Making sure that your animal is in the best shape to do his job...... with Penny Hollings.

Penny Hollings is a well-known Producer, Judge and Instructor and is a regular contributor to our blog.

This month, Penny gives guidance on how you can make sure that your animal is in the best shape to do his job.

I believe that a comfortable horse will be much happier to work and so this is how I approach this issue.....

Our horses are checked routinely every six months by our physio, Andrea Townson. Sometimes animals need more regular treatments to resolve problems and as you get to know your horse you will be able to tell if something isn’t quite right. In addition Bruce Hewitt, an equine osteopath, will also be called on to help with unlevelness or stiffness.

Following a physio check we may have to perform hamstring stretches or lunging over poles to encourage an open outline which will enable back muscles to strengthen. We quite often encounter horses and ponies who have muscle wastage or under-development where the saddle sits and over-developed hind quarter muscles. If you look at your animal carefully with your physio you will see which areas need work and then see the change when tensions are released and he learns to work properly.

Tension may also occur when a horse holds himself away from pain in the mouth, we use vets from Gillivervet to check our horses teeth at least every six months, sometimes more often if the horse requires it. Sharp teeth result in ulceration which obviously is uncomfortable for the animal. Untreated this will affect back muscles as well.

Hollings Horse Show Saddle from Pony, Cob and Horse Saddles
For more information visit www.ponycobandhorsesaddles.com

Properly fitting saddles which are flocked to allow a perfect fit are a 'must.' We have worked with Mike Davies from Pony, Cob and Horse saddles and have been very pleased with the results - as has Andrea, as she can see the difference in the backs too. Mike also makes padded leather girths which ensure comfort for the horse. If you’re in the saddle for a long time you don’t want the girth to rub or become uncomfortable.

A saddle which fits well will not need a thick numnah and in some cases too much padding underneath may cause the saddle to move. I prefer the gel ones with a sheepskin trim.

Alexandra Hollings on Pendle First Light

Choosing the right bridle is also very important not only so that it fits well and is comfortable, but also suits the animals head. It’s a good idea to borrow a few different ones and play about with the thickness of the leather/noseband etc. if you’re not sure, take photos as this will help you to compare better. Browbands, whether plain or coloured, need to fit properly again to enhance the picture as well as not being too slack or tight. A good way to try different colour schemes is to get some paper or cardboard and colour in a few designs and colourways and try them on the horse’s head to see which looks best.

People often ask how best to attract the judges attention – a great way to do this is to get your horse going and looking right!

Penny
www.team-hollings.co.uk 


For more info:

www.ponycobandhorsesaddles.com

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If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us on info@supremeproducts.co.uk as we really enjoy hearing from you. We also love to see your pictures, so please visit our Facebook page and post them on our wall, making sure you tell us all about you and your horse or pony.

Our office number is not just for people wanting to buy products – if you have a question or would like some advice on how best to use our products or what would be the best product to use in certain situations, then please call us on 01377 229050 – we will be happy to help where we can!

Best wishes,

Sarah

How To Series: Plaiting

Step by Step on Plaiting:

Step 1: Spray Supreme Products Easy Plait on to a wet or dry mane.

Step 2: Section the mane and comb through, aiming to have an odd number of plaits down the length of the neck.

Step 3: Create a plait, keeping it neat and tight.

Step 4: Plait all the way to the bottom!

Step 5: At the base, sew tightly with colour co-ordinated thread, wrapping the thread around the base of the plait as well as through it.

Step 6: Halve the plait and double it under, sewing it securely.

Step 7: Halve it again and sew it under the halved plait, creating a tight neat ball, and sew again.

Step 8: If you have any mane hair that sticks up between the plaits, smooth them down using a little Highlighter Gel.

Step 9: Spray a little Supreme Products Sparkle down the length of the neck, accentuating the top line  

Step 10: Stand back and survey the finished result!

Recap of Products Used:

EasyPlait 500ml RRP £12.50 

HighlighterGel 200g RRP £11.99 

Sparkle 400mlRRP£12.99

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us on info@supremeproducts.co.uk as we really enjoy hearing from you. We also love to see your pictures, so please visit our Facebook page and post them on our wall, making sure you tell us all about you and your horse or pony.

Our office number is not just for people wanting to buy products – if you have a question or would like some advice on how best to use our products or what would be the best product to use in certain situations, then please call us on 01377 229050 – we will be happy to help where we can!

