The Professional’s Help on Surviving the Colder Months!

During the winter months many show horses and ponies are turned away for a well deserved break. However, certain problems can arise which can hamper your early return the show ring in the spring.

Winter Care Products from the Supreme Products Horse Care Range

In this issue Sarah Turnbull of SUPREME PRODUCTS® and two of the team's professional producers - Robert Walker and Nigel Hollings - offer advice on how to avoid the many pitfalls to ensure your horse will look stunning at the start of the season.

Dealing with Mud

The effect of mud on your horse can go from unsightly clumps to the loss of mane and tail, to broken skin causing soreness and lameness. Therefore it is vital to treat your horse with care during the winter months.

Mud in the mane and tail

Mud deposits in the mane and tail can be uncomfortable for a horse but can also lead to the horse rubbing and itching which then progresses to hair loss. It is important to handle the mane and tail carefully to keep it lustrous and full. When removing the mud, let it dry first before brushing it out gently with a body brush. If you feel it is necessary to wash the mane or tail, take care, especially during cold weather. If there are any large knots, tease these out gently with your fingers before brushing.

Detangle and Shine

Says Robert Walker: “Spray the tail with Supreme Products Detangle and Shine before turning out, this should help prevent a large build up of mud and also make it easier to remove any mud clumps without pulling out vital hairs.”

Mane and Tail Builder

"If you do suffer with hairloss in the winter months" says Sarah "and need a product to help thicken manes and tails or promote hairgrowth then Supreme Products Mane and Tail Builder from the Heritage Collection is a wonderful product. We have received so much positive feedback about Mane and Tail Builder since we launched it early in 2011. It was designed for use on Native and Traditionals but can be used on any horse or pony needing a bit more growth before the start of the season. It works wonders!"

Mud on the skin

Mud on the coat can look unsightly and mean you spend more time brushing your horse than actually riding it. However this is only a minor problem. In some cases mud can pose a more serious threat to your horse’s wellbeing.

Another problem to look out for is mud fever, which can leave a horse lame and without heel feathers, so important for traditional classes. The bacterium, Dermatophilus Congolensis causes mud fever and rain scald which can cause the condition to reoccur at any time unless it is effectively removed. Mud fever causes the skin and underlying tissues to become inflamed and leads to the skin swelling, stretching and weeping; the skin starts to crack, hair falls out and hard scabs form.

Leg and Mud Guard

Adds Nigel Hollings: “We use Supreme Products Leg and Mud Guard from the Horse Care Range to help prevent mud fever problems keeping those precious feathers intact and stopping unsightly sores from appearing. It can be used on the legs and also under the belly to help prevent this unpleasant problem occurring.”

Lice, Mites and Ticks

Lice, Mites and Ticks are the three main ectoparasites in the winter. This is because their life cycles occur entirely on the animal. These ectoparasites must be eradicated as they are usually itchy and uncomfortable for horses as well as capable of transmitting numerous diseases.

It is just as important in the winter as it is in the summer to remove rugs daily and groom your horse so that you can check the coat and skin for any infestations which could lead to hair loss and discomfort.

Hoof Care

Whether your horse or pony is stabled for longer periods of time during the winter months or is turned out in the field, essential hoof care should be a part of your daily routine.

Foot Care Spray

Says Nigel: “The old saying ‘no foot, no horse’ is as true today as it has ever been. I am always amazed at the amount of Foot Rot you see in Show Horses and Ponies, especially when I am judging. We’ve used Supreme Products Foot Care Spray daily for about four years now. It is easy to use, it’s good value for money and it works wonders – we don’t have any problems with Foot Rot with our ponies. We order a dozen cans at a time for the yard and really see the benefits of using this product on a regular basis!”

Mane and Tail Pulling

Over the winter months there is a temptation to leave manes and tails to grow long. This can actually cause the mane and tail to go thin so it is worth keeping an eye on the length to make sure they are in good condition for the season ahead.

Make sure your horse or ponies tail is regularly cut to the desired length, especially if you have a Mountain and Moorland pony because excess growth can see it trailing on the floor which makes it prone to being stepped on and pulled out.

A benefit of pulling little and often is that your horse will not become sore and uncomfortable when it comes to the spring and you start to trim him up ready for the ring.

Says Sarah: “If your horse is not a fan of having his mane or tail pulled use a Supreme Products Thinning Comb. It is a humane and efficient bladed comb which thins manes and tails easily and quickly. It can also be used on woolly coats and to think out feathers if needed.”

Mositurise and Condition

Be Vigilant

Throughout the winter keep a close eye on your horse. If he is turned away, regular visits and health checks are essential. To keep valuable mane, tail and feathers intact throughout the winter use Supreme Products Moisturise and Condition. This helps keep skin supple and in good condition. Massage on to the skin to prevent damage and restore skin and hair texture. Says Robert Walker "This product is an absolute unsung hero! It's fantastic for aiding and improving the condition of manes and tails; it can also be used on coats and feather and it also helps promote hair growth on bald patches or thin manes and tails. Its a product that everyone should have in their tack room as it has so many benefits for use."