Of course, horses are naturally built to withstand winter weather by growing thick coats and as a result, they have the ability to stay warm in the winter without the use of turnout rug, if they aren't clipped. However, many horse owners tend to use rugs anyway.

Winter Turnout rugs

Throughout the winter, you will likley need a turnout rug that is much thicker; one which is both windproof and waterproof to keep your horse warm in all conditions. For a full selection of winter rugs, feel free to visit the Tic Tac store.

Spring/Summer rugs

On milder days, your choice of horse rug will need to be less thick, as there is less need for maintaining a horse's body heat. Many rugs that fall into this category are generally just meant to keep off summer showers and breezes although some of these, which have extra layers underneath, can still be used in the winter.

Stable blankets are also an essential piece of horse equipment to ensure comfort, care and protection throughout the winter months and as the name suggests, they are designed primarily to be used in the stable to keep the horse warm. Stable horse rugs are generally not waterproof, however, these can be used underneath a turnout rug to increase warmth.

As for other types of horse rugs, fly sheets help to keep off flies in the summer which can cause irritation or even lead to potentially serious diseases in horses. Whereas Show Rugs are used to protect a horse’s coat before a horse show to ensure that you don’t have to do any extra grooming.

Spoil your horse this Christmas with gift ideas from Tic Tac Equestrian!

Horses know how to live it up
 at Christmas too!

It's getting even closer to Christmas, and at Tic Tac Equestrian, the excitement is beginning to mount! It's a magical time of year, and a perfect opportunity to show your loved ones just how much you care - especially your beloved horses and ponies!

Believe us when we say our four-legged buddies appreciate the excitement of getting a special new gift on Christmas Day as much as their owners, so at Tic Tac, there are plenty of fantastic x-mas gift ideas for horses, from comfy riding gear and winter rugs, to delicious treats and lots of horsey toiletries to keep them looking happily, healthy and smart. 

For the full range of Christmas gift ideas from Tic Tac Equestrian, go to the official store today, or for some more ideas, check out our earlier post on stocking and stable fillers this Christmas!

From all of us here, we hope you have a very merry Christmas and a happy new year!

Christmas Gift ideas for Horses!

There’s a lot more to Christmas day than the presents, but it’s a good place to start! At Tic Tac Equestrian, we have plenty of gift solutions for friends, family and horses alike, and fun little twists to make the careful art of stocking filling less of a burden and more of festive highlight!

First up, our Junior Grooming Kit Box (£18.99) is the perfect gift for your happy little stable hands. This sizable grooming kit comes in a nice big plastic carry case and contains a Junior sweat Scraper, Glitter Rubber Curry Comb, Plastic Curry Comb, Horse's head Hoof Pick, Body Brush, Dandy Brush, mane comb and a sponge. Perfect for a new pony owner!

Junior Grooming Kit Box - £18.99

The smaller, great value Pony Care Kit (£8.99) is a great little addition the pile under the Christmas Tree, with a small selection of accessories (including a mane comb, hoof oil and soaps) to help you keep your favourite pony looking pretty. 

Pony Care Kit - £8.99

Our fantastic ChristmasGift Pack (£5.99) is one just for the horses, with lots of lovely treats and horsey toiletries to keep them satisfied and smelling sweet! There’s apple treats, mane and tail lotion and tea tree shampoo – if horses could shop at Boots, this would be top of the list! 

Christmas gift pack - £5.99

Another fun little extra is our very own Christmas Stocking for Horses and Ponies (£5.99), bursting at the seams with healthy treats sure to earn you plenty of extra kisses over the festive period; just don’t get too tempted to try them yourself! 

And for friends and loved ones we’ve got a great range of accessories form our good pals at Maccessori including wallets, bags and bears all made from genuine Harris Tweed. Price start at £16.99, with some truly great quality items available, so if you fancy spoiling a fellow horse-crazy secret santa, you won’t be stuck for choice! 

We also have a great range of Silly Moo cosmetics including Hand Cream (£4.99) and Lip Balm (£4.59) or if you can’t decide we also have a nifty little Gift Basket with a choice selection of top quality products from this fun and friendly company to help you keep yourself looking radiant when you’re out riding!

