A very happy Christmas to all of our customers and a big thank you from us here at Mayo for your continued custom in 2021!

The office will be closed from Wednesday 22nd December and will re-open Tuesday 4th Jan 2022.

If your query is urgent, please call 07825155299

Social media messages and emails will be checked intermittently across the break

The post Christmas Opening Hours appeared first on Mayo Farm Systems.

Now, if you were told you can give your horse superior comfort, cut mucking out time AND save money… would you believe it!?

How to save on loose bedding costs

Depending on how messy your horse is, how often they are mucked out, and the size of the bed will vary for each person. Below is a conservative example of the yearly spend on straw with a rubber mat. Against this, we have estimated the average spend on straw while using a Mayo Mattress. That is a whopping £6,392 10 year saving (£58.37 a month) AFTER the initial outlay of your Mayo Mattress (6 mats for a standard 12’x12′ stable). We estimated that around £19.25* a week is spent on straw when using rubber mats and £5.78 a week with a Mayo Mattress.

Your Mayo Mattress is paid for within the first year of purchase.

Why do you use less loose bedding?

The Mayo Mattress is made from an extremely durable closed cell foam. During the production process it is aerated which gives the mat it’s lovely plush cushioning. This provides the warmth and softness needed in a horse bed. So the only loose bedding required is enough to absorb any moisture from mess made by the horse. Not only are you saving money but you’re saving precious time with quicker mucking out!

How is it different to other EVA mats?

Other EVA mats on the market are not 100% EVA and contain cheap fillers – Mayo has absolutely no fillers! While other mats may perform initially, you may find they rip, curl, expand and become slippery over time. A Mayo Mattress won’t do this, it’s extremely durable and non absorbent; so it can’t harbour any bacteria or soak up any mess that causes smells.

We expect your Mayo Mattress to last much longer than 10 years. Why have we only shown savings over a 10 year period? This is the length we guarantee the product for. If you have any issues with your mats in this period when they are used as advised, we will replace them.

So, in short, while it may appear to be a more costly option at first glance, the Mayo Mattress in an investment and will save you money over time. Take a look at all the benefits and full specification of the Mayo Mattress.

*Straw usage varies from horse to owner preference. Estimated guide using the online price of Equinox straw as of November 2018.

The post Cash Savings Made With a Mayo Mattress appeared first on Mayo Farm Systems.

1. Straw on Stone / Concrete

It’s isn’t easy to make a hard surface comfortable. A deep littering of straw on top of stone or concrete forms a bed. A lot of straw has to be used to cover the cold, hard surface and provide a suitable area. It’s time consuming to muck out and also costly in never ending use of straw… who has time for that!?

2. Straw on Rubber

Rubber was extremely popular when it was first introduced. Covering the hard surface with rubber is a win in comparison to nothing being there. What isn’t a win is that rubber hardens over time and becomes slippy, so isn’t an ideal choice in the long run. A deep bed is still needed and the rubber mats are heavy and awkward to move when mucking out and can become very smelly – we all know how delightful that ammonia smell can be!

3. The Mayo Mattress

The Mayo Mattress is at the forefront of stable flooring innovation-  it’s also a BED! It’s the only horse mat on the market of it’s kind, made from a pure closed cell foam. Here’s just a few reasons why the Mayo Mattress is the modern choice for stable mats:

• Provides supreme comfort for your horse
• Lightweight, so easy to lift and clean by an individual
• Extremely durable
• Hygienic – 100% non-absorbent – no more nasty ammonia smells lingering!
• No loose bedding needed from a comfort and warmth perspective

Think of all the time saved in mucking out… and the money saved on loose bedding. All while having a supremely comfortable horse. A happy horse and a happy human- win win!

Take a look at all the full benefits of the Mayo Mattress.

The post The Evolution of Stable Flooring appeared first on Mayo Farm Systems.

Bonfire night is great fun for most people. Toffee apples and treacle toffee around the bonfire, with beautiful displays of fireworks in an array of colours and patterns. It has a real buzz about it… unless you own a horse, where it is more than likely an immensely stressful experience!

Horses can get extremely scared of the loud noises and bangs that accompany the bright flashing lights and crowds of festivity lovers. Here we have a few tips to help you prepare and keep your horse calm on bonfire night.