Best wishes,

Sarah

How to...... Cover marks and scars with Cover Magic Black

Cover Magic is a spray-on colour that you can use to cover over marks, scars or stray coloured hairs. It is available in white, black or brown and is designed specifically for use on animals. Follow these easy steps to get the best effect when using Supreme Products Cover Magic.


The first step is to give your can of Cover Magic Black a good shake before use. Sometimes the contents of the can may settle slightly, so give it a good shake for a couple of seconds before use!

 

Positioning your can approximately 15cms from the area you wish to cover, spray lightly over the area, making sure you get good coverage.

Spray from all angles, making sure you get everything covered. Then allow to dry for a couple of seconds. If you'd like to, once dry, you can run down the leg or over the area with a soft dry cloth, just to remove any excess powder.

Cover Magic dries to a matt finish, so once dry it is advisable to give a spritz over with Supreme Products Sparkle and this will 'lift' the coat to a natural but shiny finish.

All you need to do now is stand back and admire your handywork!

Cover Magic is available in White, Black and Brown, 400ml and retails at £14.50. For details, click here


Sparkle in 400ml and retails at £12.9. For details, click here
 

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us on info@supremeproducts.co.uk as we really enjoy hearing from you. We also love to see your pictures, so please visit our Facebook page and post them on our wall, making sure you tell us all about you and your horse or pony.

Our office number is not just for people wanting to buy products – if you have a question or would like some advice on how best to use our products or what would be the best product to use in certain situations, then please call us on 01377 229050 – we will be happy to help where we can!

Best wishes,

Sarah

Educating Caitlin - Part 2

Last month we introduced Katie Duxbury and her new Fell mare, Greenholme Caitlin, that she bought in December. Here Katie explains their progress in the last month…..

‘Caitlin is now happily walking round our country lanes on the long reins confidently. She has seen some traffic and so far nothing has phased her. In the school she walks, trots and canters on the double lunge lines very well and her fitness is really improving. She gets worked six days a week, I keep her sessions short – never more than about 20 minutes.  I feel that is plenty for a five-year-old as I don’t want to bore her and she is still immature.

I have had quiet sit on her and been led around the school which she took in her stride.  I will wait until her groundwork is a little more established before I ride her off the lead. 

She is becoming quite a little character as she grows in strength and we had a little issue when lungeing recently. When cantering on the long reins she would nap and pull me toward the exit gate. This sort of ‘testing the water’ is only to be expected and we quickly resolved the issue by keeping her on a smaller circle and moving the circle around the school.  I also had someone standing near the gate to encourage her past, rather than letting her run towards it. 

As our fields were very wet, we weren't turning the out in the early part of the month, so to let her have a play we turned her out three times a week in the arena with a friend and she really enjoyed it, as well as helped socialise her. I think it’s important to let young horses let off steam as it keeps them sweet and content. 

She's has had her feet trimmed and was a total star for the farrier, he was very gentle and patient with her which resulted in her being more than willing to stand like a complete professional! She has also had her second booster vaccine and health check from the vet who was pleased with her progress. 

Her weight and shape are changing constantly. I don’t like to put too much feed into the breakers as you never know what fireworks you may light, so Caitlin is on two high fibre feeds a day. These consist of a good coarse chop and some fibre nuts and micronised linseed. She gets ad lib good quality haylage too which she likes to dunk into her water bucket!!  

My aim for this month is to be riding her off the lead in the school and then to progress from long reining her around the lanes to hacking out under saddle with a friend.

Caitlin long reining

As for getting her to a show – I would like to get her back in the lorry as I think it helps if they make regular short journeys when young. If they associate travel with fun and not stress it helps so much throughout their career.  I would really like to take her to an in-hand show this month but you will remember I mentioned that she had lost her feathers on the Fell and I may wait a little longer for them to grow back… let's wait and see.   


As for her mane and tail - these were very matted and burred up they have come along really well. I keep her mane in large plaits – to protect it – and always cut off the elastic rather than pull them off to avoid breaking the hair. I undo the plaits every three days and spray it with Moisturise and Condition and then re-plait and we are really seeing - and feeling - the benefit of using this regularly.