Silly Moo Gift Basket - £8.99

So there you go, just a few of the many wonderful gift ideas available from Tic Tac Equestrian this Christmas. If you’ like more info, please feel free to give our full product range a proper look over at tictacequestrian.com.

We look forward to hearing from and hope you have a truly wonderful Christmas this year!

Feeding tips for Horses

Who doesn't like filling their belly?! Especially at Christmas time! Well, one of the key aspects involved in keeping horses, especially over the winter period is how to properly feed your horse, in order to maintain a healthy weight and stay properly nourished, glowing and full of beans!

At Tic Tac Equestrian, we've compiled a few handy hints and tips, perfect for first-time buyers and horse enthusiasts of all ages. Some of these tips are generally just common sense, but better same than sorry when it comes to proper Horse care! 

First off, one thing to remember is that the horse, by its very nature is a grazing animal and is more or less built to eat almost constantly throughout each day, around 18 out of 24 hours. With that basic fact in mind, there are a few little rules to remember when feeding your horse. 


Feeding tips and rules to remember

Feed little and often - by ensuring a constant passage of food through the digestive system, the horse's natural feeding patterns will be replicated, ensuring proper digestion. 

Remember your roughage - adding hay, grass and haylage ensures, also helps to maintain steady, natural digestion.

Always feed depending on size of horse and workload - Horses that are heavily worked will require much more energy in their diet, not to mention more food. Feeding these kinds of horses too much or too little food will result in unwanted fluctuations in weight. 

Don't make any sudden dietary changes - The Bacteria in a horse's large intestine are vital in the break down of food and they need time to adapt to any changes in diet. Doing this too suddenly can cause some bacteria to die, producing poisons and sometimes even lead to metabolic disorders.

Feed at the same times every day - Horses, like many of their owners, are creatures of habit and thrive on regularity, so be sure to bear this in mind when compiling a feeding schedule.

Wait a while after feeding before undertaking fast work - Working a horse too hard on a full stomach can potentially put pressure on the lungs and affect breathing. It can also impair digestion. 

And finally, provide a constant supply of fresh water

Winter Rugs from Tic Tac Equestrian

Mark Todd Combo Under Rug

The Mark Todd under rug combo (£65.99) is ideal for extra warmth in the winter and is suitable for use under Mark Todd or any other brand of Rug. The under rug combo has been designed with a cotton outer to stop other rugs slipping over it. This Mark Todd rug has a non-slip channel quilted cotton outer, a cotton lined 250g filling inner, a single breast strap, double hook and loop neck fastening and low cross surcingle’s (fillet string not supplied). The Combo neck design of this under rug can be worn as a neck cover or folded back according to your horse’s needs.

Mark Todd Deluxe Heavyweight Turnout Rug

The Mark Todd Deluxe Heavyweight Combo turnout rug (£139.99) is the warmest and toughest rug of the Mark Todd Range, designed to ensure your horse is kept warm and dry in the middle of the winter. The Mark Todd Deluxe Heavyweight Combo is extra tough, waterproof and breathable.  It packs a punch with its extra tough 1680 denier outer and super warm 420g filling. This rug is ideal for winter use, particularly on clipped horses and will keep your horse warm and dry but allowing freedom of movement. The built-in gusset between the neck cover and main body of the Mark Todd deluxe heavyweight combo turnout rug allows the horse total freedom of movement. This is a very tough and durable heavyweight combo turnout rug for total weather protection.

Fal Pro Viking 200g Turnout Rug

The Fal Pro Viking 200g Turnout Rug (£231.99) is tough and durable and is one of Fal Pro's most popular turnout rugs. This rug has a superbly comfortable fit and offers a layered construction with 1000 denier ballistic waterproof and breathable nylon outer, silver interactive lining, separate duvet liner, absorbent blotting layer, no side seams, matrix belt fittings, easy clean fillet string and detachable neck cover. Unique to the Viking rugs is a layering system. The dual purpose of this construction is to make the rug completely waterproof whilst as the same time virtually eliminating condensation. 

These are a just a few of the fantastic Winter rugs we have on offer, so for more information, head over to the Tic Tac Equestrian Store. 

