Carr & Day & Martin help Sara out - Week 2

For the last 6 months, my youngster Ziggy has been involved in a product trial with Carr & Day & Martin to help combat his brittle and dry feet.

In the middle of June I sent them a plea to help suggest what I could use on Sara's hoof following her two-month battle with a nasty abscess which has resulted in a new farrier needing to cut away a substantial amount of her hoof to try and get on top of the infection.

Carr & Day & Martin have very kindly agreed to add Sara to their trial and between the two I think this is the one we'll see the best results from.

Background:

Around 6 weeks ago Sara suddenly went very lame. In all the 16 years I have owned her she has never been sick, sorry nor lame, so it was quite a concern for me. After a desperate message to the farrier we found an abscess that had already burst but left a nasty hole in her foot. I was slightly relieved it wasn't anything more sinister but had no idea getting rid of the abscess would be a lengthy process.

Following a couple of weeks of trying different things, we made the decision last week to cut away the front of her hoof to try and get out what infection we could. Poulticing wasn't drawing anything out and this was the best course of action for her.

Thankfully we found some puss, and after a night poulticed up again we managed to draw more out. The following day I noticed her hoof was a lot drier but I was absolutely mortified at the state of her foot and dreading comprehending what people might think.

So, along came Carr & Day & Martin in the shape of my heros. They have very kindly offered to add Sara onto their hoof care trial which means going forward she will go straight onto their hoof supplement and begin a daily routine of having both the Carr & Day & Martin Cornucrescine and Oil applied so we can try to help get her hoof back to normal as quickly as possible.

Already I have seen some tremendous results in Ziggy's feet so have every bit of confidence that these fantastic products will play an important role in getting Sara's hoof to resemble something normal again.

Day 7:

I am absolutely over the moon with the comments from the farrier. He is more than happy with the progress of Sara's hoof. He's pretty sure all the infection is out now and felt the hoof was well enough to put a shoe on. She's walking much better now which is a relief so we'll start bringing her back into work.

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Carr & Day & Martin help Sara out - Week 1

For the last 6 months, my youngster Ziggy has been involved in a product trial with Carr & Day & Martin to help combat his brittle and dry feet.

In the middle of June I sent them a plea to help suggest what I could use on Sara's hoof following her two-month battle with a nasty abscess which has resulted in a new farrier needing to cut away a substantial amount of her hoof to try and get on top of the infection.

Carr & Day & Martin have very kindly agreed to add Sara to their trial and between the two I think this is the one we'll see the best results from.

Background:

Around 6 weeks ago Sara suddenly went very lame. In all the 16 years I have owned her she has never been sick, sorry nor lame, so it was quite a concern for me. After a desperate message to the farrier we found an abscess that had already burst but left a nasty hole in her foot. I was slightly relieved it wasn't anything more sinister but had no idea getting rid of the abscess would be a lengthy process.

Following a couple of weeks of trying different things, we made the decision last week to cut away the front of her hoof to try and get out what infection we could. Poulticing wasn't drawing anything out and this was the best course of action for her.

Thankfully we found some puss, and after a night poulticed up again we managed to draw more out. The following day I noticed her hoof was a lot drier but I was absolutely mortified at the state of her foot and dreading comprehending what people might think.

So, along came Carr & Day & Martin in the shape of my heros. They have very kindly offered to add Sara onto their hoof care trial which means going forward she will go straight onto their hoof supplement and begin a daily routine of having both the Carr & Day & Martin Cornucrescine and Oil applied so we can try to help get her hoof back to normal as quickly as possible.

Already I have seen some tremendous results in Ziggy's feet so have every bit of confidence that these fantastic products will play an important role in getting Sara's hoof to resemble something normal again.

Day 2:

Today is the day after Sara has had part of her hoof cut away. I'll be honest, I'm absolutely mortified at how it looks and can't bring myself to look at it properly - all I keep thinking is what will people think and will it ever grow back! Of course I know it will, but she used to have such good feet; this is just a nightmare. Sara's foot spent the night poulticed up and when it came to removing the poultice I found quite a substantial amount of puss on the poultice. Good news that it's coming out, but bad news is that this means there's still more in there and it doesn't look like we'll be seeing none on a poultice any time soon!

