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. 

Rain Scald

Rainscald is a common skin disease found in horses during times of particularly bad wet weather. It is caused by a type of bacteria called D. Congolensis and commonly found in moist, tropical areas, but can  can also be found in wet northern environments such as our own.

Rainscald causes serious irritation of and infection of the skin, culminating in painful legions and scabs. Thankfully, the disease normally heals on its own, but scabs can be softened with benzoyl peroxide and chlorhexidine and removed in order to speed the healing process. Just ask your vet for more information.

When grooming the horse, be extremely gentle and avoid brushing from affected to unaffected areas, and avoid sharing grooming equipment with other horses. Typically the disease is not life threatening, nor does it impact the welfare of the horse, so treatments are more for the owner's sake of mind and cosmetic appeal of the animal.

However, in order to prevent rainscald, it is important to stop the spread of bacteria. Tick and insect control - another major cause for the disease to spread - is an effective way to stop the spread of the bacteria from one animal to another. Separating and quarantining infected animals will also help to stop the spread of bacterial infection. Keeping the animal in a dry, well-ventilated area out of the rain and wet conditions will stop the bacteria from growing.

Olympia International Horse Show - London 2012

This year's Olympia Christmas show promises to be a big one!

The London International Horse Show Olympia, or as it's known simply, 'Olympia', is the UK’s biggest Equestrian Christmas Party! It takes place this year at Olympia Grand Hall, London, from 17-23 December.

The show is one of the most renowned worldwide, attracting over 80,000 visitors every year. Olympia is the only event in the UK where you can enjoy the FEI World Cup ™ Legs for Show Jumping, Dressage and Carriage Driving all under one roof.

Each performance is packed with top class sporting action, outstanding equestrian displays, and the classic crowdpleasers – The Shetland Pony Grand National, The Kennel Club Dog Agility and The Christmas Finale which has a Circus theme this year.  There is also a great Shopping Village with over 200 shops where you can fulfil all of your equestrian Christmas wishes.


Here is the schedule for this year's show. 

• Monday 17th – Reem Acra FEI World Cup ™ Dressage Qualifier (evening)
• Tuesday 18th - Reem Acra FEI World Cup ™ Dressage Kur (evening)
• Wednesday 19th– Pony Club Mini Major and Christmas Pudding Stakes (afternoon)
• Wednesday 19th - FEI World Cup ™ Driving Qualifier and Speed Stakes (evening)
• Thursday 20th - FEI World Cup ™ Driving Qualifier and Christmas Cracker (afternoon)
• Thursday 20th - Alltech Christmas Puissance (evening)
• Friday 21st – Team Murka World Class Performance Under 23 British Championships and The Renault Christmas Masters (afternoon)
• Friday 21st – The Christmas Tree Stakes and Santa Stakes (evening)
• H&M Saturday 22nd – The Rolex FEI World Cup ™ Qualifier (afternoon) and Veteran Horse Showing Championships (morning)
• H&M Saturday 22nd– The H&M Mini Stakes and The H&M Ivy Stakes (evening)
• Sunday 23rd– JJ Jumping Junior Stakes, Six Bar and BSPS Ridden Mountain & Moorland Championships (afternoon)
• Sunday 23rd – The Olympia Grand Prix (evening)

For More Info go to the Olympia Site

Mud Rash in Horses and how to Combat it

Mud Rash can affect horse's legs and hooves

It’s almost Christmas, which means it's that time of year again when mud rash begins to become a problem.  So, how can we prevent it? If a horse gets it, how can we cure it? And why are some horses more prone to it than others? 

In a bid to help address some of these questions, we've pulled together some information on Mud Rash in horses and what to do to help keep your horse healthy, safe and comfortable.

What is Mud Rash?

Mud Rash is caused by a bacterium named Dermatophilus congolensis, which exists in the environment as spores, and is activated by wet weather - the cornerstone of any British winter.

As a result, horse’s legs are constantly exposed to the wet, making the outer layers of the skin much softer and at risk of external trauma. The skin is more exposed to infection so the bacteria can live and increase in it.

How can you tell your horse has mud rash?

Mud rash is most likely to be found on the backs of horses pasterns and fetlocks. The hair becomes matted and develops dry crusts, which may progress moist weeping lesions. If you scrape away the crust, there is often a moist pink surface which is sore with some pus underneath. In its worst phase the legs will swell and the horse can become lame.

Bathing the affected area with Hibiscrub and layering it with Sudocrem should help to protect the skin from the wet bedding.

In extreme cases, always call your local vet - better that than the legs becoming swollen and your horse lame. Usually, if bad enough, the horse is prescribed antibiotics to clear the infection up.

How can mud rash be prevented?

If you put your horse out when the ground is wet and muddy, always put udder cream or sudocrem on the heels and fetlock areas beforehand. Really smear the stuff on, so that is a good covering of protection. Usually, the thicker and greasier creams help form a better barrier against infection.

You can use Sudocrem or Vaseline but these tend to leave the legs feeling greasy for days afterwards.

The aim is to avoid the horse having too much contact with the mud, which is difficult at this time of year. If you can, don’t turn out every day but every other day, or not at all. I know of some stables that keep the horses in all through the Winter, both to allow the fields to recover and prevent the horses coming down with mud rash.

You can also use turn out boots and mud chaps to keep the lower leg clean and dry. You need to ensure that they fit properly and do not rub the skin. The boots and chaps must be kept clean inside or you defeat the object by mud rubbing in to the skin when they are worn. Some horses may sweat wearing the chaps creating more problems rather than preventing others.