Plaits in Caitlins Mane

I also adjust the position of the plaits to keep hair breakage to a minimum. I only comb her mane once it has been washed, conditioned and detangled. I do the same for her tail – which I run my fingers through – but never brush as that thins them too much. I have been using Mane and Tail Builder twice a week and now as it's growing tenfold! We had snow up here in Lancashire and the wind was really chilly so she started wearing a neck cover too. I wash her mane weekly to avoid a greasy build up on the neck cover. 

Moisturise and Condition

Mane and Tail Builder

She’s fully rugged now and moulting like mad so it’s all hands on deck with the curry combs to get the dead hair out. "

Katie

Brought to you in association with The Showing Journal.

For more information, visit www.theshowingjournal.co.uk

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If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us on info@supremeproducts.co.uk as we really enjoy hearing from you. We also love to see your pictures, so please visit our Facebook page and post them on our wall, making sure you tell us all about you and your horse or pony.

Our office number is not just for people wanting to buy products – if you have a question or would like some advice on how best to use our products or what would be the best product to use in certain situations, then please call us on 01377 229050 – we will be happy to help where we can!

Best wishes,

Sarah

Which Shampoo?

We have a selection of specialist shampoos and are often asked which shampoo should be used for different coloured coats, so here’s the run-down!

Blue Shampoo:

Supreme Products- Blue Shampoo

Blue Shampoo was originally designed for grey coats and is brilliant for whitening and brightening. It can really ‘lift’ the colour of coat and will make your horse or pony stand out from the crowd. Over time, however, we started to get great feedback that this shampoo was really effective on coloured and dark coats because it will whiten and brighten white / grey coats but will also enhance the depth of colour and shine on darker coloured coats. It’s particularly effective on black coats and the concentrated blue gives a ‘raven’ bluey-black finish which really draws the eye!

(Note: My old black Labradors used to get washed in this and we’ve had reports that it takes the ‘brassiness’ out of bleached blonde hair too!)

The common misconception, however, is that Blue Shampoos take away yellow stains. Please take it from us, they don’t – you will be washing in blue forever with limited results. To break down stains, you need a good Stain Removing Shampoo…….

Stain Remover Shampoo:

Supreme Products - Stain Remover Shampoo

This is a concentrated shampoo with added conditioners which is designed specifically for breaking down stains. It can be used to break down vegetable-based stains as well as urine stains on the body and tail. In the event that you have a very long-term or a really yellow tail, you can lather the tail up and even bag it or leave it lathered for up to an hour. Each time you use this shampoo, you will see an improvement in the stain reduction. This shampoo can also be used ‘neat’ and worked in to a stain before rinsing or blotting off.

High Shine Shampoo:

Supreme Products- High Shine Shampoo

This is a lovely shampoo, deep rich red in colour that can be used on all coloured coats. It is particularly effective on darker coloured coats and it will strip out dust and dirt from the coat and is very effective at breaking down and removing scurf. It’s a great shampoo to use after clipping and can be used throughout the season to break down any build up of products or oils used on the coat. It will leave a healthy conditioned coat.

(Note: this is a great shampoo for horses and ponies that have skin problems, although always beneficial to do a skin test, twice, a few days apart if you have very sensitive skins)

Supreme Products - Chestnut Shampoo

Chestnut Shampoo:

Chestnut Shampoo is a colour enhancing shampoo that can be used on Chestnut, bright bay and even dun coats. Particularly effective at restoring the coat colour during the summer months when they have been bleached by the sun, regular use will help restore the coat colour and condition.

Palomino Shampoo:

Supreme Products - Palomino Shampoo

Palomino Shampoo can be used on Palomino, Dun and Cremello coats. Containing Chamomile and Honey, this lovely gentle conditioning shampoo will enhance the coat colour and leave a lovely finish on lighter coats.

Supreme Products - Black Shampoo

Black Shampoo:

This Black Shampoo can enhance the depth of colour on darker coats faded by the sun as well as enhance the definition on darker legs. It will give a glowing shine finish and improve the depth of colour with regular use.

Show Shampoo and Conditioner:

Supreme Products - Show Shampoo and Conditioner

This is a lovely Conditioning shampoo fragranced with Almond which can be used on all coat colours and types. It will enhance the shine and is particularly effective on Native and Traditional coats, manes and tails where the added conditioners are particularly beneficial.

For best effect:

When using the Supreme Products range of Shampoos, we always advise using warm water and where possible, lather up the coat and leave the lather on the coat for a few minutes which will enable the shampoos to work on the coat. Once the lather has been on the coat for a few minutes, rinse with warm water. In most cases, one application of shampoo should be sufficient!