Day 3:

I took the poultice off today for a few hours as the new farrier has recommended letting the foot breathe whilst we've got the 'hole' there, but ensuring I keep it clean. I'm cleaning regularly with neat hibi-scrub and cotton wool buds so we can get right up into the foot. It's not a pretty job and smells absolutely vile, but I am just trying to do all I can to get Sara right again. 

The poultice I removed today was a lot drier - thankfully no puss! Are we on to a winner?

Day 4:

Sara is going absolutely stir crazy in her stable and I really don't think keeping her in is doing her any good, so managed to poultice her foot, then on top of that poultice a plastic bag onto it so she can go out in the field. 

I was so thankful to hear from Carr & Day & Martin today that Sara can go straight onto their Hoof Care trial. I really cannot thank them enough. As of today she's having 1/2 a scoop of Hoof Supplement in her night time feed and in a few days when the puss has stopped coming from the hoof I'll start to apply the oil and cornucrescine. They really are my heros right now for agreeing to help! 

When I returned from work I took the poultice off the foot that had been on the previous night and all day. I was secretly hoping for no puss but unfortunately there was lots again. I really do feel like this will never end, but as the old saying goes "better out than in". I left a poultice off for the night so her hoof can breathe and hopefully start the natural healing process. We're having to ensure her bed is kept clean at all times but thankfully she's on shavings, so this isn't too difficult! The hoof definitely doesn't smell as much as it did and is drier underneath. I'm hoping we're finally on the road to recovery. 

Day 5/6:

As with the previous days I poulticed Sara's foot up for her to go out and then took it off for her to come in and cleaned with hibiscrub. I am beginning to get concerned with how dry her hoof is looking and she's beginning to struggle walking on the stones. Thankfully the farrier is due tomorrow!

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Do my hooves look okay in this? Caring for your horses feet - sponsored post.

The old saying "no hoof, no horse" has been heard for many years now and yet still, the saying is still used and something many are firm believers in.

After a long winter of wed, muddy fields we all look forward to spring grass, dry fields and plenty of galloping down our favourite bridle way; but do we give a moments thought to our horses hooves apart from the six-weekly check and rasp by the farrier?

Horses hooves resemble fingernails - when wet they get weak and often this is a frustration to many of us throughout winter when we bring our trusty steed in from the field with only three shoes on yet AGAIN!

Just when we think it's all coming right and summer is fast approaching, which should mean no more soggy fields and consequently no more finding shoes at the bottom of the field, we're brought back down to earth with a bump. Hooves need moisture to stay healthy, otherwise weakening will occur again resulting in dry, brittle hooves that crack and subsequently we end up finding shoes at the bottom of the field again.

It's a vicious cycle and if your horse is prone to weak hooves then I'm sure you're all too familiar with the sound of 'Clip, Clop, Clip, THUD' or texting your instructor to cancel a lesson because "the horse has lost a shoe again!".

It's important to get into a routine of maintaining your horses feet and becoming familiar with what's normal for your horse in terms of hoof appearance and temperature. If you know the basics then you're well on your way to recognising the early signs of trouble should there be any.

Applying hoof oil every other day in summer will help to prevent splits and cracks. I like to combine the use of Carr &  Day & Martin's hoof oil and cornucrescine to ensure all my horses have healthy hooves. On a daily basis I apply the Carr & Day & Martins hoof oil; which one depends very much on the state of fields and what I'm trying to protect against. During the summer months I'm using the Tea Tree Hoof Oil which is great for maintaining and protecting the hoof, whilst giving a long lasting shine in the show ring. This product is perfect for keeping in your tack box at all times!

Our fields get very wet in winter as our drainage isn't the greatest, so throughout winter months I apply Carr & Day & Martins Daily Hoof Barrier; this helps to strengthen the hoof whilst supporting it's structure. What's even better is it includes antibacterial agents to help protect against all that bacteria your horse is exposed to when stood in his stable or field for long periods of time in winter.

