NOVEMBER 2023 Volume 47, No 9
WALK TALL Winter warmers from top to toe
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PLUS
• Why fibre feeding is favourite • Mark Romain in the hot seat • New helmets among the latest launches
ABSORBENT • ECONOMICAL NATURAL • ECO-FRIENDLY
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ETN | BENCH SADDLER
Celebrating
the best bench saddlers...
This award, presented in conjunction with the Society of Master Saddler (SMS), recognises those who uphold the highest standard of leathercraft skills. ETN/SMS BENCH SADDLER OF THE MONTH: KATE HARDT Staffordshire based Kate Hardt is an SMS Master Saddler who owns and runs Kate Hardt Saddlery. Earlier this year, Kate was placed in two of the classes at the SMS National Competition. Kate has ridden since she was four years old and from a young age wanted to be either a saddler or a police officer. Fast forward a few years, and Kate hasn’t just done one of her chosen jobs - she has done both. Kate is the first to admit that her path to becoming a saddler hasn’t been conventional. She got an apprenticeship when she was 16, but during the two years didn’t take any qualifications. However, what she did gain was masses of experience working on everything from bridles, military equipment, police waistbelts and side saddles. “I gained lots of experience and valuable training during my apprenticeship, but with no qualifications at the end of it I left and joined the police force,” says Kate. During her 20 years as a police officer, the thought of being a saddler remained and she kept her connections with the trade via regular visits to Walsall and making the odd piece when she could.
A MOVE TO GERMANY
A career break followed when she met and married her husband, Thomas. They moved to Germany for a couple of years and during that time Kate ran her own saddlery business. When they returned to the UK, Kate was keen to further her learning and credibility in the saddlery world, so she embarked on a course with Mark Romain at the Saddlery Training Centre. Her previous experience meant Kate quickly gained the City & Guilds Level 3 Saddle Making and City & Guilds Level 3 Bridle Making qualifications. Kate was invited to be an SMS Master Saddler earlier this year; her application was supported by Laurence Pearman, Mark Romain and Chris Taylor. “I was over the moon when made a Master Saddler,” says Kate. “My career path has been more unusual, but I just feel so lucky to be doing what I do. I am passionate about keeping old skills alive and saddlery is one of those skills that we need to preserve.” At the SMS National Competition held in February this year, Kate came second in the Small Business Saddle Makers class and had a third place in the Intermediate Bridle class. 16 | EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS NOVEMBER 2023
Kate Hardt was placed in two classes at the SMS National Competition this year.
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W NE
Kate is now working towards her City & Guilds qualifications in harness making and has attended numerous courses in side-saddle building and restoration. She admits that being away on various saddlery training courses has been tough and is a big commitment. “I couldn’t have done it without the support of my husband, Thomas,” she says.
PASSION FOR SIDE-SADDLE
Kate’s interest in side-saddles isn’t just about restoring and making them. She has ridden side-saddle for about ten years – and has even won a pointto-point riding side-saddle. This passion was sparked when she was an apprentice and had the opportunity to learn and work on many side-saddles. “We are very lucky to keep our two horses, Monty Kate Hardt and Oakie in training for a and Oakie at home,” point-to-point… riding side-saddle. explains Kate “Monty is my horse of a lifetime. He is 24 now and I’ve owned him since he was four years old. He terrifies and delights me in equal measure and has been an amazing side-saddle horse. I’ve done everything with him from hunting side-saddle, eventing and hunter trials.” Work-wise, Kate takes on lots of leather repairs. After attending a course with Frances Roche, she has started making blingy browbands, which she is really enjoying. Kate says she loves being in her workshop every day, describing it as her happy place and something she hopes to continue for many years to come.
THE ULTRA LOW CALORIE FIBRE FEED for good doers & those prone to laminitis
Soft & tasty meadow grasses blended with high-quality oat straw Low in calories (5MJ/kg DE) Naturally low in sugar (3%) & starch (0.5%) Includes postbiotics to support the gut microbiota Bling browbands are a speciality at Kate Hardt Saddlery.
Enhanced with tasty herbs Free from molasses, alfalfa & cereals
HOW TO NOMINATE A BENCH SADDLER:
Everyone is invited to nominate bench saddlers they feel deserve to be named ETN Bench Saddler of the Month. Candidates for the award must be a member of the SMS and based in the UK or overseas. To nominate a bench saddler (or more than one), email editor@equestriantradenews.com and tell us why this person deserves to be put in the spotlight. Please include the bench saddler’s name and business name too.
