September 2020
Volume 44, No 6
AUTUMN ACTION! The latest in rugs and clippers
BOUNCING BACK • Be more resilient • Make the most of webinars • Planning for a flexible future
PLUS
• EARN AND LEARN • AMTRA ACCREDITED CPD FEATURES ON MANAGING VETERAN HORSES AND AUTUMN/WINTER WORM CONTROL
ETN is the official media partner of BETA International
2021
24 – 26 January NAEC Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, UK Main Sponsor
Main Sponsor
Dogs Combo Dogs Print 200g Combo TURNOUT TURNOUTRUG RUG
Makeyour yourhorse horse stand stand out with Make with this this unique, unique,one oneofofaakind kind design! design! 600dripstop ripstopouter outer • •600d 200gsmfill fill • •200gsm Waterproof • •Waterproof Breathable • •Breathable Bucklefastenings fastenings • •Buckle Sizes: 5'0" - 7'0" Sizes: 5'0" - 7'0" Available in 100g Standard neck Available in 100g Standard neck Matching accessories available Matching accessories available
•• Nylon Nylonlining lining •• Crossed CrossedSurcingles Surcingles •• Elasticated Elasticateddetachable detachableleg legstraps straps •• Tail flap Tail flap •• Shoulder Shoulderpleat pleat
RRP RRP£64.99 £64.99 FROM FROM
£32.50 £32.50
CODE: 702 CODE: 702 Contact us to find out how on 01902 454 771, contact@gallopequestrian.com Become A Stockist Contact to find out how on902 01902 771, contact@gallopequestrian.com Head ofus Sales North: 01902 444454 Head of Sales South: 01902 902 659 Become A TRADE Stockist 2 | EQUESTRIAN NEWS SEPTEMBER 2020 WWW.EQUESTRIANTRADENEWS.COM Head of Sales North: 01902 902 444 Head of Sales South: 01902 902 659
Editor’s comment
In this issue... NEWS
4
PRODUCT NEWS
9
BETTER BUSINESS
Five things to do to get through challenging times
FEED FEATURE
Winter weight management Feeding wild birds Products and tips
W
hat on earth did we all talk about before Covid-19? I admire people that shift the theme of a conversation to something positive. Speaking to at least one optimist every day is the best medicine. The doom-mongers, on the other hand, are best avoided. If you’re working at home alone, it’s so easy to get sucked into a quagmire of coronavirus gloom. Although psychology has famously helped some of Britain’s top riders win medals, it’s never figured much in the equestrian trade. Too time-consuming, expensive and a load of twaddle, you might say. Well, I urge you to read Ruth Denwood’s five tips to get you through these challenging times (on page 14 in this issue of ETN). It feels good when you can ‘do something’… Have you noticed how many traditional saddlery retailers with bricks-and-mortar stores are streamlining their businesses to concentrate on saddle fitting? The specialist retailer is getting even more specialist, it appears, with reduced overheads and honed skills the way to go. The trend says much about the demand for correctly fitted saddles too. And I wouldn’t bet against more retailers going the same way.
FRONT COVER:
The Bucas Power Turnout offers strength, durability and quality. A heatreflective, aluminium inner coating and sun reflective outer extend the rug’s temperature range. The Power Turnout’s Stay-dry anti-bacterial lining means it can be put onto a wet horse; it quickly dries the coat and can be left on, avoiding rug changes. Bucas is distributed in the UK by Zebra Products www.zebraproducts.co.uk
WWW.EQUESTRIANTRADENEWS.COM
Having avoided supermarkets since March (I’ve never been a fan), I’ve been amazed by what it’s possible to buy online – and how tempting it all is. Do I really need that posh muesli, special bottle of wine or ethically produced cheese? Not really… but what the hell! Retail therapy aside, what actually made me buy those things was the simplicity of the ordering process. The muesli, wine and cheese all had crystal clear ‘buy now’ systems on their respective websites. And they were all (apparently) from small, family run, artisan type business (unless I’d had the organic wool pulled over my eyes). So I was happy to agree to receiving more information. Many of us go online shopping in the evening when the horses are fed and children in bed. Often, we know what we want, and we want it quickly and hasslefree. Yet I wonder how many e-commerce retailers lose potential customers’ valuable data because they make signing up so complicated that people opt to check out as anonymous ‘guests’, just to make life easy?
AMTRA ACCREDITED CPD FEATURE
14 16 18 20
Managing veteran horses
26
TURN BACK THE PAGES
29
CLIPPERS AND RUGS This season’s best-sellers
30
BENCH SADDLER OF THE MONTH
35
BETTER BUSINESS
Planning for a flexible future
POST-COVID RECOVERY Make the most of webinars
ANIMAL HEALTH FOCUS
36 38
Meet a mobile RAMA/SQP Behind the worming jargon
40 42
WORMING NEWS
44
AMTRA ACCREDITED CPD Autumn and winter worming
46
COUNTY COURT JUDGMENTS
50
OK, so Mike Ashley may not always be the model of discretion. But he had a point when he warned that the government’s delay of the next business rates revaluation until 2023 might push more stores over the edge. Among those in peril could be his own Sports Direct outlets which, of course, counts Robinsons Country Leisure among its number. In Ashley’s words, failure to rethink business rates is another example of bricksand-mortar retailers “being kicked when trading conditions are already tough.” Let’s all write to our MPs…
Liz Benwell Liz Benwell
EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS SEPTEMBER 2020 | 3
ETN | NEWS
Why Joe is seeing red
NEW SALES TEAM FOR MARK TODD COLLECTION
Sam Nelmes, formally with Ariat, and Sophie Pollock, who worked for Horseware Ireland, have joined the Science Supplements stable. Sophie is covering the north and Scotland; while Sam’s territory is the south-west. Sam and Sophie are also responsible for the Gatehouse, Mark Todd Collection and JHL (Jumpers Horse Line) brands. Earlier this year, Westgate EFI entered into partnership with HLM Investment Group. The deal saw Westgate EFI take back distribution of these brands from Trilanco.
