expanding shop. As a seasoned shopaholic and 1 woman super consumer, I felt I was well placed to advise!
We weren’t disappointed with the range on display, and there were a few standout products, both ones we already use and some new ones too.
Silverfeet is relatively new to the market. It’s a hoofbalm developed by a farrier – always a good start – incorporating some excellent research. It’s designed to be used in place of your usual hoof oil product to protect and maintain good hoof health, but also incorporates silver ions that are proven to control bacteria that can lead to thrush and hoof odour. My current product is a balm type product, and when it’s cold it becomes virtually unusable. Silverfeet have been tested in extreme temperatures to ensure it’s still usable whether hot or cold, so that’s a real big tick from me. I will definitely be trialling this one.
I’m a current user of Equine America products, including ‘magnitude’ and previously used ‘Airways’ but was shocked at how vast their range really is! Of particular interest given Ruby’s behaviour lately(!) was ‘No more moods.’ It’s a liquid supplement for hormonal mares and temperamental stallions alike, and is based on using liquid chaste berry – which I am told is
what was traditionally given to the monks to help alleviate their urges! Well, if it’s good enough for the monks, it’s worth giving a go on the floozy! Really friendly and informative reps, I was impressed. Sharon placed an order with them for some Derma gel, which quite frankly looks like a miracle product to keep wounds infection free, as well as promoting healing and hair growth to minimise scarring. The ‘before’ and‘after’ picture evidence, apart from making me nearly pass out, was incredible.
Other highlights included meeting Laura from Dragonfly Saddlery – someone I’ve chatted with regularly on Twitter, a fellow charity comms worker and lover of ex-racers! Always good to put a face to a name. Not only that but we also enjoyed a talk from Olympic double gold medallist Charlotte Dujardin – who was impossibly tall, slim and glamorous, but equally down to earth and candid with it. Apart from her ridiculously effortless riding talents, I’ve always admired her attitude and complete resolve to be true to herself and her outspoken personality. This was on show as she spoke about how out of date Charles Owen were with their designs, and how she bullied them into updating their hats for today’s audience. Well it has worked – I’d quite like one myself thanks!
I was pleased to see Equiami, a product I already use and Sharon stocks too. I’m a big fan of this lunging aid, which encourages true engagement of the hind end and was developed by Dr Hilary Bentley when rehabilitating her own horse. I was pleased to see I have in fact been using it correctly (always a bonus), and I was very tempted by their lunge cavessons which were super light, and feature special bit attachments.
Gallop products had a great range of products at reasonable prices, from super cheap chaps to economy bridles, and mega bright matching brushing and over reach boots that I think kids would love! At the other end of the market, Horze products were super stylish and different, as were HKM.
We stopped by Supastuds too, who had a cool little magnetic wrist band to hold your studs whilst fitting them, rather than having them all over the floor and getting lost. And I thought the chap was just wearing a bright pink wrist band as a fashion statement! Horslyx had a great stand, and I’m a massive fan of their products which are delicious according to Rubes. Their mini lyx have a multitude of uses, from stretching exercises, to distractions when clipping or mounting a sensitive horse. I’m also
using the respiratory lick at the moment too for madam who has a cough.
Sharon is looking to cater for a range of animal owners as well as equestrian, so she made a very good contact from Skinners
who can supply some top quality dog food. Most of us horsey types have pooches, after all!
I could start on all the blingy clothing and super smart saddlery I drooled over too but I think we might be here all day if I get started! Suffice to say it was Horsey Heaven, and what a good job I was there in a professional buying capacity or it could have proved an expensive outing! Watch this space for more additions to the Kilminster Equestrian shop, which is already catering for lots of your equestrian needs.