New Year's Resolutions (for Horses!!)

So, 2012 is about to draw to a close, so it's time to start thinking about all those New Year's Resolutions for 2013! 

(c) Lucie Provencher

But it's not just about what diets you're going to take up or what wonderful places you want to visit over the next 12 months - what about your horses?!

That's right, horses are in need of a bit of change and positive motivation, so what kinds of things will YOUR horses and ponies be looking to change in the next big year ahead?

Well, we've scoured the web for a few ideas of fun little things horses can do to make their lives - and yours - a little sweeter over the next 365 days!

HORSE NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS FOR 2012

• I will practice patience and good manners at feeding time. 

• I will try to keep you laughing even when I know I am being naughty.

• I promise not to try and kick the dog.

• I will not stomp on the salt block, breaking it into unlickable pieces.

• I will not trot away when I see you come towards me with a halter. I want to play, really I do.

• I will let someone else be the leader, for a day – one day only - that day will be of my choosing with no advanced notice.

• I will swallow wormer without objection and without getting any of it on myself or you.

• I will get under you when you lose your seat, instead of seizing the opportunity to dump you in the dirt. 

What are some of your Horse's New Year's Resolutions? Get in touch via the Tic Tac Equestrian Facebook or Twitter, and we'll stick them up here!

Christmas Day Treats for Horses!

Here's hoping for horsey white christmas!

We're getting ready for the holidays here at Tic Tac Equestrian! Now,  Christmas day is what you make it, but for us it’s a time to get fat and enjoy yourself - but don’t forget about your horses! They deserve a treat too and we’ve searched far and wide among horse lovers to get some great ideas for special ways to treat your four-legged friends at this wonderful time of the year.

Christmas Cake for Horses

Who doesn’t love Christmas cake? Exactly – no one! And that goes for our equine neighbours too. There are lots of different ways to spruce up their Christmas feed, so let’s start off with a simple but irresistible festive and wonderfully horsey Christmas cake.

Ingredients

Dark brown sugar - 500 g

1 Mug of bran

2 Mugs of chaff

1 apple

1 big carrot grated

1 small tin of black treacle

(You can add a mug of mix if you feed it)

Instructions

Heat up the sugar and treacle until melted, then stir in the rest of the ingredients -you may need to add little more chaff or bran so it is very thick.

Put into a medium-sized container and leave to set.

This recipe is very rich and sugary so be sure to feed with care to horses with sugar intolerance or if you like, you can reduce the amount of sugar you put in and replace with fruit - but it’s safe to say most healthy horses love this!

Other treats

You can also use many of the same ingredients to make different variations of fun, delicious horses treats, including these similar, candy-style treats.

To make, simply mix 1 can of black treacle, 500g of dark brown sugar, melt in a pan and pour into little lickit containers to make fun tongue twisters – lots of brown sticky noses but they adore them.

Big Horse Treats

For bigger horses looking for a heartier wee feed, slices of apple and long strips of carrot dipped into slices of toffee are also a great Christmas day treat. You can also mix in chaff and leave to set in balls - very messy to make but worth it.

Ingredients for the Toffee

200g sugar

55ml of water

15 g of butter

1 tablespoon of Golden Syrup

TO MAKE

Heat the sugar and water together until fully melted, add butter and syrup and boil until 290 on jam thermometer or till it reaches the soft crack stage.

Dip your carrot and apple or other fruit/veg of choice into this and put on baking parchment until hard – and yes, the apple treats can be nice for humans too, so don’t be afraid to give them a taste test!

