"No Hype - Just Horse sense"
PRODUCT REVIEWS
- Gone Insect Repellant Set *
- Himalayan Rock Salt
- Oz Horse Toys
- Provide It Supplements *
- Rhythm Beads
- Placide & Placide+C Magnesium Supplement
- Smart Rider Breakaway Stirrups
- The 'Wild Knife'
- Bug Buster Hoof Hoof Disinfectant*
* Indicates new products
New in the Natural Horse World shop is ‘Bug Buster Hoof Disinfectant’ – an antimicrobial preparation for the treatment of all infections of the non-living hoof capsules of horses.
Hoof capsule infections are often described as ‘Thrush’, ‘Whiteline disease’ or ‘Seedy Toe’ but are usually caused by a combination of common groups of anaerobic bacteria that invade existing faults in the hoof material. These faults are frequently difficult to eliminate without ‘Bug Buster’ as the non-living material has no immune response.
The long term answer to these faults once the infection is eliminated, is to maintain good hoof care and a suitable environment. Cracks and separations should be eliminated by regular correct trimming.
In some cases, a change of diet from high sugar, toxic pastures to a grass hay based diet (see the Nutrition article in this newsletter) will also stop the infections from recurring when damage to the laminae of the hoof wall is the cause.
“Bug Buster’ is made in Australia by Hoofworks and has been used by many hoofcare practitioners with great success. It retails for $33 plus postage.Provide It Supplements
A new range of supplements from New Zealand are now available here in Australia. These exciting new products address some of the behavioural and physical issues that arise from horses eating grass or other feed that contains mycotoxins (ryegrass, clover, and others), or is an oxalate that causes calcium deficiency.
The excellent quality organic vitamins and minerals in the Supreme Vit & Min means the minerals is already attached to an amino acid and therefore ready for immediate absorption. They are not available to attach to other minerals, thereby interfering with their absorption.
Supreme Vit & Min contains MSM, selenium, iron, chromium, copper, manganese and zinc in their organic form. By combining Supreme Vit & Min with plain feeds like chaffs, beet pulp, oats and barley you have a more natural and economical way to feed while knowing you're taking care of your horses mineral and vitamin requirements.From years of experience we have found the best strategy for solving problems is to firstly ensure you are feeding the horse properly, then see what problems you have left after a month or two.
To find out more about feeding your horse and the symptoms that indicate feed (especially the grass or hay they are on) might be an issue, go to Jenny Patterson's web site - the lady who has developed the Provide It products in response to her own horses' problems.
Or you can purchase Jenny's book from the Natural Horse World web shop.
Photo: New Zealand horses showing one who has been on the Provide It Plan (left) and his dam who hasn't. She should be the same colour.for a copy of the 'Provide It Plan' - a guide to feeding and using these supplements.
The Natural Horse World shop now stocks the whole Provide It range of products.
GONE NATURAL INSECT REPELLANT SET
GONE natural insect repellant collars for horses are now available in Australia through the Natural Horse World web shop.Photo: The Gone collar can be worn high around the neck and has a plastic buckle that will break should it get caught. It is also long enough to wear around the base of the neck but the risk of it catching on something is greater, and it could slip up the neck when the horse grazes unless it is plaited into the mane at the wither.
when first using the ankle bands it's a good idea to put one on at a time and lead the horse around until it gets used to the feel on each leg. They should be snug but not tight enough to harm the tendons, and again the plastic is soft enough that it will tear away if accidently caught.
This USA manufactured product has just been approved by the Australian Pesticides & Veterinary Authority. It’s active ingredient is peppermint oil so it not only smells great but is totally harmless to your horse (and you) but very effective against flies, mosquitoes, ticks, midges and bot flies.
Several Tasmanian horse owners have been testing them out and they report excellent results.
The gelding pictured above suffered from QLD itch before he came to Tasmania to escape the midges. But they bothered him here too (though not as badly) so we tried the collar and leg bands plus the left over collar end plaited into his tail. He happily wore them for several weeks and remained fly and itch free with the lovely cloud of peppermint aroma surrounding and protecting him.