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Contact your Dengie Area Sales Manager or the Feedline for further information
01621 841188 Discover more at dengie.com
ETN | OPINION
Mark Romain with a saddlery trainee at the Saddlery Training Centre which he has run with his wife Dawn for 23 years.
In the hot seat
Mark Romain MBE is the founder and owner of The Saddlery Training Centre in Salisbury. Mark’s contribution to the saddlery industry was recognised with an MBE in 2014. Five years later, he was presented with the BETA Lifetime Achievement award. How did you get started in saddlery?
On leaving school I really wanted to do something practical. After spending three months being unhappy in a predominantly woodwork apprenticeship, I heard of an apprenticeship opportunity at the local saddlery in Salisbury. I stayed there for 13 years.
How did you come to create The Saddlery Training Centre?
I left the saddler in Salisbury when I applied for and was offered the position of Saddlery and Leatherwork Advisor at CoSIRA (Council of Small Industries in Rural Areas). It was a government quango that later became the Rural Development Commission and then the Countryside
Agency. I delivered their apprenticeship and short course training programmes as well as providing on site advisory services throughout rural England. I stayed for 14 years, until they decided to put all the Craft training provision out to tender. Other training provision included Forge work, Farriery, Thatching, Furniture making, Wheelwright, traditional upholstery as well as Saddlery. Many colleges put in bids to provide the various crafts, but none had any previous experience in saddlery. I had put in my own bid for the saddlery provision as I was desperate to continue working as a trainer. My bid was supported by statements from The Saddlers’ Company and Society of Master Saddlers (SMS), I had to find premises and put together a business plan
20 | EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS NOVEMBER 2023
explaining how the proposed centre would work. I was offered a three-year contract. All the other provision went to Hereford College and, as far as I am aware, Saddlery is the only one to still be in existence. It was September 2000. My wife Dawn gave up her job and came to work with me. The contract ended at the end of 2003, but by then we were established and we’ve never looked back. We have always been busy - and have certainly worked hard.
Who comes on courses at The Saddlery Training Centre?
We don’t offer courses to complete beginners, so apprentice training and those self-funding their own development are core to our business. WWW.EQUESTRIANTRADENEWS.COM
OPINION | ETN What three attributes make a good saddler? Good dexterity. Desire to achieve high standards. Patience.
Does a career in saddlery offer the prospect of making a good living? Working as a bench saddler is challenging; you must work hard to achieve a moderate income. Many choose saddlery as a career to relate to their passion for all things equestrian. Ultimately, it can be a lifestyle choice for many.
Many saddlers now appear to be based in rural workshop settings… Does this mean that the Walsall manufacturers are seeing a skills shortage? The rural/craft saddler has always been quite different from that of the Walsall manufacturing business. You won’t find many retail shops still located in town centres; most have moved to more rural settings. Likewise, the workshop-based saddlers may work from home or in converted farm buildings. Manufacturers are far more business driven, time is money and processes tend to be broken down into job roles. You will
need to be a team player and someone who can cope with manufacturing deadlines. I think manufacturers probably are seeing skills shortages in some areas. Surveys have been flagging up an ageing workforce for some time and attracting young people into those businesses has been a challenge.
Has a move away from the ‘throw away society’ and towards sustainability prompted a renewed interest in leathercraft skills?
A lot of dedication from many over the years has resulted in raised standards, with the support of the Saddlers’ Company and progression of the SMS, a great deal has been achieved. We will all benefit from that.
What’s planned for 2024 at The Saddlery Training Centre?
Well, more of the same I guess… We are adapting to lower numbers of apprentices. Employers need a lot of confidence to take an apprentice and that’s not there at the moment. Government apprenticeships Yes, The Repair Shop and other TV are not catering for micro businesses and programmes with a recycling theme have all helped to focus on what can be repaired/ require a quite a lot from a small employer. On the plus side, more people are restored. They should also feature that these things coming into the trade a little later in life. cost money. People are often shocked when They tend to be very driven and will work hard to achieve their goals. We are doing receiving a quotation for a repair. However, our best to support all those who have it takes a long time to acquire the skills and made the commitment. knowledge and that must be paid for by someone.
If you could change one thing about the saddlery trade, what would it be?
I think we’ve made enormous improvements over the years but being recognised as a professional trade is key for me. Recognised qualifications, a professional trade body and striving to be best in all we do.
