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

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.

Bed for success!

As we welcome the warmer weather many horse owners will be thinking about packing up their equine friends and frequenting competitions and events this summer. Alongside regular schooling sessions, lessons and optimum nutrition for our horses what else can we do to ensure we are set for success?

The environment we provide for our horses is crucial to both their health and performance and with the average horse still spending between 10-14 hours stabled during the summer months, it is clear that the conditions in our ‘horse’s housing’ are key to their wellbeing. This makes bedding a hot topic!

So how can bedding affect performance? Firstly the horse’s ability to respire (breathe) is vital to their success. The more efficiently your equine can inhale oxygen, the more energy can be created in order to fuel their muscles. Dusty bedding can limit a horse’s ability to breathe as inhaling dust may result in the cells in the respiratory system secreting mucus in an attempt to discharge the harmful particles. This can cause inflammation, reducing the air space to allow vital oxygen into the body.

Hoof quality is fundamental to the success of every horse and highly absorbent bedding protects the integrity and strength of the horse’s hooves from being damaged by ammonia found in wet bedding. Absorbent bedding should also work towards eliminating bacteria and odours by keeping mould away and insects at bay.

Nedz provide three different solutions to provide performance boosting bedding which suit any mucking out styles. The range includes Nedz Original, Nedz Pro and Nedz Advance all embodying the Nedz sentiment of minimal dust and maximal absorbency by using exceptional quality chopped straw. The inclusion of an exclusive Natural Nedz formula in both Nedz Original and Nedz Pro means the bedding is anti-bacterial, antiseptic, anti-fungal, and anti-parasitic helping to deter bacteria, moulds, insects and bugs and offer a fresh smelling aroma.

Is it any wonder that top professionals such as Geoff Billington, Mary King and Stephanie Croxford use Nedz? With performance at the forefront of the professional rider’s mind, Nedz compliments the routine of top riders and amateurs alike. International show jumper Geoff Billington is a big fan of Nedz Pro. "Nedz Pro is a fantastic product,” he says. “Very absorbent and easy to use, it makes the stable environment clean and keeps dust to a minimum, which is vital for the respiratory function of my horses and so helps them to perform well at the top level."

Nedz products retail around £6 - £8.50. For more information on the bedding choice of professionals visit www.nedz.co.uk or tel: 01254 677 762.

Springing Stable Support

With spring on the way many of our horses will soon be getting to enjoy more time out at pasture, rug-less days in the sun, and the flush of spring grass. However, for some equines warmer temperatures pose new threats. Whether on box rest due to injury, restricted grazing because of laminitis or simply seeking refuge from biting insects and pollen, your horse’s environment can be the difference between a stressful or stress-free summer season!

When a horse is on compulsory box rest it is not uncommon for them to become restless, anxious and bored, not to mention the stress and strain it puts on owners both mentally and financially. For these reasons it is vital to prioritise stable management to keep their environment as hygienic and comfortable as possible.

During the warmer months there are many perils to summer stabling. Insects can become a source of irritation which often leads to secondary health problems such as fly bites and sweet itch, and for those suffering from painful conditions such as laminitis, your stable should offer them welcome relief and “springing support” in order to keep painful feet away from a hard and uncomfortable surface.

In addition to mental stimulation and the correct nutrition, horse owners can make this confined time a more pleasant experience by choosing the correct bedding. Choosing a product that does not slip - especially when stabling on a concrete floor - and provides a deep base will ensure horses are always protected, especially important if they spend time lying down.

Absorbency is the key to hygiene and foot health, an even more imperative factor if horses are barefoot, and choosing a product that soaks up urine will help keep harmful bacteria and ammonia away from hooves, as well as causing less irritation to delicate sinuses and the respiratory system.

Timescale is also an important factor, owners with horses on box rest will be mucking out more regularly and choosing a product which is quick and easy will mean more quality time spent entertaining their equine, and less time shovelling!

A simple solution to these requirements is pelleted chopped straw bedding, Nedz Advance. The innovative product combines traditional chopped straw with modern technology to create small pellets that increase in volume to provide a soft, fluffy and virtually dust free bed. Capable of absorbing up to five times its own weight in liquid, Nedz Advance has already demonstrated benefits for horses with weak or sensitive feet by creating a super soft and sturdy base, which cushions the soles. In addition Nedz Advance contains a unique oil which helps moisturise the feet and prevent them from drying out.

Nedz Advance is priced around £6 - £8 for a 15kg bag. The recommended set-up is around 8-10 bags for a 12 x 12 stable, with one further bag added every 7 – 10 days.

Start spring spotless!

With spring on the horizon it is the perfect time to schedule in a ‘big stable clean’ in preparation for the season ahead. After a long, damp and cold winter, your horse will undoubtedly have spent longer in, mucking out may have been rushed to maximise daylight hours and your stable will probably have seen cleaner days!

The stable environment inevitably gets dusty, damp and dirty over the winter period - that is unavoidable - yet there are many simple steps that can be taken to ensure it remains a safe, hygienic and healthy environment for your horse to stay!

Start with a spruce up. Choose a dry and breezy day to make sure you give your stable plenty of time to dry and air. Remove all your horse’s bedding, buckets and equipment from the stable so you can get sweeping, and remove the dust and dirt that have built up over the winter. Sweep the floor thoroughly and remove every last bit of bedding, making sure you get into all the corners, use a dustpan and brush for those fiddly areas!

Take a damp cloth to the corners and remove all the dusty cobwebs as they hold bacteria and debris, then wash and disinfect the floor and walls, choose a product that eradicates ammonia and leaves a fresh, but not overpowering odour.

The only thing left to do now is lay your horse’s bed! Nedz provides the perfect balance of absorbency, ease of use and health benefits by pairing technological advances in manufacturing and dust extraction, with the traditional benefits of straw. Both Nedz Original and Nedz Pro provide a super absorbent alternative to wood based products with the addition of our exclusive Natural Nedz formula for cleanliness, and exceptional biodegradability.

Natural Nedz is a unique, organic formula made exclusively for Nedz to ensure that whilst your horse is cosy and comfortable and your box is quick and easy to muck out, the environment is also clean and hygienic. By including Manuka and Cade Oil, Natural Nedz offers anti-bacterial, antiseptic, anti-fungal, and anti-parasitic properties, whilst providing a fresh and clean smelling aroma, which eliminates odours, particularly ammonia, and also discourages insects and bugs.

Nedz Original is made from traditional wheat straw and gives owners a classic bed, without the classic straw related problems, meanwhile Nedz Pro is made from rape straw which offers a quick, easy and extremely absorbent stable base which only needs mucking out fully once a week.

For more information visit www.nedz.co.uk

Choosing the right bedding for the job!

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

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.