Nedz Blog

Choosing the right bedding for the job!

2012-01-05T05:24:00.000-08:00

During winter our horse’s stabled hours are inevitably increased, if it isn’t snowing, it is howling a gale and many of our domesticated horses aren’t very good at dealing with the elements! Not only is that tough on our pockets but also sometimes on the horse’s welfare, which is why choosing the right bedding product for you and your equine partner is important.

It is sometimes difficult to know which product is best for you and your horse, but Nedz has three different bedding products to choose from to suit your equine’s individual needs.

Nedz Original brings together a touch of tradition, without scrimping on the latest technology. Made from chopped wheat straw which has been rigorously dust extracted, Nedz Original is treated with the unique and exclusive Natural Nedz formula to bring comfort and cosiness along with health and hygiene to your stable floor! If you are a fan of thick, luxurious and classic straw beds, but want to reduce odours, mucking out time and wastage, Nedz Original could be the product for you!

If you want to bed like a professional, consider the choice of show jumper Geoff Billington, event rider Mary King and dressage rider Stephanie Croxford. Nedz Pro is made from oil seed rape straw, which is quick rotting and due to its highly absorbent properties, can be utilised as a deep litter bed. Even when only skipped out daily and mucked out fully once a week, the bed is kept hygienic and clean with the help of Natural Nedz, which reduces ammonia levels and kills bacteria. If you are short on time and want bedding that leaves you with little muckheap and less waste, Nedz Pro is ideal.

Nedz Advance, though still manufactured from high quality straw, provides a very different type of bedding. Each blade of straw is both chopped, ground and steamed before being pressed into a pellet form. The pellets are so absorbent they can soak up around five times their own weight in liquid providing the perfect bedding for the wetter horse. Nedz Advance is virtually dust-free making it an ideal bedding for those equine’s suffering from respiratory problems. The pellets expand in volume as your horse stands on them, negating the need for watering - saving time and effort. Perfect for people won want fuss-free, functional bedding, Nedz Advance has been seen to half mucking out time when compared to traditional bedding methods.

Every single Nedz product is suitable for use on rubber matting, or concrete stable bases. Visit www.nedz.co.uk for more information!

Bedding… the bigger picture

2011-11-01T06:22:00.000-07:00

With horse ownership seemingly growing more expensive by the day, many people are understandably looking for the most cost effective option; however looking at the price of bedding per bale can often be false economy. With this in mind Nedz have put together some tips for horse owners this winter to help stretch out their pennies…

Find out how many bales you will need to get your stable started – some bedding requires a lot more product to form the initial base than others. Choosing a product that requires fewer bales will be a less costly investment.
Absorbency is key – the more absorbent your bedding, the less product you will end up throwing away and wasting, which results in fewer bales to ‘top up’ the bed on a weekly basis. The result, more money to spend on exciting things like riding!
Will it rot down? Choosing a product that biodegrades quickly will save money on expensive muckheap removal. Think of each bale of un-biodegradable bedding as a proportion of the cost of your muckheap being taken away – it may make the cheap bale price seem less appealing.
Quality raw material that has been thoroughly dust-extracted will provide a cleaner, healthier environment for your horse, which could result in a healthier respiratory system. Ultimately this reduces the chance of coughs developing which can not only become costly to treat, but also hinder performance levels.
Save your time. If you are on a busy yard and have many horses to muck out, choosing a product which is simple and easy to use could save you many man-hours and you, or staff, could be doing more beneficial jobs such as riding.

Nedz provides economical chopped straw bedding products for every eventuality; choose between Nedz Original, Nedz Pro and Nedz Advance. Nedz bedding has been made from high quality raw material which has been rigorously dust extracted and treated to offer a superior bed for your horse.

Waste not, want not

2011-10-03T03:31:00.000-07:00

Watching your bedding get dumped on the muck heap can feel a little like throwing money down the drain and with cost saving a high priority for all horse owners this winter, choosing a product which results in as little waste as possible is a more economical, and less soul destroying, option.

Absorbency is the key to reducing the quantity of bedding you remove on a daily basis. The more absorbent, the smaller the wet patch – which means less to take out, and more stays in your stable! It is important to consider this when you are choosing products as a bale of bedding which appears to be cheaper in price may not be as absorbent and may not last as long.

In addition to keeping your stable stocked up, less waste will also reduce the size of your muck heap and this in itself can save you hundreds of pounds.

Nedz Pro is made from top quality rape straw that has been chopped to form short, highly absorbent fibres and results in a comfortable, yet stable base, for your horse. As an added benefit the dust extracted straw is treated with an exclusive Natural Nedz formula containing Manuka and Cade Oil, which provides a hygienic and safe environment for you and your horse.

Leading international riders choose Nedz Pro, including Geoff Billington, Stephanie Croxford and Mary King. “Nedz Pro bedding is my favourite because it offers me and my grooms an easy, fast method of mucking out,” Mary says. “I always ensure my bedding is highly absorbent as this reduces the amount of wasted bedding you have to throw away and also ensures harmful ammonia levels are kept to a minimum.”

Bedded down for the season ahead

2011-08-02T04:53:00.000-07:00

Much as we don’t like to admit that summer will soon be over, as the months whizz by and autumn creeps up it is unfortunately time to get organised for the cooler season ahead.

