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Let your horse lick their way to a balanced diet

Let your horse lick their way to a balanced diet 150 150 katesheppard

There is so much more in a tub lick than you think.

Licks are often given to horses to alleviate boredom during hours in the stable. Think about the action of licking, encouraging the horse and giving the horse additional opportunity to lick in itself is of benefit to both digestive and mental health.

Licking and chewing encourages calmness and relaxation. As a result of the licking and chewing saliva is produced. The production of saliva is essential for a healthy digestive system. Saliva is a natural buffer and lubricant. Gastric tissues that are well covered in saliva will always be much happier. Unlike humans, horses can only produce saliva during the licking and chewing process. Another reason why horses should always have access to forage.

Providing our horses with an almost endless supply of forage should be our first thought when it comes to planning their diets.

What is forage? Forage is grass, hay, haylage & straw. Typically forage achieved by providing turnout in fields of grass and then hay or haylage when there is no grass available. Next you must consider how you will supplement that forage to provide a balanced diet. A balanced diet is a diet that meets all the horses vitamin, mineral, protein and energy requirements.

Lets just focus on vitamin, mineral & protein. Energy additions to the diet must only be added to meet ridden work.

Most leisure horses and ponies do not need additional energy added to their diet. Remember that when energy is eaten but not used by the body during exercise, that unused energy becomes fat. That fat will NOT become muscle.

So how will you balance your horses diet without additional energy (calories)?

Let them lick their way to a balanced diet. Let them benefit from the essential licking and chewing action and saliva production, whilst taking in all the additional vitamins and minerals.

A lick will promote a trickle feeding pattern for your horse, feeding in the most natural way possible will help your horses digestive system to operate with maximum efficiency. Like with any new feed, introduce the lick gradually some horses will appear greedy and like they won’t ever stop licking, they will. Allow regular access to the lick, once your happy your horse is over the initial novelty of the lick allow free access where ever possible. I leave the lick in my horses stable. Your horse should be allowed to self regulate the consumption of the lick by having access to it where ever possible.

We have a wide range of licks in store that will also provide additional supplementation to meet specific health requirements, Joint, Respiratory, Hoof & Skin. There are licks designed to support specific nutritional needs. We are more than happy to discuss your horses individual requirements, pop in store for a chat.

Christmas Opening Hours 2023

Christmas Opening Hours 2023 150 150 katesheppard

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year… Here’s to a lovely holiday, and a very prosperous and healthy happy horsey new year! See you on Tuesday 2nd January 2024

HackWear Hi-Viz Safety Jacket

HackWear Hi-Viz Safety Jacket 150 150 katesheppard

Our HackWear Hi-Viz Safety Jacket is brilliant for hacking out or working on the yard. If you want to be warm and seen this is the jacket for you. Both light weight, warm and showerproof. There are three zip pockets to keep your phone and valuables safe whilst riding. There is a also a useful velcro closure pocket on the inside. I wore this jacket all last winter.. love it! Available in store and online.

We’re Open 9am – 3pm Saturday 4th November

We’re Open 9am – 3pm Saturday 4th November 150 150 katesheppard

The ever famous Lewes Bonfire celebrations run this year on Saturday 4th of November. We will be open for our usual Saturday hours 9am – 3pm. Our plentiful private parking at the front of our shop is uninterrupted by the bonfire celebrations. Road closures are imposed from 4pm. Wishing you all a wonderful weekend with or without Bonfire.

What’s the difference between Dengie Healthy Tummy and Ulser Lite

What’s the difference between Dengie Healthy Tummy and Ulser Lite 150 150 katesheppard
In case you’re not sure which one of the wonderful Dengie feeds we have on special offer while stocks last… Here is a brilliant comparison image of the two feeds

£2 Off Dengie Healthy Tummy

£2 Off Dengie Healthy Tummy 150 150 katesheppard
Dengie are really treating us! Along with Ulser Lite having £2 Off .. The complete feed Healthy Tummy also has £2 Off, both feeds will remain on discount while stocks last

£2 Off Dengie Ulser Lite

£2 Off Dengie Ulser Lite 150 150 katesheppard
While Stocks last there is £2 OFF Dengie Ulser Lite – A natural low calorie fibre feed for good digestive health.

Closed for Bank Holiday

Closed for Bank Holiday 150 150 katesheppard

Wishing you all a Happy Bank Holiday for tomorrow. As with all Bank Holidays we will be closed. Back open on Tuesday 29th at 9am

Closing Early Friday 4th August 2023

Closing Early Friday 4th August 2023 150 150 katesheppard

Hi Viz Sport T’s perfect for Summer Hacking

Hi Viz Sport T’s perfect for Summer Hacking 150 150 katesheppard
Hi Viz Sport T's the perfect T for summer riding

Hi Viz Sport T’s are the perfect addition to your summer riding wardrobe. Available in kids and adults sizes starting from £7.99