Horse of the Year Show is delighted to announce that a new sponsorship deal with Balanced’ Horse feeds has been sealed. The three year deal, which commences with Horse of the Year Show 2005, sees Balanced’ Horse feeds become sponsors of the Mountain and Moorland Working Hunter Pony of the Year.

The sponsorship deal will give the Surrey based feed company title rights to the class, which will be now known as The Balanced’ Horse feeds Mountain and Moorland Working Hunter Pony of the Year, together with a package of allied benefits. This prestigious class will be held on Thursday 13th October, the second day of the five day equestrian spectacular held at the NEC Arena in Birmingham.

Mike Gill, a Director of show organisers, Grandstand Media Limited, said, “We are delighted to have Balanced’ Horse feeds as one of our sponsors and we look forward to a long and fruitful relationship with them. As a company they have already shown a great commitment to equestrian sport through their sponsorship of various events and competitors and we are certain that this partnership with Horse of the Year Show will enhance their brand awareness further.”

Ian Adams-Lane, owner of Balanced’ Horse feeds commented, “As the premier British equestrian event, Horse of the Year Show is synonymous with excellence and prestige. Our association is an ideal platform for us to demonstrate to the wider equine community the brand synergies that Balanced’ Horse feeds and Horse of the Year Show share.”

Horse of the Year Show will be held at the NEC Arena in Birmingham from Wednesday 12th to Sunday 16th October 2005.

For tickets call the Box Office on 08700 10 10 52 or book online at www.hoys.co.uk.

Horses are regularly exposed to pressures that cause psychological problems such as stress. They are generally situations that conflict with their nature as wild, sensitive herd and flight animals, for example transportation or a change to their normal environment. Stressful situations create a need for nutrients relevant to stress and circulation in the horse, namely magnesium and vitamin E.

Magnesium plays a vital role in neural excitability and participates in muscular contraction. During periods of stress there is an increase in excretion of magnesium from the body and as a greater need for magnesium is not covered by basic feeds, a lingering deficiency can occur. Signs include neural and neuromuscular hyperexcitablilty, loss of condition and poor performance.

Vitamin E promotes the transport of oxygen via the blood into the muscular tissue and protects sensitive cell membranes from oxygen free radicals that increase during times of stress.

The most effective solution is to remove the cause of stress, yet in many cases this is not possible. Often, stress- related behavioural and health problems are established and so food supplementation such as Anti-stress herbal pellets or Makor may be required.

Anti-stress herbal pellets contain herbs that have both activating and stimulating effects on the digestive tract to regulate a poor nutritional state often associated with stress. Herbs that have calming and strengthening properties (including Valarian) are also contained. These effects extend to the nervous system, the heart and circulation.

Makor provides highly bio-disposable magnesium in forms that are absorbed effectively from the intestine into the blood. The high content of vitamin E combined with valuable nutritional herbs has vitalising and conditioning effects. Makor can compensate for the increased need for nutrients caused by particular physical and psychological strains. It is most suitable for young horses in education, sports or top-performance horses, as well as older horses to help them cope with everyday demands.

Unmotivated horses without drive are able to show their willingness for performance again, while nervous horses react more calmly.

The range of St. Hippolyt products can be seen on www.st-hippolyt.co.uk or contact Laura Davies on 01270 611799; email laura.davies@st-hippolyt.co.uk

Introduction
Many people who keep horses will know the thrills involved in competing in the point-to-point, hunter-trial, show jumping, dressage or eventing arena. Anyone who is involved with competition horses at any level will have at one time or another experienced the frustrations of having their horse suffer from injury whether it is a kick from another horse when turned out in a paddock or a fall when jumping.

Treating sports horse injuries is a specialised area of equine veterinary work since many of the underlying causes of lameness are difficult to accurately locate and treat. Understanding the nature of sports injuries requires the rider to appreciate the forces that can be involved when a fit horse weighing up to 600Kg performs the technical and athletic activities we demand. The power involved in the take-off and the forces of landing during showjumping or the tremendous energy involved in the collected paces of dressage are good examples. An animal’s conformation and action, in addition to the course terrain, can all play a part in determining the concussion that has to be absorbed.

What are the types of equine orthopaedic injuries that are commonly seen:

Joint Sprains
Injuries to the soft tissues of the joint including the collateral ligaments, capsule and synovial lining of a joint can all be damaged by trauma and result in painful tense fluid swelling within the joint. The most susceptible joints are the coffin and fetlock joints of the front limbs but other joints, such as the large mobile joint of the hock can also be affected. The swelling frequently appears very rapidly following trauma to the joint.