1. See what’s happening

Check for local events at pubs, in newspapers, local noticeboards and so on, to see when there are bonfire activities in your proximity. Unfortunately, there isn’t just the one night to contend with. As you’ll no doubt experience, festivities can spread out the week before, and after, the 5th November.

2. Make organisers aware

Inform organisers there are horses nearby and ask for the displays to be as contained as possible – ideally away from the horse’s vicinity or in an opposing direction.

3. Do not ride

Do not take your horse out or ride your horse when fireworks are in action. This can be extremely dangerous to your horse, yourself and others if they do get startled and scared.

4. Stay familiar

Keep your horse in familiar surroundings so they are as comfortable and calm as possible. If they are outside and there’s going to be a large local display, you may want to think about bringing them in for the night.

5. Keep safe

Check that the area they are in is as safe as possible. If they do get spooked you want to minimise any potential injury there may be around the stable or field area – remove any sharp or loose items.

6. Stay with your horse

We know this isn’t always possible but if you can, stay with your horse or see if someone else is able to. Your presence will help keep them distracted and calmed. That said, do be careful of your own safety as we all know how dangerous a horse can be when they get spooked! Playing music may help distract from loud noises in the background.

If you have any severe concerns about your horse then we advise contacting your vet as they may have alternative advice or may be able to offer sedation.

While your horse is tucked away on bonfire night, make sure they are comfortable and warm on a Mayo Mattress stable mat.

The post Top Tips for Horse Safety on Bonfire Night appeared first on Mayo Farm Systems.

Pennine Bridleway

The Pennine Bridleway is a national trail in the North of England and has been designed especially for horses and cyclists – perfect! The full route is a whopping 205 miles through the Pennine hills from Derbyshire to Cumbria. This trail offers both leisurely and more challenging areas with stunning surroundings along the way and panoramic views of the Pennines. Parts of the route follow stone paths so the riding can be quite slow but certainly a route to explore. Give it a visit and soak in the breath-taking surroundings.

New Forest

The New Forest is a beautiful national park with over 3,000 wild New Forest ponies roaming the landscape in southern England. There’s varying scenic routes depending on your mood – choose to roam the forest, walk along the beach or follow the streams. There are roads, paths and bridleways to guide you and plenty of country pubs along the way if you find you need a light refreshment. A truly wonderful route for riders of all experiences.

Peddars Way & Norfolk Coast Path

Peddars Way follows a Roman road built along the line of an even older trackway. The national trail begins in a forest space and ventures into open country moorland and peaceful river valleys covering 93 miles. Most of the route can be accessed by riders and areas where there are restrictions, alternative paths are offered. A gentle and more relaxing route with simply dazzling surroundings.

Crychan Forest

Crychan Forest is perfectly situated in South West Wales. There are four car parks around the forest with horsebox spaces so there’s no issues with parking larger vehicles. Each car park has an area that displays the different riding routes for you to adventure out on. With trails starting from just 5 miles up to 25 miles there’s something for all moods. Different routes will take you through the mystical forest or on open pastures with views over the valleys. There’s an abundance of information on the Crychan Forest website – take a look and start planning your next ride!

Tyne Esk Trails

Tyne Esk Trails is located in the South of Scotland. In total, there are over 60 miles of horse trails made up of four circular routes ranging from 8 to 13.5 miles. The varying trails will take you through scenic landscapes with both off road tracks and trails. A scenic countryside view with historic sites at walking and trot pace. The different routes are outlined on the South of Scotland website with a breakdown of what each has to offer.

Where is your favourite place to go adventuring with your horse? After a busy day exploring make sure your horse has a supremely comfortable haven to retreat to with a Mayo Mattress.

The post Top 5 UK Locations for Horse Riding appeared first on Mayo Farm Systems.

1. The basics

You no doubt have an idea of what you are looking for in a horse. Age, breed and height are required criteria when starting your quest.

2. Why are they for sale?

Why would anyone be selling their beautiful horse!?

It could be life changes that mean the owner can’t spend as much time with the horse anymore, career, marriage, children… OR, it could be they have experienced too many issues of lameness, other illness or behavioural problems. If something sounds a bit odd or you want to know more then don’t be scared to ask.