Sam Nelmes
Sophie Pollock
Another abandonment
Covid-19 has forced the cancellation of the 2020 Royal Welsh Winter Fair. It was due to be held on the Royal Welsh Showground in Builth Wells on 30 November and 1 December.
EQUINE WELFARE CRISIS LOOMS Equine welfare and rescue organisations are bracing themselves for a tough winter. “What we have experienced at our four Rescue and Rehoming Centres has been repeated across the other horse rescue organisations,” said Roly Owers, CEO of World Horse Welfare. “Even with no visitors, diminished income and no rehoming, we were still looking after over 350 animals on a daily basis. Thankfully, since rehoming began again we have rehomed record numbers, but we are expecting to see increasing numbers of welfare case admissions in the coming months.” “There are around 850,000 equines in the UK and even before the Covid-19 pandemic hit, at least 7,000 of these were considered to be ‘at risk’ with regard to welfare.” Contributing factors, Mr Owers said, include over-breeding and a lack of enforcement. “Covid-19 will likely exacerbate this, potentially placing additional pressure on an equine welfare sector that is already operating at capacity.”
6 | EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS SEPTEMBER 2020
Red Gorilla struck gold when they signed Joe Stockdale as a brand ambassador. One of Britain’s most exciting up-and-coming international show jumpers, Joe is the son of the late legend of the sport, Tim Stockdale. Northamptonshire based Joe gave up a career as a professional county cricket player to ride the Stockdale string. “Red Gorilla’s products keep our yard working as efficiently as possible,” he says. “We’ve used them for many years and highly recommend them.”
ALLIANCE CHAMPIONS SADDLERY RESEARCH AND CAREERS
Three saddlery industry bodies have teamed up with Hartpury College and University. The new grouping aims to drive equestrian research – and inspire more young people to consider careers in saddlery. The three organisations involved are the Society of Master Saddlers (SMS), the Worshipful Company of Loriners and the Worshipful Company of Saddlers. Working with Gloucestershire based Hartpury, they plan to promote training, education and research in relation to horsehuman partnerships. The alliance also pledges to champion the saddlery industry, providing British riders with the latest equipment and access to registered, qualified saddlery fitters. Hartpury is the world’s largest equine educational establishment. It caters for 4,000 college and university level students studying for PhDs, degrees and diplomas in sport, equine, animal, agriculture and veterinary nursing, and A-levels. “The partnership will provide our students with access to experienced industry professionals and help them to stay informed about the latest developments ahead of a possible career within the industry,” said Rosie Scott-Ward, pro vice-chancellor at Hartpury University. Industry-led research Hazel Morley, SMS chief executive, said the new partnership with Hartpury coincides with the 25th anniversary of the society’s saddle fitting training. “We look forward to developing industry-led research projects with Hartpury staff and students, supported by our members, which will have application and relevance to all equestrian professionals,” added Hazel. “Our members too will benefit from the excellent training available from Hartpury, ensuring that SMS qualified saddle and bridle fitters remain the best in the world.” Sue Douthwaite, Master of the Worshipful Company of Loriners, said: “We’re proud to be part of this exciting new partnership to support ground-breaking research for the benefit of the saddlery and lorinery industry and the wider equestrian sector.” Philip Napier, the Clerk of The Worshipful Company of Saddlers, added: “We are delighted to support this new partnership and hope that it goes from strength to strength.” WWW.EQUESTRIANTRADENEWS.COM
NOW
GET READY, NOW IS THE MOMENT FOR
NEWS | ETN
NEW MAGIC SALES
is the moment for
SUPPORTED BY A NEW MAGIC CAMPAIGN
Competing nothing works like
New situations
Loading nothing works like
nothing works like
NAF
Farrier visit Clipping
Travelling
Dentist visit Hacking
Vet visit
nothing works like
nothing works like
nothing works like
nothing works like
nothing works like
nothing works like
Stock-up Ready For more details please contact your NAF Area Sales Manager, or the NAF Sales Office on 01600 710726 or email info@naf-uk.com WWW.EQUESTRIANTRADENEWS.COM
naf-equine.eu/uk
EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS SEPTEMBER 2020 | 7
Specialists in Equine Health Supporting our Stockists ALL YEAR ROUND Have you got our Offer Calendar 2020? Boswellia
& Turmeric
Sept 15% OFF Omega Ulsoothe
October 15% OFF Great Products : Great Margins : Trusted by All For the chance to stock this Fast-Growing brand
: 01798 817 603 or
: info@omegaequine.co
Omegaequine.co.uk