Special offer on Joint Power!

We love to hear feedback on our products and felt very proud when we read the email from Facebook competition winner Laura Charnock on our Joint Power…

“I recently won your  Facebook competition “best horsey advice”  and received your joint supplement, Joint Power. The reason I’m writing this email is to tell you how wonderful it is and how it really has helped my mare Molly! I have seen a huge huge difference in her  and shall be ordering some more of it when I run out. She has a locking stifle and we sometimes come across problems picking her back leg up and you can visualy see it locking and making what can only be described as a popping noise. With a combination of doing a lot of excercising her in hand taking her up and down hills, a massage and Joint Power we can’t see the problem anymore. She is happy to pick her leg up, it doesn’t make that awful popping noise and I’m soo soo pleased that I can finally see light at the end of the tunnel. Once I’m happy with her back end and she is strong enough I can hopefully start riding her. If I know of anybody looking for a joint supplement for their horse I will definitely recommend yours! Thank you!”

With this in mind we have decided to run a special offer on our Joint Power where you can buy 100 days supply for the discounted price of £55! Hurry now as this is for a limited time only!

Sam Penn is busy in the run up to Houghton and Bramham

My apologies for not having kept up to date with reports recently but  it seems that we have been going out to events quicker than I can find time to write about them! So I have rather a lot of catching up to do. Following on from Burnham Market was a mid-week trip to Milton Keynes with Hattie for the BE100+, Sid, having his first go at BE100 level and Lulu (Lite My Fire) having her first run of the season, also in the BE100. All ponies were exceptionally good, all finishing on their respective dressage marks to bring home a 2nd (Sid) and two 3rd placings.

The end of the week saw another long motorway trek, this time to one of my very favorite events in the calender at Withington Manor. Unfortunately Archie was balloted from the Intermediate, so that just left Brooke and Muffin, both in the Advanced class. After our recent improvements in the dressage phase I was rather disappointed with Muffins efforts, although I have to keep reminding myself that things are vastly improved on last season. However she jumped the most fantastic double clear, adding just 2.4 time faults to pull the leaderboard into 10th place. Brooke on the other hand gave a very reasonable performance in the dressage and followed this with a good clear in the showjumping, however a very naughty duck out at the second last on the xc after what had been a super round put paid to his chances of a ribbon.

The following weekend was a little closer to home at Hambleden, this time with Hattie and Kiri (Novice) and Sid (BE100). Sid again was super, finishing on his dressage mark for 6th place. Hattie had her first sj fault of the year, but had a nice dressage test and is becoming a real pleasure to ride xc, I am looking forwards to her next outing in the CIC1* and Brigstock next week. Kiri led the dressage with a mark of 28 but added 8 in the showjumping and then was rather green xc picking up a further 20 but it was a good learning experience for her in only her second novice.

After missing a run at Withington, we had another midweek outing to take Archie to Aston le Walls. We have been working very hard on our dressage recently but that all went rather out the window when we found our dressage arena to be right next to the xc, my horse promptly morphed into a giraffe and that was that! Although on the up side his jumping is becoming increasingly consistent and we notched up another double clear and I am getting a much better feel for him xc, so I am looking forwards to his CCI2* at Houghton Hall.

Finally this weekend, no early morning trips down any motorways this week as we stayed at home for the Annual Golden Cross Derby Show. 2 very busy, but great fun days, split overnight by my close friend Anna’s nen night, but that’s another story….. The youngest members of the team, Candide, (Candi) and Eagles Ridge, (Fergus) had their first introduction to a big exciting atmosphere and to jumping on grass and both aquitted themselves admirably. Lulu picked up a 3rd place in a 1.05 open, Sid was placed in the newcomers and the small derby,  and had his first go at a 1.15m class in which he jumped superbly. Archie was my ride in the CooperBurnett Eventers Challenge and was fantastic finishing highest of the eventers in 3rd place.

So that’s all now up to date, this weekend its off to Brigstock International, followed swiftly by Houghton Hall, and then it’s the biggie….Bramham!

Highs and lows for Halliday in Saumur

Liz Halliday had a week of highs and lows as the California-born, British-based dual sportswoman competed in the biggest equestrian event of her 2011 season so far, the Saumur International Horse Trials on 19-22 May.

Held in the stunning Loire Valley region of France, the event marked a return to CCI*** competition for Fox (Red Letter Day II) for the first time since 2008 and also saw Bud (Newmarket Malt) continuing his progression at CIC** level.