3. How long have you had them?

If the owner has had the horse for a long time this is a good sign. You’ll be able to see how they handle the horse and the relationship between them. Also, they should be able to tell you a lot about their behaviour, traits and history.

If, however, the owner has only had the horse for a short period this could give reason to be cautious. It may however be that the owner has had a change in circumstances, but be sure to find out what you can as to why they are selling after a short timeframe.

4. Are there any health problems?

Being aware of the horse’s health is imperative to making your final decision as to whether a horse is right for you. Ask about their feet – what are their hooves like, are they prone to laminitis, bruised sole or anything that means they could be lame for periods of time. Have they suffered from colic or had any dental issues? Ask if you can see veterinary records – build a clear picture of your potential new horse.

5. What’s their temperament like?

Get a feel for if they are they friendly and like attention or quiet and shy. You want to determine if this horse would be suited to your personality and to their potential new surroundings.

6. Do they have good grounds manners?

Are they going to be easily managed… simple and frequent tasks such as grooming and bathing – do they usually respond well. Are they well behaved when you tie them or lead them? Does the horse hold still for the farrier? All regular activities that aren’t so easy with a live wire!

7. Are they shod?

If a horse is shod it’s good to ask why. Is it to help with any hoof issues or is it simply due to the amount of road work? A horse that is shod will inevitably require more money spending on them.

8. What are they like with other horses?

Does the horse prefer to be on its own or in the company of other horses – find out what they are they like in both situations.

9. What has the horse been trained to do?

This will open up the skillset the horse has been trained in. Are they are used to a skilled rider, can they jump, have they competed or even been in a parade? All these attributes add to the quality of the horse and give you an idea of what type of rider they would be best suited to.

10. What do they eat?

What are the horse’s dietary requirements and how much do they eat. Do they currently have supplements included in their diet? You may want to continue the horse with their existing diet.

Before lunging at the first horse you see make sure you build a clear picture. These horse pre-purchase questions will certainly help you do that and some answers may spark further questioning!

Of course, your new horse will need a comfortable stable and there’s nothing more comfortable than a Mayo Mattress. Providing comfort and warmth while reducing the amount of loose bedding required dramatically. Happy horse hunting!

The post Top 10 Questions to Ask When Buying a Horse appeared first on Mayo Farm Systems.

Structure of the hoof

Firstly, let’s take a brief look at the structure of a horse’s hoof. It’s a structure made up of many different elements and if it’s kept healthy it will protect the softer elements of the hoof while taking the huge weight of the horse.

The sole protects the softer and more sensitive elements underneath. The white line joins the sole and inner to protect the pedal bone and help prevent infection from unwanted bacteria.

The inner wall has a high moisture content and protects from high impact movement. The outer wall is extremely strong and is able to hold the weight of the horse – it protects all the inner elements of the hoof. This must be looked after well and if any damage comes to the outer wall through poor or incorrect nutrition, injuries or other issues then it will break down the entry into the hoof.

The bar strengthens the heel area, running alongside the frog and controls movement at the back of the hoof. The angle of the bar helps support the weight of the horse and takes the initial impact.

The frog is the most important element of the horse’s hoof and needs to be looked after or issues can develop and lead to lameness. The frog is thick and leathery and helps absorb shock; it also contains nerves, so the horse can feel where he’s standing. Towards the back of the foot in the centre of the frog is the central sulcus. The central sulcus should be wide and quite shallow in optimal health. If it becomes weak and narrow it can cause it to deepen which can then harbour bacteria and lead to infection.

Horse Hoof Care Tips

To make sure you have a happy horse and keep all elements of the hoof as healthy as possible here are our top tips.

1. What’s normal

Become familiar with your horse’s hooves. Know what they should look like in optimal health so that if anything changes you’ll be more likely to spot it. Any sign of something not looking quite right then get it checked before it develops into something more serious. Better to be safe than sorry!

2. Check the hooves

Regularly check hooves for stones and anything that may have become lodged during outdoor activity. Check the balance of the hoof. If the horse is shod then check there are no gaps between the shoe and the hoof. If the horse is unshod then the sole of the hoof should not touch the floor.