I was impressed with the ability of the collar in repelling ticks when my dogs returned from an 'excursion' in the bush, literally crawling with ticks. Normally it takes me over an hour to pick them off before they burrow in, but this time, I put the horse collar on them and an hour later, there was not a tick to be seen! I was very impressed and glad they hadn't burrowed in anywhere on the dogs.
I also used the leg bands to repel mosquitoes from around me while staying in a mozzie zone by leaving one on the bed, after initally being kept awake by them buzzing around my head.
Peppermint oil is also used for aromatherapy to stimulate the brain, aid concentration, mental fatigue and depression. So lots of positive benefits there for your horse.
While fly season is almost over here in Tassie, there are plenty of mozzies and ticks around, expecially in warmer climates.
When comparing the cost of the horse collar set at $39 (for 30 days of protection) to other methods of applying insect repellant, the convenience far outweighed the the more expensive chemical based repellants that need to be applied daily.
For those who can't visit their horse daily, the Gone Horse Collar set provides the ideal way of protecting your horse 24/7 in the most natural way possible.
Cool Heat Blanket
For the past six years I've not used a blanket on my horses unless they have been ill or old and chilled to the bone by wet windy weather.As an advocate of a more natural life for horses, it seems strange that I should be reviewing a horse blanket (rug as we say here), but this one is different so worthy of consideration for the times when you do need to use some extra cover for your horse.
Dave MacDonald of Macs Equine invented the Old Mac Hoof Boots and is always trying to think of new products to solve old problems. This time I think he's come up with another winner for the horse and the owner.
This revolutionary 'Cool Heat' blanket has a unique construction that allows the horse to regulate it's own body temperature using its natural thermo-regulation process. There is a good explanation of this on the Macs Equine web site so have a look and find out all teh great benefits of this blanket.
As you can see in the photo at left, the inside of the blanket is covered in rows of raised rubber-like fingers that allow the majority of the horse's hair to work as nature intended - standing up when it's cold and laying flat when it's warm. The air can also freely circulate under the blanket so it helps dry off a wet or damp horse when blanketing after it rains or when the horse has been washed or hosed down.This blanket also fits really nicely being shaped high around the neck line so there is no pulling or pressure on the wither. The long chest darts allow good freedom for the shoulders and even after my horses rolled in the rug, it stayed evenly in place.
The fingers on the underside would help this as they keep the weight even on both sides and run either side of the backbone. The blanket is suprisingly light too - it's 600 denier ripstop waterproof material is seamless and is breathable and, it looks great - just like other top of the range rugs.
The Cool Heat Blanket also has a generous tail flap, soft nylon leg straps and crossover surcingles. If your horse has to wear a blanket and you are away when the day warms up, the horse will be far more comfortable in a Cool Heat blanket than any other.
This product certainly gets my tick of approval so when you need to replace your old rug or just want the best for your horse, consider the Cool Heat first.Cool Heat Blankets are available from the Natural Horse World Shop and other distributors around Australia listed on the Macs Equine web site.
Another very practical Macs Equine Invention provides a cover to keep the chills out and the rain off you, and your expensive saddle while riding or when dismounted.
As you can see in the picture here, the pad is a neat wool kersey material, with the cordura bag attached at the front containing a waterproof skirt (as shown in the photo below). The bag zips up and can also be used to hold other items such as cold drinks/food in the summer, when you don't need wet weather protection with you.
The skirt quickly folds out when you need it and fastens around your waist or over the saddle with velcro tabs. A velcro leg strap secures the skirt to your leg and if you happen to part company with your horse (deliberately or not!) then the velcro tabs all release
so you are never trapped.
When you are not on your horse, the skirt keeps your saddle dry or protects it from dirt, dust and marks made by tree branches brushing past on the trail.
When you're finished using it, the skirt rolls back up easily into the bag on the front of the pad in less than a minute.
The Dry Seat Saddle Pad also offers good wind protection to keep you warm while riding on chilly days and doesn't restrict your movement in the saddle. The skirt material is also nice and 'quiet', so less likely to spook nervous horses with the sound but it's always recommended that you 'desensitise' your horse with it over the saddle by moving actively online, before riding with it on.