Every second or third day I like to use the Cornucrescine Hoof Ointment which has been around for generations. Apart from the obvious, that this product smells absolutely divine, it is also a trusted source for aiding both hoof and hair regrowth. Application with this ointment is a little different to your normal hoof oil and I broke several hoof oil brushes whilst trying to apply this (I should have read the label properly!). Cornucrescine works best if applied to clean hooves either by hand or with a tooth brush. You need to ensure you rub it well into the coronet band and any cracks and it will help maintain a healthy growth of horn, or accelerate hoof growth, whilst improving poor hooves.

By adding some of the above into your daily routine you will be well on your way to ensuring you're caring for the perfect hooves.

Here's some top tips to get your horses hooves looking and feeling the best this summer:-

- Apply hoof oil either every day, or every other day. Carr & Day & Martin do a variety of hoof oils and ointments which can be varied depending on what you're trying to achieve. By applying hoof oil and ointments regularly you'll be helping to prevent those pesky splits and cracks which turn up during summer time!

- Pick out your horses feet every day with a hoof pick. The one day you don't do it might be the day he gets a stone wedged in between his shoe and hoof.

- Check shoes for wear and tear and signs that your farrier may be required. Risen clenches, pinching across the bulbs of the heel, overgrown and/or misshapen feet are just some of the important signs to look out for.

- Unshod horses need checking for splits, cracks, flares and overgrown misshapen hooves.

- Regular attention from your farrier will put you well on your way to ensuring your horses hooves stay healthy. Ensure that the farrier attends shod feet every four to six weeks and unshod feet every six to ten weeks.

Finding your perfect farrier can be a nightmare, but when you've got the right one look after him! Great care must be taken in finding the right farrier, so if you need some help ask your vet for recommendations. Correct trimming and shoeing is vital to horse's welfare and any mistakes can lead to serious damage!

- Get into the habit of checking your horses feet after the farrier has visited. Does everything look normal?

- No horse should be lame a few days after being seen by the farrier. If he is, call him immediately to address the problem.

- Check the balance of the feet. The angle should be around 45-50 degrees from the ground
at the front and 50-55 degrees from the ground at the back.

- The sole of the foot should not be touching the ground in unshod horses.

- The sides of the frog should be trimmed. The frog should be level or slightly below the edge of the hoof wall.

If in doubt - always ask your farrier. A good farrier will take the time to explain things to you and help put your mind at ease.

What extra precautions do you take in summer and winter to ensure your horses hooves stay healthy and problem free?

To find out more about the products Carr & Day & Martin offer you can visit their website.

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Carr & Day & Martin Hoof Care range - update

The structure in a horse's feet are solely responsible for supporting the full weight of the horse over a small area. Therefor, routine hoof care is extremely important as any problems in the feet can be detrimental to mobility and health. By taking care of your horses feet you're ensuring you've got a good foundation to start with.

Back in February when Carr & Day & Martin asked me if I would be interested in joining in with a product test on their Hoof Care range I jumped at the chance.

Ziggy arrived with me 12-months ago with very brittle feet that weren't in good condition at all and I'm always keen to keep Ceaser's looking fantastic and show-ready, so a hoof care regime is important to me. 

I've been applying the cornucrescine daily along with the selected oil every couple of days and I'm sure you'll agree the pictures of Ceaser's feet speak a thousands words. 

The trial is 12-months long but already both me and my farrier are beginning to see changes in both horses feet. He didn't see Ziggy for a good few weeks but could not believe the difference when he did.

For three months over the very wet and winter weather I have been applying the Cornucrescine ointment every few days and then the Hoof Barrier which does exactly what it says on the tin; protects your horses hooves from very wet and muddy conditions which can weaken the them causing them to crack - which is also a reason we end up finding ample amounts of shoes in the mud.