3. Farrier Care

Your horse should have regular farrier visits. The farrier will trim and balance the hoof; they’ll also shoe the horse if needed. After your farrier has visited keep an eye on the horse for a couple of days to make sure there are no problems. If you do experience any issues then call the farrier immediately.

4. Keep a look out

Keep an eye on the hooves looking for common issues occurring.

Bruised sole: This is exactly as it sounds… a bruised sole! Caused by standing on a hard object or high impact to the sole causing bruising to occur. This will cause lameness that will get worse if not rested. Keep an eye out for red or bruised areas on the sole.

Laminitis: Read our laminitis article on what to look for. The cause is usually down to diet with the digestive system being unable to cope with soluble carbohydrates.

Thrush: Usually brought on from being in damp conditions, whether that be from muddy walks or poor stable care. The main symptom to look for is a black discharge around the frog area and this will have an unpleasant odour to it. If left it can lead to lameness as the bacterial infection will affect the internal elements of the hoof. This can be prevented with regular care and attention to the hooves.

Infections: Check for swelling and any signs that an infection might be present. If the area is sensitive it could be a sign of infection that needs treating and in some cases the pus may need draining from the infected area. Any swelling or inflammation will cause pressure and therefore pain for your horse. Infections are the most common cause of lameness.

The Mayo Mattress is a supremely comfortable stable mat. At times of discomfort the mattress will provide cushioning for sore hooves and make for a comfortable resting area.

5. Summer care

In the Summer months the heat can have an effect on your horse’s hooves. If not looked after they can get dry and brittle. This is due to the change in moisture – if the hoof is continuously changing from a moist to a dry climate It will cause issues. The hoof will expand to hold moisture when wet and then contract when dry. Continuous actions like this will cause dry, cracked hooves.

Try to manage the moisture levels your horse is exposed to on a day to day basis to reduce damage to the hoof. Also, regularly apply oil to the hoof to help keep it nourished.

What issues have you experienced with your horse’s hooves and what checks do you make to ensure they are healthy?

The post Top 5 Horse Hoof Care Tips appeared first on Mayo Farm Systems.

Horses lose a lot of fluid through sweat and breathing. If illness or diarrhea occurs this can cause fluid levels to deplete much faster. Equine sweat is hypertonic which means it contains more salts than bodily fluids and as a result loses more electrolytes than water.

What to Look for in a Dehydrated Horse

How can you tell if your horse is dehydrated? Here are just a few things to check:

Heart Rate
The resting heart rate should be around 60 beats a minute. If it’s higher than this it could be an indication of dehydration.

Dark Urine
A dark colour urine or less frequent passing is cause for concern.

Breathing
Regular short breaths could be a sign your horse is dehydrated.

Moist Eyes and Gums
The eyes and gums should be well hydrated and shiny. If the gums appear to be redder and the eyes aren’t shiny this should be checked.

Capillary Refill
Lightly press the gum near your horse’s upper teeth. The skin should go pink or white but quickly return back – if it takes longer than a couple of seconds this is a sign of dehydration.

Top Tips to Keep Your Horse Hydrated

1. Fresh Water Supply
   Keep a regular and fresh supply of water for your horse. Ensure the bucket is regularly cleaned out and free from hay or other soiling.
2. Temperature
   Optimal temperature for a horse drinking water is lukewarm, which is around the 15-degree mark. Too cool or too warm means he may not drink as much. In warmer temperatures make sure the water is out of direct sunlight to avoid heating up.
3. Plan Your Route
   If you’re going out on adventures then plan your route so there’s a safe place to stop and check your horse. Here you can make sure he isn’t overheating in warmer temperatures and provide water if needed.
4. Add Salt
   If your horse doesn’t appear to be drinking as much as usual then try adding salt to his diet to stimulate thirst. Don’t add too much salt though as this can have the adverse effect and dehydrate him!
5. Cool Off
   After exercise if your horse is overheated, cool him off with cold water and dry off any excess water. This should help bring the body temperature down.
6. Electrolytes
   Water alone will not hydrate an already dehydrated horse as they need electrolytes to hold the water. Add electrolytes to drinking water and feed if needed but also provide an option without in case this is their preference. Only add electrolytes when needed; too much will be passed out in the urine.
7. Soak Hay
   If you’re horse isn’t able to get out for fresh forage then soak the hay in water. Fresh forage has a high moisture content which helps keep him hydrated.