Christmas Pudding

For an alternative Christmas Pudding recipe, here’s a quick and easy way to keep your horses happy this winter:

Ingredients

Round bread roll

Golden syrup or molasses (optional)

Carrots

Apples

Pears (optional)

Polos

To Make

1. First cut a hole in your roll as if you are cutting the stem out of the strawberry.

2. Keep the top part of the bread safe! You will need it later!

3. Cut your carrots, apples and pears into thin sticks.

4. Arrange your sticks in the roll with at least three pointing up, out of the bowl.

5. Place a polo on each stick pointing up.

6. Pour golden syrup in to help it stay together. (optional)

7. Place the "lid" of bread on top.

8. Put a splodge of golden syrup on top. (optional)

9. In the splodge put some pear and polos in the shape of mistletoe on top. (optional)

10. Either put in feed or feed by hand!

REMEMBER: Only feed these treats a little at a time as they are very rich and full of sugar. But even a tiny taste will be a nice touch to help your horses and ponies enjoy this holiday season! Also, if you’re feeling extra merry, a nice big splash of Guinness in their Christmas dinner always goes down a treat too!

You can make fun variations of these recipes, or if you like, please feel free to send us any of your own ideas and recipes, we’d love to hear from you!

Hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Horsey New Year!!

Clipping your horse for the Winter

It's that time of the year again where it's wise to think about clipping your horse. In their natural state, horses have all the protection they need against the harsh winter weather. However, in order to be able to handle different types of exercise and activity over the winter months, they need some, or in some cases, all of their winter coat removed to enable them to work efficiently and of course, to help us keep them clean! 

Reasons for clipping: 

• For quick drying after exercise
• To allow a horse to carry out fast work without too much stress
• To avoiding adverse effects caused by heavy sweating
• It makes grooming easier
• And it keeps you horse looking sharp!

What sort of clip should I consider for my horse? 
Your choice of clip depends on the type of work your horse will be doing over the winter period, taking into account how much he usually sweats. 

• Trace clip: A Trace Clip allows horses and ponies to be exercised without getting too hot. This also allows them to continue being turned-out in the winter. The coat is removed from the belly and up the underside of the neck. Hair is meanwhile left on the head, the topside of the neck, body and legs for warmth and protection. For a low trace, only a small section of hair is removed from the belly and neck whereas a high trace takes more hair from these areas going further up the horse's flank.

• Blanket clip: With a Blanket Clip, the coat is removed completely from the head, neck and flanks, leaving only an area of hair that looks like an exercise sheet over the back and hind-quarters and on the legs. This type of clip would suit a horse that has regular exercise, is turned-out in the field and does various events at the weekends. 
  
  
• Hunter clip: This is used mainly for horses in heavy work, such as hunters. The Hunter Clip is similar to the blanket clip, except that the hair over the hind-quarters is removed leaving only a patch in the saddle area. The leg hair remains for warmth and protection.
  
  
• Full clip: This is usually given to competition horses that compete in the winter months. The whole of the coat is removed, including body, legs and head. The full clip looks very smart but does require careful stable management. Horses with a full clip need to be rugged up at all times and may need to wear stable bandages in very cold weather.

Where do I start? 

• First of all you need to purchase a good quality pair of clippers. However, there are many different types available depending on the job you need them for so you wont be stuck for choice. Your choice of clippers depends on the type of clip as well as personal preference. 
  
  
• It's often wise to give your horse a bath first if they are particularly dirty. However, usually, you just need to make sure they are well-kept and thoroughly groomed, making sure you remove any and all dirt and sweat that could potentially clog up the clippers. 
  
  
• Have a rug ready to put on your horse after you finish clipping - we guarantee they'll notice the difference in temperature after their nice new haircut!
  
  
• If possible, try to have someone on hand to hold your horse and comfort them if they become agitated. 
  
  
• Use chalk to outline the area you are going to clip, particularly if you have not clipped a horse before. 
  
  
• While clipping the body, the clippers must run flat over the coat - don’t use too much pressure otherwise you will create lines known as ‘tram-lines’.  On the other hand, when clipping the legs and face you will need to clip against the hair as it is shorter than the rest of the hair on the horse’s body. 
  
  
• Start from the top of the neck and head and then work your way along the rest of the body. With experience you can develop your own clipping methods to suit both you and your horse, creating the least amount of stress possible. 
  
  
• Be firm, but gentle when working around the head. It is probably best to use a pair of finishing trimmers as they make less noise and are less likely to startle or cause stress. 
  
  
• After you have finished clipping, make sure that your horse is nice and rugged up and apply stable bandages if necessary - oh, and be sure to give them a well deserved treat! 
  
