Equine winter tips

The Blue Cross equine charity is reminding horse owners to prepare thoroughly for the winter months when their horse or pony will require extra care and attention.

Historically the charity has seen an increase in the numbers of equines being admitted to its equine centres during the winter and is now offering practical support for anxious owners to help them get safely through the cold, wet weather.

Kath Urwin, centre manager at the new Blue Cross equine centre at Rolleston in Staffordshire explains: “Winter is an extremely tough time for many horses and ponies and also for their owners. Most horse owners have to fit caring for their horse around their working day and this means mucking out, feeding and riding in the mornings and evenings when it is dark. It’s also more time consuming to care for horses and ponies during the winter. Extra feed, hay and rugs, plus maintaining muddy fields and mucking out stables take extra time and cost more money. It’s a hard time of year and many people struggle.”

The Blue Cross has put together the following top tips to help horse owners this winter:

• Arrange a morning and evening rota with other members of your yard to reduce day-to-day pressure on yourself but not the quality of care for your horse.
• Lag outside water pipes and cover taps with bubble wrap to stop them freezing.
• Fill extra buckets the night before when the pipes are thawed to save a job in the morning.
• Mix up several feeds in one go and label and cover them to save time.
• Prepare a week’s worth of hay nets at the weekend when you have more time.
• Lay hard core or specialist matting round gateways to prevent poaching.
• Comb baby oil through manes and tails to stop the mud sticking.
• Float a tennis ball in water troughs to help stop ice forming.
• Skip out stables during the week and save the big muck out for the weekend.

Kath continues: “If you are struggling this winter please remember that The Blue Cross is here to help. We will provide advice and support and if owners find themselves in the heartbreaking situation of being unable to care for their animal any longer the charity will endeavour to help, where possible, to take your horse or pony into its care to ensure it has a safe and secure future.”

Working from three dedicated equine centres in Oxfordshire, Sussex and Staffordshire, The Blue Cross aims to rehome all horses and ponies in its care once they are physically and mentally fit enough. Every rehomed horse or pony is routinely visited twice a year and friendly centre staff and experienced field officers are on call to offer advice.

The Blue Cross is funded solely by public donations and relies on the support of equine lovers. Facilities and resources are not infinite, which means that needy horses can only be admitted to the centres once rehabilitated horses have been rehomed. If you feel you can provide an experienced, long term home to a horse or pony in the charity’s care, contact one of our three equine centres direct: Burford: 01993 822454, Northiam: 01797253908 or Rolleston: 08452605505 or, email equine@bluecross.org.uk or visit the website at www.bluecross.org.uk   For further information on the exciting new Sponsor-A Pony Scheme visit the website or telephone Callie Rose 01993 825564, e-mail callie.rose@bluecross.org.uk

Media contact: Sam Roberts
Direct line: 0207 932 4065
Mobile: 07917132698

Note to Editors
The Blue Cross is Britain's pet charity, providing information, advice and practical support for pet and horse owners. Through its network of animal adoption centres it rehomes thousands of animals each year. Its hospitals provide veterinary care for the pets of people who cannot afford private vets fees. For further information visit the Blue Cross website at www.bluecross.org.uk