On warmer days it goes without saying to try and keep your horse in the shade where possible. Follow the steps above when needed and make sure you have a clean and fresh supply of water at all times.

While your horse is now fully hydrated make sure they are supremely comfortable in the stable with a Mayo Mattress.

The post Top Tips to Keep Your Horse Hydrated appeared first on Mayo Farm Systems.

Groundwork is a group of exercises you carry out with your horse while you’re leading them on the ground. We’ll run through 5 types of groundwork exercises for horses and explain what each involves so you can get your horse groundwork checklist at the ready!

Why is groundwork important

Groundwork can really build trust in your relationship with your horse. It helps set boundaries by giving instructions with a series of exercises, and builds familiarity in the relationship. Groundwork is also good for horses that can’t be ridden, it keeps them entertained while learning – so boredom won’t set in from lack of riding!

Horses are herd animals and naturally respond to a leader. Groundwork helps the horse learn, as well as the rider, and is a vital part of training. You can learn a lot about your horse from being on the ground and establish the mood or temperament the horse is in before you ride. Groundwork sets the foundations for discipline and trust.

5 types of groundwork exercises for horses

Lead exercises

These are as they sound, you lead the horse from point A to B. Leading the horse from the leading position with a halter and rope helps the horse respect your personal space. This exercise also establishes that you are the leader and you decide on the direction and pace.

Leading the horse from the partner position is a much closer movement near the shoulder of the horse. Again, you direct and set the pace for the horse and this movement should only be tried once you have comfortably managed leading from the leading position.

Practice leading at the walk, trot, halt, backing, and turning from alternate sides of your horse while he stays at your shoulder. This is really good for teaching discipline and showing who’s the boss. When you stop, he stops!

Touch exercises

Here you work with your horse to learn certain moves with your physical touch. This is another step to gaining your trust and becoming familiar with your touch – strengthening your bond. The type of touch you use depends on the relationship with your horse.

Stroking your horse with your hands over their whole body gives a sense of familiarity. Stroke all areas including the tail, under the tail, eyes, ears, mouth and so on.

Now, who doesn’t like a good back stroke or an arm tickle! When you’re grooming your horse get them used to having a good rub! You’ll find they have areas they enjoy more than others, usually around the mane but this is something you’ll learn as your relationship strengthens. A stroke/massage can also be instilled as a reward when training.

Pressure Points / Physical Aids

Physical aids are pressure points added to the horse. When the horse responds to the pressure it goes away and they know they have responded correctly. This type of training is now getting more advanced as you move through the groundwork ranks! Some pressure points that are usually activated from the leg or seat when riding can be taught and refined from the ground.

There are many different physical aids that can be taught in groundwork and below are just a few:

Head down: Light downward pressure behind the ear will encourage the horse to lower the head.

Move forward: Apply slight pressure behind the ears to take a step forward.

Nose to flank: Pressure on the side of the head for the nose to flank exercise.

Backward step: Yield to pressure slightly on the chest pushing backwards to step backwards.

Forward step: Slight pressure to the tail to encourage a step forward.

Clicker work

Clicker work can be incorporated into day to day training with your horse and can be good fun!  It’s also good for teaching tricks and keeping training interesting. With clicker training, the horse learns that the behaviour that is clicked and treated will be reinforced and then repeated. It helps them learn which movements are correct when rewarded.

There are different types of clicker training but targeting is a good place to start when introducing your horse. Two types of targets are stationary and hand held, and either can be used depending on the movement you’re working on. A few simpler targeting exercises to start:

Leading:  Teach the horse to follow a hand-held moving target.

Stand while tied: Teach the horse to stand on a mat or specific area.

Ground tying: Teach the horse to stand on a target or stay near a target.

Circle work

Circle work from the ground shouldn’t be too difficult to master after the previous exercises you have already completed… that said, it might not be too easy either! For this you need to use your body language and movement for the horse to follow your lead using a long lead rope to reign in if needed. Teaching this from the ground first will allow the horse to move in different gaits around the circle without the weight of a rider, and get familiar with the movement. There’s different ways you can do this and again you’ll find what works best for you and your horse.

