Merry Christmas and a happy new year

Trelawne Equine would like to wish all of its customers and friends a very Happy Christmas – we hope you enjoy the festive period and that your horses enjoy a sound, healthy 2013! It has been a brilliant year for barefoot horse keeping, with many more owners taking this form of management on board. We are thrilled with the level of awareness and also the media coverage we have helped to gain in the last few years on the subject of barefoot hoofcare. Please keep spreading the word about the benefits of barefoot in 2013!

Visit our website for more info - http://www.trelawneequine.co.uk

Complete the barefoot survey!

Horse owners are being urged to complete a quick, simple, online survey that aims to give hoofcare professionals a greater understanding of the issues facing horse owners in the UK. Barefoot hoofcare as a management regime has proven to be on the increase in the UK, as seen on equestrian discussion forums and livery yards country-wide. However the regime requires dedicated management from the horse’s owner, and there are many factors that horse owners need to be aware of before embarking on a barefoot regime for their horse. Owners of all horses - both shod and unshod – are invited to take part in the survey, which is coordinated by hoofboot distributors Trelawne Equine. The closing date is 31st Jan 2013 and one lucky recipient, drawn at random from EACH of the two surveys, will win a £50 voucher to spend at online equestrian store, www.thesaddleryshop.co.uk. For owners of barefoot horses visit: www.surveymonkey.com/s/LV9HW5F For owners of shod horses visit: www.surveymonkey.com/s/LDDSH56

Competition wear

Dublin Stock Bib Was – £8.99 Now – £7.89

The Dublin stock bib is ideal for wearing over a T-shirt or other suitable casual top to give the appearance of a show shirt when worn under a show jacket. www.thesaddleryshop.co.uk

Selling hoof boots for barefoot horses – part 2

Here is part two of our advice on retailing hoof boots -

Retailers should always emphasise the importance of three elements that the barefoot horse requires, when recommending hoof boots for barefoot horses: A good, regular trimming schedule. A good diet based on food the horse’s body evolved to thrive on. Exercise, including encouraging natural movement in the field and little or no confinement. The following tips will also help you provide the best service to customers - Most horses will measure round or slightly longer than wide. If a customer’s measurements indicate a wider than long hoof or a very long narrow hoof, seek advice from the distributor or manufacturer; supplying pictures of the hooves from the customer will help. There are two main boot categories; above and below the hairline. (Soft ‘gaiter’ style fixings are not included in this description, so boots such as Easyboot Epic or Renegades are regarded as fitting ’below’ the hairline). Below hairline boots are generally the most suitable for competitive or long distance use, but are also generally the most sensitive to incorrect sizing and fitting. Boots that are one-piece and cover the coronet band, such as Old Mac G2, Easyboot Trail or Swiss horse boots, are generally easier to size and are more tolerant to slight size inaccuracies. Stock boots that will enable customers to get a really close fit. A good hoof boot will be made of modern materials, with a sole made from a plastic/ rubber composite, to give good grip and durability. The upper should be soft above the hair line, but the main shell may be made of a strong flexible plastic / rubber, similar to the boot’s sole around the hoof capsule. Metal should not be used other than for fixings or fastening, and should not be in contact with the horses hoof. Visit http://www.trelawneequine.co.uk for info.

Cosy winter boots

Dublin Eskimo River Fleece Boots Was - £139.99 Now - £119.99

These gorgeous boots are the ultimate in horsey chic for the discerning rider! These Dublin Eskimo River Fleece Boots include the RCS Tough Tec durable rubber sole, which offers lightweight flexibility and a traction control grip. They are completely lined with synthetic fleece for a fashionable edge, warmth and comfort. Treated waterproof redskin leather with a new improved membrane system and waterproof insole to keep the boots breathable and the elements out. www.thesaddleryshop.co.uk

Are you a retailer looking to sell hoof boots for barefoot horses?

Here is part one of our advice on retailing hoof boots - Retailers should always emphasise the importance of three elements that the barefoot horse requires, when recommending hoof boots for barefoot horses: A good, regular trimming schedule. A good diet based on food the horse’s body evolved to thrive on. Exercise, including encouraging natural movement in the field and little or no confinement. The following tips will also help you provide the best service to customers - All hoof boots require the customer to take the measurements of their horse’s hooves after a fresh trim, and have a growth tolerance built in. Consider purchasing a ‘fit kit’, which some manufacturers offer – this is a set of ‘shells’ that helps customers choose the correct size of boot. You could rent these kits to customers; in fact, many retailers offer hoof boots to hire or try, in the same way as bit hire. Advise customers to take the hooves’ width and length measurements in mm for accuracy. Boots that only require one measurement (eg instead of length and width) should be looked upon with caution. The width of the hoof should be taken to the widest point; the length is taken to the buttress of the heel so the weight-bearing surface of the hoof is measured.

Barefoot horse in "glue-ons" wins 100 mile race

The Fury wins the 100 mile Tevis Cup Easycare CEO, Garrett Ford, with his Arabian horse The Fury, won the 57th Tevis Cup this month, finishing the 100-mile ride comfortably. Ninety-eight horse and rider teams completed, while 107 teams withdrew or were eliminated by vets stationed along the course. He crossed the finish hand-in-hand with his wife, Lisa and her horse Cyclone, who were placed second – Garrett was fifth last year. "It was great; we had a good ride," Ford said in understatement, adding: “A successful effort at Tevis requires a massive crew effort. I started asking for crew help months before the event and we secured the best crew I've ever seen at Tevis. Our success was a massive group effort and would not have happened without the help, knowledge and hard work of many, many folks.” All riders who complete the Tevis Cup receive a completion buckle, and the top 10 finishers are judged for the Haggin Cup, awarded to the horse judged most fit to continue riding at the finish. This prize was won by Garrett’s training partner Rusty Toth with Farrabba, a combination that placed fourth overall in the Tevis Cup. The Fury and Farrabba both wore Easyboot Glue-Ons; in fact, five of the top 10 Tevis finishers wore them!

Garrett and Lisa Ford, pictured.

20% off hay analysis!!

Barefoot hoofboot distributor Trelawne Equine is working with feed manufacture Dengie Crops Ltd to help educate horse owners about the availability of hay analysis, which is used to assess a horse’s nutritional status.

Dengie’s forage analysis service normally costs £20 for the basic analysis which includes protein, fibre and oil, or £30 for the comprehensive test which includes minerals. However the company is offering 20% off this price to customers that quote this code:

DHFPRIM2012

 
Simply email feeds@dengie.com with your personal details, quoting this code. You will then receive a ration evaluation sheet which should be returned with a sample from your regular hay ration.