However, while Halliday was encouraged with certain aspects of both horses’ performances, she was also left frustrated as external factors prevented stronger overall results.

Fox began his CCI*** comeback with a solid Dressage test, and then climbed the 56-horse field significantly after a superb clear Cross Country round with only a handful of time faults, moving him into 23rd place.  Unfortunately, prior to the last day of competition, Fox was denied the chance to take part in the Show Jumping test when he failed the final veterinary inspection.

“Fox is a shorter-striding horse and doesn’t really have extravagant paces,” explained Liz. “Before the final inspection he was a little bit stiff from the Cross Country round the previous day, but he was definitely sound.  He moves very short in front anyway when he trots up, which makes things difficult compared to the other horses, and mixed with a slight bit of stiffness he would not have looked as free as some of the bigger moving horses in the class. The panel therefore decided to fail him, but the decision was a little harsh in my opinion. My own vet has since checked him over and says that he is ok.

“I was really disappointed that we didn’t get to complete the event, particularly as we were set for a strong result inside the top 20. However, the positive from the weekend was the way he handled a very difficult Cross Country course. It was one of the best rides I’ve ever had on him and he was absolutely top class.”

Meanwhile, Bud performed well in the Dressage test to sit just outside the top 20 in the 73-strong field, but a wrong choice of bit led to issues in the Cross Country test.

“Bud is very keen and strong physically this year and I have been trying to find the right bit for him lately,” said Halliday. “I made the decision to try a new one for this event and it turned out to be a mistake! I basically had not much steering or control for the first half of the course, which isn’t great around a technical track like Saumur.

“He went pretty well considering, but I had trouble at a difficult banked corner at fence 10 – I couldn’t quite get my steering and get him put together in time and he just ran straight past it.  The rest of the course improved after that though, and I am confident that we will get it all put together next time.”

Bud completed the event with one rail down in final Show Jumping test, but was ranked well down the order due to his earlier run out in the Cross Country. Nevertheless Halliday could again see the positives amidst her disappointment.

“Apart from that one mistake on cross country, he jumped really well and also produced a very good Dressage test,” she said. “His show jumping is also vastly improving and he jumped well and tried hard on the final day.  It’s disappointing that the Cross Country round cost him a good finish, but there’s plenty of encouraging signs from him for the future of his international career.”

Those signs were on show during the Open Intermediate section at the Aston-le-Walls Horse Trials, held in Northamptonshire, UK, which Halliday attended as a warm-up event before heading to Saumur. The competition saw Bud back up a solid Dressage test with clear rounds in both the Cross Country and Show Jumping tests, taking them to a strong finish in sixth place in a field of almost 50 horses.

Halliday will now spend the next couple weeks busy with a variety of TV and media commitments before returning to eventing competition next month at the Longleat Horse Trials in Wiltshire, UK, on 17-19 June.

Dealing with fly bites, Forest Farmacy style…

At Forest Farmacy we are dedicated to solving problems to every day solutions using totally natural and organic ingredients. As experienced horse owners we can identify with virtually every single equine ailment you could be facing which gives us the ideal platform for advising you as to which products and solutions will work best.

During the warmer weather, for some horse owners, fly bites can be the bain of their lives! Whether they are slight bumps which irritate the skin, or ulcerated, infected wounds which are difficult to heal, we can provide an answer to your dilemmas…

What to look for

Last summer was one of the worst years for fly bites and if left untreated can become ulcerated and infected. Fly bites are usually oval and ‘volcano’ shaped with a hard centre and softer outer edge. There are generally no other symptoms but bites can be sore and irritated so keeping your horse as comfortable as possible is important. If your horse is itching and rubbing the bite it is more likely to open up and become infected so try to prevent your horse from scratching. A cold compress can offer some instant relief – think of a cold flannel on an itchy mosquito bite – and you can also apply calamine lotion as you would with humans.

Repel

We have created an easy-to-use, citronella free bug deterrent called Fly Power. It has been formulated not only to repel insects, but also to soothe raw and inflamed skin, and overall drastically reduce fly frustration for your four legged fried. The concentrated formula can be sprayed on neat to badly affected areas, or diluted to spray where necessary.

Fly Power contains a host of ingredients, all based on flower essences and plant extracts, including Tea Tree, Lemongrass, Cedar, Lavender and Coal Tar. Each of the ingredients has been chosen carefully to offer repellent properties, whilst being gentle to the skin and also promoting a healthy, shiny coat.

