SENSOGAN® from Sprenger

After two years of research Sprenger launch new bitting collection….

The next generation of bitting has arrived, with the launch of Sensogan® from world leaders in bitting technologies Sprenger.

SENSOGAN® is a new bit material developed by SPRENGER and is the result of two years of research and development aiming to improve on the AURIGAN material which has made SPRENGER bits so popular with so many professional and amateur riders.

SENSOGAN® has improved properties but also a new appearance. The white-gold colour gives the bit a discreet and elegant look and due to the improved material mix, SENSOGAN® does not tarnish easily as the chewing activity of the horse is optimally supported. The bit will stay true to its white gold colour for much longer and can also be polished to a high shine at any point in its lifetime. The new SENSOGAN® range is identified by its unique stamped black ring on the cheeks of the mouthpieces.

The special challenge in developing SENSOGAN® was to maintain the positive features of Aurigan yet to intensify them, giving an even more delicate and sophisticated connection to the horse. In the twenty or so years that Aurigan has been available, many companies have copied its colour – but never its properties. Sprenger knew the time was right to launch their new optimal bitting collection with an unmatched look anywhere else in the market.

It is the distinctive composition of Copper, Manganese and Zinc that makes SENSOGAN® so special. The reduced copper content combined with the manganese results in a more regulated process of oxidation. Tests with the veterinary college of Hannover and the German Riding School in Warendorf  showed without doubt this combination of metals has a positive influence on the horse’s satisfaction, motivation and willingness to perform.

Manganese is known to assist with building up connective tissue as well as for muscle and energy metabolism, it is also known to reduce histamine and can help prevent skin reactions. The feed industry has recently recognised manganese as an important feed additive for competition horses.

Available in a wide range of the popular bit styles and sizes from Sprenger including the KK Ultra, Dynamic RS, WH Ultra and Turnado ranges, plus many other individual weymouths, bradoons and jumping and training bits. Different bit rings can also be ordered to match stainless steel or bronze coloured bridle work.

The costs of SENSOGAN® bits are in keeping with their traditional Aurigan range.

So switch to SENSOGAN® and feel the difference for yourself….

SENSOGAN®  is available to purchase from October 2013 from selected retailers.

Amerigo and Saracen join forces

Leading equestrian brands Saracen Horse Feeds and Amerigo joined forces with Wadswick one of the South West’s largest retailers to invite their customers to west Wilts Equestrian Centre for a day of fascinating discussions and demo’s.

The topic of the day was enhancing the performance of the Event horse and from the outset it proved to be captivating for all attending.

Lizzie Drury Head Nutritionist from Saracen Horse Feeds kicked off the proceedings With 3Feeding the Eventer” explaining the feeding regimes for sports horses, what to do and what not to do and gave plenty of top tips.

Following on from this Dr Charlotte Sinclair from B&W Equine vets gave an interesting talk on “Optimising Equine Performance” including looking at stress related conditions such as ulcers and how to combat them.

After a break for lunch as the temperatures soared, Peter Menet from Amerigo saddles based in Switzerland gave an in-depth look at the physiology and anatomy of the horse and how this affects the fit of the Amerigo saddle and how he measures for a correct fit. The guinea pig for Peter’s demonstration was one of Carl Hester’s young horses, an 8yo called Barolo. Lizzie gave the audience an insight as to how this horse was fed to manage it’s rather sharp temperament and then Peter pointed out the weak areas of the horse and where problems areas may occur without correct saddle fitting.

Then the assembled guests were treated to a lecture/demo from Gold medal winning Olympian and Saracen Ambassador Carl Hester. Carl trains many event riders and he proceeded to give leading eventer Nick Gauntlett, riding The Court Jester a great informative session. He started by looking at the horses basic paces, its working paces and then asked Nick to worked on asking the horse for more collection which would then give it more elevation and cadence in its work to gain the higher marks.

Carl then followed this demo by teaching Sam Thurman-Baker on the horse we had previously seen Barolo. This elegant chestnut we were told was very naughty as a young horse spinning around and bolting if another horse came towards it after being crashed into and frightened as a youngster. After it being sold, it came back to Carl a few months ago and they were beginning to start advanced training now the problems had been resolved. It was usually the ride of Charlotte Dujardin so for Sam Thurman-Baker it was quite a difficult task to ride such a sharp horse that she never ususally rides in front of a crowd.

Barolo had lovely basic paces and then when asked for more collection you could see why Carl had high hopes for this fabulous if a bit quirky red head! You could see that by moving the horse backwards and forwards within the paces you could add more lift and cadence.

They gave the horses and riders plenty of breaks as working in the indoor arena on a day when the temperatures reached over 30degrees was quite tiring for all concerned.

The day ended with a Q&A session with Carl and the other professionals and with a free yard visit and feed check for everyone who attended, pus a prize draw and superb lunch the lucky Wadswick customers went away feeling inspired ready to tackle their own eventing.

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Fourteen-year-old Robert, who has been competing since he was nine, lives in Preston, Lancashire where he trains with his well-known show jumper father, Peter Murphy.

Carbon Gel XPro Tendon Boot by Veredus

The shell consists of two distinct parts with different density and rigidity. The main shell is a flexible and extremely strong polyurethane mixture that provides excellent protection against abrasion, deterioration and the multiple stresses caused by the activities of sport horses. It also maintains its elasto-mechanical properties at a wide range in temperatures (–15 °C to +50 °C) without variations of rigidity and flexibility.