  
• If all else fails, get an expert to do it for you. It won’t cost you very much and it could cut out a lot of stress for both you and your horse.
  
  

For more info on our great range of clippers and other horse grooming items, be sure to check out the Tic Tac Equestrian store.

Weight gain in Horses

Many horse owners struggle to keep weight on their horses, whether they are being used heavily or they are simply trying to maintain a “hard keeper”.  Weight gain in horses is a function of Calorie intake, just as it is in humans.  If a horse needs to gain weight, you have to increase the Calorie intake per day above the current level that the horse is being fed. 

Beet pulp is a great way to try and help your horse get back to a healthy weight. Beet pulp is what we sometimes refer to as a “super fibre”.  Because it has a high percentage of highly digestible fibre, and contains more digestible energy per pound than hay and is actually about the same as oats. 

Unless there is a lot of molasses added, it is also fairly low in starch and sugar. That is why it is considered a fairly “safe” energy source. Because beet pulp is highly digestible, the horse has less gut fill and can actually consume a bit more per day as well, so the feed intake and Calorie intake can be increased even further, which supports the weight gain theory that many horse owners follow.

That said, beet pulp is not a well-balanced feed.  It has low mineral content, is a very poor amino acid source, and only contains about 9% protein.  Beet pulp fits into a feeding program very well as an energy ingredient, but it needs to be balanced for the other nutrients.

In conclusion, it is important to bear in mind that rarely is a single ingredient the answer to an equine nutrition situation.  Ingredients on their own are simply not balanced solutions.  

While beet pulp is a very viable ingredient for use in a horse’s overall diet, and it can definitely be used to increase the caloric intake, it needs to be evaluated in the scope of the entire diet to determine if the horse is receiving a balanced ration.  

For most horse owners, the simplest route if beet pulp is a desired ingredient is to purchase a commercially available feed that incorporates it as a major ingredient and adds the needed protein, vitamins and minerals to balance the diet for overall health and well being of the animal.

Winter Feed Changes in Horses

Horses feeding in Winter Christmas time is always fun for horses. Winter weather means spending more time in the stall and as a result - less riding. As a result, it would make sense that a horse would need fewer calories over the winter. However, during prolonged periods of cold weather, a horse burns more calories to generate body heat and maintain its normal core temperature. In the past, some horse owners used to add corn to horse feed over winter to help them generate more body heat and reduce the stress and harsh effects of cold weather. Alternatively you can substitute two pounds of hay for each reduced pound of grain fed daily. When less than half a percent of the horse’s body weight is fed daily in grain, consider supplementing with a speciality feed. This ensures that the horse is still receiving the right amounts of vitamins and minerals at the reduced feeding rate.  Making sure that horses have good access to unlimited warm water can help encourage horses to drink more and prevent impaction colic. When a horse drinks cold water, they use extra energy to replace the heat lost and instinctively they tend to drink less. Making sure your horse has an adequate water intake ensures that the fibre in the digestive system stays hydrated, which allows it to be broken down by intestinal bacteria. This makes it much less likely to cause blockages. Mixing salt, mineral supplements, and electrolytes into a horse’s feed can also simulate a horse to drink more water. Regular exercise over the winter period can also aid the movement of the gut and reduce the risk of colic. It is also sensible to keep a watchful eye over the weight of your horse. An unclipped horse’s winter coat can make it difficult to check the horse’s body condition, the owner should use a weight tape or scale monthly to check the horse’s weight. This allows the owner to adjust the feeding program as needed and to keep the horse in peak physical condition and ready for warmer weather.

CHRISTMAS COMPETION - WIN A FABULOUS EQUESTRIAN HAMPER!!!

CHRISTMAS COMPETITION  - WIN A FABULOUS PRIZE!!

WIN THIS BULGING CHRISTMAS HAMPER!!

It's the time of year for gift-giving and spoiling yourself, so here at Tic Tac Equestrian, we've teamed up with The Equine Vet Clinic to bring you Christmas competition of epic proportions!! Together, we're giving you the chance to win a beautiful wicker hamper full of goodies for both you and your horse from your friendly neighbourhood suppliers of high quality equestrian brands for all your horsey needs!

