Flatholm & Derwen Equestrian

17/12/2024

Did you know that horses don’t feel the cold in the same way that we do? Here are some helpful Winter tips from the The British Horse Society. ❄️

It can be really tempting to rug our horses to keep them cosy, especially when we feel cold ourselves, but as horses will naturally grow a thick winter coat, it is important to assess whether rugging is truly necessary.

With temperatures dropping it’s likely you’re adding on an extra layer of clothing. However, a healthy horse doesn’t tend to feel the cold until the temperature falls below 5°C, above this they are able to keep themselves warm without using too much energy. Therefore, it’s important we don’t rug our horses based on how cold we are feeling.

At this time of year, the temperature can vary at different parts of the day, so although it may feel cooler at 7am a few hours later it can be a lot warmer!

Rug or don’t rug, according to the needs of each individual horse. There are different factors to consider, so for more information and to learn more about how your horse naturally keeps warm visit...
https://www.bhs.org.uk/horse-care-and-welfare/health-care-management/seasonal-care/rugging/?fbclid=IwAR0y-QeSwC_uoOZnR87E30xrhmVAEWtgCSwM9mccAmwtG5fMw0C0p16EiUE

08/11/2024

It can be interesting as a first evaluation, but then it's always important to consider the whole context too, in order to truly understand each single situation properly 💙

27/10/2024

18/10/2024

Colic is not a disease, but rather a combination of signs that alert us to abdominal pain in the horse. Colic can range from mild to severe, but it should never be ignored, as many of the conditions that cause colic can become life threatening in a relatively short period of time. Only by quickly and accurately recognizing colic – and seeking qualified veterinary help – can the chance for recovery be maximized.

Virtually any horse is susceptible to colic, so management practices can play a key role in prevention. And although not every case is avoidable, the guidelines listed in the graphic can help you maximize your horse’s health and reduce the risk of colic.

As always, remember that every animal is different depending on age, breed and other health conditions, so be sure to work with your veterinarian to address any concerns specific to your situation!

07/10/2024

🐴Stable available 🐴
☆Small herd,
☆Gelding only at present
☆25 x 50 flood lit arena with poles / jumps
☆Assisted livery available
☆Trailer / 3.5tn parking available ( additional cost )
☆Same s*x herd
☆Turnout 365 days of the year however please note this is restricted to half days in bad weather.
☆Hay / Shavings storage ( source your own )
☆Poo picking during dry weather has to be done by all
☆In during the night in winter
☆FWEC plan in place

Strictly No Dogs, Smoking, Colts, Stallions or Rigs.
All horses must be fully vaccinated and hold public liability insurance.

( When messaging please include-
-Horse age, height and you riding activities
-Any vices / special horse requirments
-Your requirments for livery / Assisted/ Part / Full
-Where you are and why your looking to move )

03/10/2024

30/06/2024

🐴💩 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗼𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗽𝗼𝗼 𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗸? For most of us it's a job we love to hate but regular poo picking is proven to be one of the most effective things you can do to manage parasite control and reduce the number of chemicals you need to give your horse.

🐛 Worm eggs laid in dung hatch within 4-5 days which is why it's recommended to poo pick at least twice per week to significantly reduce infective larvae on the pasture. If your pasture management allows it, not collecting all dung on a daily basis can give dung beetles a chance to break down dung piles, that act as the incubator for the parasite eggs and also then increasing organic matter in the soil. They prefer fresh dung up to 48hrs old, so start by leaving the freshest piles on the pasture and clearing them after three days 👉 bit.ly/poopicking-dungbeetles

Of course, good pasture management and animal husbandry techniques includes worm egg counts and tapeworm tests and we have an affordable range of award winning tests and services to suit you 🙌

🛒 Shop tests: https://bit.ly/WestgateLabsShop

13/04/2024

Great to see Anna Johannson Dressage and Eventing on our stand today at the NAF5* Winter Dressage Championships! She kindly popped in to see us for a catch up on all her dressage and eventing news. Anna did a beautiful test today and we are looking forward to her freestyle tomorrow! 😃