        



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If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us on info@supremeproducts.co.uk as we really enjoy hearing from you. We also love to see your pictures, so please visit our Facebook page and post them on our wall, making sure you tell us all about you and your horse or pony.

Our office number is not just for people wanting to buy products – if you have a question or would like some advice on how best to use our products or what would be the best product to use in certain situations, then please call us on 01377 229050 – we will be happy to help where we can!

Best wishes,

Sarah

Meet the Supreme Team - Sarah Turnbull

In this feature, we introduce you to our team members - whether it be head office personnel or our Sponsored Riders.  In this edition, we introduce to you Managing Director, Sarah Turnbull.

Name: Sarah Turnbull

Tell us what role you play in the business and the types of things you do day to day? 

I do a bit of everything – sales, operations, PR and Marketing, planning, paying bills, contracts, purchasing and even packing pallets when I'm needed!

1. How long have you worked for Supreme Products? 

   I have been involved in the business since the start in 1993 doing shows and helping out where I could. We incorporated in 2002 and I became a Director but still worked elsewhere - in Project and Programme Management in IT. For the business I looked after things like the website and PR and Marketing as well as doing some shows over the summer months, so this was something I could do on nights and weekends. In 2009, I took the plunge and left my employment to come in to the business full time with a view to helping develop the business to the next level.

   
   
2. Do you have a horse and if so, tell us a little about him / her? 

   No – I’ve no time at present, although at some point I would like to find a really nice Middleweight Show Hunter……!

   
   
   
3. Which horse would you love to ride (any discipline, past or present)?

   Tiny Clapham’s Windjammer. I hero-worshipped that partnership when I a child!

   
   
   
4. Which is your favourite restaurant or favourite meal? 

   Roast Beef and Yorkshire Puddings at my partner’s brilliant village pub… I also love Italian, Chinese and Thai food but am pretty much a ‘meat and 2 veg’ kind of woman!

   
   
   
5. What’s your favourite holiday destination? 

   Sunshine, beach and anywhere I can go diving (although the water has to be warm) and completely relax.

   
   
   
6. Do you follow any particular sport or sports team?

   Rugby…… I have followed England to three World Cups (including the one we won in Australia in 2003!) and am looking forward to the Rugby World Cup next year. I'm also hoping - at some point - to go on a British and Irish Lions tour as I’d really love to experience the camaraderie between the home nations taking on the Southern Hemisphere sides. I also love Eventing, Cricket, Tennis and most competitive sports. I can often be found shouting at the TV when watching sport!

   
   
   
7. Favourite music / band?

   No outright favourite – pretty much anything apart from Abba, and Jamiroquai! I love the Stereophonics, Elbow, Mumford & Sons, Snow Patrol - all sorts.

   
   
   
8. Favourite film?

   My favourite ‘chick flick’ is Beaches, otherwise it would probably be ‘A Time to Kill’ which is the adaptation of John Grisham’s book or the Shawshank Redemption. I also love things like Die Hard which I find very funny and anything with guns, explosions and car chases!

   
   
   
9. Last Film you saw at the Cinema?

   Mandela and I watched Gravity on DVD last week.

   
   
   
10. What is your favourite Supreme Product and why?

    I love High Shine Shampoo….. I use it on my own hair now and again! It leaves a great shine and I love the clean fresh smell.

    
    
    
11. Tea or coffee?

    Tea, Tea and more Tea!

    
    
    
12. Sweet or savoury?

    Sweet - I’m a chocoholic.

    
    
    
13. Do you have pets and if so, what are they?

    2 Westies who are completely mad called Izzy and Lucy and a Sprocker (Springer / Cocker cross) called Max – and 2 hens. My lovely Labradors are no longer with us and much missed.

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
14. Do you have a lucky charm and if so, what is it?

    No, I don’t really.

    
    
    
15. Twitter or Facebook?

    Facebook for personal use, both for the business.

    
    
    
16. 5 people for a dinner party (dead or alive) who would you invite? Nelson Mandela; Patrick Dempsey (McDreamy from Grey’s Anatomy); Brian Moore - ex England Rugby Hooker turned Referee and Commentator; Sarah Ferguson, ex Duchess of York and the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, who I think is amazing (albeit that I'm not religious in the slightest)!

    
    
    
17. Book or i-Reader?

    Book – I am a prolific reader.