• Tea Tree is a natural antiseptic and has long been used to repel insects and help soothe and heal skin troubles.
• Coal Tar helps cleanse and soothe the skin, encourages fast healing and helps prevent parasites.
• Lemongrass gives a fresh citrus aroma without the overpowering scent of Citronella, and offers anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-insecticidal benefits.
• Cedar Oil has anti-septic, anti-insecticidal and anti fungal properties to keep skin fresh and help banish bugs.
• Lavender is an all round healing and soothing plant that has been used for centuries to ward off insects. It is highly beneficial for the skin and has an instant calming effect on irritated animals.

Treat

Our unique Bug Free cream contains natural antihistamine properties which rapidly stop the itching and rubbing associated with insect irritation. It is gentle enough to use on open sore skin and instantly soothes the sting. In addition it deters flies from landing on the affected area and once the bite has healed the ingredients encourage the hair to re-grow.

Bug Free is an easy-to-apply cream which includes…

• Mugwort has been used historically to help treat a range of parasitic infections that infect the skin.
• Chamomile has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties which help to soothe irritated skin and reduce swellings and discomfort.
• Lavender is an all round healing and soothing plant that has been used for centuries to ward off insects. It is highly beneficial for the skin and has an instant calming effect on irritated animals.

Treat the problem internally

Something that is often overlooked when treating fly bites is the state of the horse’s internal system. By alkalising the body internally and boosting the immune system you can help your horse naturally fight off the sting and itch of the fly bite. Immunity Power is a unique combination which works to strengthen the internal system enabling horses to put up a fight against viruses and nasty bugs. In addition feeding a product such as Vitamin Power to balance any deficiencies in the diet will ensure your horse is getting his Recommended Daily Allowance of vitamins, minerals and trace elements ensuring his has the capability to fight against insect attack!

If your horse simply cannot stop scratching then Skin Power will help ditch the itch! The ingredients help cleanse the blood, remove toxins, soothe irritations and allergic reactions, boost general health and increase resistance to conditions associated with heat and insects in summer. Skin Power encourages clean, healthy skin and a glossy coat and is the perfect remedy for horses that have sweet itch, itchy coats, dry, dull coats and any skin allergies.

Old School Tip: If your horse is allergic to fly bites try adding ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar on to their feed once a day. It takes around a week to see the effects but this has been used for years to help repel flies and mosquitoes!

Beating the itch, Forest Farmacy style!

Have you stopped to think about why itchy horses are more common than they used to be? Or why the common skin irritation so many horses suffer with is called ‘sweet’ itch? Consider this… when someone has had a ‘garlic-heavy’ meal you can smell it on them, this is because it comes out in their perspiration. It is the same with horses and anything that a horse eats will be secreted via their sweat.

What do horses eat more of in the summer? Grass… and what does grass majorly consist of… sugar! So to bugs and insects, when a horse has a high blood sugar level – they smell good enough to eat!

In addition to fresh spring grass, horses are generally being more overfed resulting in higher blood sugar content. The excess sugars which aren’t used for energy are converted in to fat and ‘dumped’ through perspiration on to their skin producing a ‘sweety heaven’ for insects!

A large proportion of the insects that bite are females who, once they have mated, need a good feed of blood to germinate their eggs, which is why they bite! The anticoagulant the insect inserts in to the horse to maintain a constant flow of blood is acidic, as is the skin, which is what causes your horse to itch. Once the itch starts, horses start to rub which causes the area to become more raw and open – giving other insects the perfect feeding ground and method of sharing their bacteria.

There are ways to help prevent it…

Alkalise the skin using a product such as our Bug Free Wash. Using Quassia we have created a wash which can alter the PH of the skin making it unappealing to bugs and insects and in turn helping reduce the problem of sweet itch and insect bites. Quassia Bark Extract is found predominantly in Jamaica and other West Indian Islands. The whole Quassia tree – in particular the white coloured wood – is infused with an astringent resin containing Quassin which acts as a powerful insecticide – so much so in fact that no insect or pest ever bothers the tree in the wild.

When used in pesticides, Quassin is regarded as the safest and most effective way to eliminate harmful pests and insects whilst protecting those that benefit. Quassin has historically been used in lice remedies and is powerful at eliminating parasites while still being safe to use on all horses and ponies, even foals.

