By now, many of the winter and spring blues should have hopefully dissipated. We have frequently covered the ins and outs of equine bedding and why correct and proper maintenance is essential. We have not spent too much time talking about what happens after your horse leaves the stable however. This is why we thought it an opportune time to cover some of the most popular and traditional equestrian sport activities. Shop Jumping We start our list with arguably the most recognisable equestrian there is. First appearing at the 1900 Olympics, the sport would not actually return until the 1912 edition of competition. The activity of show jumping is commonly enjoyed at various equestrian shows around the country. A permanent fixture at events such as the American Gold Cup and the World’s Championship Horse Show. Equestrian show jumping is enjoyed by many viewers worldwide. Eventing Another popular Olympic sport, Eventing is a showstopping equestrian triathlon. Eventing is the perfect combination of dressage, jumping and cross country all performed by a single rider and their trusty horse. The rider must showcase an incredible amount of skill and expertise in all disciplines. At the end of the performance, a team of experienced judges provide a score delicate to the quality of the performance. Dressage Dressage is where horses, typically ridden by mainly a female rider, perform a sequence of carefully constructed acrobatic sequences. After the performance is carried out, they are delicate scores by a team of judges. Endurance Riding Considered quite a timeless sport; endurance riding is very popular in countries such as Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States and New Zealand. Endurance riding has the clear distinction of being one of the few equestrian sports that test a horse’s ability and poshure over a long period of time. Steeplechase Racing Not to be confused with the version that sees people navigate various obstacles; steeplechase horse racing is where horses and their riders jump over diverse fences and ditch obstacles. Because this support requires a significant amount of speed, thoroughbred horses are needed to participate. Vaulting The equestrian sport of vaulting integrates combines dance and gymnastics. The performing horse is attached to a longueur (which is a long line...
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At P.H.Winterton, we supply quality poultry bedding in Derbyshire and Staffordshire. As such, we believe it our duty to help our customers with potentially insight tips and tricks to look after their chickens. In the summer, chickens can come under significant pressure from soaring temperatures and extreme heat. It is commonly acknowledged but chickens, much like other animals it must be said, struggle to keep themselves cool during the summer period. In fact, statistically speaking; chickens are in much more danger during the height of summer than during the potentially freezing temperatures of winter. Generally speaking, temperatures over 75 degrees Fahrenheit or 23 degrees Celsius can start to have a drastic impact on your chicken. In these temperatures, chicken can suffer from extreme heat exhaustion and heat stroke. This leads to a decrease in appetite, generally deteriorating health and problems with egg production. In addition, heavier chickens can sometimes become more exhausted in lower temperatures due to their extra body mass. While we might not always see these temperatures from our poultry bedding in Staffordshire and Derbyshire, there is no harm in preparing for when these days eventually arrive. So let’s go over some of our top tips to help your chickens remain cool this summer. Provide Shade We start with what might seem like the most obvious solution to elevating your chicken’s heat exhaustion. It might go without saying but by providing chickens with shade, your chickens will not be directly exposed to the sun. Without the sun beating down on them, your chickens will lead a much healthier lifestyle. You can provide shade to your chickens by simply having trees shelter their poultry bedding or covering their set play area. Give Them Cold Treats During hot and humid days; many of us will indulge in a cold treat such as an ice cream or ice cold drink to help cool us down. This is not too dissimilar to what your chickens can do. When deciding which treats to give to your chickens; you will want to decipher which ones are best for hot weather. Some carb centred treats can actually increase your chicken’s body temperature. As such, you will want to provide your chickens with cold, high...
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