I just wanted to say “thank you”.  My horse Dolci has had the worst Sweet Itch for 4 years and every spring we cry because the boet rug has to go on to protect her and I can’t see my horse for months but since we started using your sweetitch [...]]]>

Dolci

I just wanted to say “thank you”.  My horse Dolci has had the worst Sweet Itch for 4 years and every spring we cry because the boet rug has to go on to protect her and I can’t see my horse for months but since we started using your sweetitch lotion and fly spray a miracle has happened. NO RUG!!! NO CRYING!!! No struggling to get a rug on and off and the pain she goes through still getting bitten in the places her rug doesn’t cover! So I want to say thank you to you all, thank you so much, you have changed our lives and we will be forever grateful to you all! Thank you Joanna and a very happy Dolci! x

Joanna Lewis, Herts.

I am successfully using your products on a chestnut mare with severe Sweet Itch and other skin allergies. My friend is interested also and would be glad if you could send her your product information.

Alyson Read, Luton, Beds.

R. Salmon, Loughton, Essex.

After seeing your advert in Your [...]]]> We bought 2 bottles of Fly-OFF 950ml at Blenheim Horse Trials and are very pleased with the result – the flies certainly don’t like it up em, as Cpl Jones would have said!  Hence this order for a 5 Ltr container, received this morning.

R. Salmon, Loughton, Essex.

After seeing your advert in Your Horse magazine for Fly-OFF Repellent, I sent off an order for some – you will be pleased to know I am chuffed to bits with it! We have tried various fly repellents on our yard and your product seems to work best against the Dorset bugs. Since then all the other fly repellent products have found their way to the bin!

T. Baker, Poole, Dorset.

Lolly

I use all of your products on my ponies at home and at shows and haven’t found any product to beat them. We really like your Aromawash Shampoo. It gets my palomino ponies manes and tails really white and then we finish with Top & Tail which leaves them with [...]]]>  

Lolly

I use all of your products on my ponies at home and at shows and haven’t found any product to beat them. We really like your Aromawash Shampoo. It gets my palomino ponies manes and tails really white and then we finish with Top & Tail which leaves them with a fantastic sparkly shine and tangle free.

S.Dobbs, Halesowen,West Midlands.

Henry Spots

I thought you might like to see a photo of my pony, Henry Spots, taken last Sunday at the British Spotted Pony Society National Breed Show at 3 Counties Show Ground. He has been prepared with Equiwash Shampoo. We had 5 Championships in all – Best Gelding, Supreme Gelding, Performance, Senior & National Champion over 42″. NOT BAD FOR A 21 YEAR OLD!!

S. Watkins, Wolverley, Kidderminster.

Yeoland Humbug

Last year Yoeland Humbug got very low and his skin and coat suffered terribly. It was about this time that I met Pauline at Natural Equine – that was May. By August I was hooked and bought the whole range in the largest size possible. Last summer’s weather was dreadful and more often than not I couldn’t bath Humbug before a show – Sloshwash was my saviour. The morning of the Lobster Pot Final, a quick once over with Sloshwash and he looked a million dollars – the judge obviously thought so too, as he won his section and went on to be 2nd Reserve Champion. The same thing happened at the NPS Championships – this time Humbug was Mini Reserve Champion Home Produced and Champion Mini Working Hunter Pony. With the better weather I can now use Baywash to bring out the full depth of colour of Humbug’s coat. I also use Baywash on a chestnut roan lead rein pony. On a grey, (almost white) working hunter pony and a similar coloured eventer we swear by Whitewash. However, we couldn’t be without the Sloshwash as they can never stay clean overnight!!

We are happy to be associated with Natural Equine and to shout from the rooftops how wonderful their products are. They have totally revolutionised how we prepare the ponies for the show ring the day before and have saved us pounds on all the conditioners and show sheens that we used to waste our money on.

L. Pope, Pyrton, Oxfordshire.

I recently purchased some Cooling Sloshwash and just wanted to congratulate you on a superb product. I love it, my horses appreciate it and the flies seem to dislike it. Well done for thinking of such an essential item to add to my tack box.