Whatever your equestrian bedding needs, Nedz have it covered. If you like a quick, easy and no frills bedding, our pelleted product Nedz Advance is undoubtedly the way forward. Its exceptional absorbency means that urine stays in one small patch, and the pellets don’t stick to muck and rugs so minimal bedding is removed, reducing the amount of waste and the size of your muck heaps!

If you are a traditional horse owner at heart Nedz Original is the product for you. Made from wheat straw, the soft, fluffy, yet very absorbent product, provides a comfortable, aesthetically pleasing bed for your horse which is quick and easy to muck out as well as rotting down within just two or three months.

If you like a combination of quick and easy, together with a traditional feel, then Nedz Pro is the way to go. The highly absorbent rape straw product works most effectively when deep littered so only requires a quick skip out on a daily basis, yet it still provides a thick and cosy bed for your horse.

All Nedz products are made from top quality chopped straw which is dust extracted to ensure a healthy and hygienic environment for your horse. Both Nedz Original and Nedz Pro are treated with our unique Natural Nedz which contains Manuka and Cade Oil, plus a bitter tasting ingredient to prevent bed eating.

Used and favoured by top international riders, including Mary King, Geoff Billington and Stephanie Croxford, Nedz products can give owners peace of mind that they know exactly what their horse is sleeping on.

Quality not quantity!

2011-06-02T02:22:00.000-07:00

With the huge number of pelleted bedding products on the market it is becoming increasingly confusing for consumers to choose the right option for their horse. As the only chopped straw pellet currently available, Nedz Advance offers a huge number of benefits and the rigorous quality control process means it is one of the safest and most hygienic products a horse owner can choose.

It starts with the straw! Only the best quality straw is chosen and chopped to form very short fibres. This is then passed through a rigorous dust extraction process before being treated with steam to sterilise the raw material and make it totally unpalatable for horses.

The raw material is then compressed in to small pellets which will only break down once they are laid in your stable and your horse walks on them. Each pellet is capable of absorbing up to five times its own weight in liquid due making Nedz Advance one of the most absorbent bedding products money can buy.

A little goes a long way with Nedz Advance and the pellets increase in volume to create a soft, yet sturdy base for your horse that will not slip, move or stick to rugs and droppings. Taking just a few minutes to clean out, Nedz Advance can be fully mucked out daily, or just skipped out with the wet taken out once or twice a week. What little bedding is removed will rot down within 4 – 6 weeks removing the need for costly muck heap removal.

Nedz Advance will reduce ammonia levels, save you time and money and provide a safe, virtually dust-free environment for your horse, making it ideal for horses that suffer from respiratory disorders and horse owners that get irritated by dust. The high standard of raw material, and the manufacturing process, ensures horse owners are not compromising their own, or their horses health by using inferior, poor quality bedding products.

The easy-to-handle 15kg bags cost around £6 - £7 a bag and can be purchased from your local Nedz stockist. For more information tel: (01254) 677 762 or visit www.nedz.co.uk

Mind your muck heap

2011-05-04T23:28:00.000-07:00

After recent press coverage surrounding horse manure, muck heaps and the potential legal issues that could be implemented, many horse owners are blissfully unaware of the implications their mucking out could have! As a manufacturer of equestrian bedding, Nedz feel it is their duty to help ensure customers understand the rules and regulations surrounding their horses waste!

Biodegradability of your bedding has always been a point to consider, however with recent legislation changes and the government clamping down on rules and regulations of muck heaps, now is the time to ensure your bedding is as quick rotting as possible!

Did you know...

If you use manure as a fertiliser to benefit the land it is no longer treated as waste and as such, is not subject to the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2007. You also do not need a waste transfer note or waste carrier registration if you are moving manure that is to be used as fertiliser. If you ‘discard’ your waste, i.e. burn, tip or bury it, it is still classified as controlled waste and that is subject to the EP Regulations 2007.
Your muck heap should be at least 10 metres away from any watercourse and should not be situated in an area prone to flooding. In addition you should bear in mind the prevailing wind to avoid any odour pollution.
Your muck heap should not be in a single position for more than 12 successive months and you should leave a two year gap before returning to the same site.
Choosing the correct bedding material will have a significant impact on the quantity of waste and the speed it rots down. Using straw based bedding will maximise the nutrient value of the compost – as wood based products use up far more of the nitrogen in the manure during decomposition and results in a poorer nutrient level in the fertiliser. Straw also decomposes within several months rather than wood based products which can take 1 – 2 years.

Following some simple guidelines can avoid you a costly fine, and a huge upset. When choosing your bedding product, consider your options carefully and look at the whole picture rather than simply the cost per bale. You may find that a cheaper product could cost you more in the long run.

Nedz products are all made from chopped straw which rots down within several months and can be safely spread on fields meaning you should be exempt from the EP Regulations 2007.

To find out more about Nedz tel: (01254) 677 762 or visit www.nedz.co.uk

Make your Advance in to summer...

2011-03-31T05:30:00.000-07:00

For the majority of riders, mucking out is not at the top of their list of things they ‘love’ to do, and particularly during the summer months, after a long day in the office, the last thing you want to do is spend precious time in a stuffy, smelly stable!

