Thank you to all of the staff from Countrywide who attended the Countrywide Equestrian Autumn/Winter Launch Day at Hartpury College on the 25th August.
Despite a full day of intensive training, from rugs to footwear and horse health to feed, staff remained enthusiastic and keen to learn. Training from Dengie Nutritionist Tracey Hammond and Area Sales Manager for Midlands and Wales, Hannah Atkins included information on the raw materials in Dengie feeds and when to recommend each Dengie product.
Fun was had by all with our product identification challenge where staff, using the information they had learned about the ingredients in our feeds, had to identify samples and match them to the appropriate Dengie product. This is not as easy as it sounds as some of our feeds contain similar raw materials so staff really had to know their Dengie products to get it right!
This year’s British Riding Clubs Area 1 Festival was held on 4th and 5th July at The Scottish National Equestrian Centre, West Lothian. This year, Dengie sponsored prizes for the dressage classes, with the winner receiving a £10 Dengie feed voucher and those in second and third receiving a £5 voucher.
Clubs from across the area sent 33 teams for the dressage on the Saturday, which was a big increase on the previous year, along with individuals, pairs and several Dressage to Music competitors. Despite a wet start, the sun soon came out and over 200 tests were run across seven arenas, both inside and out.
There were twenty teams for the showjumping on Sunday, along with individual competitors. While there were fewer teams compared the previous day, it was a long day with the first horses jumping at 9am and the last ones scheduled in at 7:30pm.
We would like to wish the best of luck to all of those who received qualifier places for the British Riding Club National Championships, which will be held in early September in Lincoln.
The Royal Dublin Show is a major equestrian event in Ireland, running showjumping classes, including the Irish leg of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup, alongside showing and performance classes. It’s a busy, lively show that draws in lots of competitors, spectators and exhibitors alike and this year Dengie were part of the action.
I was ably assisted by Dengie’s Scottish area sales manager, Ryann Walker, and nutritionist Tracey Hammond. This was a good chance for me to learn a bit more from them about advising the owners of horses suffering from conditions such as EMS and laminitis. We spoke to a diverse range of people from a variety of equine disciplines, with numbers ranging from just a few horses to much larger yards. It was great to talk to some customers who had recently started to use our products and hear their experiences. Having Ryann and Tracey with me also meant I could go out and catch up with some of my contacts, including Dengie ambassador, international showjumper Eddie Moloney (see picture above).
There’s still a mind-set in Ireland that feeding cubes is the way forward, so attending the show was a great opportunity to educate people from different backgrounds on the benefits of feeding fibre. The more our presence is felt and the more people we talk to, the better we can impress upon people that our products are synonymous with success.
Dengie Feed Advisor Bryoni Stephenson recently went to visit Wendy Scapens and her horse Bruce for a Dengie Diet Clinic at their yard in Cornwall.
Wendy had won the Dengie Diet Clinic for her yard in a prize draw held at the M. A. Grigg Country Store stand at the Royal Cornwall Show in June. Bryoni was also able to present her with the other part of her prize – a £50 Dengie feed voucher.
To help Wendy make use of her voucher, Bryoni recommended a Dengie diet for Bruce. The eleven-year-old Thoroughbred x Irish Draught weighed in at 661kg and had a perfect body condition score of three out of five on his current diet of lucerne chaff and grass nuts, so Bryoni was keen to suggest feeds with a similar composition and energy level. Because Wendy said she would prefer to keep Bruce on a ration that included both fibre and nuts, Bryoni suggested a diet of Alfa-A Original and Alfalfa Pellets. These would be fed alongside Bruce’s current seaweed supplement, which provides the necessary vitamins and minerals for a balanced diet. Both the Alfa-A Original and Alfalfa Pellets are made from pure alfalfa, which is proven to aid digestive health and buffer acidity in the digestion, and are high in quality fibre.
While studying for a BSc honours degree in Equine Science at Writtle University College, Aline Bouquet carried out a research project that investigated the effect of different drying procedures on the presence of tannins in alfalfa. Tannins are secondary plant compounds that can have positive and sometimes negative effects to both the plant and the animals that might consume it. There are different forms of tannins in plants. The reason for the investigation was to understand more about their presence in alfalfa and to determine whether the temperatures used in the drying processes used by Dengie have any effect on their structure, activity and interaction with other molecules within the alfalfa, such as protein.
Interestingly, Aline used two different techniques to measure tannin levels and they came back with contrasting results. Although the results of the study were not conclusive, what proved to be very exciting was the fact that Aline was awarded the highest ever mark for a dissertation at Writtle University College – 92%. This is in recognition that the study and the evaluation of the measurement techniques used were of the highest standard. So, although inconclusive, we are delighted that the research project proved so worthwhile for Aline, who is now undertaking her MSc in Applied Equine Science and looking to do further work for Dengie.