This wonderful product is suitable for all outdoor riders, especially those who ride trails, endurance, mounted search & rescue and at pony club.
It is available in English and Western sizes in both navy and maroon, and is a thin enough to go over another saddle pad such as the Theraflex air pad or other theraputic pads. To see more photos go to the Macs Equine web site.
Now available from the Natural Horse World Store
HIMALAYAN ROCK SALT is an excellent choice to include in the diet because it assists digestion and enhances absorption allowing MICRO NUTRIENTS to be absorbed easily into the blood stream where cellular functions take place. ie., provide the nutrient support that maintains healthy cells and a healthy body.
The tremendous pressure in the formation of the Himalayan mountains created Himalayan Rock Salt, the ideal salt crystal and the many elements within it are colloidal and readily absorbed.
When table salt (or rock salt) is sold, minerals are often regarded as “impurities” and are removed during processing. Commercial salt licks are made with table salt, and nutrients are often added later during the manufacturing process.
Himalayan salt licks already contain these minerals and nutrients without any processing. The levels of the minerals are more likely to be healthy to consume, since they are naturally occurring within the salt.
Salt from the Himalayan mountains is nourished by the nutrient-rich water and soil in the area, and contains upwards of 84 minerals, including calcium, magnesium, potassium, copper, and iron. Calcium promotes muscle strength and nourishes the bones, leading to stronger and healthier bones, joints, teeth, and hooves. Magnesium is particularly wonderful for your active horse, providing relief for tired and aching muscles. Potassium is essential for a strong heart, while Iron keeps your horse’s blood healthy.Another benefit of Himalayan Rock salt is the fact that it is so hard, horses have a hard time biting off chunks as they can with regular softer salt licks.
You can tie the lick anywhere your horses like to hang out and if you have other animals like goats, sheep or cattle, they will love the lick too so put it at a height they can also reach. With the lick off the ground, there’s little chance of contamination by dirt or faeces.
Himalayan Rock salt is totally natural so give your horse the best salt supplement – you can purchase from the Natural Horse World Shop or your local produce store that stocks Minrosa products.For more Himaylan Rock Salt products such as lamps, candle holders, loose salt, bath salts etc. go to www.minrosa.com.au
Blocker Tie Ring
Often, when a horse realises he’s tied solid he feels trapped, panics and pulls back – potentially breaking tack and hurting himself. When tack breaks, there is a sudden release of pressure and horses have to scramble to keep their balance and can easily flip over backwards and/or seriously hurt themselves.Unique, the Blocker Tie Ring offers some resistance, but allows a horse to pull some slack in the lead rope when he pulls back which releases pressure and relieves the source of panic. This reduces the perceived threat to the horse dramatically, as well as reduces the threat to people who might try to release a distressed horse.
Often times, a horse just needs to pull a foot or two of slack in the lead to regain his confidence and quiet down.
A great tool for teaching horses to tie, re-schooling horses that have a pull back problem or for any horse, the Blocker Tie Ring offers varying degrees of resistance, from as little as a few pounds to a few hundred pounds, depending on the tying option and lead rope used. Versatile, the Blocker Tie Ring can be used anywhere one would tie a horse: cross ties, single ties, grooming areas, tack areas, wash racks, picket lines and inside and outside horse trailers.The Blocker Tie Ring is perfect for use in trailers, should a horse fall down while tied in a trailer, the Blocker Tie Ring allows a horse to pull enough slack in the lead rope to get up on its own, reducing the need to manually free a horse and the chances of horse or handler getting hurt.
Blocker Tue Rings are distributed in Australia by Zilco so should be available from all good saddlery stores, and the RRP is $49.95 for the Stainless steel or $29.95 for the chrome plated. .
For extensive information and videos on tying up with the blocker tie ring Click Here .
The 'Wild Knife'
This treasure for your trim kit was designed by Jeremy Ford of www.wildabouthooves.com.au. The Wild Knife is easy to use with the hoofpick as part of the blade, so it optimises your time and efficiency when trimming.