Unfortunately mucking out is part and parcel of horse management, however with the right bedding, mucking out can take just a few minutes and leave you with lots more time to ‘play horses’. With this in mind Nedz Advance was launched in to the UK to provide an effective, time efficient and simple method of bedding horses.

The chopped straw pellets really do have to be used to be believed! Capable of absorbing up to five times their own weight in liquid they make the perfect bedding choice for all horses and ponies, in particular wet or really dirty equines. The pellets break down as the horse is stabled on them providing a sturdy, yet soft base which supports the feet and keeps wet patches to a minimum.

Droppings are no longer buried under mounds of bedding, or mashed up in to the floor, and ammonia levels are virtually eliminated because of the exceptional absorbency. In addition, for those worried about dust levels, Nedz Advance has been dust extracted and sterilised making it hygienic and safe for all horses and ponies.

Nedz Advance does not stick to bedding or rugs, droppings are ‘skipped out’ with a shavings fork, the small wet patch can be scooped out on a shovel and the rest of the bed remains undisturbed. Less wasted bedding means less work for you, better value for money and smaller muck heaps. In addition this innovative method of using straw rots down within a month.

We recommend using around 3 – 4 bags of Nedz Advance for the initial start up of a 12 x 12 stable using rubber matting, or 5 – 6 bags on a concrete base. For horses stabled overnight we would expect one extra bag per week to be used to top up, however during the summer months when horses are stabled less it is not uncommon to only add one bag of Nedz Advance every fortnight.

Good foundations

2011-03-01T01:59:00.000-08:00

Every aspect of mare and foal management is imperative to the future wellbeing of both animals, and whilst feeding and handling is often top priority, it is also vital that the stable environment is as safe and hygienic as it can be.

With years of experience in the bedding industry, Nedz provide all horses and ponies, including mares and youngstock, with comfortable, hygienic, biodegradable and cost effective bedding.

The bedding of choice from breeders and stud farms is Nedz Original; a chopped wheat straw bedding product which provides all the benefits of traditional straw - comfortable, warm, quick-rotting and supportive – whilst also offering an extremely absorbent, easy to muck out and hygienic alternative to traditional straw beds.

The raw material used in Nedz Original is handpicked for its quality before being chopped and put through a rigorous dust extraction process. The chopped straw is then treated with our exclusive Natural Nedz formulation, made from totally organic ingredients that offer anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-insecticidal properties creating a hygienic environment for your breeding stock. The formula contains no citronella or eucalyptus, which means there are no strong odours and no risk of delicate skin reacting.

Once set down, Nedz Original provides a sturdy, comfortable and supportive base which is perfect for mares and foals when lying down or spending long periods in the stable. The exceptional absorbency means no sodden wet patches and virtually no ammonia levels, leading to a healthier environment for your valuable breeding stock.

Olympia, hot headed Mr P and Annabel takes a few dunkings! Steph Croxford keeps us posted...

2011-01-04T06:01:00.000-08:00

Since I last updated you we have battled on with the snow and competed a very keen Mr P at Olympia! It started brilliantly with me opening up the Olympia programme and seeing a big picture of Totilas opposite a big picture of Mr P - I think that will be the first and last time we are on the same page as Totilas!

The preparation was certainly not ideal for Olympia - the snow caused havoc and I didn't actually canter him until the sunday at Olympia - so to say that we were a little excited is an understatement! I would say that the Grand Prix was a bit 'fly by the seat of our pants' and can only describe it as a little rough round the edges - however we performed all of the movements so were a little disappointed with our 66.7% mark - especially when other competitors (mentioning no names) had horses that totally blew up and failed to perform movements and scored higher than us! But as we all know - that is dressage!

I felt slightly panicky in the warm up as he was so hot headed that I could barely put my right spur on his side - I forgot how buzzy the atmosphere was and it can turn the most relaxed horses upside down - at one point Mr P bolted off with me and we were within an inch of a head on collision with Judy Harvey! He was slightly explosive and all the way down the centre line I could feel him daring me to touch him! Once we were doing the test though he settled and got on with his job and I was pleased with him. You forget how hot the horses get in there - when you are warming up during set up all you can hear is staple guns which are like guns going off and the horses totally freak out at them! Also the temporary stables back on to the warm up so every now and then you get a nose poking out of the top - doesn't help concentration!

I was slightly disappointed to read on the BD forum that spectators were saying that horses at this level should be prepared for the atmosphere so I was quick to respond! You have no idea how buzzy the atmosphere is until you are riding in it - it blows their minds and even at competitions like the World Games and Olympics it is not so intense because it is outside. At Olympia as soon as you go through the curtains you are hit with an immense heat from the hall and it is like a humming sound of people talking, eating, and moving around. You simply cannot criticise until you have been in that situation!

We finished 9th overall and considering our preparation I was pleased as we certainly didn't disgrace ourselves. The main thing is that at the age of 17 he still absolutley loved it and catapulted me down the centre line! You can't ask for more than thaty can you?!

We are having a quieter time now, Clyde is gearing up for the Regionals and we are also playing with him at home, teaching him changes and piaffe from the ground - it is a bit confusing for him though as he can't quite understand why he then has to go back to doing Medium tests after doing all the fancy stuff! Captain Mac has begun his education as he is now rising three so has been bitted and lunged over Christmas, watch this space for his progress!