This wonderful winter bundle includes:

• Loveson half chaps
• Mark Todd riding gloves, socks and headbands
• Herbal horse treat
• Likit bars
• Vetrap,
• Carr & Day & Martin mane and tail co
  nditioner
• An Equistro jacket 
• A £50 voucher to spend on TicTac Equestrian’s online store

JUST ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTION!

In 1964 which British bred, Irish trained, thoroughbred racehorse won the Irish 2000 Guineas, the Epsom Derby and the Irish Derby and earned himself the title of British Horse of the Year?

A. Santa Clause
B. Rudolph
C. Christmas Cheer
D. The Snowman

Please email A, B, C or D along with your name address and telephone number to horsevet@tiscali.co.uk.

The closing date for all entries is 15 December 2012. 

For more info on these products and dozens of other great Equestrian supplies and leisurewear, you can visit the TicTac website: www.tictacequestrian.com

GOOD LUCK!!

Likit Boredom Buster

At Tic Tac Equestrian, we know that winter boredom is bad enough for humans but we've got plenty of gadgets and TV boxsets to see in the long winter nights with a smile! For horses it's a tougher challenge staying sharp and satisfied having to spend long hours in the stable, but have no fear, before you start hooking up a flatscreen and an HD copy of Black Beauty there are plenty of fun ways to stave off the winter blues without breaking the bank and help keep your equine buddies full of beans and not just fed up!

One of our favourites is the Likit Boredom Buster (£20.99). As most horse lovers will know, lickable treats are universally loved by our four-legged friends, they can't get enough of them, and the fantastic range of diverse and delicious treats from Likit are among the best.

Their unique Boredom Buster Treats consist of a small plastic ball, suspended from a bouncy cord which you can hang inside the stable - just not too close to any walls! You pop your Horse's favourite Likit inside and watch them go! The more they try to control the ball, the more it spins, bounces and jumps, making it a fun way to make the most of a good treat! 

The more they spin, knock and push the Boredom Buster, the more irresistible the treat becomes and the more satisfying the reward! Don't worry, it's not to hard to get the hang of, but it's certainly a satisfying way to spend time and keep busy during long hours in the stable! 

At the Tic Tac Store, we have a huge range of Likit products you can use with the Boredom Buster, so have fun and try different combinations to keep your horses nice and busy this winter! Perfect Christmas Stocking Fillers!

In the meantime, here's a great video of the Boredom Buster in action!

How to combat Winter Stable Vices

Stable Vices can occur during long winter periods

As cosy as it can be, it is known fact that a stable is an unnatural environment for a horse. As a result, it is common for some horses develop abnormal behaviours, also known as stable vices. So, to help you prepare for the next few months, at Tic Tac Equestrian we've rounded up a few ideas and helpful info to make sure you and your horses enjoy peace of mind and have a lovely winter!

At this time of the year, many horses spend longer periods stabled, so some stereotypic behaviours such as weaving - caused when a horse leans its head over the top of a stable stall and grazes from side to side - and crib biting - where a horse periodically chews on wood inside the stable - become more common. 

It is thought that some traditional deterrents such as anti-weave grilles - stainless steel grills mounted on stall doors - and cribbing collars can cause more harm than the vices themselves so many owners look for alternatives. 

First of all, it is recommended that you turn your horses out as much as possible to avoid long, lonely periods in the same space, and it is also thought that larger paddocks may also help prevent boredom or feelings of stress within the confines of a stable.

Increased exercise and social activities are widely considered to be the best first line of defence against stress/boredom-related Stable Vices and sometimes, even putting up large pictures of other horses within the stable has been known to keep some horses calm and more comfortable by themselves.

There is some mystery surrounding the exact causes of as crib biting, however, there may be a link to acids in the stomach, and antacid supplements are now available. Whereas, Weavers and box walkers  - horses that constantly walk back and forth within their stalls, sometimes out of anxiety or stress - can put strain on their limbs so in can help to make an opening at the back of the stable in order to give the horse a wider view and if possible, you can use rubber matting to alleviate any strain. 