The way the steel is tempered ensures it stays sharp and holds an edge like no other. The shortness of the blade and handle gives you power and precision to tackle the toughest hooves.
The pick serves to clean out the hoof before trimming and also allows you to investigate seedy toe or separation issues in a pathological hoof.
This knife has been designed to suit everyone from beginners to professionals.Made from high quality premium steel and hand forged, each knife is individually crafted with the handle shaped from magnificent Tasmanian Blackwood.
Available now from the Natural Horse World Shop for $125 plus postage.
Dave McDonald of Mac's Equine is the inventor of Old Mac Boots and the Pee Wee Bit, and has now come up with another helpful tool in the form of a hoof rasp with a handle called the Barefoot Sculptor.
The handle on the rasp makes the job of trimming much safer, especially for beginners or children. The rasp being slightly smaller and narrower than most, enables the trimmer to 'sculpt' the hoof, particularly in the quarters where a natural arch is required for healthy hoof function. The smaller rasp makes this an ideal tool trimming for ponies and foals.Having a handle also allows you to easily rasp with one hand. Simply hold the hoof with one hand and rasp with the other.
The Barefoot Sculptor kit includes one handle and two rasps. Replacement rasps can also be purchased seperately. Find out more about the Barefoot Sculptor and watch a video of it in use at www.macsequine.com or purcahse from the Natural Horse World Shop.
Skodes Horse Treats
Chief recipe maker Lori Yearwood has developed a truly healthy treat to give your equine friends. About 3 months ago, Veterinarian Dr. Eleanor Kellon and Lori developed some delicious, guaranteed low sugar and low starch treats for sugar sensitive horses. The treats are made out of organic herbs, flowers, nuts and seeds, as well as human grade whole foods and specially selected low sugar hays. They are already winning approval with many herds around the United States. To view this beautiful web site click here . There are also many tips on how to give your horse a more natural lifestyle and the ability to have a consultation through the Well Connected Horse to find answers and help with your laminitic/foundered horse.
Light Rider Bitless Bridle
This 'bitless bridle' functions like a bridle and is suitable for horses ready to go up into a bit and for riders who don't want to use one.
It's called the Light Rider Bitless Bridle because being lightweight and quickly converted to a lead line and halter, it will enable the endurance horse to be more comfortable, drink and eat easily and be led or tailed up and down hills.As you can see in the photo, a chin strap helps the bridle stay in place when pressure is applied to the reins - no noseband twisting around. The swivel snaps on the reins enable you to quickly unclip them and the chin strap serves as a tail for the lead rope you now have. (see photo below).
The Light Rider Bitless Bridle sells from $90 complete with reins, plus postage and comes in all sizes and various coloured headstalls with black reins and chinstrap.The New Light Rider English style and Light Rider Performer are now available so click here to read more about them.
To purchase a Light Rider Bitless Bridle go to the Natural Horse World Shop.
As you can see above, the new Generation of Old Mac Boot on the left is sleeker than the original model on the right. Other improvements and changes to the boots are:
The G2 Old Macs will be available from your local saddlery store from February 2006. The original style will continue to be sold for wider hoofed horses.
For more detailed information and comparison pictures click here.
‘PLACIDE’ magnesium is an organic very bio-available form of an essential mineral. Results are seen almost immediately on supplementation. Horses with deficiencies return to their old amenable selves, they free up in movement, they are calmer and therefore safer to ride. This in turn means you feel more inclined to ride and the horse gets way more exercise and daily movement.
Should You Supplement MAGNESIUM?
Yes, if you want to reduce accidents, and have calmer, more relaxed, sounder, healthier horses to ride and enjoy for many years to come.
Magnesium is vital for over 300 different functions in the body. The body requires magnesium in relatively large amounts but does not store much. If it does not get sufficient daily from the diet, then it is forced to steal it from the nerves, the muscles, the brain and the heart. Then the body simply cannot function properly.
This has significant, often dire, consequences including the following;
- the nerve endings becoming hypersensitive and cause over-reactiveness, i.e. touchiness, spookiness, rushing off floats, etc, and therefore ACCIDENTS!!