Once the weather warmed up around April time we switched over to using the Hoof Oil with Tea Tree in that can be used as your daily routine. This also looks and smells fantastic and gives the feet a gorgeous finishing touch making it perfect for the show ring!

Something like this trial isn't going to show immediate results over night but already, after just 5 months we're beginning to see changes in the condition of both horses feet.

If you'd like anymore information about Carr & Day & Martin's Hoof Care range please get in touch!

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Carr & Day and Martin Hoof Care 12 month Blog - Sponsored

Late last year when the powers that be at the iconic Carr & Day and Martin got in touch with me and asked if I would be interested in testing and reviewing their revolutionary Equimist 360 spray bottle filled with the old time favourite, Mane and Tail Conditioner and Canter Coat Shine I jumped at the chance. You can find out how I got on by clicking here. 

Ceaser and I had so much fun posing for photos and writing up the review that when the lovely Laura from Carr & Day and Martin got in touch again to ask if I would consider testing their Hoof Care Range for 12 months I immediately agreed. Who wouldn't jump at the opportunity to work with such an influential and much-loved company?

Okay, so lets go through the products and what i'll be looking out for over the next 12 months. 
Step 1: Cornucrescine Daily Supplement

To begin with Laura and I spent a considerable amount of time on the phone discussing where my blog was heading for 2015, what my plans were and why Ceaser was the "face of it all". We discussed the option of testing all of the products on him, but apart from losing the odd shoe here and there his feet have always been rock solid and quite good. As a baby he would often get sand cracks but since being permanently shod on all four feet that hasn't been a problem. Of course this then got me talking about Ziggy. When he arrived with me back in March 2014 he was shod in front but his feet were in a shocking state. They were long, cracked and how he hadn't lost a shoe I really don't know! Since then my fantastic farrier Paul Scott (Google him if you're in Lincolnshire, he's great with all types of horses and very knowledgeable) has worked tirelessly to get Ziggy's feet in better shape. We took his front shoes off (I'm not a big believer in 4-year-olds needing shoes) and he's just been trimmed regularly ever since. 

 

Although his feet looks ten times better than what they did they still crack when he's due a trim and get quite brittle, so Laura suggested trying the Hoof Care Range with him and seeing what results we get. 

I'm already an avid user of the ye' olde' Carr & Day & Martin Hoof Oil in the instantly recognisable red tin, so although Ziggy will be having the supplement to go alongside the ointments and oil, Ceaser will also be using these but without the supplement. 

The plan going forward is to photograph both ponies feet fortnightly and see what difference we notice and if there are any noticeable changes. Although signs of improvement may not be noticeable immediately, we are hoping to see some difference by capturing regular photographs and videos over a significant period of time. 

You should all know by now too that I don't do things by halves and for some time now I've been toying with the idea of Vlogging, so the plan is to not just blog fortnightly but also Vlog and add some fun into all this. I'm not good in front of a video camera and to practice for this Mark and I have been filming silly clips when we've been out and about. If I could put all the out takes together I would, but I don't think either of us would live it down. 

Filming the first scene couldn't have gotten off to a better start as Ceaser almost knocked me flying because standing still to look pretty for a video was just too much hassle! Anyway more on that later, it's product introduction time! 

After our chat Laura asked me what my fields were like and how much time Ceaser and Ziggy spent indoors in their stable. Both spend probably on average 3 out of 7 days outside at the moment, but as soon as the lighter nights and warmer days make an appearance this will increase a significant amount. However, for now we decided to protect against wet, muddy fields and deep littered beds. There really is a product for everything in the CDM range! 

Carr & Day & Martins 3 Step Hoof Care System

At Carr & Day & Martin they have developed a 3-step, individually tailored approach to create healthy hoof growth and then protect and maintain that growth. Individual horse-owners wanting to follow this regime will like me need to pick the Daily Supplement and Hoof Ointment, but then will pick their third step from a variety of daily routine products varying from Tea Tree Hoof Oil to Daily Hoof Moisturiser and so on. There are four daily products in the range and each focus on a different speciality area including an oil for dry conditions and one containing anti-bacterial agents. If you're unsure which one to go for I would really recommend contacting Laura or one of the other CDM team members who will be able to help you. 