S. Lowe, Lower Quinton Warks.

Enclosed are photos of Amber & Cookie (Chinook Lady Killer) after using your shampoo Baywash. We had two firsts and one second at the show!

T. Davis, Ibstock, Leicester. 

A note to say how delighted I have been with the results I have had from using your wonderful horse shampoo Whitewash. It gave me the fantastic results I was looking for. I am delighted, thank you.

A. Knapmal, Foulden, Norfolk.

I am delighted with your products – I use your  Top & Tail on my own hair as well as my mare’s thick tail. Let me know of any new products and let me have another order form

C. Roberts, Saxilby, Yorks.

I would like to say how pleased I was with your Top & Tail Detangler. I have a Highland Pony who has a very full mane and tail and loves to roll. He gets quite messy and I like to keep his mane & tail tangle-free and your product is really wonderful.

L. Bird, Plymouth, Devon.

Just a quick note to say how impressed I am with Natural Equine. I bought Top & Tail at Hickstead. I have an Irish mare with an extremely thick tail and your product was amazing.

H. Thompson, Crawley Down, West Sussex.

Please can I have two more Top & Tail . It’s Fab! Can’t believe the results!

J. Crooks, Oldbury West Midlands.

Springtime – bath time!

Off come our horses’ rugs, with a sigh of relief from them and us too. With some warm days to look forward to a good bath will be helpful to get rid of any winter scurf and loose hair as our horses change their [...]]]>

Willow after her first shampoo!

Springtime – bath time!

Off come our horses’ rugs, with a sigh of relief from them and us too. With some warm days to look forward to a good bath will be helpful to get rid of any winter scurf and loose hair as our horses change their coats.

We recommend that for your first wash after winter you use Equiwash, a deep cleansing shampoo containing tea tree and nettle extract to get right down to the skin for a thorough clean. Start by damping your horse using warm water and a sponge, then apply a small amount of Equiwash to the sponge and starting at the shoulder/neck use circular movements to work towards the quarters, leave for 2-3 minutes and then rinse. Just watch the dirt come to the surface and wash away!

Equiwash, like all Natural Equine shampoos is highly concentrated so you only need a very small amount. Your horse’s coats will look clean and shiny without the need for coat-shine or polish!

Don’t forget to include the mane and tail when applying the Equiwash shampoo. When nice and clean, finish off with our amazing Top and Tail mane and tail detangler and conditioner for a gorgeous silky soft result – and don’t forget this will help to repel dirt too.

International show jumper Robert Maguire says:

“Using Top & Tail has been a revolution for me. As it is a serum I have control over where it goes, so no chance of slippery reins or tack, and it’s so easy to use you just apply it with your hands. I highly recommend it!”

DESCRIPTION:

Sweet itch is a common condition that occurs worldwide and is known by a number of names depending on the Geographical location. Some others names are: Culicoides Hypersensitivity, Summer Dermatitis or Summer Eczema.

Sweet itch is an allergic reaction to the bite of the female Culicoides midge (Culicoides [...]]]>  

DESCRIPTION:

Sweet itch is a common condition that occurs worldwide and is known by a number of names depending on the Geographical location. Some others names are: Culicoides Hypersensitivity, Summer Dermatitis or Summer Eczema.

Sweet itch is an allergic reaction to the bite of the female Culicoides midge (Culicoides Pulcaris, in the uk)

The midges are avid blood suckers and will bite specific regions of the body, commonly the mane and tail areas (but may also affect other areas). When they bite they inject a small amount of saliva into the skin which causes a hypersensitivity reaction which causes itching, rubbing and irritation. The way each individual horse reacts varies, some horses can show intense irritation, rubbing on anything they can, and very often causing themselves and their surroundings considerable damage, whilst others seem to show few symptoms with only slight rubbing. The most severely affected will have lesions on the sides of their body, neck, legs and face. After a time the skin becomes thickened as a result of the continual rubbing.

MANAGEMENT:

Environment

If your horse/pony is showing signs of Sweet itch, it is very important to look at the environment he is kept in.