Annabel is continuing her quest to stardom - but has suffered from a few dunkings over Christmas - four to be precise! Her pony has learnt that if he puts his head down Annabel shoots over his head - so a Daisy rein has now been purchased and despite landing in a puddle on one occasion and being soaking wet, Annabel has got back on each time - mainly due to me saying that you are only a good rider when you have fallen off 10 times - we are up to 6 so not long to go now!

Try something Advanced this winter...

2010-11-01T02:11:00.000-07:00

We understand that bedding is a personal choice – some people like big fluffy beds and others prefer a more minimal approach. Now that there are dozens of different types on the market it is the perfect time to try something new and innovative and what may have seemed the most economical solution for many years could well be rivalled by something new on the market.

Nedz Advance is a revolution in bedding materials and whilst it does not provide the traditional appearance that a fluffy bed offers – the benefits are almost endless.

Manufactured from chopped straw, Nedz Advance combines the amazing biodegradability of straw with modern benefits giving it an edge over other pelleted bedding. Unlike wood based products, which take around 2 years to rot down, Nedz Advance takes just 1 – 2 months meaning that muck heap removal costs are virtually eliminated. This exceptional rotting time could potentially save you hundreds of pounds each year making the bedding well worth it’s RRP of between £6 - £8 a bag.

In addition to this, Nedz Advance is one of the most absorbent beddings on the market – capable of soaking up around 5 times its own weight in liquid. This means that wet patches and ammonia levels are kept to an absolute minimum – saving on bedding and creating a healthier environment for both you and your horse.

The steaming process used to treat the straw before it is pelleted removes moulds and spores to offer a virtually dust free bedding product, as well as ensuring it is totally unpalatable.

Nedz Advance is available in easy to store, 15kg bags. We recommend around 6-8 bags for initial set up (less on rubber matting) and on average one bag per week to top up depending on usage. Nedz Advance can also be mixed with other Nedz products to provide a super absorbent bedding with a more traditional appearance.

Visit www.nedz.co.uk to find out more.

September update from Steph

2010-09-30T04:47:00.000-07:00

September started off busy with a trip to the Nationals for Steph and Mr P. "We came 4th in the Grand Prix and then we had some very strange marking in the Music test - my scores ranged from 66% to 74% so it appeared that one of the judges didn't like us! It meant we dropped down to 6th which was a shame but what can you do?! It certainly caused uproar on the BD dressage forums where a lot of people were supporting us!"

"We have also been out with the five year old Clyde and he has jumped to medium now and is scoring 65% and above each time out - we seem to have a case of seconditis at the moment but he is dealing with life very well!"

Coming up this month Steph has been invited to HOYS to compete in a dressage to music competition with the aim of getting dressage more in to the public eye. After that the pair are off to Italy to compete at La Mondria CDI***. She has also bought a lovely 2 year old from Ian Smith, "We have called him Captain Mack after one of Annabel's favourite TV characters," she tells us!

Horses are definitely running in the family as daughter Annabel has got her first pony on loan. "Jessie is a Shetland and is absolutely amazing," says Steph. "Annabel has taken to it like a duck to water but I am being very strict with her and she knows if she doesn't muck out she doesn't get to ride!"

Keep an eye out for more Steph updates coming soon!

Nedz top bedding tips for the season

2010-09-01T01:46:00.000-07:00

Don’t be fooled by looking at the costs per bale – look at the cost of bedding your horse per week, or per month. What appears a cheap price per bale may not be as effective as a more expensive product and you may end up using twice as much!
Buying in bulk should always get you a discount – don’t be afraid to ask your supplier. If you can’t afford to buy it all at once see if a friend wants to share the cost – in the long run you will save money.
Look at the whole picture – how much does it cost to have your muck heap taken away as well as the cost of the bedding – if you choose a product which is highly biodegradable you will incur much lower costs – if any – and be able to use it as natural fertiliser!
Choose products which don’t stick to muck as you won’t waste half of the clean bedding when you muck out.
Use the correct tool for your bedding – you would be amazed at what difference this makes to the amount of wastage.
Plan ahead – many people have been caught out this year and had to pay high amounts for bedding because they needed them at the last minute. Get organised and get your orders in way in advance to be sure you get the best deal.
Don’t be afraid to try new products – when you have used a product for many years it can be unsettling to change – however you may be pleasantly surprised at how much easier and economical a new product may be.
Think of your own health – you have to spend time in the stable too and dust and ammonia can equally cause damage to your own respiratory system.

Steph climbs up the world rankings and makes up for lost time with Mr P!

2010-08-25T07:51:00.000-07:00

Steph and Mr President have certainly been making up for lost time! After giving birth to her son, within a week Steph was back riding and just three weeks later she was competing at Hartpury CDI3* where she came 4th in the Grand Prix and won the Grand Prix Special. Ten days later the pair went to the Hickstead CDI3* and managed to bring home 6th in the Grand Prix and 3rd in the Grand Prix Special. These fantastic results have meant she has climbed up the world rankings and is now 67th in the world!