Gizmo is a nine-month-old foal. He was found in February 2015, abandoned without his mother and left to die on the side of the road. RSPCA inspectors rescued Gizmo and immediately took him to Catley Cross Veterinary Clinic. Gizmo was hypothermic, dehydrated and had collapsed – this poor foal was close to losing his life. He was not strong enough to stand and needed intensive veterinary care.
His long road to recovery initially involved a high-fibre diet, which had to be introduced very gradually due to the extent of the malnutrition. For the first two weeks, Gizmo was on a drip but, once he was capable of eating solid food, a high specification feed balancer was added to his feed to provide the vitamins and minerals that he required.
Gizmo’s liver was damaged, which meant he needed a specialised diet to ensure he was getting adequate nutrition to support weight gain and growth whilst limiting the stress on his liver.
The key to Gizmo’s diet was digestibility – the diet suggested by the Dengie nutrition team contained good quality fibre sources that were easy for him to break down.
There was real concern in the first few weeks after Gizmo’s rescue because he was so unwell and actually lost weight. However, four weeks after his rescue, Gizmo’s feed was changed and gradually increased. He was put on the following diet plan:
- Feed – Hi-Fi Senior (800g), sugar beet (700g), balancer (300g) and Cooked Cereal Meal (400g). His feed was split into 4 feeds per day
- Forage – ad lib haylage
- Grazing – once he was strong enough, Gizmo was able to be turned out for some grass
Since then, Gizmo has gradually gained weight and has gone from strength to strength. From the time that he was rescued, he has gained 82.5kg – this is a massive 89.7% of his body weight!
Gizmo has now changed onto a maintenance ration. He is now fed Dengie Hi-Fi Original (300g) and Balancer (300g) per day. His feed is split into a morning and evening feed.
Dengie Hi-Fi Senior is a highly digestible, high-fibre feed that is suitable for all horses and ponies!
- A blend of soft grasses and nutrient-rich alfalfa
- Highly digestible fibre for optimal digestive health
- Soft and easy to chew
- Perfect as a full or partial hay replacer
- Contains a light oil and molasses coating
- Energy level comparable to very good quality hay
The Titlington Endurance Ride, governed by Endurance GB and organised by Northumberland and Tyneside EGB, took place on 27th June. Dengie’s Jo Harrow kindly donated some prizes for the top three riders in the 40km Graded Endurance Ride (GER). In a GER, placings are not awarded in relation to the order that riders cross the line, but instead are based on the ratio between the horse’s pulse rate and speed upon completion. The ride took place over a mixture of moorland, pasture land and riverside bridleways, offering spectacular views of the rolling countryside and the extra challenge of two significant water crossings.
In first place were Constance Newbould and Zarkhruv (pictured above), taking home a bale of Dengie Alfa-A Oil and £5 Dengie feed voucher as their prize. Zarkhruv is already fed Dengie Hi-Fi as part of his daily ration, along with an endurance mix and Equidgel. Rachel Mullan, who finished in second place on Wills.I.Am, was ecstatic about her placing as this is her first year competing in EGB rides. She took home a £10 Dengie feed voucher as her prize. However, a special mention must go to Jo Woodford (pictured below) for coming third in her first ever endurance ride – something made even more special by the fact that it was also the first time out for her mount Linnelwood Digby, owned by Janet Lennard, after a severe leg injury sustained on New Year’s Day. Digby, who is a sixteen-year-old thoroughbred x Fell, is fed a diet of Dengie Hi-Fi, linseed, a balancer and unmolassed beet pulp. Jo received a £5 Dengie feed voucher for her efforts.
“We are always delighted to support local events and Dengie have a long standing relationship with Northumberland & Tyneside EGB,” said Area Sales Manager Jo Harrow. “I would like to congratulate all that took part on the day and of course special congratulations must go to the winners as it was a very competitive ride. I hope Zarkhruv enjoys his bale of Alfa-A Oil.”
Alfa-A Oil is the ultimate pure alfalfa feed for fuelling hard work, improving stamina and promoting condition in working horses and ponies. Alfalfa is rich in highly digestible fibre and packed with essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. It also contains high levels of protein, making it ideal for developing muscle tone and increasing muscle function. The coating of rape seed oil used in Alfa-A Oil provides slow-release energy without fizz and has the added benefit of supporting healthy skin and coat shine. With a Digestible Energy (DE) level of 12.5MJ/kg, Alfa-A Oil is comparable to a condition or competition mix but with ten times less starch due to the fact that it is free from cereals and molasses.