Stable Boots

We thought we'd give you a few Christmas Gift ideas over the next few weeks, so here's a selection of Stable/Yard boots to help give you some ideas on practical gifts for today's style-conscious horse owner!

The Saddlecraft Yard Boot (£34.99) is a practical and sturdy everyday yard boot with suede upper. They feature a snug fleece lining and are available in a lace up or velcro fastening. Durable and long-life, these boots do the job while keeping you comfy and warm. 

The Mark Todd Kepler paddock boots (£64.99) are designed to ride in, but are equally suitable for outdoor activities. A lace-up paddock style jodhpur boot that allows you to adjust the tension around the foot and ankle enhancing support and comfort, the Mark Todd Kepler short riding boots feature a "Scotchgard" treated water-repellent outer and are made from a strong and durable nubusck leather with a shock absorbing "TDR" inner sole. The "Derma Dry" lining, shaped sole to stimulate blood circulation, light "TPU" sole, spur rests, and padded ankle support.

The Mark Todd Mountain Riding Boot (£85.99) is a practical work boot with complete waterproof outer along with a waterproof membrane sock. The EVA moulded sole provides added support and cushioning while the boot features 3M reflector tape at the quarter and heel.

For more information on these products and more, please visit us at Tic Tac Equestrian

Equilibrium Therapy Magnetic Chaps

Equlibrium Therapy Magnetic Chaps
available from Tic Tac Equestrian

Equilibrium Therapy Magnetic Chaps (£64.99) are designed to help relieve pain caused by arthritic changes, injury or trauma and repetitive, stressful work. Lightweight and easy to fit, easy to wash and dry and comes with 4 powerful detachable magnetic strips in pockets.

This pair of chaps is perfect for protecting your horse’s legs whilst being stabled and can be worn all night and day. These boots assist healing and relieve pain of tendon problems, splints, arthritis, Navicular disease, knocks and bumps, cuts and scars, bone chips and fractures.

They’re constructed from a PU coated nylon which is breathable, hard wearing and lightweight. The inner of the chaps features soft plush polyester, and all the magnets will stick easily to any part of the inner lining. 

VITAflex® magnets possess strong, circular and permanent magnetic fields of alternating pole sequences that increase electric charge in the cell's membrane, thereby improving the cell's ability to regenerate.
These boots are shaped to your horse’s lower leg. They have four secure, adjustable touch tape fastenings for ease and safety when fitting. The materials used for these boots also make them easy to maintain.

Tying-Up in Horses

Tying up in horses, also known as azoturia is a muscle metabolism problem. The muscles over the loins and the quarters harden, with cramps and stiffness. The stride becomes shorter and eventually may lead the horse to stagger behind and potentially go lame. The horse may refuse to work or collapse during work. The temperature is usually raised, and there may be sweating. In severe cases the urine may turn dark red or brown.

The many reasons for tying-up or azoturia all have something in common; the normal balance of the horse's metabolic system is subjected to unexpected change. This may be a change of exercise or work routine, of temperature, of diet, of stress, or, in mares in heat, a hormonal change. The horse's system suddenly does not know what is going to happen next and so activates protective measures - it conserves, or holds on to, electrolytes. In tying-up, the cells have taken priority and the horse is in a poor state of improperly functioning muscles and digestion.

Tying-up may be Sporadic, that is occasional and temporary, occurring often but clearing up, or it may become Chronic, making the horse useless for further work. All grades of tying-up or azoturia introduce uncertainty about the performance of the horse in any competitive sport.

For more information, contact your local vet. 

Tic Tac Equestrian

Keeping Fit Over Winter and Losing Christmas Fat

Make sure your horses get plenty of Exercise this Winter

Forget Christmas shopping - want to know one of the toughest challenges of the festive season? Losing that winter weight of course! 

Now, one of the most satisfying things to do over Christmas is bulk up on the fat and devour pretty much everything in sight. But there comes a point where we need cut a few pounds and get everything back in working order. 

Horses are no different, so here's a few tips on how to use exercise to stay fit, healthy and in great shape over Christmas.

Trails are a great place to start. They help take the “boring” out of a really long ride, and the different terrain and obstacles are great for your horse, too. Some ideas:

Walk up hills - This builds your horse’s rear, and helps with canter work. Horses can walk up quite steep hills, but start out with smaller ones at first, and be sure to check the footing.

Trot over small, fallen logs - This will make your horse pick his legs up higher, building muscle. For a back-muscle workout, walk over small logs going uphill and downhill. This causes horses to pick up their shoulders and use their back muscles, therefore increasing self-carriage and collection ability.

Trot (slowly) downhill - This builds the back leg strength needed for jumping, and can actually help your horse jump higher and do better extensions. As an even harder workout, start out trotting downhill at a medium-slow trot, and then slow to a very collected trot. This exercise uses momentum to make it harder. Remember to only trot down slight to medium hills, never steep ones.

Trot and canter up medium hills - Horses will naturally trot and canter with a longer, loftier stride uphill, and so this will increase fitness for eventually doing the same back on flat ground. Also, you can add extra weight with saddlebags full of water bottles or weights for a cardiovascular workout, also good for the leg muscles.

Jump! - Jumping can improve fitness in any horse, no matter the discipline, and it is fun. Start low, and increase height gradually.

Always warm up and cool down before every ride, to prevent colic and pulled tendons.

If possible, ride every day - Never let a horse sit in his stall all week and then ride him hard on the weekends.

Getting a horse in shape takes time. It may take longer for older horses to get their muscular body to be healthy, so have patience!

Remember, always have fun with your horse - make sure that he is having fun as much as you are! As any rider knows, the ultimate goal of riding is to be a partner with your horse, not a dictator!!