Since then she has been a busy bee doing shoots for Your Horse magazine and competing her up and coming youngster, Mr Hyde (apparently he is true to his name!) and had him out doing his first Novice (scoring 71%!!!) and Elementary just a few weeks ago. "Competing with two children is a challenge," Steph says. "Simon is going greyer by the minute! Not only does he have the job of looking after the kids when I am competing but he also is my reader - last weekend Annabel was running around like a lunatic at B where he was reading and if she wasn't my own child I would have definitely made a comment!"

Steph and Mr P are on countdown to the Nationals in September and then have been asked to compete at HOYS in a trial dressage to music class along with a handful of other riders including Carl Hester, Richard Davison, Amy Stovold and Laura Bechtolsheimer, after that she is hoping to jet off to do the CDI3* at La Mandria in Italy. Watch this space for all the latest news!

8 months down and still riding Mr P!

2010-05-28T05:57:00.000-07:00

Now our sponsored rider Steph Croxford is eight months pregnant her competing has understandably fallen slightly by the wayside! "I was still competing at six and a half months and gloating about how my jacket still fitted," she said. "However at that moment I bent over and off popped a button so I think that signalled the time to hang up the reins for a while!" Although not competing Steph is still schooling Mr P, "I was riding up to three days before Annabel was born and back competing internationally 5 weeks after so I hope that this one (a little boy) will be the same!"

In the mean time Steph has been keeping busy. You may have seen in Horse magazine (on sale May 27th) that she helped a reader develop a horse's balance and self-carriage in their latest Masterclass - the Nedz banner was working hard and caused a rather large spook - caught on camera of course! We even got the chance to go and see her at work and it was very inspirational!

As well as this Steph is trying to put her five year old mare in foal to the 2009 Dutch Harness Champion in the Netherlands, "She has just been AI'd so we are keeping our fingers crossed. There are no Dutch Harness stallions in the UK and we are hoping if she takes she will throw a colt!" We will be keeping our fingers crossed too - as in Steph's words, "Mr P is an old fashioned Dutch Harness horse and I think it is better the devil you know!" The thought of a little baby Mr P is a very exciting prospect!

Who knows, next time we speak to Steph there may be another mini Croxford on the planet!

Simple summer bedding

2010-05-04T22:30:00.001-07:00

Summer months should be spent in the sun, having fun, riding and enjoying our horses – not mucking out in hot, stuffy stables! Nedz Advance provides a super quick, super absorbent and super hygienic method of bedding you horse, leaving you more time to enjoy the warmer weather!

The revolutionary Nedz Advance is manufactured using a unique process that steams top quality chopped straw to make it unpalatable and virtually dust free, before compressing it in to pellets. These pellets break down to form a soft, cushioned and extremely absorbent base for your horse or pony to be stabled on without the need for watering.

Offering a supportive, clean and hygienic bedding method ensures that horses and ponies in the stable – even those suffering from laminitis - can remain comfortable and supported even when stabled for long periods. The high absorbency of Nedz Advance dramatically reduces the levels of ammonia in the environment which in turn prevents insects and unpleasant odours, and because the bed needs little disturbing, dust is kept to a minimum making it perfect for those suffering from respiratory compromise.

Wet patches are kept to a minimum and droppings do not stick to Nedz Advance making it one of the quickest and easiest products to use on the market. The highly biodegradable product means muck heaps are kept small in size and what little muck that is there will rot down within one month, helping to reduce nasty odours that attract flies and are simply unpleasant when the warmer weather arrives.

During the warmer months when horses are stabled for reduced amounts of time it is not uncommon to only add one bag of Nedz Advance every ten days depending on usage – making the RRP of between £6 and £7.50 per bag an economical solution.

Be Pro-tected in the stable this summer!

2010-05-04T22:17:00.001-07:00

Many horses are still stabled during the warmer months – even if it is for shorter periods of time – and providing a hygienic and dust-free environment is equally as important as during the winter.

Made from Oil Seed Rape Straw, Nedz Pro offers a super absorbent alternative to shavings whilst combining all the benefits of quick rotting, easy to muck out, cosy, chopped straw!

Due to its highly absorbent properties Nedz Pro only requires a full muck out once a week, creating a sturdy, comfortable base for your horse or pony to bed on. In addition, the unique Natural Nedz formula that is used in the bedding contains Manuka Oil and Aloe Vera to offer a safe, natural and organic environment for your horse that reduces ammonia levels and helps with horses suffering from respiratory and skin problems.

The entirely natural formula will help defend against harmful bacteria, particularly useful for travelling horses and those with weaker immune systems more susceptible to picking up viruses and infections. In addition Manuka has been used for hundreds of years to help repel insects making Nedz Pro the ideal solution for summer bedding. The rigorous dust extraction process keeps mould spores to an absolute minimum creating a safe environment for both you and your horse.

Quick and easy to muck out Nedz Pro is cost effective, with just 4-6 bales being needed for initial start up, and requires on average one bale per week to top up. Nedz Pro is highly biodegradable, rotting down within two to three months and can safely be spread as natural fertiliser – saving on muck heap removal!

How green is your bedding?

2010-03-24T06:32:00.000-07:00

With all the constant talk of environmental issues, horse owners have a responsibility to use the ‘greenest’ products, which includes everything from chemical free fly sprays to the bedding their horses sleep on.

