Saddle soap and tack cleaners

Now that the sun is out, the horse event season has kicked in and horse shows are really picking up many are looking for a good leather cleaner and leather care. Working full time, whilst trying to keep horses fit and compete at the weekend is no simple task, especially if you have multiple horses like myself. My favourite approach therefore is the lazy cow tack cleaner approach to cleaning saddles and bridles, with maximum leather care to keep the clean tack lasting and supple.

My favourite range for this is the Lincoln Range with their spray saddle soap, Lincoln glycerine spray soap (http://www.tictacequestrian.com/lincoln-glycerine-spray-soap.html) priced £6.99 which I then follow up with the most amazing of leather dressings, the Lincoln leather balm. 

Another favourite soap of mine is the spray tack soap Belvoir tack cleaner also priced £6.99. If, however, you prefer the old fashioned but reliable glycerine saddle soap bar try the Lincoln classic soap bar priced £3.79.

All can be bought from TicTac Equestrian and Equestrian Discounts

Formula 4 Feet

My thoroughbred horse has terrible hoof growth and as such I was recommended to put him on to Farriers Formula. He was on it for around 8 months, by which point I was at my wits end – he hated the Farriers Formula and had decided to stop eating his dinner too as a result – not good for a thoroughbred. I tried everything, from mint and molasses to hand feeding and making tasty horse cakes… nothing worked.

I was then recommended Formula for Feet, or Formula 4 Feet, which was apparently made by the same person who created Farriers Formula, but was designed to be more palatable to horses – apparently not liking the taste of Farriers Formula was a common issue for horse owners owning horses with poor feet. Formula for Feet is amazing! My horse loves it and his feet have come on leaps and bounds, he now has normal hoofs with no cracks!

Whats more is that the Formula 4 feet is an incredible a general supplement. Shortly after putting my horse on formula for feet his coat and eyes brightened and he became full of spark and energy. His condition was incredible and now I merit formula 4 feet not only for it's hoof improvement qualities but also as a top quality general horse supplement.

I now have all my horses on it as it is such a good all-round supplement! Buy it here at TicTac Equestrian or here at Equestrian Discounts. Both only £33.99 for a tub or £84.99 for a sack.

New Rok Riding Boots

Just bought a pair of the New Rok riding boots after a friend telling me they are just like the Tyne Muck Boots but cheaper. These boots have really impressed me as they are exactly the same but thirty pounds cheaper.

 I live in this type of boot all year round because they do for every job. I ride in my boots but not only that I can walk in the muddy fields and through puddles without being worried that water or mud will get in. All you need to do is hose all the dirt off before you jump on board.

The boots are fully waterproof and the neoprene top can fold down for when it’s a hotter day. The removable insoles also help to keep your feet nice and toasty. The boots have reinforced toes and a spur rest. They are definitely a must for stable life!

Likit - Boredom Licked

Likit- as it says on the pack, my pony loves it. No more ‘boredom’ at our stables.

I wasn't much into Likit until a recent purchase for Cavallo Boots arrived with a free gift of Likit treat bars. I love the boots but the treat bars even more. Incidentally, I bought them from Tic Tac Equestrian and they give every customer a free Likit treat with every purchase. Can you imagine if ASOS did the same with chocolate bars, retail heaven!  Anyway, I am amazed how quickly my 20 year old loan pony, Maddie has taken to Likits, they keep her entertained for hours.  I had read that the high sugar content can send them loopy but this hasn’t been my experience. I use it as a treat and from reading the packaging they have lots of other vitamins and minerals as well. The Likit treat bars are fab too, nearly had a piece myself, they look like chocolate bars and are great treats on the move. Maddie’s favourite is the apple flavour. My auntie bought her the tongue twister and boredom breaker for Christmas, best gift ever. We moved her stables in the autumn and she really wasn't happy, for the first time ever she started showing signs of boredom. However after Santa came, with her Likit puzzles she seems much more content.

