Flatholm & Derwen Equestrian

19/08/2024

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! 😃

14/02/2024

🐴 D.I.Y Livery available🐴
-Rudry,
-Mixed herd turnout with ample grazing
-The most fantastic hacking directly from the yard so you don't even need to see traffic
-Friendly yard
-12 x 12 indoor stables
-Local arena's / riding club in hacking distance

● The herd come in by night during winter and can have 24-7 turnout during the summer.
● All horses need to be upto date with vaccines and have 3rd party public liability insurance
●Quaterly FWEC

£110 pcm per stable

We have also got an option for 2 Small ponies to have their own pen and turnout please DM for info regarding this option.

We are near the Parish hall and have amazing hacking year round🐴😍

02/02/2024

18/01/2024

We are looking to arrange some clinics with a few top riders and would love to hear what you would support. . .

Comment below
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Share and Tag your friends 😎

15/01/2024

----BOOK DIRECTLY WITH Gaye Nicholas Equestrian Coach 😇

25/12/2023

Wishing everybody a very Merry Christmas and we are looking forward to 2024

11/11/2023

Would you use an unregistered dentist? Neither should your horse…

Did you know❓ There are only 2 professionals qualified to check your horses' teeth!

An Equine Vet or Equine Dental Technician registered to either the British Association of Equine Dental Technicians (BAEDT) or category 2 members of the Worldwide Association of Equine Dentists (WWAED).

To learn more and download your free digital Dental Awareness Week pack visit👉 https://bit.ly/46QSFJ4

10/11/2023

05/08/2023

12/07/2023

Being overweight can cause a multitude of issues for horses. It is important to manage your horse’s weight as effectively as possible, but this is not always easy! Here are some top tips to help you over the summer:

🐴 Use a weigh tape to regularly measure and monitor your horses weight.
🐴 Monitor and measure your horses crest.
🐴 Soak or steam hay to reduce the sugar and calorie content. A minimum of 1 hours soaking time is recommended. Speak to your vet regarding minimum daily hay intakes for weight loss.
🐴 Double net your hay to increase the time it takes your horse to eat it.
🐴 Use a small amount low calorie chaff if you need to give your horse any extra feed or medications.
🐴 Use a grazing muzzle to limit grass intake.
🐴 Electric fence a small area of pasture to reduce access to grass.
🐴 Stable for periods of time with soaked hay, such as in during the day and out at night. Or vice versa.
🐴 Consider giving a supplement covering vitamin and minerals to make your horse is getting all the essentials whilst dieting.
🐴 Regular exercise if appropriate and tailored to your horse’s fitness level. Please contact your vet if you are unsure regarding the right exercise level for your horse.
🐴 Avoid feeding treats.

Horses must have a steady intake of food to keep them healthy. Please contact us for advice if you have any questions regarding weight loss and management. We also have a Shape Up Club for those equine weight watchers - ask your vet or B&W clinic for details.

27/06/2023

New dates at Flatholm equestrian
July 29th and Aug 20th from 2.00
Polework group
Poles to mini gridwork
Jump group
PM me for more info or to book a place then confirm place with payment-£25

*****update july group*******
Group 1 and 2 full subject to payment- will start waiting list:)
Group 3 spaces available

24/04/2023

Temperature checking shouldn't just be for sick horses. Being tuned into horse health means issues are spotted and treated earlier.

22/04/2023

Good pasture management can do a lot to help reduce your horse’s worm burden. All this will help to reduce egg contamination on the pasture.

💩 Remove droppings at least twice a week
🐑 Cross graze with other species such as sheep or cows
🔄 Rotating/resting pasture
🐴 Low stocking density (ideally one horse per 2 acres)
🚜 Do not spread horse manure on the pasture
🦆 Keep horses away from marsh/rush pasture
🪱 Be aware of high shedders in the herd

Combining a targeted worming programme with good pasture management, and only worming when you need to is the best way to manage the worm burden of your horse. Don’t forget that our vets are always available to offer advice on worming – just give us a call.

22/04/2023

Strangles Awareness Week begins on 1st May so it’s almost time for the Temp Check Challenge!