Chopped straw such as Nedz is one of the most environmentally friendly bedding types due to the methods in which it is grown, the natural formula it is treated with and the methods of disposal. Unlike wood based products, straw is a waste product left over from the harvest of wheat or rapeseed. By re-using it as a bedding product for horses we are able to utilise a by-product which would normally be ploughed back in to the ground or left to rot.

At Nedz we use a totally organic, natural formula on both Nedz Original and Nedz Pro, containing no chemicals or pesticides. Natural Nedz discourages bed eating and provides additional health benefits to provide a safe, environmentally friendly surrounding. At no point does the bedding let off damaging toxins in to the environment and the high absorbency means potent ammonia levels are kept to a minimum. This not only makes our horse’s stable a safer area for him, but also for owners.

Disposing of Nedz products is simple and easy, as well as being cost effective. The chopped straw product rots down within 2 – 3 months – as opposed to 2 – 3 years in the case of wood based products – and once this process has occurred this can be safely spread on fields as a totally natural fertiliser without running the risk of removing valuable nitrates from the soil.

At Nedz we believe that horse owners should really understand the products they use to bed their horses on. Not only can this aid the environment and make for a ‘greener’ lifestyle – but also helps maintain a healthy, happy environment for equines and their owners.

Geoff's latest update

2010-03-24T03:13:00.000-07:00

Our sponsored rider, Geoff Billington has had a busy start to the year. After completing The Champions Tour in January he spent a month competing across Scandinavia, in Denmark and Norway. Here he came second on Pedro in the biggest Grand Prix class in Norway as well as picking up the rides on two new Grade A horses, a nine year old called Quite Cadiz and a twelve year old, Charoix.

After several placings in Scandinavia with his new rides, Geoff has returned to the UK and had great results in the Grand Prix at Towerlands Premier Show, winning on Pedro, and the following weekend coming second on Quite Cadiz in the big class at The Hand Premier Show.

He now has lecture/demo's to do before competing at The British Open in the A&B Championships at the beginning of April and will then be travelling to Hartpury to give a masterclass during the Gala Evening at the Blue Chip Winter Show Jumping Championships on 16th April.

What this space for all the latest updates, straight from the horses mouth!

Steph has an action packed March!

2010-03-24T03:05:00.000-07:00

"Mr President and I qualified first time out this year for the National Championships in September, when we went to Myerscough Premier League, winning the Grand Prix with just under 70%, this earned us a lovely picture and write up in Horse & Hound magazine and means the pressure is off to go to any more Premier League shows because the other piece of news is that I am nearly 6 months pregnant!"

"I will continue to ride providing I feel well enough and I trust Mr President with my life so even if I can't school him I will keep him ticking along with hacking. Simon, my husband, will keep the horses exercised when I can't ride. I plan on taking Clyde - my 5 year old - out to do the Badminton Young Horse qualifiers in mid April - providing my jodhpurs still fit and also my other 5 year old Ancie will be doing some Young Horse classes."

"Mr President and I have been nominated to represent Great Britain at Addington in the CDI*** Freestyle over Easter but we are not sure whether we will be going yet - it is very nice to be selected all the same. Clyde has been doing very well competing unaffiliated Elementary level - I am not allowed to qualify for anything under Medium level as I am a Grade 1 rider so we will continue at Elementary level unaffiliated for the time being."

"We have also been asked by Horse magazine to help two riders in a masterclass at the end of April. They will travel to our yard and I will give them some assistance and it will feature at a later date in the magazine. Overall it has been a busy month and we have plenty to keep us occupied with!"

An Advance for Nedz suffering from laminitis

2010-03-03T23:24:00.000-08:00

Nedz Advance has revolutionised the way many people bed their horses – offering a super absorbent, easy to muck out and highly biodegradable alternative to conventional bedding. As we come in to the spring season, whilst many horses are spending less time in the stable, for horses and ponies suffering from laminitis stabled time is often increased so ensuring their environment is as comfortable and healthy as possible is vital in the care of this debilitating condition.

Nedz Advance is manufactured using a unique process that steams chopped straw to make it unpalatable before compressing it in to pellets. These pellets break down to form a soft, cushioned and extremely absorbent base for your horse or pony to be stabled on.

Offering a supportive, clean and hygienic bedding alternative ensures that horses and ponies suffering from laminitis, or related issues, can remain comfortable and supported even when stabled for long periods.

Barefoot trimmer, Angela Corner has found Nedz Advance to be the most effective solution on the market. “As a barefoot trimmer I’m always on the lookout for the most suitable bedding for barefoot horses – both my own and my clients. Nedz Advance is the best bedding I’ve found. The unrivalled absorbency means that when horses are stabled their feet do not get damp by standing in wet bedding, which is vital for developing tough feet.”

“Nedz Advance also provides the comfort and support for hooves required by horses transitioning from shod to barefoot and would be particularly beneficial for horses recovering from laminitis and navicular syndrome,” she states. “And it’s a doddle to muck out too, leaving more time for the important stuff like riding! For barefoot horses there is nothing better on the market than Nedz Advance.”

Stephanie Croxford keeps us up to date...

2010-02-25T03:23:00.000-08:00

Progress with Mr P's schooling this month has been affected by the poor weather as we only have an outdoor school. However Mr P is firing on all cylinders and ready for the competition season to start. He is out this weekend for a run out at a local show and to get back into the swing of things after the winter.