In the back of the tendon boot, where the flexor tendon is found there is extra protection provided by an “X” made of an even more robust and rigid protective polyurethane mixture containing carbon. The special rear carbon “X” which is extremely strong, protective, light and

shock-absorbing is internally covered with a 3-mm film of gel that gives exceptional protective, shock-absorption and comfort features.

The carbon gives an impenetrable barrier against any type of strike providing absolute protection for the suspensory tendon, a part particularly exposed to being hit by the shoes of the

rear limbs. The shock-absorbing properties of the polyurethane gel reduce the transmission of shocks and impacts by 40%. Not only is the rear of the leg where the tendons lie protected, but there is Carbon protection for the fetlock. An insertion of a thin carbon plate inside the boot that covers the fetlock ensures protection to the area that is subject to continuous micro-traumas and shocks.

Additional protection is also given to the knees as the boot features an extension of polyester film in the lower part of the knee. This is particularly suitable for horses that tend to strike the area below the knee of the opposite leg with a shoe. This prevents dangerous bruising and abrasions that can occur during workouts or in competition.

Soft, adjustable elastic straps provide perfect closure on all shapes and sizes of shin, eliminating problems caused by too tight a fit or excessive pressure. The special elastomers used in the straps

maintain constant tension over time and don't change their elasticity when wet.

FLEXTAN tips on a stainless steel clasp allow extremely fast hooking and unhooking, even with just one hand. Unlike leather straps whose holes become deformed after a few applications the BLACK VEREDUS LINE tips are guaranteed and tested for 5,000 hooking/unhooking cycles without undergoing any variation.

Unlike Velcro straps, which lose their hold over time and can become unreliable, straps with BLACK VEREDUS LINE tips are not subject to wear and provide the maximum security and reliability.

Certified Protection. Protection tested and certified by RCT Rico TEST.

Sizes: M and L

Colour: Black

RRP: £179.00

UVEX Sponsor Bill Levett

uvex are delighted to announce that Bill Levett, the Australian Event Rider who has been based here in the UK for many many years is joining the uvex Team.  "

“I’m excited to announce that I’m teaming up with Uvex  - makers of glasses and helmets. Their stylish but practical, hard wearing and affordable range is something I’m excited to be wearing this season. I have used glasses for a long time cross country to help keep the wind out of my eyes and allow me to focus in all weathers when travelling at speed – uvex have produced a range which is both comfortable and robust – it’s the details that matters in terms of ensuring safety and comfort when jumping whether at home for fun or at a competition".

Bill Levett

Pelham Bit Converters – a modern approach from Sprenger

The Pelham is a bit that provides additional action on the poll. Pressure is applied to the lower jaw bones by the use of a curb chain. In a way the Pelham is a combination of a Weymouth and a bradoon.

Pelhams can be used with one or two reins. Using two reins the main snaffle rein gives direct pressure to the tongue and the bars. The second rein attached to the lower ring puts pressure onto the horse’s poll preventing him from tossing the head and getting him to lower his head. If a horse lowers his head too much to evade the contact the curb chain should come into play at a maximum angle of 45°.

Many people choose to use Pelham roundings to avoid using two reins especially cross country or showjumping. Sprenger have introduced a modern take on the Pelham rounding – the Pelham Bit Converter.

Much lighter and easier to attached the Pelham Converters are only 16mm in length (in comparison to the usual Pelham straps which are generally 30cm) and made from fine webbed nylon rope which loops around the bottom ring and the leather strap with billet is fixed to the top ring. The reins are then simply attached to the new loop. The difference with these Sprenger Pelham Converters is that they are much shorter than traditional Pelham leather straps so the action from using the rein is much more direct and clear – and also much quicker with a lot less “play”

A much improved action from at first glance a tiny piece of leather and rope – but the experts at Sprenger spend years fine tuning the small details and this is just one of the winning items that can make a big difference! 

Sprenger Pelham Bit Converters

RRP: £15

One Size and available in Black or Brown.

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Get a Grip………

When it comes to being ahead of the competition, Amerigo is the number one choice for professional and serious amateur riders alike.

Just in time for the competition season they have launched a new set of reins that are perfect for any discipline and help riders keep their hands in the right position and keep their reins short enough. They were designed together with top show jumper Edwina Alexander and are made from a soft rubber with leather handgrips.

The Hand Grip Reins from Amerigo are a more effective version of the traditional “continental” reins that have been around for years. But their secret lies in that they have nearly double the amount of leather stoppers sewn down the length of the reins so you always can get a perfect position. They are placed every 6cm and provide not only a better grip but allow the rider to keep a more precise and steadier contact.

The reins are shorter than normal reins to avoid the danger of getting the foot caught up in the excess loop if using them for showjumping or eventing – especially when riding smaller horses.

However how many times do you have a dressage lesson and your reins keep slipping through your fingers?

Simon Middleton, Director of Zebra Products Ltd the distributor of Amerigo who trains with Charlotte Dujardin was constantly being admonished for letting his reins slip – but not now and Charlotte is suitably impressed with the steady contact he now has during the dressage phase of his eventing!

RRP £79.00

Available in Black and Brown rubber with matching leather stops.