Their optimum strength supplement will help to combat nutritional deficiencies and support hoof growth, strength and condition. Cornucrescine Daily Hoof Supplement is a highly palatable pelleted formula that is ideal for all horses. It contains numerous proven ingredients to encourage and help the body to produce healthy and strong hoof growth. You can feed the supplement daily, by hand as a treat or by adding to the ration. New healthy hoof growth should be evident within as little as 3 months so I'm really keen get started on using this supplement.  It will just be Ziggy using this as he's the one needing the most help with his hooves!

Step 2: Cornucrescine Hoof Ointment

Massaging the famous Carr & Day & Martin Ointment into the coronary band provides essential nutrients and will stimulate new, quicker, healthier growth. This process encourages the production of keratin by increasing blood flow to the coronary band and providing the nutrients to assist new growth. This is especially important for those who have existing hoof problems such as cracks that need growing out. Cornucrescine Hoof Ointment has been used and trusted since 1896 to promote healthy hoof at the coronary source. When used weekly the ointment maintains healthy hoof growth, when used daily it helps accelerate this growth and improve hoof quality. Both Ceaser and Ziggy (more than likely Sara too!) will be having this on three times a week. 

Step 3 The Cornucrescine Daily Range

Finally Carr & Day & Martin are keen to promote managing the environmental conditions that affect the hoof wall, ensuring it can maintain its’ strength and durability, all year round. The Cornucrescine Daily Range gives horse owners the ability to tailor their hoof care routine to their horses’ requirements. Choose from Hoof Dressing to nourish the hoof; Hoof Moisturiser to combat dry and brittle hooves; Hoof Barrier to prevent waterlogging; or Tea Tree Hoof Oil to protect from infection and give a long lasting shine. This flexibility allows hoof care regimes to be tailored to suit every individual horse and the environment in which it lives.

For now Laura has sent me the Barrier as our step 3 product, as it is perfect at this time of year. It creates a one way barrier that prevents the hoof from absorbing excessive moisture, ammonia and urea.  The advanced formulation waterproofs but still remains breathable, allowing any excess moisture to be expelled. This helps to strengthen, support and improve shoe retention. It also contains an antibacterial agent to protect the horn. So if your horse, like Ziggy, Ceaser and Sara, is out in muddy, wet conditions it keeps the hoof strong and equally, if your horse is in on bedding a lot it stops the ammonia in the urine from eating the sole.

Initially I was worried about giving Ziggy the Hoof Supplement as he can be a fussy eater, but thankfully rather than being a power formula like other supplements they're small pellets that both look and smell like feed, making them very palatable and tasty! 

From now on every fortnight i'll be updating this blog taking you through a series of pictures and videos showing just how both boys feet are getting on using the Carr & Day & Martin range.

To find out more about the Carr & Day & Martin range and their sister site Day Son & Hewitt visit their website now!

Week Commencing 23rd February - 2 weeks after starting the Hoof Care Range

Both Ceaser and Ziggy had a trim and in Ceaser's case a new set of shoes the previous week. I'll be posting pictures and an update in the next few days, keep an eye out for it going live!

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Carr Day & Martin - Global leaders in Equine care - product review

At the beginning of September I was approached by Carr Day & Martin about reviewing a series of products for them over the coming months and as you can imagine, I happily obliged and am tremendously grateful for the opportunity in working in collaboration with such a fantastic company.

I have used Carr Day & Martin products for as long as I can remember. Canter Coat Shine, Mane & Tail detangler, Hoof Oil; they all used to be on my birthday and Christmas list year after year but would never last long due to my patient pony happily obliging to being smothered in the various products daily.

In the sixteen years I have been using Carr Day & Martin products I've seen various changes to the unique selling points, the release of new innovative products to keep within the ever-growing and demanding equine market and most important I've seen a company dedicated to bringing both horse and rider the best they can offer. Whether it be through leather care, coat care, hoof care or health care, Carr Day & Martin are usually always the market leaders.