His first proper show is going to be Myerscough Permier League on the 13 and 14 March. He is entered into the grand Prix Kur as part of the Gala evening on the Saturday night and then the Grand Prix Qualifer on the Sunday morning.

We have found Nedz Pro to be excellent and all the horses have managed the transition on to it very well. It has made the barn less dusty than conventional shavings and has been very easy to muck out and keep the beds clean.

A new Nedz enters the dressage arena...

2010-02-01T01:43:00.000-08:00

As part of their ongoing commitment to the equestrian industry, Nedz are proud to announce their recent association with international dressage rider Stephanie Croxford.

Having stepped in to the equestrian limelight with her talented and well known chestnut gelding, Mr President, Stephanie Croxford has made an inspirational journey from Novice rider to representing Great Britain in just six years!

Equestrian bedding manufacturer Nedz, are extremely pleased to have established a partnership with Stephanie and her exceptional sidekick Mr President and look forward to assisting her in the coming seasons. “Stephanie is a strong ambassador for her sport and proves that hard work and dedication pays off,” says Nedz Managing Director Lisa Cooper. “She represents all of the Nedz values and I have no doubt that she will be a valued member of our team. We are looking forward to helping form part of her support team and watching her and Mr President’s success.”

"I am very happy to be sponsored by Nedz,” says Stephanie. “It is a good quality product and all my horses seem very happy and settled on it. Nedz is easy to use, cost effective and makes for a clean, dust free environment with the Dutch barn.”

Nedz are the ORIGINAL chopped straw supplier...

2010-01-29T03:49:00.000-08:00

Nedz have been producing top quality, chopped straw bedding for over seven years and in that time the dedicated company has established a large following of both professional and amateur equestrian owners.

Nedz Original was the debut product in the Nedz range – as well as being the original chopped straw bedding product launched on to the equestrian market. Over the years the product and manufacturing process has been developed and improved to offer horse owners a superior bedding solution with a host of modern benefits.

Nedz are the original bedding manufacturer to use a totally natural and organic formula to discourage bed eating and maintain healthy, hygienic environments for both horse and owner to spend time in.

The rigorous dust extraction process makes Nedz Original virtually dust free and provides a super absorbent, economical and easy to muck out alternative to other bedding products on the market.

Nedz Original was the first of its kind and is the original chopped straw bedding product!

Priced at £5.50 £6.50 for a 20kg bag, Nedz Original is readily available. Visit our brand new website, www.nedz.co.uk or telephone (01772) 877096 to find out more.

What does your choice of Nedz bedding say about you?

2010-01-04T04:19:00.000-08:00

A bit of fun to brighten up those dreary January days!

Nedz Original

You are a traditionalist who likes a big fluffy bed for your horse to snuggle down in to. You choose comfort first over other requirements and like to provide a cosy feel in your own environment – which you like to re-create for your horse. Your personality is fun loving and you adore giving people around you, and your horse, the fine things in life. Mucking out is part of the enjoyment of having horses and you like to spend time creating a beautiful stable for your horse to live in. You like to create a stable you would happily dive in to yourself!

Nedz Pro

Time is of the essence for you – you lead a hectic life and like to spend what free time you have focusing on enjoyment. You have high aspirations in your riding and practicality is a main priority, however you do have a soft side and like to maintain comfort levels. You like your stable to look welcoming, smart and tidy but don’t want to spend hours maintaining it.

Nedz Advance

You like to be in touch with the latest innovations in life and tend to be quite minimalist in your style. Practicality is a very important aspect of the way you run your everyday life and you like things to be functional, cost effective and easy to use. Mucking out is more of a chore and you would far rather spend your time riding and doing more important tasks – it is simply a necessary part of horse ownership and whilst it needs to be clean and hygienic, spending hours presenting it is not a priority.

Nedz Pro has had a make-over!

2009-12-18T01:47:00.000-08:00

Our leading product Nedz Pro has had a face lift! From early 2010 Nedz Pro will come in this brand new packaging so look out for it at your local stockist. Don't worry though - nothing else about the popular product has changed!

Bed like a Pro!

2009-12-18T01:42:00.000-08:00

Competition horses need precise care from top to tail, from choosing the correct nutritional balance to creating the healthiest environment possible in the stable. For this reason many professionals use Nedz Pro, bedding designed to meet the needs of professionals and amateurs alike providing a host of benefits targeted specifically at the busy competition rider.

Made from Oil Seed Rape Straw, Nedz Pro offers a super absorbent alternative to shavings whilst combining all the benefits of quick rotting, easy to muck out, cosy, chopped straw!

Due to its highly absorbent properties Nedz Pro only requires a full muck out once a week, creating a sturdy, comfortable base for your horse or pony to bed on. In addition, the unique Natural Nedz formula that is used in the bedding contains Manuka Oil and Aloe Vera to offer a safe, natural and organic environment for your horse that reduces ammonia levels and helps with horses suffering from respiratory and skin problems. This entirely natural formula will help defend against harmful bacteria, particularly useful for travelling horses and those with weaker immune systems more susceptible to picking up viruses and infections. The rigorous dust extraction process keeps mould spores to an absolute minimum creating a safe environment for both you and your horse.