How do you like to relax at the end of a busy working week?
Dawn and I are very family oriented so spending time with our son, daughter-inlaw and grandson feature at the top of the list. We also like to garden and spend time around our home. Monday soon comes around again.
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ETN | CPD FEATURE ABOUT ETN’S RAMA/SQP FEATURES ETN’s series of CPD features helps RAMAs (Registered Animal Medicines Advisors/SQPs) earn the CPD (continuing professional development) points they need. The features are accredited by AMTRA, and highlight some of the most important subject areas for RAMAs/ SQPs specialising in equine and companion animal medicine. AMTRA is required by the Veterinary Medicines Regulations to ensure its RAMAs/SQPs undertake CPD. All RAMAs/SQPs must earn a certain number of CPD points in a given period of time in order to retain their qualification. RAMAs/SQPs who read this feature and submit correct answers to the questions below will receive two CPD points. For more about AMTRA and becoming a RAMA/SQP, visit www.amtra.org.uk
Why fibre is favourite… To some owners, the advice to feed a high fibre diet may feel like old news, but its importance should never be underestimated. Sarah Nelson, SPILLERS nutritionist, explains why fibre is critical to the health and well-being of all horses. WHAT IS FIBRE?
The term fibre describes a group of nutrients called structural carbohydrates. Depending on their type, feeds and forages contain varying amounts of digestible, partially digestible and indigestible fibre. The fermentation of fibre in the large intestine or ‘hindgut’ produces volatile fatty acids which are absorbed into the bloodstream and utilised as a source of energy or ‘calories’. Highly digestible or ‘rapidly’ fermentable’ fibres yield the greatest amount of energy, while slowly fermentable fibres yield the least.
Photos: Shannon Jordan/ Chelle129/Shutterstock.com
SOURCES OF FIBRE
Basing the diet on forage should always be the first priority, ideally providing as much as the horse will eat.
The majority of fibre in every horse’s diet should ideally be provided by forage, but for those unable to maintain weight on forage alone, fibre ‘in the bucket’ provides a valuable source of additional energy/calories. Certain ingredients can sometimes cause alarm, but the key is to provide a balance of fibre sources most appropriate for the individual horse or pony. For example, feeds based on sources of slowly fermentable fibre such as wheatfeed, oatfeed and straw, are often ideal for good doers because they are low in calories. On the other hand, feeds or ingredients high in rapidly fermentable fibre such as soya hulls and sugar beet are significantly more digestible and may be better suited to poor doers or horses in hard work, especially if fed in larger amounts. TIP: Remember horses that are unable to manage long fibre (grass, hay and haylage) will need a forage replacer and where possible, owners should include at least some short-chopped fibre to help increase chewing. However, those with very poor teeth will need a mash, potentially fed as 100% of the diet. 28 | EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS NOVEMBER 2023
HOW MUCH FIBRE DO HORSES NEED?
Unlike many other nutrients, there’s no published requirement or ‘recommended daily intake’ for fibre per se in horses. Basing the diet on forage should always be the first priority, ideally providing as much the horse will eat, while being mindful of excess waste. However, this may not be appropriate for good doers, especially if they are overweight. In 2016, a group of researchers, vets and nutritionists from the EU and the UK published recommendations for minimum daily forage intake based on 20 years of scientific research, agreeing that for most horses, total intake should not be restricted to less than 1.5% of current bodyweight per day on a dry matter basis. The term dry matter often causes confusion, but this recommendation is equivalent to owners needing to weigh out approximately 9kg of hay (11kg if it is to be soaked before feeding) or 11-12kg of haylage (sometimes more) for a 500kg horse without grazing. For horses unable to maintain weight on forage, choosing fibrebased feeds containing low or restricted amounts of cereal starch and sugar will help to support digestive health and reduce the risk WWW.EQUESTRIANTRADENEWS.COM
CPD FEATURE | ETN
The fermentation of fibre in the large intestine produces heat which is often described as a source of ‘central heating’ that will help to keep horses warm in winter months.
of unwanted excitability (cereal starch is the most common cause of feed related excitability).
FIBRE FOR HINDGUT HEALTH
A high fibre diet is essential for maintaining hindgut health and ultimately, a healthy digestive system is the foundation of a healthy horse. Low fibre and/or high starch diets may lead to or contribute to weight loss, loose droppings and several clinical conditions including colic and tying up.