Tendon Injuries
There are four main tendinous structures in the lower limb of the horse that are frequently injured. The superficial digital flexor tendon is the most commonly damaged structure because during normal fast work it is functioning close to its maximum strength. The other structures that can be damaged are the deep digital flexor tendon, the inferior check ligament which is located just below the back of the knee and the suspensory ligament. Tendinous structures are more prone to injury during high speed training particularly in wet or boggy ground. They can also occur at other times during schooling or strenuous competition. When a tendon becomes injured the leg will feel puffy and thickened at the back of the cannon and have an increased surface temperature around the area of damage.

Kick Wounds
Horses are usually turned out as in small groups and normally have an established social hierarchy in the group. If animals are introduced into the group then the hierarchy is disturbed and often there is some minor fighting between animals until the hierarchy is re-established. This often involves animals backing up to each other and kicking out in confrontation and inevitably sometimes this results in one of the animals being injured.

As a result of such situations horses are frequently presented to vets with a wide variety of inflammatory trauma injuries. Many a rider can also recall having a fall where they have bruised themselves or sprained an ankle or an elbow joint. Graze wounds, tendon/ligament sprains, joint sprains and bruising (haematoma) are the result of trauma that induces musculoskeletal tissue damage and local inflammation/pain. Rapid and effective early management of such injuries can significantly relieve pain, minimize tissue damage, reduce swelling and shorten the time for healing. Minimizing inflammation in equine tendon damage is particularly important since further inflammation can continue to damage the tendon after the insult. Minimizing inflammation within articular joints is also very important because such damage can progress to arthritis later in life.

It has been recognised by owners and riders for many years that running cold water or bandaging ice-packs onto an area of trauma seems to help reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation of bruised and damaged tissue. We now understand that it does this by reducing tissue over-reaction to the trauma and is a critical early first-aid treatment of such injuries which can be applied whilst an injured animal is waiting for the veterinary surgeon to arrive. Combined with pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory medication and topical wound dressings the use of cold therapy should be an essential part of first aid in many circumstances.

Cold Therapy Treatment - How does it work?
Cold therapy has many immediate effects on damaged tissue.

1. Constriction of damaged blood vessels reduces blood flow to damaged areas to reduce haemorrhage/bruising.
2. Rapidly reduces inflammation and swelling by reducing blood flow and preventing leakage of fluid (serum) from blood vessels into the damaged tissue.
3. Rapidly reduces release of inflammatory mediators from leucocytes (white cells) in the damaged area resulting in a reduction of excessive inflammation and pain.
4. Rapidly reduces release of inflammatory enzymes from leucocytes (white cells) which if unchecked can cause further tissue damage.

Traditional methods of applying cold therapy to reduce inflammation have involved the use of cold running water or application of ill-fitting ice-packs to the area of damage. Recent developments in bandaging technology have led to more sophisticated ways of effectively applying cold therapy.

One of the most effective cold therapy applications commercially available for use in horses and people is KoldBlue Therapy Bandage. This unique cold bandage has recently been developed to provide a method of easy and highly effective cold application to areas of injury. The bandage is formed from a polyester fabric impregnated with a solid blue gel that can be stored in cold conditions (chilled carry bag at competition or tack room fridge) and immediately applied to areas of injury. The bandage is light and has good handling characteristics, conforms well to the limb and can be delicately applied to painful areas of trauma, is non-irritating and is re-usable. In the management of minor open wounds KoldBlue cold therapy bandage can be applied over a thin sterile wound dressing to minimise any contamination risk.

KoldBlue Therapy Bandage was so highly regarded that Horseman’s Kits containing a range of KoldBlue cold therapy products were supplied to our medal winning British International Equestrian Team in Athens 2004.

KoldBlue Therapy Bandages are available via tack shops across the country or by mail order (www.coldbandage.com).

Britain’s biggest indoor equestrian event is getting even bigger!
This year’s Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) which runs from 12th – 16th October at the NEC will see the introduction of a new 8,000 sqm Retail Village.

Horse of the Year Show organisers Grandstand Media are expanding the show through the addition of Hall 1 at the NEC. With increased capacity, a dedicated main entrance directly off the NEC Piazza and a new layout, the Retail Village offers exceptional opportunities for direct sales and product promotion.

The introduction of the new hall will increase capacity in the shopping area of the show which will also enable Horse of the Year Show to once again offer uninterrupted shopping during the day and into the evening for all visitors. For exhibitors, an exclusive Tradestand Lounge will be introduced whilst Daily Celebrity Signings and the introduction of a new Weekday shopping only ticket will help to stimulate even greater footfall in the hall. For improved visitor flow wider carpeted aisles with extra corner sites will ensure a comfortable shopping experience for visitors and competitors.

