Product Reviews for March

For March I was sent three more excellent products from my sponsors Nettex.

These were:

• Seaweed
• All Purpose Vits & Mins
• Supalyx

My 1^st Products was Nettex Seaweed:

What are the benefits of feeding seaweed?

Nettex Seaweed is made from pure natural seaweed and contains no additives, which provides the  horse with essential vitamins, minerals and trace elements, which in turn help support the horses skin and coat giving the coat a lovely shine, plus encouraging a healthy hoof growth.

Seaweed also helps cleanse the blood of toxins, regulates hormones and helps the horse cope with stress while supporting the immune system.

The seaweed comes in a re-sealable bag and is approximately 50 days supply for a 15hh horse, and at just £8.95 RRP it is a bargain for the results!

 

So what did I find?

Well, after not seeing Rocky for 2 weeks due to being hospitalised, it was great to be able to remove his rugs (he has been living out), and see a nice soft, shiny coat, even though he is mid moult!

There has also been a noticeable difference in his hooves, being barefoot his hooves wear down naturally, and the farrier is not normally due for a good 8 weeks, however after a month on the seaweed, he has grown enough hoof to need to reschedule the visit, which would mean he has grown an extra 2 weeks’ worth of hoof!

After not being worked for a couple of weeks, Rocky also appeared to more focussed on his work, and relaxed too, he isn’t a “hot” horse but after a break can be a little “fresh”, but there was no sign of this, and I have heard people say that seaweed has helped their horses focus more, so all I can put this new focus down to is the seaweed!

My experience of feeding seaweed has been a very positive one, and I would urge you to try it for your horse, especially ones with hoof issues or a lack of focus.

 

 

My 2^nd Product was the Netex All Purpose Vits & Mins.

What are the benefits of feeding the All Purpose Vits & Mins?

Nettex has produced a versatile general purpose supplement which meets all the nutritional requirements of all horses and ponies, whether they are competition horses or an older retired horse that requires extra help.

At just £9.99 RRP for over a month’s supply, this really is a great product!

What did I find?

Rocky has been on feed balancers before, but having to ensure I meet his full nutritional requirements, especially as he is still growing and currently beginning his working career, his weight has been inconsistent as he is eating to grow and work, meaning that his twice daily ration was at maximum capacity, leaving no room for extra feed type balancers. Here is where the Nettex All Purpose Vits & Mins comes in very handy, as it is a powder, it doesn’t add extra “feed” to his dinner, but ensures he receives everything he needs.

After a month on the Vits & Mins, he looks and appears better than ever, his weight has maintained even though his work has slightly increased, and he is recovering quicker too, I know that is to do with fitness also, but generally, he is coping far better since being on this brilliant supplement.

 

My final product was the Supalyx Garlic Immunity.

What are the benefits of feeding a Supalyx?    

Supalyx are a complete all round molasses based feeding block, available in 2 sizes, which supplements the horses dietary requirements.

At just £6.50 from Kilminsters Equestrian & Pet Supplies Ltd, the 3kg lick will allow your horses free access to essential nutrients.

What did I find?

Rocky is known for demolishing a lick overnight, especially when stabled, which was a concern as I had never given him a 3kg lick before so there was a risk that he would devour the whole thing!

How wrong was I?!

I left the lick in his stable night after night, and in true “lick” form as opposed to “eat it all in one mouthful” as he usually does, the lick was indeed licked, not chewed!

The supalyx are a fairly solid mix, which even with a greedy horse like rocky can be, is hard to get their teeth into and encourages them to lick instead.

The Garlic one I was sent seems to be popular with Rocky, and after a month now, he is only 1/3^rd down it, and that is even though it now lives in his field with him, and is subject to our inclement weather, which has not had any effect on the lick at all, unlike some which melt or disintegrate.

Being a complete lick, it would be an ideal accompaniment to owners of horses who are perhaps living out and fed on just a forage diet, horses naturally know when and what they need, so these licks are superb to provide the owner with peace of mind that your equines are receiving a full complement of the necessary nutrition.

The supalyx come in the following varieties in both a 3kg and a 12.5kg:

• Easy Breather, to help with any breathing issues
• Garlic, as already mentioned!
• Nimble, to help joints
• General Health, a general purpose lick.

 

Nettex have a wide range of products, all of which work with superb results, once you have tried them, I am sure you will agree.

Sharon and Rocky :)

Another stay in hospital.

Just when things were getting going with Rocky, the weather was turning good and the show season beginning, plans were being made and things were looking good.

Tuesday the 10th of March, I had spent the day teaching and generally doing horsey themed things, including long reining Rocky, it was such a nice day that I decided to give Rocky a quick tidy up before putting him to bed.

As Rocky is growing, he is now just that little bit too tall to reach to brush round his ears without standing on something, so I found a box (our usual block has gone AWOL) and used that to help me reach.
Rocky is such a good boy, he stands very quietly for grooming, and doesn't fuss, so I was quietly grooming away when out of the blue the box gave way!

Previously having had back injuries, I knew landing on my back was of course going to be painful, but I wasn't quite aware of what I'd done.

Rocky was obviously frightened by the collapsing box and the cursing human flailing around on the floor, but apart from jumping when it all happened, just stood with a "what on earth are you doing down there" look on his face staring at me!

I realised I'd hurt myself, and new I needed to rest so managed to put rocky out and got myself home.
After a quick sit down on the sofa I went to move, but couldn't, initial reaction "oh god not again". I rang the NHS helpline who told me to call 999 immediately, which I did and awaited the arrival of the ambulance crew.

As I've been in a similar position before, I had an idea of what was going to happen so tried to organise the children to sort the house out ready. I also called John, my partner, who was getting ready to go out for the evening (oops!!) he came over and between him, the children and the paramedics I was escorted to Southampton General A&E.

It was now nearly 11.30pm at hospital, with lots of nurses, doctors and specialists attending to me, quite something compared to last time when I only had 2 people with me, also a little daunting too.
After several doctors had visited, I was whisked away for emergency MRI scan.

It was now almost 2.30am and I expected john to have gone home as he starts work early, but nope, he was still here waiting for me.
I was taken to the ward shortly before 3am where the nurses were excellent, very attentive and caring.
Eventually John went home, about 3.30 and I was given time to rest.

The following morning the doctors visited again, tests were done and spinal surgeons came to see me, all concerned as I was paralysed.

Over the next few days I was seen by the physiotherapists or the physio-terrorists as I prefer to call them!
Almost a week later I was able to stand up and begin to move my legs, shuffling as opposed to walking, but it was movement, a very strange feeling when you can't feel your feet or legs!

Now a week on and I have been given the all clear to leave hospital with outpatients appointments on the proviso I continue to rest, not try to get back to "normal" too quickly and follow the physio advice.

Anyone who knows me will be aware of my inability to take it easy and rest, as I love both the teaching side of life and my shop, and resting is not in my vocabulary. This is going to be difficult!
What is the first thing I want to do on leaving? Pay mr Rocky a visit and say hello!
I shall then go home and rest.

Thank you to everyone who has helped and offered support.
I shall be back teaching and shop keeping as soon as possible!
Sharon x