Culicoides midges thrive in areas close to water, in damp regions where there is decaying vegetation (ponds, lakes, rivers, forests, woods, marshland etc)

The midges are most active on humid/damp days and when the air is calm and they are most likely to appear at dawn and dusk.

The midges are most usually only present between April and October, but with climatic changes this period seems to be extending at either end of the season, so start looking for signs as early as February.

Try to avoid turning horses out at the midges most active times, keep affected horses away from ponds/woods etc where possible. Use a fly sheet to help prevent the midges from reaching the skin.

Control of symptoms by the use of topical or internal aromatic plant substances

It is interesting that Native ponies when living in the wild do not seem to suffer from Sweet itch – so why is this? Horses and ponies living in their natural wild state would roam for up to 16 hours a day grazing freely over a large area. This means that they have access to a large variety of natural plants which contain medicinal compounds, they therefore have the ability to treat themselves and self-medicate.

Today, by necessity,  horses are generally kept in a controlled environment where they no longer have access to the plants needed to self-medicate. Through our Animal Aromatics brand we have worked extensively with the use of plant compounds to treat the symptoms of sweet itch – effectively making available what horses and ponies would choose to self-medicate if they were still living in a natural habitat.

The Animal Aromatics Sweet itch lotion is based on a combination of plant extracts that we have found to be effective in the control of Sweet itch. The lotion is designed to work on the main aspects of sweet itch by:

• desensitising the itch

• repelling the midge

• reducing inflammation

• cooling the area

• anti-bacterial (if infection is present).

The lotion is 100% Natural so it can be used liberally and will not leave a sticky residue on the mane/tail.
This basic lotion will work in the majority of cases, but occasionally you will find an animal that the lotion does not clear up the problem. On these occasions it is possible to kineasiology test a sample of the mane/tail to find out if the horse/pony needs a slightly different formula or to take some remedies orally. A lotion can then be made up based your horse or pony’s specific needs! For more about Animal Aromatics and kineasiology testing click here.

Sweet itch is an allergic reaction and as such the condition cannot be “cured” so the treatment should be continued to control the symptoms.

Q. What shampoo is best for my coloured horse?

Q. My cob has an extremely full tail – will Top & Tail handle it?

Q. Is your Natural Fly Repellent effective?

Q. How often do I apply Fly-OFF Natural Fly [...]]]> Q. Can I use Top & Tail Detangler on a wet tail?

Q. What shampoo is best for my coloured horse?

Q. My cob has an extremely full tail – will Top & Tail handle it?

Q. Is your Natural Fly Repellent effective?

Q. How often do I apply Fly-OFF Natural Fly Repellent?

Q. Is your Whitewash shampoo blue?

Q. Is there a build up of product when using a no-rinse product?

Q. Can I re-apply Top & Tail Detangler without washing it out first?

Q. Is your shampoo easy to rinse out?

Q. What are the benefits of the no-rinse Sloshwash?

Q. Can I give herbs to my pregnant mare?

Q. If I am feeding more than one individual herb at a time, how much do I feed of each herb?

Q. How long will it take for the herbs to take effect?
 
 

Q. Can I use Top & Tail Detangler on a wet tail?

A. Top & Tail can be used on a wet or dry tail but for best results start first with a clean tail by using Equiwash shampoo,which includes Tea Tree Oil.

Q. What shampoo is best for my coloured horse?

A. We would recommend either Aromawash or Equiwash. Both would bring up the white markings and enhance overall appearance.

Q. My cob has an extremely full tail – will Top & Tail handle it?

A. Yes, no problem. Top & Tail serum is applied with your hands and therefore it goes where you need it and is very economical to use it will detangle even the thickest of tails leaving it tangle free for up to 2 weeks.

Q. Is your Natural Fly Repellent effective?

A. Yes, Fly-OFF is very effective and has no less than 5 active ingredients including the essential oil of Bog Myrtle, a midge repellent.