The Sport Endurance ride at Blidworth Forest took place on the 4th and 5th of July, with Dengie sponsoring a number of classes. Around 200 combinations, made up of both competitive and pleasure riders and their horses, took part in the ride, which was run over private farmland and forestry commission woodland.
“Sport Endurance is to Endurance GB what Trailblazers is to British Showjumping or British Dressage,” said rider Liz Benwell. “It’s all about encouraging people to have a go and try something new with their horse, even if they aren’t competitive. At Blidworth, we had everything from lead-rein riders doing a two mile route to people competing over forty miles.”
Dengie were sponsoring the Next Step class on both days, with riders from 1st to 6th place receiving Dengie goodie bags and feed vouchers. Next Step is designed to allow riders to get a taste of endurance riding without upgrading to a competitive membership – it is open to all pleasure riders who have not previously competed in a twenty mile ride. There is a speed limit of 8mph and the ride is normally run over 15 miles.
However, after only two riders completed the Next Step course without error on the Saturday, the decision was made to donate the leftover prizes to those doing twenty and forty mile competitive rides. These are divided into two categories – free speed (FS), where there are no upper speed restrictions, and limited speed (LS), where riders have to stay below 10mph. Both categories have a minimum speed of 6mph. It is not necessarily the fastest horse to cross the line that wins – instead, points are awarded depending on the ratio between speed and heart rates at the vet inspections that precede and follow the race.
“We are so grateful to Dengie for their sponsorship yet again and the winners were delighted with their prizes,” enthused Liz. “Endurance riders are very switched on to the benefits of fibre feeding, so Dengie were the perfect partners for this event.”
Saturday 4th July
1st Nikki Freeman and J. J. Bready (pictured below)
2nd Margaret Allison and Chocolate Chip Cookie
Sunday 5th July
1st Gary Tidy and Archie (pictured below)
2nd Sarah Reece and Ice
3rd Sam Watton and April
4th Pam Chiddey and Shalina
5th Emily Bratby and Holly
6th Deanna Waitland and Fudge
Competitive Winners
Jess Smith and Flash – winners of the 40FS on Saturday
Kathryn Ellis and Talavary Mystic (aka Meg) – winners of the 20FS on Saturday
Lucy Sanderson and Bob – winners of the 20LS on the Saturday
Marie Russell and Equinox – winners of the 20FS on the Sunday
Photos courtsey of Indie Pics (Ruth Saunby)
Dengie Fresh Bed For Chickens – a natural soft straw bedding with pine oil for ultimate freshness – is now available in easy-to-handle 50-litre bales, making light work of keeping chickens warm and cosy.
The product has been developed in conjunction with the British Hen Welfare Trust and every purchase helps to raise funds for this extremely worthy charity. Fresh Bed includes pine oil with natural anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties and is made from 100 per cent biodegradable chopped, dust-extracted straw. It’s perfect for ex-commercial hens that prefer to snuggle down on the floor rather than use a perch.
Easy to dispose of and quick to compost because it rots down much faster than wood shavings and pellets, Fresh Bed For Chickens provides a deep, comfortable bed for poultry and looks after the vegetables, too! It has an RRP of £8.35 and is also available in a big-value, 100-litre bale with an RRP of £12.92.
For further information about Fresh Bed for Chickens, click here or telephone 01621 841188 for friendly advice on the Dengie Help Line.
Dengie customer, Helen Plant had a fall at an endurance ride at Thorsby Hall last October, where she had a rather nasty break to her collar bone. Helen was swiftly air lifted to hospital by the Nottinghamshire & Lincolnshire Air Ambulance, and was so impressed with the service she received from the team, that she has been fund raising ever since her accident, in a bid to donate the cost of her trip to hospital.
Helen has been making and selling sock puppets (Frankenhorses) and to date has raised approx. £2000. To help with the fund raising, Helen organised a Dengie Diet clinic for all of her friends at her yard, along with a cake sale and ‘Guess the Weight’ competition.
Dengie Performance Nutritionist, Claire Akers spent a lovely day weighing horses at Helen’s yard enjoying some yummy homemade cakes. The horses and dogs didn’t miss out, with healthy homemade treats on offer for them too! From the sales of cakes, a further £80 was added to Helen’s fundraising pot.
The winner of the ‘Guess the Weight’ competition was Rachel Bloomer with a guess of 13,200kg. The combined weight of all 26 horses that Claire weighed and assessed on the day came to 13,168kg!
If you would like further information on how to organise a Dengie Diet Clinic at your yard, please email [email protected] with details of where your yard is based and approx number of horses. Please note there is no charge for the clinics or our service but we do ask for a minimum of 10 horses to be seen.