FIBRE FOR GASTRIC HEALTH
When it comes to reducing the risk of gastric ulcers, one of the main benefits of feeding forage and short chopped fibre is to promote chewing. The horse’s stomach produces acid continuously (although at a variable rate). Saliva provides a natural buffer to stomach acid but unlike people, horses only produce saliva when they chew, which is why long periods without eating increases stomach acidity. However, feeding short chopped fibre prior to exercise can also help to prevent ‘gastric splashing’. Exercise increases abdominal pressure, causing acid to ‘splash’ on to the stomach lining in the non-glandular region where it increases the risk of ulcers forming. Feeding short chopped fibre helps to prevent gastric splashing by forming a protective ‘fibre mat’ on top of the contents of the stomach. Current advice is to feed 2 litres of short chopped fibre (by volume - equivalent to 1 Stubbs scoop) in the 30 minutes before exercise. TIP: suggest customers add short chopped fibre to every meal and ideally one containing alfalfa, as the high protein and calcium content is thought to help buffer stomach acid.
Did you know?
• In one study, the risk of non-glandular ulcers was found to be approximately 4 times higher in horses left more than 6 hours
without forage, although the risk may be higher during the day. • Recent research found that adding 15% short chopped fibre to meals significantly increased eating time.
FIBRE FOR MENTAL WELL-BEING
Having evolved to spend up to 16-18 hours per day foraging, horses have a psychological as well as a physiological need to chew. This considered, it may come as no surprise that studies have found a link between low forage diets and a higher prevalence of stereotypical behaviours such as crib biting. However, feeding short chopped fibre can help to promote positive behaviour too - in one study, three of out five foals stopped or showed a reduction in crib-biting when given feeds designed to increase chewing.
FIBRE FOR CENTRAL HEATING
The fermentation of fibre in the large intestine produces heat which is often described as a source of ‘central heating’ that will help to keep horses warm in winter months. Although the digestion of fibre produces heat regardless of the season, diets based on winter pasture, hay and haylage (as opposed to fresh spring/ summer grazing) are generally higher in fibre and less digestible and in turn, produce more heat.
FIBRE FOR HYDRATION
Depending on the type of diet, fluid in the horse’s digestive system may account for around 9-21% of the horse’s bodyweight. The ‘reservoir’ of fluid in the large hindgut is thought to provide a source of water that can be drawn upon during brief periods of short supply and may be influenced by the amount and type of fibre fed. For example, research in the 1990s found horses fed a high forage diet were less dehydrated after a standard exercise test than those fed a diet that included limited forage; while other studies indicated that alfalfa has a higher water holding capacity and is more digestible than mature grass hays. Mashes have become increasingly popular in recent years and of course, any feed that requires soaking will help to support hydration. CPD QUIZ OVER THE PAGE
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EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS NOVEMBER 2023 | 29
ETN | CPD FEATURE
RAMA CPD QUIZ
SELECT YOUR ANSWERS AND SUBMIT THEM AT WWW.EQUESTRIANTRADENEWS.COM UNDER THE CPD SECTION
1. Fibre describes a group of nutrients called a. Structural carbohydrates b. Non-structural carbohydrates c. Digestible carbohydrates 2. The term ‘long fibre’ includes a. Hay and haylage b. Hay and grass c. Hay, haylage and grass 3. Current advice is to feed the equivalent of 1 Stubbs scoop of short chopped fibre before a. 30 mins of exercise b. 1 hour of exercise c. 1.5 hours of exercise 4. Horses evolved to spend up to a. 5 hours per day foraging 16-18 hours per day foraging b. c. 24 hours per day foraging
5. Feeds and forage contain a. A combination of digestible and indigestible fibre b. A combination of digestible and partially digestible fibre c. A combination of digestible, partially digestible and indigestible fibre
RAMA CP Questio D n (nutriti s on) Novem be 2023 E r TN
8. Alfalfa is thought to help buffer stomach acid because it is naturally high in a. Protein b. Sugar c. Protein and calcium
6. In one study, the risk of gastric ulcers was found to be 4 times higher in horses left for a. More than 2 hours without forage b. More than 4 hours without forage c. More than 6 hours without forage
9. For most horses, total forage intake should not be restricted to less than a. 1% bodyweight per day on a dry matter basis b. 1.5% bodyweight per day on a dry matter basis c. 2% bodyweight per day on a dry matter basis
7. Horse produce saliva a. Continuously b. When they chew c. When they are not chewing
10. Fibre is fermented in the a. Stomach b. Small intestine c. Large intestine
SUBMIT YOUR ANSWERS ONLINE AT WWW.EQUESTRIANTRADENEWS.COM UNDER THE CPD SECTION.