Q. How often do I apply Fly-OFF Natural Fly Repellent?

A. This really depends on the severity of the problem. We spray liberally before the horses are turned out daily if there is a severe fly problem then another application can be applied later in the day.

Q. Is your Whitewash shampoo blue?

A. None of Natural Equine products contain colour. Some horses have a reaction to added colours so we do not put anything into our products that is not needed.

Q. Is there a build up of product when using a no-rinse product?

A. Our formula does not build up on the coat if used correctly within your usual grooming routine. It is designed to be used as a quick cleanser when competing, showing or after exercise.

Q. Can I re-apply Top & Tail Detangler without washing it out first?

A. Yes, Top & Tail can be re-applied as required to keep your horse’s mane & tail in superb condition.

Q. Is your shampoo easy to rinse out?

A. All Natural Equine shampoos are easily rinsed, leaving a lovely healthy, shiny looking coat. They are vegetable based with essential oils, making them gentle but effective.

Q. What are the benefits of the no-rinse Sloshwash?

A. Sloshwash will remove dirt, sweat and stable stains without having to rinse, so for daily use after exercise, as a quick fix at competitions or after hunting it is invaluable. The cooling sloshwash includes grapefruit oil to cool the skin whilst refreshing and cleansing. The warming sloshwash contains ginger and geranium that will warm and comfort aiding the recovery of tired aching muscles.

Q. Can I give herbs to my pregnant mare?

A. Generally we recommend you do not give your pregnant mare any herbs during the first three months of her gestation period, as this is the period that the major organs and skeleton are formed.

Q. If I am feeding more than one individual herb at a time, how much do I feed of each herb?

A. The recommended dose of herbs is governed towards a single herb for a 15.2hh horse. On average though a 13.2hh pony would need approx 25-30g and a 16.1hh up to 17.2hh approx 30-50g per day. If using multiple herbs divide the total dosage by the number of herbs. Eg a 15.2hh taking 3 herbs at 30g per day would need approx. 10g of each herb per day.

Q. How long will it take for the herbs to take effect?

A. This varies according to each individual horse. Generally though you will need to give 2-3 weeks for dried herbs, however many of our customers have reported a beneficial effect after just a few days.

As a long-term user of your fantastic equine products – the Sweet Itch lotion has been a lifesaver – I wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your dog products too!

Otto and I have just returned from a walk through the woods round Dudmaston lakes. [...]]]>

Otto - with flag flying!

As a long-term user of your fantastic equine products – the Sweet Itch lotion has been a lifesaver – I wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your dog products too!

Otto and I have just returned from a walk through the woods round Dudmaston lakes. Otto has run, chased squirrels and pheasants and generally had great fun. Then he did what any self respecting dog would do – he popped into the lake for a nice refreshing swim. You might think that would be just perfect because he could get himself clean in the lake.…. well that is true except that this wet dog then has to get back to the car by going through the muddy paths so by the time he got to the car he was muddier than ever. Thank goodness for Natural Equine Dog Sloshwash – back home, out comes a bucket of warm water with the sloshwash and voila, a nice clean dog ready for a rub down!

So once again Natural Equine hits the spot, thank you!

I should add that Otto has a sensitive skin so I do have to be very careful to keep him clean whilst not stripping out his natural oils and I know that the NE products are formulated to take care of that.

I have sent you a picture of Otto but as I am a proud mum I wanted you to see how lovely he is – plus you really need to understand that as a Munsterlander he has this fantastic tail!  So no mud monster here, we are just starting out. His tail (known as his white flag!) is great for keeping track of him in the distance but not only does it get very dirty when we walk, he gets all sorts of stuff stuck in it when he zips through the rough ground. So your detangler is great for keeping his tail silky and tangle free!

Carol Keats, Oreton, Shropshire

Cassie at Crufts

Just wanted to drop you a line to say we had an excellent 2nd in class against stiff competition at Crufts yesterday. We washed Cassie our Large Munsterlander the day before using your Canine Shampoo. She  looked stunning and everyone commented on how wonderful her coat looked and felt.

Jo Bargman and Crumpsbrook Acasia (Cassie to her friends and family!)