What are you waiting for…

The average number of repetitions for a horse to pick up a new exercise is around 60 – that’s a lot of training! You must be patient, confident and calm and make it an enjoyable experience for both parties. If at any point your horse becomes uncomfortable or uneasy, take them back to a point they were enjoying training and were more relaxed, and move forward from there. Groundwork should really strengthen your relationship with your horse and be fun!

After all that training your horse needs a comfortable stable to retreat to and rest. Take a look at the Mayo Horse Comfort Mattress.

The post 5 Types of Groundwork Exercises for Horses appeared first on Mayo Farm Systems.

1. Black Beauty

This film is an all-time classic and originated from the 1877 novel by Anna Sewell.  The narrative in the film is told from the perspective of a stallion who is named Black Beauty. Black Beauty tells the story of how he grew up in the English countryside with his mother until he is sent to work for a family. From there he begins many an adventure so different to his younger life.

2. The Horse Whisperer

Another gem that was made last century, back in 1998. This film was based on the 1995 novel by Nicholas Evans and stars the lovely Scarlet Johansson. A young girl has a riding accident where her horse is badly injured and as a result she’s left traumatised. To help her overcome the accident her mother takes her and the horse to a ranch where the horse can get well again through the help of the ‘horse whisperer’.

3. The Man from Snowy River

   

The oldies are the best! The Man from Snowy River is an Australian film from 1982 and a good romance. Jim loses his father and sets up a new start for himself by getting a job working with a horse rancher. As Jim’s the least experienced he isn’t given an easy ride from the rest of the cowboys. The ranchers daughter takes a liking to him and the love story starts from there and the story follows his struggles down a rocky path to fight for her hand in marriage.

4. Secretariat

A Walt Disney film based on a true story of an American thoroughbred racehorse who became the first Triple Crown winner in 25 years. An inexperienced housewife and mother takes over a thoroughbred farm when her father falls ill. Exploring and learning the male dominated industry the horse is led to become the greatest racehorse of all time.

5. Seabiscuit

Three men team up who are a bit down on life to say the least. They start to train a thoroughbred horse for the races who is temperamental and doesn’t seem to have any luck in winning. This soon turns around and Seabiscuit becomes one of the most successful thoroughbreds of all time… it’s a bit of a heart warmer!

6. Spirit: Stallion of Cimarron

A great animated film from DreamWorks, but it also has a fantastic sound track featuring songs from Bryan Adams. An adventurous young stallion is captured by humans and although he tries to resist to training he also dreams of the day he’ll regain his freedom.

7. Champions

This is another that’s a bit of a heart-wrencher, based on the true story of Bob Champion. Bob was a British jockey who was diagnosed with cancer in the 1970’s. Rather than admit defeat, Bob carried on racing, beat cancer and went on to win the 1981 Grand National. A feel good film!

8. Dreamer

Another film based on a true story and two fantastic stars with Dakota Fanning and Kurt Russell. A father, who trains horses for a living spends all his time with horses and neglects his daughter. This film tells the story of how their relationship is healed through the love of a horse. A long road with a happy ending… that’s what we like to see!

9. National Velvet

An absolute classic from 1944 with the beauty that is Elizabeth Taylor in her first starring role … they just don’t make them like this anymore! Velvet wins a horse in a raffle and enters it into the Grand National. With the help of an ex jockey, Mike, they get ready for the race. Mike helps Velvet disguise as a jockey so she can race the horse and she triumphs the race.

10. 10. The Black Stallion

A black Arabian Horse catches the attention of a boy named Alec traveling on a steamship travelling in the Mediterranean. The ship runs into danger in a storm and the horse is thrown free and saves Alec. They manage to wash up on an island where they are stranded for days with just the boy and the horse. Alec is rescued with the horse and when they return to America they begin training to race the horse with an ex-jockey.

There are so many other fantastic equine films. Which is your favourite?

Are you lucky enough to have your own precious horse and are they provided with optimal comfort in their stable… take a look at the Mayo Horse Comfort range of stable mattresses.

The post Top 10 Films for Horse Lovers appeared first on Mayo Farm Systems.