Our Bug Free Wash is ideal for keeping the skin cool, fresh and healthy and can be used diluted as a daily wash after exercise or alternatively sprayed on neat to affected areas.

Tana White has used our Bug Free products with great effects. “I have a horse that we have bred who suffers with terrible sweet itch and has done since he was a yearling. He is now 6.  I have sprayed the Bug Free Wash on his mane and tail almost every day and the results are absolutely amazing. Not only has he not rubbed nearly as much, but the condition of his mane and tail is wonderful. When he does rub, I put on the Bug Free cream and within 10-15 minutes he has calmed down and stopped rubbing. I would recommend this range to anyone that has a horse or pony that rubs or has sweet itch, as over the years I have tried everything for my horse, he even manages to rub through the rugs!”

To target the problems from the inside out we have also created a unique supplement, Skin Power, which is a remedy for skin irritations caused by fungus, flies and sweating. Skin Power is designed for feeding to your horse or pony every day to work on skin problems from the inside out by including herbs that help cleanse the blood, remove toxins, soothe irritations and allergic reactions, boost general health and increase resistance to conditions associated with heat and insects in summer. Skin Power encourages clean, healthy skin and a glossy coat and is the perfect remedy for horses that have sweet itch, itchy coats, dry, dull coats and any skin allergies. Ingredients include wild sage, fenugreek and chamomile.

“I have started using the Skin Powder on my mare and since using it she has been nowhere near as itchy, I will definitely be keeping her on it the difference is amazing!” Janice Pegler.

Herb blurb: Chamomile has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties which help to soothe irritated skin and reduce swellings and discomfort.

Bug defence based on nature…

All you need is a glimmer of sunshine with warm air and you can virtually hear the faint buzz of flies and insects swarming their way towards you and your horse! Bugs will spoil riding enjoyment and frustrate you and your equine, and after last year’s abundance of horse flies, Forest Farmacy believe preparation is the best form of insect attack for 2011!

Fly Power from Forest Farmacy is made from totally natural and organic ingredients and has been formulated to help soothe raw and inflamed skin, deter insects and drastically reduce fly frustration for you and your four legged friend! The concentrated formula can be sprayed on neat to badly affected areas, or diluted to spray where necessary.

Fly Power contains a host of ingredients, all based on flower essences and plant extracts, including Tea Tree, Lemongrass, Cedar, Lavender and Coal Tar. Each of the ingredients has been chosen carefully to offer repellent properties, whilst being gentle to the skin and also promoting a healthy, shiny coat.

• Tea Tree is a natural antiseptic and has long been used to repel insects and help soothe and heal skin troubles.
• Coal Tar helps cleanse and soothe the skin, encourages fast healing and helps prevent parasites.
• Lemongrass gives a fresh citrus aroma without the overpowering scent of Citronella, and offers anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-insecticidal benefits.
• Cedar Oil has anti-septic, anti-insecticidal and anti fungal properties to keep skin fresh and help banish bugs.
• Lavender is an all round healing and soothing plant that has been used for centuries to ward off insects. It is highly beneficial for the skin and has an instant calming effect on irritated animals.

Fly Power costs £15 and is available to buy online at www.forestfarmacy.com or tel: 0800 970 9421

Some sad news from Polly Tucker

Unfortunately last week we had to have my event horse Awesome better known as Wally put to sleep, the vet came out for a routine check only to discover that Wally’s heart was beating very erratically and jumping all over the place. The vet advised if we left him much longer he would have a heart attack so we had to come to the difficult decision to have him put to sleep. We are very upset to have lost him but we realise he is in a better place. It has come at a difficult time as I have been on the hunt for a new event horse to join the team.

We have already been to our first event of the season at Swalcliffe with Blue, he was very excited for his first outing which didn’t help when the tack steward told me I had learnt the wrong test! So needless to say my dressage test was electric but he surpassed him self with a easy double clear inside the time. PRTeventing was sporting our new body protector in matching team colours… a big thank you to Rodney Powell, PRTeventing was also sporting new polo tops kindly sent to us from the RStor team.  He will now be aimed at Bickenhall BE100open before heading to his first ON of the season. We have been making arrangements for the team jacket to be done so I will keep you all posted.

Fred my little project pony has been coming along leaps and  bounds and has already been walk, trotting and cantering and has now been jumping small courses. He is proving to be a very worth while project pony and I am very excited for the next coming months.