Daily grooming is important. It is the ideal time to catch any problems whilst they are still minor. Do check for injuries and health problems every time you groom. [...]]]> Health, nutrition, good quality shampoo, quality brushes/grooming tools and elbow grease are the key ingredients to bring out the natural shine of a horses’s coat.

Daily grooming is important. It is the ideal time to catch any problems whilst they are still minor. Do check for injuries and health problems every time you groom. Following a routine will help you become familiar with what is normal for your horse and this means that you will pick up on any changes straight away. Early detection of problems is vital so that they can be treated and resolved quickly before becoming major.
Don’t forget – horses are tactile creatures so generally they like being groomed!

Good tools make the job easier! Have a look at the Oster Range – this is the best kit we have found so far! Plus they are so easy to keep clean.

Basic cleanliness is very important and all grooming tools should be kept clean to stop any spread of infection.

Remove stains promptly! The longer stains stay in, the more difficult they are to remove!  As you curry, pay particular attention to manure, mud or grass stains – this may be enough to remove them. A knitted nylon pan scrubber is also ideal for removing dry mud from clipped horses.
Minimise the amount of stain removal you have to do (particularly for greys) by keeping bedding as clean as possible and check for grass stains when your horse comes in.

Time for a bath! When the warmer weather arrives it’s time to give your horse a real treat with a good all over bath – take a look at our range of shampoos and whichever one you choose, try applying it with a shower scrunchie instead of a sponge.
You can take advantage of any unusually warm days in Winter/Spring to treat  to a bath, but if you can’t bring yourself to rinse in cold weather then use No-rinse Warming Sloshwash with warm water.
If a bath is not at all possible, then at least shampoo areas where stains tend to build up – hocks, elbows, tails. – Equiwash works very well on tails and once it’s clean apply Top & Tail Conditioner to repel dust and dirt making maintenance easier. We also apply it to the legs (very sparingly) to help prevent bot eggs sticking.

Off to a show? We have found that Top & Tail is also great for setting quarter markings.

Horses are also extremely sensitive to smell [...]]]> Horses are tactile by nature, so we developed our products to be applied by hand wherever possible. Our Mane & Tail Conditioner for instance is not a spray but is used by running your fingers through the mane and tail to separate the hair as you go.

Horses are also extremely sensitive to smell and therefore we choose our essential oils with this in mind – we have yet to find a horse that does not enjoy a Lavender Bath.

Excitable and Nervous Nature? – Aromawash Shampoo with Lavender is calming, soothing and balancing, making it suitable for use after strenuous exercise.

Scurfy Tail or Skin Irritation? – Equiwash Shampoo is our 1st Aid in a bottle, with Tea Tree Oil, to cleanse and soothe.

Black, Bay or Chestnut? – Baywash Shampoo with Walnut Oil is a nourishing shampoo that will bring out the depth of colour and richness in the coat creating a wonderful sleek sheen.

Grey or White Markings? – Whitewash Shampoo with Calendula & Nettle is our optical brightening shampoo, to remove stains and keep your grey gleaming.

Brittle and Broken Tail? – Top & Tail Conditioner will bring it back to superb condition and repel the stable dirt and dust.

Your horse’s skin contains countless nerve endings, which transmit touch, heat, cold and pressure down sensory nerves to the brain for assessment. Our NO-RINSE Sloshwashes are an ideal answer to freshen up and remove sweat and surface dirt after competing or traveling. Ask yourself how you would feel, if after exercise, someone turned a freezing cold hose on you!!

A Quick Fix to Cool & Rejuvenate? – No-Rinse Cooling Sloshwash with Grapefruit & Marjoram is ideal to remove sweat and freshen up without rinsing. Superb back end wash if the unexpected occurs before you show!

A Quick Fix to Prevent chills? – No-Rinse Warming Sloshwash with Ginger & Geranium oils to aid recovery of tired aching muscles. Fantastic leg wash too!

Midges & Flies? – Fly-OFF Spray with Bog Myrtle and a blend of another 5 essential oils that flies and midges hate. Very effective against these nasties.