In February 2014 at the British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) Carr Day & Martin launched a revolutionary new spray technology. Rebranding across their spray products occurred and the old time favourites such as Canter Coat Shine and Mane and Tail detangler incurred a large overturn in both look, feel and use.

The Equimist 360 spray bottle was born

With Equimist 360, all your favourite and much-loved Carr Day & Martin products now benefit from an exclusive application technology allowing horse owners to get the perfect finish every time.

Doing literally what it says on the bottle, Equimist 360 can spray a full 360°, meaning that even if your dispenser is upside down or you're wanting to reach difficult areas such as the belly and undercarriage, you can always guarantee your product has been applied.

The functional new bottles deliver a new, innovative, wider spray pattern and a fine misting application which provides a completely even distribution of the product. Even better, those with nervous or young horses can now relax whilst using the spray bottles as they offer minimal sound when in use and the continuous spraying action makes product application more acceptable to horses who previously would not tolerate traditional trigger sprays.

Gone are the days when you feared for your product leaking out of the bottle or bits were left in the bottom when you were ready to throw it away as the new packaging provides unbeatable bottle evacuation, meaning no more product is left in the bottom.

You can almost guarantee that once you've experienced this revolutionary spray technology you'll never want to use a traditional trigger spray again and with Carr Day & Martin, you don't have to.

My thoughts

Working in Marketing full-time I know and believe that companies who want to strive and be the best have to always be one step ahead of the game, whatever the project. With the Equimist 360, Carr Day & Martin have introduced a unique and innovative spray bottle which has once again put them at the forefront of the equine industry.

First of all I tried the Canter Mane and Tail conditioner and quite honestly was impressed from the word go. Working full time and juggling three horses; one being Ceaser who I'm constantly training for our next competition and the other being an up and coming youngster, time is essence in an evening or in the morning and if I can save time I will do.

The Mane and Tail conditioner is fantastic. I tested the product for four weeks and out of those four weeks I only had to use the spray every 5ish days - and that was because I wanted a top up.

All mane and tails were by far easier to brush and the product left them with a silky feeling; allowing me to run my fingers through with ease - unlike before. When it comes to turnout I'm very picky and prefer all of my horses to have a tangle-free mane and tail, so this product was simply fantastic for me. Initially I was worried that I wouldn't be able to plait Ceaser's mane after having used the spray but unlike other products that make the mane slip through your fingers, this didn't and I was still able to get 11 neat plaits with ease.

For me this trusty favourite from Carr Day & Martin has only improved with time. The new Equimist 360 bottle simply adds to the ease and use of the product making it a must have for any amateur or professionals tack box.


Second up was the Dreamcoat which initially I was sceptical about using. Having used endless products out there on the equine market to get a high gloss finish to Ceaser's coat for the show ring I can honestly say nothing had ever made me go 'wow' and he always ended up looking streaky. That was until I used the Dreamcoat range from Carr Day and Martin. Having clipped all three ponies I was wondering whether I would still get a shine from their freshly-clipped coat, however Dreamcoat does exactly what it says on the bottle and gave me the coat I've always dreamed of and the three ponies ended with a coat that gleamed.

The brand new Equimist 360 bottle adds to the experience by preventing the spray from coming out in clumps, leaving you with patches of wet bits everywhere. Together the unique non-slip formula and innovative bottle help to highlight muscle definititon and can be used anywhere to leave an ultimate high gloss finish on any horse or ponies coat. Even better, after use their is no grease nor residue left and it can be used on manes and tails prior to plaiting for a high shine finish.

Ultimately I cannot give these products any less than a 5/5. They are two must haves both in our everyday tack box and showing kit for both amateurs and professionals. I would be interested now in trying the stain remover as up to now every other stain remover I have used on Ceaser has failed to work.

If you're after a professional, unique and yet affordable and trusty product then I wouldn't look any further than the prolific Carr Day & Martin range for all your needs.


So from us, it's six ears forward from the ultimate testers and a big smile from me!

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