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!!

Winter care for the competing horse

As we think about popping on our Christmas jumpers, preparing for the almost inevitable Winter White-out, it's important we don't forget about our horses either! Especially show horses, whose health is of the utmost important, particularly over the cold confines of these winter months. 

Horses and ponies do require some additional care and attention through the winter but are genuinely much better equipped for the seasonal changes than we are! For instance, your horse, unless you clip him, does in fact do his own winter preparation. Horses can grow thick coats of fur that help ward off the cold, wind, rain and snow. As an owner, it's up to you to provide a suitable atmosphere and environment in which to hole up in over the winter, as well as all of the important care, feeding and exercise to keep you horse healthy throughout the winter.


Water intake - Proper intake of water is essential for horses during the winter. There is a greater risk of dehydration due to decreases in water consumption - unfrozen, even warmed, water will increase hay intake and stimulate water intake.


Blanketing - If your horse is not clipped, then the blanket might compress a horse's natural winter coat and upset his natural thermostat. If it's raining,  there are few blankets that will stay dry and help contain the horse's body heat. Even heavy rugs allow water to under-run them. And it is worse to have a soaking blanket on a wet horse than none at all.

Diseases caused by inactivity - Horses in box stalls will tend to get stiff legs, and run the risk of going lame from lack of exercise over the winter months. And in older horses, any conditions such as arthritis could worsen. Horses in these kinds of conditions are also more prone to common conditions such as colic, and respiratory problems due to the lack of fresh air. 

Pasture or stall? There are many opinions on this, but it's not always a case of one over the other. For example, if you have both stall and pasture, your horse can surely get the best of all worlds, if you work them in well together.

As for Exercise - Generally there is no reason to alter your riding routine because of the winter weather. As a loose rule of thumb - your horse can take it if you can. But it is recommended that you shouldn't ride in the winter, in order to give your horse some time for well-deserved rest and rehabilitation after long periods of competition.

It shouldn't take too long, after a decent bout of rest, to bring a previously well-conditioned and seasoned endurance horse up to condition. However, much younger horses, or horses that aren't well-conditioned or used to competing in endurance riding will likely take a little longer to get back in great riding condition.