I know these aren’t completely wholesome treats, but in moderation, they are perfect for my pony. She is so compliant when I have a bar in my pocket. And  as for the stable Likits, my pony is fine on half a day, I certainly have only seen the benefits and so far no drawbacks.

Cavallo Field Boots: Relief for Horses with Laminitis

Penny the Pony

Just got some more feedback about Cavallo boots. A girl has contacted me on the back of our last Cavallo post. Her old pony wears Cavallo boots on her front feet as field boots. She is crippled without them as she suffers from laminitis.

Penny the pony can't wear normal horse shoes because she has bad joints and poor feet. She was struggling to walk outdoors. Her owner has moved her from straw bedding to shavings and purchased a pair of the Simple Cavallo's which have transformed her life.

Cavallo Simple Boot - Pink

The front velcro straps make the boots really easy to put on and take off, and you can purchase detachable pastern wraps to stop the boot from rubbing. They have gel insoles for horses with soft feet and to help improve the fit. The best place we have found for these boots is TicTac Equestrian, where you can purchase many other equestrian products from their equestrian online shop.

Cavallo Boots Customer Review

This customer very kindly wrote a very detailed product review for us. Below is her experience of the Cavallo boots.

Review 

You kindly supplied me with sport boots and Simple boots 1 year ago. I have used them most weekends. I ride on roads and on rough heathery ground. The boots have performed well. They are slightly large for my mare so we use the orange inserts. Despite the fitting issue they have been incredible. I honestly am amazed.....




Our Cavallo Journey

2010 First outing. 6 weeks of ice and snow....
We had bolted round 2 sides of a ruin. Made a sharp "S" bend the opposite way in the dark, in the snow/ice and even though I was certain that death or injury was inevitable. We arrived home safe, boots intact - truely incredable

2011 - Jan / Feb. 2 months rain....
Living out with very soft feet. Required to protect hoof wall - so turned horse out on dry hill with Cavallo boots on.(not recommended I know) SHE WORE THEM DAILY FOR A FORTNIGHT - TURNED OUT ON THE HILL, AND BROUGHT THEM BACK INTACT EACH EVENING

2011 SPRING riding most weekends....
Across seriously steep contours with no injury slippage or even hesitation. THEY STAY PUT - NO MATTER WHERE YOU TAKE THEM

2011 SUMMER....
Asisted on trail ride for 6 days 20 miles per day. Feet hard and dry by now and even smaller than normal. Wore hoofgloves day one and spent whole day replacing them even on easy ground. Felt concerned about trying cavallo boots due to her feet being too small for the smallest boot had no option tried them on Day 2. We were thundering up forest tracks, tip toe-ing through bogs, galloping on the beach and swimming across lochs. I never looked back and NEVER LOOKED DOWN - you don't need to look down in Cavallo boots - they will keep up with you what ever your doing. In August I ordered boots as a present for my friends horse. Brenfield Mairi is an Irish cob she won the World Trec Championships in 2000. She is a very special horse. I ordered her the boots as I felt sure that a routine of barefoot trimming might improve the condition of the feet, and boots would protect her from further injury. She has taken to them immediately and her owners are already impressed with the performance of the boots. These are the people who taught me extreme riding - to impress them the Cavallo Boots must be something special

Equilibrium Therapy Magnetic Chaps

Magnetic Chaps are a fantastic equestrian product that helps treat the cause of pain. Equilibrium Therapy Magnetic Chaps are perfect for when your horse has an arthritic issue, trauma, injury caused by a hard or repetitive workload. These magnetic pads are also lightweight, easy to clean and easy to fit. Magnetic Chaps come with 4 very powerful magnetic bands in the pockets.

A friend of my uses these on her mare durimng winter months. Her mare has osteoarthritis and her legs swell up at night when shes stabled. The boots stop her legs swelling and keep them warm during the cold nights