Rubber matting on the floor and coconut matting on the door are also useful tips to prevent horses from pawing the ground and banging doors. Horses tend to avoid these activities if they stop making a noticeable sound. Although many of these tips are universally effective, there is plenty of leeway for gentle experimentation on your own. There are a number of other simple, and perhaps more unorthodox ways of curbing Stable Vices by attacking the root causes such as boredom and stress. For example, stable owners have been known to let chickens into the yard, which gives a visual stimulus and can occupy horses who are left in their own space for long periods of time.

Above all else, if you are particularly worried about your horses behaviour, be sure to contact your local vet for advice. In the meantime, over the next few days we will be looking into some of the ways you can prevent boredom and unwanted physical effects brought on by Stable Vices in more detail, so be sure to check back for more info.

Cold Weather Colic

Cold Weather Colic can be a real stress for horse owners over the Christmas period and winter in general. 

There are several reasons why horses tend to colic more when the weather changes, but in winter, three main culprits are:

Lack of routine exercise: With darker skies at night and the sun rising later in the morning, combined with colder temperatures, and often wetter cold days, horses get less turn out and less riding time, spending more time in the stall. Regular exercise and movements helps to keep both horse and human digestive systems functioning properly. If you have ever been laid up sick and cannot move around, you know that your digestive system has a tendency to not work as well as when you move. The same thing happens to horses.  Even if you can only turn your horse out for a few hours or hand walk around the barn, it is better than no exercise at all.

Cold water and iced over water: horses will drink up to ten gallons a day on a regular basis, but in winter, they may drink fewer than three due to cold. Adding a salt block in the stall will encourage drinking or if possible, you can purchase a water de-icer that will keep the water at a comfortable temperature or perhaps even bring hot water from home to mix in with the cold to help encourage your horse to drink more often. Water helps to aid proper digestion which will help prevent conditions like colic. 

Lack of pasture: This problem is two-fold, first, in that there is little green grass which helps to absorb moisture into the gut and adds wet fiber to help move food along the digestive tract, secondly, horses that are kept on wooded pasture land will tend to eat tree bark, leaves and tree nuts when no other food source is around. Keeping hay in the pasture with plenty of water which is not too cold, will help keep a horse healthy and happy, though beware of getting a large round roll from a dealer you have not gotten hay from before, as many horses have colicked on new hay, especially finer hays like Alicia which tend to cause more impact collics than courser hays like coastal bermuda.

Bottom line - to prevent colic in horses during cold winter months, provide them with a convenient source of clean, ice free water, plenty of turn out, regular routine, soft music in the stall to prevent stress from being cooped up during foul weather days and be careful about feeding too much hay from different sources without giving the horse a chance to switch over gradually.

As always, if in doubt, don't hesitate to contact your vet.

To Bandage or Not to Bandage Horses

There are a number of things to consider when deciding
whether or not to bandage your horse

Does your horse's wound need a bandage? It depends. 

In some circumstances, a bandage's pressure and friction can actually prolong healing. Add in the expense of the materials and care-taking efforts, and you’ll see that unnecessary bandaging benefits neither horse nor owner.

When deciding whether or not to bandage a wound, location and depth are the key considerations. For instance: 

• Leave high wounds uncovered; put low wounds under wraps. 

• Uncontaminated wounds above the elbow and stifle are likely to scab over and heal well on their own.

• Lower-leg wounds are often irritated by dirt, motion and abrasion. Carefully applied bandages are often beneficial for wounds at or below the knees or hocks.

• Leave shallow wounds unbandaged; keep “full-thickness” wounds covered. 

• Once they’re thoroughly cleaned, superficial scrapes and abrasions are left open to the air, as they form strong scabs almost immediately. 

• A full-thickness wound – one that penetrates all skin layers so that the edges separate or can be pulled apart to reveal underlying structures – does not form a strong scab and can invite deep infection if left exposed. For wounds that require stitching, ask your veterinarian about bandaging recommendations.

In general, simple wounds above the knee and hock do just fine without bandages, which most full-thickness wounds heal better with bandages. New skin formed under bandages may require surface ointments or a loose covering until it toughens up enough to face the elements. But as always, be sure to check with your vet if you're unsure.