The new Retail Village will house all the stands which have traditionally attended the event, but will also provide additional space for new exhibitors. Grandstand Director Mark Wein commented: "There is no doubt that Horse of the Year Show is an event where all equestrian companies should have a presence. It is the perfect location for retailers, wholesalers and manufacturers to sell or showcase their products to a receptive and affluent audience. The introduction of this new 8000 square metre facility now gives us the space to allow all the major equestrian companies to take advantage of our 55,000 targeted visitors, who, independent research has shown, annually spend in excess of an £5,000,000 at the Show itself."

Situated between the 8,000 seat International Area and the Retail Village will be the reformatted HOYS Pavilion which will host a variety of interactive visitor enhancements for the whole family. There will also be a Rider Interview area, a new VIP reception area, enhanced catering facilities and a Collection Point for bulky purchases. Horsebox displays and the popular Equine Feature Area will also be located here where visitors will have the chance to come face-to-face with a variety of horses.

Mark Wein said, "For exhibitors and visitors alike, 2005 will be the biggest and best HOYS ever. The addition of the new Retail Village, the enhanced facilities and a stunning line up of top competition and spectacular displays will make Horse of the Year Show an unmissable event for the entire equestrian world."

For Horse of the Year Show tradestand enquiries, please contact Grandstand Media on 0870 777 4567 or email tradestands@hoys.co.uk.

If you are after the ultimate in style as well as the latest cutting edge technology, look no further than the WOW® Saddle stand in The World Of The Horse at Badminton Horse Trials. No, your eyes do not deceive you, that really is a pink saddle and not only does it make a bold fashion statement, it also incorporates the very best design features that provide comfort for horse and rider. WOW!

Event riders are known for their colour co-ordinated cross-country gear, often extending this to matching rugs, bandages and stable equipment. When WOW® Saddle manufacturers, First Thought Equine Ltd, spotted the pink leather at a trade fair, they knew they had the perfect customer. "A local rider has absolutely everything in pink. She wanted a WOW® saddle and was delighted when we could make it in pink. The leather was made as a joke and the producers did not take us seriously when we offered to buy it!" said co-director, Maggie White.

The WOW® saddle has much more to offer than style alone. The pioneering modular design is extremely versatile, allowing components to be changed to suit a change in condition or a new horse or discipline. The saddle incorporates interchangeable headplates ensuring that the WOW® saddle will fit everything from the very widest to the narrowest fitting. Flair® adjustable air flocking ensures that the panels mould continuously to the horses back, while the unique Flexible Carbon Fibre Tree® uses the latest materials to give the ultimate in flexibility and strength whilst allowing the horse to move freely without interference.

For more information on WOW® Saddles, Flair® adjustable air flocking and more innovative saddlery products, visit their stand in the World Of The Horse at Badminton Horse Trials or call First Thought Equine Ltd on 01227 831614 or visit www.wowsaddles.com.

The new Actimune US-Bred Championship at Wincanton, sponsored by American Thoroughbred Products Ltd, is nearing its climax for the 2004/2005 season with 5 horses capable of taking the title and just one evening meeting on Friday 6th May to go. Currently leading the Championship is Handy Money for trainer, Alan King, with his two wins on 10th and 24th March.

The Championship is designed to reward hard working stable staff and the trainer of the horse with the most points will be asked to nominate a deserving employee as the recipient of the prize. The prize is for two people and the winners will fly to South Carolina for the Colonial Cup in November 2005, where they will enjoy Grandstand seats and hospitality.

Since the start of the season there has been a good showing of eligible horses with an American bred sire or dam, at every Wincanton meeting. A total of 78 horses have accumulated points towards the Championship and 27 horses have won races. Two horses, Handy Money, by Imperial Frontier (USA), trained by A King, and Runner Bean, by Henbit (USA), trained by R Lee, have won two races each. In close contention for the Championship are Rood Boy, with 18 points for a win and a second place, and Kadount and Dunlea Dancer, both on 15 points for a win and a third. In theory, any of these horses could take the title with a win at the evening meeting on Friday 6th May. In the event of a tie, the horse trained by the trainer with the most points overall will take the title.

American Thoroughbred Products Ltd, a local company specialising in feed supplements for performance horses, sponsors the Actimune US-Bred Championship. Their product, Actimune, is a feed supplement that helps to support the immune system, assisting horses to fight infection. For more information, contact American Thoroughbred Products on 01985 844589 or visit www.horsecare.net.

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