- the muscles not properly relaxed, horse is tight and tense, can’t bend, stepping short, you think there is something wrong with their back, so you get therapists who find muscle spasms, you try new saddles, etc and often eventually give up on the horse.
- impaired insulin response, contributing to obesity, insulin resistance, cresty necks, extra pads of fat, puffiness, laminitis and eventually Cushings-like syndrome.
- impaired peripheral circulation, especially in the hooves.
- upset hormone balance, PMT in mares, electrolyte imbalances etc.Shouldn’t we be careful with supplementing?
Yes, of course, but we should also be careful with not supplementing!! The trouble is the word ‘supplement’. The average interpretation is that if you ‘supplement’ then you are adding to, and therefore may end up with too much in your system and upset balances of other minerals. In this case we are talking about addressing a deficiency, a lack of. We need to make sure we are topped up so that a lack of doesn’t cause major mineral imbalances.
Not only that, but in most cases we are dealing with gross deficiencies, the consequences of which can be very dangerous. Magnesium is impossible to overdose by mouth, it is non- toxic in this organic form and the body spits out what it does not need. This is minor compared to the effects of being deficient.Read more about How Magnesium can help your horse cope with grass here.
PLACIDE + C Magnesium & Calcium Supplement
Recently my friends, Jen and Jeremy were considering selling a mare they had bought for their kids to ride as she was acting nervously, to the point of being dangerous. She would shy, prance and dance, want to be in front and twist her head while grinding her jaw when anxious which was as soon as she was taken out of the pasture.
I suggested trying her on a course of Placide before passing her on as she is a nice mare and has a friendly nature. So we filmed her 'before' behaviour on a short ride around the roundyard and out in the pasture near the other horses where she displayed all the above symptoms. She was then fed her dose of Placide twice daily, mixed in with a handful of damp pellets which she readily ate.
I suggested to the owners they not ride her for a week then try her again to see if her behaviour changed at all. Ten days after starting the Placide I got a message that she was a changed horse. After a starting to show signs of anxiety (which we attributed to habit) she settled down quickly and rode out on the trail happily with other horses. No more shying, wanting to be in front, jigging etc.
So, happily she is staying with her family and will continue on Placide to address the deficiency she obviously had, espceially while the spring grass is producing higher sugars and toxins.
Placide+C is a highly available form of calcium and magnesium (ratio1:1) with boron and essential amino acids. The ideal calcium/magnesium ratio is 2:1, Placide C is 1:1 to allow for horses that are on a multi vitamin/mineral supplement or have other sources of calcium in their diet such as lucerne.
CALCIUM;
Calcium is vital for muscle contraction and stimulation of nerves. Calcium is essential for optimal skeletal growth.
It is important for young horses to get enough calcium in their diet to maintain healthy bone growth. Mares in foal and lactating mares also need to be supplemented with calcium. This is so the foal they are feeding and the mare does not become deficient. It is important that foals do not start off calcium deficient because it will affect their skeletal growth.
MAGNESIUM;
Magnesium is vital for over 300 different functions in the body. The body requires
magnesium in relatively large amounts but does not store much. If it does not get sufficient daily from the diet, then it is forced to steal it from the nerves, the muscles, the brain and the heart. Then the body simply cannot function properly.
Without Magnesium, muscle & nerve functions are compromised and energy is diminished.
Muscular weakness, soft bones, anxiety, heart attacks, even seizures & convulsions can result. Magnesium reduces lactic acid build up, lactic acid causes post exercise pain. Calcium and magnesium work together and the presence of boron is essential for them to operate properly, it reduces the excretion of these minerals by as much as 40%.
Finally, a horse firendly feed is now available in Tasmania and most parts of Australia.
Speedi-Beet is made from pure unmolassed sugar beet pulp which is a by-product of the sugar beet industry. Sugar beet is grown in Europe and North America as an alternative to sugar cane which is grown in tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. It is mainly grown as a source of table sugar for human consumption.
