Thursday 17 May 2012

A Subtle Scent


Our equines not only possess fantastic visual senses but also are well known to have an exceptional sense of smell. Large nostrils may be a key giveaway to this fact, but it has been calculated by scientists that if you spread out the sensory mucous membranes of the horse’s nasal cavity it would be large enough to cover their entire body!

Many bedding products on the market today offer a bedding source that has been treated with ingredients in order to offer health boosting benefits, as well as mask stable odours and help repel insects. This treated bedding is a fantastic evolution in equine management and has lead to increased hygiene and reduced ‘bedding-related’ health conditions, however it is important to consider the horse’s delicate sense of smell and to ensure that the odour is not too overpowering for their comfort. Attempts have been made to assess how many times greater the equine sense of smell is than our own, and though nobody knows for sure, it is estimated to be within the hundreds of thousands!

Many of the commonly used bedding treatments can have detrimental effects on the horse, triggering negative responses, and the strong odours can overwhelm their senses. If bedding has the ability to make your eyes water and nose sting, imagine the consequences it could be having on your equine’s delicate sinuses. The right formulation can have positive effects on horses, particularly those suffering from skin irritations, respiratory conditions or those who spend long periods in the stable, however it is vital to strike the right balance in order to provide a restful, safe and comfortable environment.

Nedz Original and Nedz Pro have the whole package! Both bedding products utilise the carefully formulated Natural Nedz, which is an exclusive, natural treatment made from Manuka, Cade Oil and Aloe Vera. Cade Oil a recognized antiseptic known to aid skin irritation with a subtle and fresh odour. Aloe Vera is a soothing substance identified for wound healing and its ability to help regenerate cells make it perfect for sensitive skin. Manuka Oil is a unique type of tea tree oil, which has anti-bacterial, anti-septic, anti-fungal and anti-insecticidal properties, with no known side effects.

Combined together, Natural Nedz adheres to the dust extracted, top quality chopped wheat and rape straw used to create Nedz Original and Nedz Pro and the end result is a mild, fresh scent which virtually eliminates harmful odours such as ammonia and provides a subtle breath of fresh air in the stable environment. Natural Nedz strikes the balance between keeping your stable fresh and clean and ensuring your horse is not overwhelmed with chemical smells.

Nedz Original and Nedz Pro are both available in 20kg bales, priced from around £6.50. For more information visit: www.nedz.co.uk or to find details of your nearest stockists, tel: 01254 677762



Tuesday 1 May 2012

Five steps to successful bedding this summer!


The warm weather brings longer turnout time, but for a large proportion of horses they are still stabled overnight. This means despite the summer sun some horses can still spend more time in their stable than in the field, making bedding choice crucial to their health and comfort. With the many different options on the market it can be a minefield to decide so Lisa Cooper, Managing Director at Nedz, offers up her trusty ‘five-steps-to-consider’ rules to help owners choose wisely…

Absorbency. Ammonia can be incredibly damaging to the strength and integrity of horses’ hooves and as hoof health is fundamental to both comfort and performance, good bedding must be absorbent. Wet bedding can cause problems such as thrush and can soften and weaken the hoof leading to cracks. Ammonia also has both hygiene and respiratory implications as it can be very irritating to sinuses and the respiratory system, as well as attracting flies and other insects.

Cost. In the current climate horse ownership is tough so considering your usage may save you money. A cheap price per bale may look attractive in the short term, however you may end up using more product, which soon bumps the cost up. With bedding you get what you pay for, so a more expensive product is likely to be better quality and last longer than a budget alternative. Look at the whole picture when choosing bedding, for example, will it rot down quickly? If the answer is no your muckheap removal costs could make your product choice an expensive one!

Support. For those horses suffering from ailments such as laminitis or having to endure a period of box rest, bedding which gives support is vital in order to keep painful feet away from hard surfaces and prevent brushes or knocks to the limbs causing problems such as capped hocks and elbows.

Mucking out. Time is precious and a product that is quick and easy to muck out is essential. Choosing a bedding which is absorbent means wet patches can be easily found and removed, choosing a product that does not stick to muck and rugs will also make life easier and produce less wastage.

Dust. The dust content of your bedding is one of the most crucial aspects to consider when choosing bedding. This is because the horse’s ability to respire (breathe) is vital to their performance. Dusty bedding limits the horse’s ability to respire as the harmful dust particles can result in excessive mucus production and inflammation in the respiratory system in an attempt to dislodge dust.

For bedding that ticks all of these requirements consider Nedz. With three different types to choose from every horse’s needs can be catered for. Nedz Original, Nedz Pro and Nedz Advance all embody the Nedz sentiment of minimal dust, maximum absorbency, cost effectiveness, springing support and with all three products being produced from high quality chopped straw they rot down quickly and efficiently. For more information visit www.nedz.co.uk or tel: (01254) 677 762.