    
    
    
18. Have you ever had a holiday disaster?

    Oh yes – my friend and I went on holiday about 4 years ago with her (then) 2 children who were both under 2. My poor Labrador had been put to sleep a few days before we left so I was absolutely devastated and I managed to lose my driving licence either at home or in transit and Kate didn’t take hers. So we had to taxi round Sardinia and had to move from our villa to a hotel, then to another hotel until we found one to settle in. It costs us a FORTUNE and was really stressful (REALLY stressful). We laugh about it now, but that’s because it’s four years on and the pain has lessened!!

    
    
    
19. What would your dream car be?

    Aston Martin DB9, in black (I'd probably brand it). Saying that, I have a Nissan Navara and I absolutely love it so will always have one.

    
    
    
20. Favourite tipple?

    Bacardi or Laurent Perrier Pink Champagne (although it doesn’t always agree with me)

    
    
    
21. What time is your alarm clock set for?

    7.07am (Random, I know, but it gives me chance for one 9 minute snooze and still gives me time to feed the hens; walk the dogs and make my cup of tea to have in the car on the way to work, and still leave at 8 o'clock).

    
    
    
22. Do you have a nickname?

    Yes, loads - 'RaRa,' 'Auntie Goatie' (long story!) and even 'Queen of the Pigeons' (even longer!) - mainly nicknames from my friends' children! 

    
    

Choosing Products and Using Them Wisely......

One question we hear is how to cut costs when producing ponies and horses for competition. In today’s economic climate, this is an understandable question but one thing we should all be aware of is that in order to cut costs, one shouldn’t cut corners.

A sun burnt horse nose.
Highlighting Products Should Always Contain UV Protection

My absolute ‘pet hate’ is to see people using Baby Oil to highlight a horse’s features or coat. Baby Oil can potentially cause damage to the skin as it is not designed for use as an animal highlighter - it doesn’t contain any UV protection and could cause burning or scarring. Animals are as susceptible to the sunshine as we are, so this is a product that definitely should be avoided. Using products designed to do the job means that you actually use less of them – products should always be used sparingly – you achieve a much better effect.

Feeding and exercise should not be underestimated

The importance of a good feeding regime cannot be underestimated and this, along with regular exercise of different types, goes a long way towards producing a healthy appearance. Exercise should be varied so as to retain the interest of your horse or pony and keep them fresh as well as build up stamina and muscle tone. Feeding and exercise should be built in to the plan combined with plenty of grooming which will stimulate the circulation as well as help strengthen the bond between you and your horse or pony.

Only with all of this pre-work will you then be able to skilfully use products to enhance that healthy picture. Health and condition cannot be created by use of products alone, nor by just feeding alone, all of the elements must work together. The professionals have a plan for each of their animals – as they all differ - and this incorporates all of these elements to give a really rounded regime that can be built upon.

When it comes to using products remember the adage that ‘less is more’ – there is nothing worse, in my opinion, than seeing an animal in the ring that is literally dripping with product – this is not what the Judge is looking for and you may be marked down because of it. Use the right products; practice with them; use them sparingly and you will give yourself a much better chance of gaining that coveted place in the line! One of the things that I always advise people when using a products for the first time is apply it at home and then stand back 10 or 15 feet and look at the picture – you might get a very different impression on how the pony looks when you stand back away from it – and this is where the Judge will be standing, so consider how they will see it! You can always start off with a little product; stand back and assess then add more if needed. Just taking a few seconds to do this can pay dividends.

Supreme Products Core Products- view here

With Show Preparation products, start off with your ‘Core’ products – use them sparingly and practice at home to achieve the best effect. You can build on your collection of products a little at a time when finances allow – aim to add a new product every month, for example, rather than buying a dozen products outright. Whilst everyone wants a basket of sparkling goodies, it is better to use good products designed for the job and build on them when finances allow. It may well be a lot cheaper in the long run to do it like this rather than to run the risk of Vets bills because you are trying to economise by using products formulated for other uses!

*****

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If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us on info@supremeproducts.co.uk as we really enjoy hearing from you. We also love to see your pictures, so please visit our Facebook page and post them on our wall, making sure you tell us all about you and your horse or pony.

Our office number is not just for people wanting to buy products – if you have a question or would like some advice on how best to use our products or what would be the best product to use in certain situations, then please call us on 01377 229050 – we will be happy to help where we can!

Best wishes,

Sarah