After cleaning, the beet is sliced into cossettes by a machine that resembles a kitchen grater and as much surface area is presented to maximise the sugar extraction process as possible. The sliced sugar beet is mixed with hot water and the sugar is extracted.
After the water has been squeezed out, the pulp is dried and usually molasses is added back where upon the pulp is either used in its shredded form or it is pelleted. Speedi-Beet is manufactured from beet pulp which has not had molasses added to it and is therefore around 95% sugar free. The beet pulp then undergoes a further patented process and is then cooked utilising our process, micronization. This involves heating the dried beet pulp at relatively low temperatures for a short time using infra-red heat and prevents the protein from denaturing allowing for quicker release of nutrients into the horse’s digestive system. The micronizing process also imparts flavour into the beet pulp so the product does not require the use of added molasses i.e. sugar for palatability.The beet pulp is then flaked to increase surface area to aid rapid water absorption. That’s why Speedi-Beet can be prepared in under 10 minutes instead of the usual 24 hours for traditional sugar beet pulp.
Speedibeet is reccommended as an ideal feed for easy keepers (good doers) and any horse or pony prone to laminitis as it's NSC content is quite low - between grass/lucerne hay and grains.
It has a high level of calcium so is a good feed for older and young horses, and at 10% protein is ideal to mix with other feeds without overinflating protein levels if you're trying to put weight on a horse.Due to its low starch and high fibre content, Speedi-Beet is an ideal feed for horses and ponies prone to insulin resistance and can help in its prevention. The Laminitis Trust has awarded the prestigious official feed seal of approval to Speedi-Beet.
For more information please visit the website where there is an excellent help & advice section with answers to most frequently asked questions.
If you are looking for suppliers of Speedibeet in Tasmania go to our Service Directory Page.
Natural Instinct Wool Co. Products
While browsing the stalls at Agfest this year I found a very stylish hat. made in Australia of pure wool. It has a very comfortable soft inner hat band that moulds to my head and didn't give me a headache at all. It also has a brim that returns to its original shape, even if you squash it up accidently (or on purpose for travelling). Natural Instinct also have a lovely range of woollen vests popular with riders for their length to cover the lower back.
Their products can be embroidered for corporate use and also include jackets and wraps. To see their full range, go to www.naturalinstinctwool.com
www.easycareinc.com have a new hoof boot called the Easyboot Grip - ideal for traction on mud, snow and wet grass.
Horse Trailer Design - Good and Bad points.
I have yet to see a trailer that has no design faults from the horse's point of view. That's not to say they are bad trailers - the construction is often top quality, but as with most things to do with horses, the human's needs are put first and the safety of the horse suffers. Click the title link to see and read more.
For a long time, I've been wanting to improve on various design aspects of bareback pads now commonly available, and often expensive.
These new bareback pads are made locally by Mobile Saddler, Rick Allen, here in Tasmania with top quality materials.
The new design features are:
Best of all, they retail for $245.
To purchase The Best Bareback Pad go to the Natural Horse World Shop
SMART RIDER BREAKAWAY STIRRUPS
Getting your foot entangled and caught up in the stirrup whilst horse riding and being dragged is EVERY riders worst nightmare!!! Countless deaths, serious debilitating and permanent injuries are unfortunately attributed worldwide to horse riding related dragging accidents!!!
Queensland company, SmartRider Pty Ltd invents designs, develops and manufactures breakaway stirrups.
In fact, in July of this year, on the ABC television programme, the New Inventors, they were chosen as the episode winners..For the typical English style riding there is the SmartRider 'Classic' Breakaway stirrups (above) and for Western style or trail/endurance riding the 100% Australian, manufactured SmartRider 'Escape' Breakaway range (below).
The Escape range comes in a great range of colours and can be ordered with a range of leather coverings to match your saddle or just for looking fancy! (see bottom photo).