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NOVEMBER 2023
ETN REPORTING | ETN
TURNING BACK THE PAGES…
For more than four decades, ETN has reported on the equestrian trade. Let’s look back at the news, people and products that were making headlines this month five, ten, 20 and 30 years ago. In November 2018, ETN reported:
In November 2013, ETN reported:
In November 2003, ETN reported:
In November 1993, ETN reported:
Online retailer Equus secured £550,000 funding from City financiers. The Bedfordshire based business was founded in 2013 by husband-and-wife team Kim Horton and Steven Wood. Mitsubishi Motors announced the end of its 28-year title sponsorship of Badminton Horse Trials. Premix manufacturer Premier Nutrition invested £13.1 million in a new production facility at Fradley Park in FIVE Staffordshire. The company said its most YEARS automated factory to date would deliver AGO... to the animal feed industry the same levels of integrity and rigour already found in consumer food production. Sports Direct opened a 17,700 sq ft Pro store in Shirebrook, Derbyshire. The equestrian department was to stock brands such as Musto, Eskadron, Jack Murphy, Ariat and Hackett plus equine essentials such as rugs and lead ropes.
Pioneering efforts were being made by BETA and The Jockey Club to collaborate over natural occurring prohibited substances in feed. They asked the Horseracing Forensic Laboratory in Newmarket to research the levels at which contaminants such as morphine and caffeine occur in feeding stuffs. Robinsons new two-storey superstore opened in a blaze of 20 publicity - the Lancashire retailer’s previous YEARS premises having been devasted in a fire. AGO... The new site offered more display space, a function room and saw the return of the Nose Bag Café. Equine security specialist FarmKey was using the latest mobile phone technology to help locate stolen or strayed animals. Its Loc8 system could send text messages to alert hundreds of horse owners as well as the police, auctions and ports. FarmKey said it had freeze-marked around 200,000 horses so far. “Whatever next?” asked ETN while reporting the launch of a collection of Red Rum branded coloured hoof oils said to be ideal for Christmas, fancy dress and fun.
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Countrywide Farmers opened a 5,000 sq ft store in Marlborough, Wiltshire. The outlet’s equestrian manager, Angela Molson, told ETN she planned to visit yards in the area to discuss competitive prices on bulk buys of feed and bedding. Countryside’s chain of stores totalled 53. TEN Publisher Equi-Ads Ltd was acquired by Stone YEARS Leisure who pledged to continue producing the AGO... free, national monthly magazine Equi-Ads. The new owners put the magazine’s circulation at 49,000 per issue. Popular agent John Hopes retired after 35 years working in the trade. While visiting retailers to represent well-known brands, he reckoned he’d driven enough miles to reach the moon and back – twice. People in the trade were showing their prowess in equestrian competition… Horseware’s Tom MacGuinness qualified for the endurance riding world championships via a 120km race in Uruguay; Master Saddler Helen Reader and Zennith won the novice dressage at the British Riding Clubs National Championship; BETA’s Tina Hustler riding Ethel came fifth in the show cross final at the Great Yorkshire Showground; and Cassie Hartley of Black Country Saddles scooped the HOYS intermediate show hunter title.
Traders slammed the Horse of the Year Show for having too many stands, too few shoppers and over-priced seat tickets. Show organiser, the British Show Jumping Association (BSJA), hit back by claiming the recession had affected people’s spending 30 habits and that traders were YEARS “always moaning.” AGO... Charles Owen won a campaign to get VAT lifted from all sizes of its Kids Own riding hats. The manufacturer’s 20-month crusade, costing around £80,000, ended in victory when a VAT Tribunal in Manchester ruled that all sizes of Kids Own jockey skull and riding hats were exempt from the tax because they were marketed for children. Charles Owen’s sales director David Latham-Cruse said he was “delighted” by the outcome, adding: “We proved a point.” Top showjumper Emma-Jane Brown told ETN she’d persuaded Paris haute couture label Galliano to create a first-of-its-kind elasticated riding jacket. “Our current styles are too restrictive when jumping fences, or look like tents because they’re so baggy,” said Emma-Jane. Even carrying the prized Galliano label, she said the new stretch jackets could sell “for as little as £150 in the shops.” EQUESTRIAN TRADE NEWS NOVEMBER 2023 | 31