Simply upload your horse’s resting temperature at least three times between 1st and 13th May on the free Temp Checker to get to know what’s normal for your horse.
Not only will your horse’s average temperature be automatically calculated, everyone who takes part will be entered into a draw to win a fantastic prize - a yard tour with top eventer, Piggy March!

If you weren’t one of our lucky winners earlier this month, there’s still time to buy a digital thermometer (with free P&P) and gain confidence in checking your horse’s temperature at redwings.org.uk/strangles/ horse-temperature-checker.

22/04/2023

** BEWARE - ATYPICAL MYOPATHY **

Unfortunately, we are seeing an increase in the number of horses suffering from Atypical Myopathy (AM) this spring. Sycamore seedlings seem to be particularly toxic this year and we are currently treating 5 horses for AM at the B&W Hospital.

With spring well and truly underway, please check your pastures for sycamore tree seedlings. Seedlings and fallen seeds contain a toxin called hypoglycin A (HGA) which can cause AM (sycamore poisoning) in horses when ingested. The toxin HGA slows or stops energy production in muscles and the heart.

There are a number of things you can do to help prevent ingestion of sycamore seeds & seedlings and therefore help to prevent Atypical Myopathy (AM):

🌳 Ideally move your horses to pasture where sycamore trees are not in danger of dropping seeds in the Autumn or for seedlings to come up in the spring, although we are aware this is not always possible (the “helicopter” seeds can travel up to 200 yards). Alternatively, fence off any areas of the pasture where sycamore seeds have fallen or seedlings are starting to grow.
🌳 Remove sycamore seeds from pastures and pull up (if possible) sycamore seedlings – seedlings should be carefully disposed of because dead seedlings (including seedlings killed using herbicides) are still poisonous.
🌳 Provide supplementary hay/haylage, especially when grazing is poor. However, avoid leaving wet hay on the ground as this can increase the risk
🌳 Provide supplementary concentrate feeding.
🌳 Reduce time spent at pasture.

Not all horses on problem pastures are susceptible (probably depending on genetic factors), but currently it is not possible to tell which horses are high risk.

Atypical myopathy signs include:

- General weakness - difficulty walking and breathing
- Sudden collapse and inability to stand
- Depression - holding head low
- Muscle tremors / trembling
- Signs of colic (but often still have a good appetite)
- Brown or dark red urine

Blood tests can confirm the diagnosis. Sadly the disease is frequently fatal (over 50% of affected horses do not survive), especially if the horse becomes recumbent and unable to get up. However, treatment can be successful in mild cases and if started early enough – if horses survive the first few days then they have a higher chance of surviving, however full recovery can take several months.

If you suspect your horse is showing signs of Atypical Myopathy, please contact your vet immediately – remember that the earlier they can diagnose the disease and initiate treatment, the better the chances of survival.

16/04/2023

Cloudy but fairly dry afternoon for April Flatholm clinic and some great work from everyone - worked on increased suppleness in polework sessions and jumping off a turn in the last group ( with a few fillers thrown in to keep them on their toes)
Next clinic is May 21st - jump group full . A couple of spaces left for polework
UPDATE !!!!!!!!
Panic not - have just changed to correct date
May clinic on 21st not the midweek date I put in original post
Like to test how well people read;)))

04/04/2023

Are you worried about your horse or pony getting laminitis or how much at risk they are? Get peace of mind by taking advantage of our Laminitis Risk Assessment package this Spring and with the help of your vet, put plans in place to minimise the risk of your horse or pony suffering from this painful & distressing disease.

The offer, available throughout April & May includes:

🚙 Visit
🩺 Clinical Examination
🐎 Assessment of soundness
🐴 Assessment of weight & body condition with advice on weight management/grazing
📖 A Shape-up pack with all the information and advice you need on managing your horse's weight, including a free weigh tape and spring scale
💉 Blood sample
🧪 Lab fee for testing insulin and glucose levels and ACTH (if appropriate)

Offer price £150 (saving around £100)

Please contact the Breadstone clinic on 01453 811867 to book. Payment must be made at time of booking or appointment.