As with all products I review, I tried both styles of stirrup out and found them to be very confortable to use, especially the 'Escape' which I used on my treeless saddle. I think all treeless saddles should be fitted with quality safety stirrups such as these because most don't have a slide off stirrup bar. Not that the stirrup bar always releases the leather in a fall either. So really, all saddles should be fitted with safety stirrups for the best insurance possible. Fortunately, I didn't have to fall off to see the release part in action! I did it while stepping down and going backwards so my toe pushed on the inner bar to cause it to release from the upper bar. This would be useful if you're mounting a horse that jumps away suddenly, leaving you standing with one leg caught up!
Both styles came with easy to follow instructions so they were quick to set up on the saddle. Both stirrups were easy to put back
together when 'released' and the Classics have a little clear tube to fit over the release join for those riders putting a lot of pressure on the stirrups (making the stirrups more tolerant or forgiving) in active events such as polocrosse, camp drafting, sporting etc.
I also like the way the Escape stirrup can rotate within itself to hang down allowing easier mounting especially if you have a tall horse. To view the stirrups in action go to www.smartrider.net
Whilst SmartRider Breakaway Stirrups won’t stop you from falling, they will allow you to enjoy the freedom of riding secure with the knowledge that if you do part company with your horse, you'll do just that!!! SmartRider Breakaway Stirrups give peace of mind to all riders and their loved ones so give them as the perfect gift for Christmas.
Smart Rider Safety Stirrups are available from the Natural Horse World Shop with prices ranging from $99 to $199.
Rhythm beads seem to be catching on as a way of enhancing your horse and for adding some interest, joy and rhythm to your ground play or riding.
I tried out two different styles - www.rhythmwithharmony.com beads are made here in Australia from your chosen selection of crystals and lovely antique looking bells that have a soft sound. Mel, who hand makes them to order (you can choose a style from her web site) has presented them beautifully in a pretty pouch that comes inside a gift tin. The two clips allow you to lengthen the nylon cord they are on to the desired length for different sized horses.
Mel also has a range of other products including memory strands that showcase your horse's mane or tail hair, and as an alternative to the long loop of rhythm beads, there are also shorter rhythm strands that clip into the horse's mane.
These rhythm accessories would also enhance the arabian (or any other breed) and be useful for costume events, also looking lovely for a photo session.The other style I tried were from www.wranglerjayne.com and are made in the USA. Your chosen coloured beads come on a leather thong and have slightly louder (but still sweet sounding) bells. They have a clip to attach to the mane so the beads don't drop down and get trodden on if the horse puts its head down.
The first time I introduced the beads to the horses, I jingled them around without them being attached. Both horses accepted them with no concern but I had them in the roundyard just in case one was spooked.
The bells do make a nice sounding rhythm for you and the horse to focus on and would brighten up the training session or dress up the horse for playdays. They could even be useful on the trail so other users can hear you approaching (unless they're on a noisy machine!). I think they'd make a lovely gift and when not in use on the horse, I hang mine where they can catch the breeze clipped to a curtain.
Brenda Darley is keen to see horses play so she started her online horse toys business, importing the best quality toys that withstand a lot of horseplay!
Horses can enjoy free-play with the Equine balls and they are ideal for playing the Equine Soccer game. Equine Soccer is becoming a popular equestrian activity away from mainstream disciplines.
The benefits of the Equine Soccer Game are numerous:
Here are some reasons why the Equi-Spirit Soccerballs are superior to other equine balls:
The Equi-Spirit Soccerballs can be enjoyed by everyone and their horses - from riding clubs to individual horse owners.
The Rainbow cones make great marker cones or toys, and the Catchball (which my dogs loved) is easy for horses to pick up and throw.
And if you have to photograph your horses looking alert and prancing around, just roll an equine soccer ball around the pasture!
There is quite a range of toys to play with in the paddock or to amuse horses needing to be confined in a yard or stable. Have a look at the website for some great xmas gift ideas for your horse! www.ozhorsetoys.com.au
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Disclaimer: The information contained within this website is soley the expressed views and opinions of the author, unless otherwise stated, and the author accepts no responsability for the way this information is used by viewers. The information is provided to help PREVENT problems, not to replace veterinary advice.
Contact:
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46 Wattle Lea Lane, Golden Valley. Tasmania, 7304. Australia.
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