Quick and easy to muck out Nedz Pro is cost effective, with just 4-6 bales being needed for initial start up, and requires on average one bale per week to top up. Nedz Pro is highly biodegradable, rotting down within two to three months and can safely be spread as natural fertiliser – saving on muck heap removal!

Nedz Pro is the favoured bedding of top international show jumper Geoff Billington, “Nedz Pro is really easy to work with, it decomposes well so you don’t have to get rid of it and the horses don’t eat it.” Coated with a natural bitter tasting ingredient to prevent greedy horses and ponies from snacking on it, Nedz Pro is readily available and comes in 20kg bags. RRP £6 - £7.50 per bag. For more information about Nedz products, tel: (01772) 877 096 or visit www.nedz.co.uk

Good harvests mean good supplies from Nedz!

2009-10-30T05:05:00.000-07:00

After last year’s bedding crisis – many companies were unable to supply customers for the whole winter leading to panic and price increases. Nedz were one of the few manufacturers able to retain their supply to existing customers in order to keep everyone ‘bedded up’ for the whole winter season.

After a successful harvest in 2009 – Nedz have secured enough top quality raw materials to ensure both existing and new customers will have a consistent supply of all three products, Nedz Original, Nedz Pro and Nedz Advance.

In addition to this, customers can be sure they will be getting top quality products to provide their horses with safe and virtually dust free environments. Before raw material is even unloaded from our carefully selected suppliers it is checked for quality and rejected if it doesn’t meet the Nedz standards.

Once it has met approval it is probed for moisture content to prevent damp bales from being produced, before being filtered to remove any unwanted debris. It is then chopped and dust extracted before the Natural Nedz formula is added. At each phase of the manufacturing process the product is checked for quality purposes and only when our plant technicians are happy with the end result is the final product baled and stacked on a pallet ready for the retailer.

Nedz have spent many years manufacturing chopped straw products and have carefully researched and developed this process to ensure only the best products leave the Nedz plant. Using Nedz products offers customers peace of mind that their horses are sleeping safely in their beds at night.

Do you REALLY know what your horse is sleeping on tonight?

2009-10-07T00:59:00.000-07:00

When it comes to bedding horses – Nedz are the real deal – their experience and expertise within the industry are second to none and they can offer their customers total peace of mind that their horses are sleeping safely in their beds!

Nedz are the original chopped straw manufacturers and have invested the past six years in researching, trialling and improving the popular products - Nedz Original, Nedz Pro and Nedz Advance – with energy, time and money being spent investigating the latest dust extraction techniques, natural additives and learning what horse owners really want.

The now well established company know and believe in the products and are urging horse owners to consider what their bedding contains. The slogan ‘Do you know where your horse is sleeping tonight?’ is not just a gimmick - Nedz really can guarantee that your horse is not being exposed to any harmful chemical based additives having developed a unique and exclusive ‘Natural Nedz’ formula containing Manuka, one of the world’s most effective, natural, anti-bacterial and anti-viral essential oils. In researching, Nedz even found that some “natural” additives used in other products can in fact be harmful to horses and the people working in the stable environment and a strong smelling product is not necessarily more beneficial – some of these odours are too strong for a horses sensitive sense of smell.

Nedz products offer long term economical bedding solutions – the top quality products last longer in the stable, the natural formula remains on the bedding throughout its use to offer hygienic benefits consistently, the levels of dust are virtually non-existent and the long term health benefits for you and your horse far outweighs cheaper alternatives.

Nedz products offer total peace of mind with exceptional quality guaranteed. Visit http://www.nedz.co.uk/ or telephone (01772) 877096 to find out more.

5 minutes with Geoff Billington

2009-09-04T00:26:00.000-07:00

We had a quick 5 minute chat with the legendary Geoff Billington, read on to find out to get a snippet in to the top show jumpers world...

Which Nedz product do you use and why?
Nedz Pro because it is really easy to work with, it decomposes well so you don’t have to get rid of it and the horses don’t eat it.

What horses should we look out for?
Both Rosinus and Pedro VI have been going well. Rosinus won the Eindhoven Derby and the Grand Prix in Villamoura. I also have an 8 year old called Upper Cut who is doing well and a 6 year old called Balloon who is definitely one for the future.

Do you train with anyone?
No – I am lucky enough to be friends with the best riders in the world so we all help each other!

Best thing about show jumping?
The buzz of going well in a major competition.

Worst thing about show jumping?
The expense! The costs to keep a team on the road – without sponsors like Nedz it would be impossible.

Best horse of all time and why?
It’s Otto – self explanatory!

Best achievement of all time?
There have been a lot of nice ones. Jumping a clear round in the final individual competition at the Olympic Games in 1996 and winning the Hickstead Derby stick out in my memory.

Top Tip for aspiring show jumpers?
Work hard, watch, and learn.

Keep an eye out for more exclusive inside information from Geoff!

Win on the new Nedz website!

2009-09-02T02:38:00.000-07:00

Nedz have just launched a brand new website and to celebrate we are offering one lucky winner the chance to get a free pallet of Nedz Original. To find out more visit the Win section on our brand new website, www.nedz.co.uk

Good luck!