With the news that this year’s Grand National has been cancelled due to the spread of the coronavirus, it’s more important than ever to maintain the health of your horse. Sporting events are being cancelled for the foreseeable future, with the flagship horse racing event, due to take place on 4th April the latest to be culled. Here is a statement from Sandy Dudgeon, Senior Steward of the Jockey Club, “Public health must come first. “We were working on a plan to stage the Grand National behind closed doors given its importance to the racing industry and beyond but following the new government measures confirmed this evening to help to tackle the coronavirus outbreak, this is not a viable option. “I know this is hugely disappointing news for the many people who work in our sport and the many millions who were looking forward to this year’s event, but very sadly these are exceptional times, and this is the responsible thing to do.” Why Quality Equine Bedding Benefits your Horse With competitions being cancelled, your horses will still need exercise as well as maintaining their health ready for when events start up again. Your choice of bedding goes a long way to ensuring your horse’s get the best night’s sleep possible. P.H Winterton currently provides three different types of equine bedding, aimed to suit your needs and budget. Our current stock includes – • Cheshire Choice Bedding – Our premium horse bedding solution • Economy Bale Bedding – Ideal for those working to a tight budget • Zebra Fibre Bedding – Our newest range of horse bedding has superb absorbency qualities We stock large quantities of horse bedding at our premises in Staffordshire, meaning that we can supply between one and 18 pallets. The British weather can be quite unpredictable, which is why we offer outside storage covers that will protect it against adverse conditions. For More Information Contact Us If you would like to know any more about any of P.H Winterton’s range of animal bedding, please get in touch...
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Providing your horses with innovative hoofwear plus the finest equine bedding is the best way to prepare for your next race. For our latest blog, we are going to look at the latest hoof protection which includes a variety of glue-on shoes, hoof boots and orthotics. Understanding Hoofwear Today far more shoeing and hoof care materials and products are available, with your horse being the beneficiary. Pat Reilly, chief of farrier services at the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Centre School of Veterinary Medicine spoke about the advantages of glue-on shoes, saying, “Now glue-on shoes are commonplace; it is amazing that we have made that much progress in my professional lifetime. “I’m not sure we can make horses run faster with different shoes as the equine foot doesn’t flex and have the same energy return as a human foot. But there are innovative ways we can address the interface between the foot and the shoe and get ahead of the injury curve.” The ability to apply shoes without nails has changed the face of farriery and glue-on shoes have been proven to work with many companies getting into the game and changing their shoes. Glue-on shoes are truly useful today with acrylic adhesives being adapted for equine use. Within the glue-on shoe market, there are several types and materials that range from traditional steel and aluminium to non-metallic options such as urethane. Several manufacturers and innovators provide shoes that are not only glue-on but also flexible, which can bend or move with the horse’s hoof capsule. Get Race Ready with PH Winterton Here at P.H Winterton, we understand the importance of caring for your horses and we believe the best place to start is with their bedding. We offer three types of equine bedding that will suit all different types of horses and budgets, contact us for more information. Recently we started stocking Zebra Fibre Bedding, which has excellent absorbent qualities plus it’s available in 48-60 bales per...
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With cases of Coronavirus growing by the day, we have put together a handy guide to identify if your horse may have contracted the virus. ECov-, as it is referred, and is considered to be mild with miniature horses said to be at higher risk of infection but with a very low chance of fatalities. The recent Cheltenham Festival went ahead despite fears around the spread of Coronavirus, with extra sanitary measures put in place for visitors and riders. The Symptoms of Coronavirus According to the Equine Disease Communication Centre, ECoV- can spread when faeces from an infected horse are ingested by another horse plus it can also be transmitted when horses make oral contact with surfaces or objects that have been contaminated with infected faeces. Stalls, muck forks, manure spreaders, thermometers, hands and clothing are common objects that carry infection. It is also worth noting that Coronavirus is typically diagnosed in the winter. The shedding period for most horses is still under investigation but based on previous reports the virus is present in samples between 5 and 21 days post-infection. Horses with no clinical signs of the disease can shed the virus but it is still not clear how soon infected horses become infectious. The following complications can occur in rare cases – • Protein loss • Dehydration • Neurologic signs (such as lethargy, depression, loss of body control) secondary to an excess of ammonia in the system • Recumbency that can progress to an inability to stand Keep Your Horses Healthy with Equine Bedding Giving your horses a comfortable place to sleep, is one of the best ways to maintain their health and have them ready for your next event. Here at PH Winterton, we pride ourselves in providing only the finest range of equine bedding for customers right across the country. If you would like to know more about our equine bedding, please contact us...
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Some horses can find being stabled quite difficult, having evolved from travelling up to 100 miles a day and grazing on the go. Here at P.H Winterton, we understand the importance of keeping your horse happy, which is why we provide only the finest equine bedding on the market. For our latest post, we are going to share seven essential tips to help maintain your horse’s health and prepare them for your next big competition. Essential Horse Care from P.H Winterton Standing still for long periods goes against their natural instincts to keep moving so be wary that some horses can react to being confined for long periods. Follow our 7 step guide below to maintain your horse’s happiness. Exercise – As long as your horse has no physical problems, they will need as much exercise as possible. Try to plan ahead and schedule rides out regularly. Other Turnout Options – Consider if they can be turned out in the yard area with some equine bedding and a companion (if possible). Create a Turnout Area – Create a fenced area outside of your horse’s stable, giving them the option to wander in and out at their leisure which helps them feel less restricted. Long Walks – Lead your horse out in-hand but prepare for them to be bouncy. We would recommend wearing a hard hat, sturdy footwear and gloves. Ideally, attach a lunge-line to their headcollar and inform someone where you were going. You could even consider making it a social trip and ask another horse owner to come along too. Change of Environment – If you have a spare loose-box in the yard you could consider putting your horse in there for part of the day for a change of scenery. Meet their Social Needs – If your horse is stabled for long periods of time, they need to be housed next to a friendly horse. Ideally, they should be able to touch and mutually groom each other. If you can’t stable your horse nearby to a friend, consider taking them over for a visit. Entertain your Horse – Horses love to play so having a bit of playtime with toys helps to break up the day. Towels...
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We all love getting our 40 winks, and our horses are no different. If you really care about your horses, investing in the best equine bedding is a no brainer. There is a variety of different horse beddings on the market from traditional favourites such as shavings and straw to alternatives such as cardboard and hemp. For our latest blog, we are going to discuss the different choices, and which would be best for you and your horses. Four Different Choices of Equine Bedding Straw – Straw is one of the cheapest options but it is bulky and can smell, with your yard quickly resembling a compost heap. Straw also harbours fungus which can be dangerous for your horse’s respiratory system plus your horse might also eat their own bed. Shavings – Shavings are now the most commonly used horse bedding. Here at P.H Winterton, we offer three types of bedding, which can match your budget and quality requirements. Our Cheshire Choice bedding is our premium brand that is extremely durable with superb absorbency qualities. Economy Bale bedding is our budget range that is a mix of hardwood and softwood which makes it easy to cleanout. Zebra Fibre bedding is the recent addition to our catalogue, which is available in 48-60 bales per pallet and all-weather storage bags. Paper and Cardboard – Usually sold in compacted bales. When it’s time to clear the paper from your yards it is heavy to lift when wet though. Hemp – Hemp is a quite expensive material for bedding and is designed for use as a thick bed which isn’t intended to be disturbed at any time. Based on this evidence we would definitely recommend using shavings as your equine bedding solution. Want to Know More? Contact Us Today If you want to know more about P.H Winterton’s range of horse bedding and place an order, please get in touch...
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