Horse stall mats are becoming increasingly popular, due to the advantages they provide over other stall floor surfaces:

- Yielding. The traditional concrete floor is very hard. Unless you provide a thick layer of bedding, this hardness can stress joints, possibly injure feet, and cause sore points where the horse lays down to rest or sleep. Mats provide a softer and more yielding surface which is more comfortable for horses and less likely to result in impact stress injuries.

- Warmth. The materials used to make horse stall mats are naturally insulating. This is both more comfortable and healthier for horses, especially in winter.

- Traction. Concrete and wooden floors can be slippery when wet; mats provide better traction and reduce this risk to horses.

- Smooth. Many mats have a smooth surface, which is much easier to clean than concrete or wood surfaces.

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Next to dogs, horse care is more familiar to man than the care of any other animal. Horses have been a close companion to human beings since the times of some our oldest civilizations. If horses were used for transportation and battles then, now they are mainly for leisure and sports. But, whatever the use, breed and type of horse, proper care for these animals is always important.

Basic horse care provides for essential needs like shelter from foul weather and rain, shade from the sun and flies, clean and fresh water, adequate forage and enough space to graze. It is advised to provide the horses with food that is 1.5% to 2.5% of its body weight in pounds. Since they eat less at a time but more often than we do, horses don’t need large meals. Provide them with food that contains proper nutrients like protein, minerals and vitamins. Sufficient forage is essential for optimum health and growth. The place they graze should be properly fenced and kept devoid of poisonous plants and seeds. Also, the nutrients that you provide should be given at the right time and in the right proportions. It is also important for horse care how and where you store the horse food to prevent it from attack by pests or damp.

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HAYGAIN has launched an informative new website dealing with everything you need to know about the benefits of horse hay steamers.

The user-friendly website is packed with useful information for all horse owners from farmers, small time enthusiasts to leading race specialists. As well as explaining the process and the science behind the hay steaming development, it has testimonials, FAQs, Ask the Experts and News.

You can also use it to keep up with HAYGAIN team riders Matt Ryan, Bettina Hoy, Diana Burnett, Emily Llewellyn and Peter Storr.

The extensive research done on the HAYGAIN is given in the “Pudding!” section, showing that using the HAYGAIN horse hay steamers, hay is transformed into dust free palatable forage.

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All horses need a healthy respiratory system to perform to their maximum ability. Dust and fungal spores naturally found in hay compromise this.

HAYGAIN hay steamers solves the problem completely.

HAYGAIN hay steamers have been created by the experts at Propress Ltd, who have more than 60 years of specialist experience in the steam industry.

More than 1 in 6 horses suffer from breathing problems, severely affecting their health and performance. Additionally, 80% of horses stabled part of the time have a degree of airway inflammation, even if they are asymptomatic; this undoubtedly has a detrimental effect on their performance. HAYGAIN hay steamers provide the ideal solution: the unit steams the hay at over 100?C, to destroy all the dust, spores and mould that are found in hay.

New HAYGAIN is a fully insulated unit with a unique function enabling steam to penetrate the centre of the bale, releasing steam which defuses outwards, ensuring the entire bale is steamed at the critically necessary temperatures [in excess of 100°C throughout.]

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Do you want to learn more about feeding hay, the problems associated and how to eliminate these?

Visit Haygain, the experts in steaming hay at Badminton Horse Trials. Situated in the World of the Horse, their exhibit gives an insight into this fascinating technique of steaming hay which will change your perceptions.

All horses need a healthy respiratory system to perform to their maximum ability. Dust and fungal spores naturally found in hay compromise this. Steaming hay completely solves this problem.

The HAYGAIN hay steamer has been created by the experts at Propress Ltd, who have more than 60 years of specialist experience in the steam industry, supplying clothing steamers to leading designers and high street brands worldwide.

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PROPRESS Equine have launched the new HAYGAIN, a revolutionary hay steamer. Haygain transforms any quality of hay into dust-free forage giving horses a healthier respiratory system and maximising their performance.

HAYGAIN has been created at Propress Ltd, experts with more than 60 years of specialist experience in the steam appliance industry, supplying fabric steamers to leading fashion designers and high street brands worldwide. As leaders in steam products for a wide range of applications Propress bring a wealth of knowledge to the equine market.

One in six horses suffer from breathing problems in the UK and 80% of horses stabled part of the time have a degree of airway inflammation even if they are asymptomatic. The HAYGAIN hay steamer helps provide the ideal solution and steams the hay at over 100?C, to destroy all dust spores and mould and mites that are found in hay.

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The Pryor Mountain wild horses are considered an endangered and rare breed. Their history has led scientists to believe the original herd descended from Spanish horses and may have been brought over by Columbus. Settlers brought these horses to the Atlantic coastal areas and western territories setting up breeding colonies. Most of these sturdy animals were then used for farming, endurance duties and transportation in a yet untamed world. In the Great Pueblo Revolt of 1680, Indians raided these farms, stole horses and traded them. With a lot of chaos created by the constant battles, many of these horses escaped and became feral as they ran wild in nature.

They were able to thrive on forage that other breeds could not exist on, and their speed and agility set them apart as a breed to be revered. Through survival of the fittest for generations, the Spanish Mustang essentially culled their own herds, resulting in the healthiest, sturdiest and most intelligent. They showed their ability to survive and multiplied where other breeds had perished. Considered to be extremely tough with incredible stamina,the herd evolved in nature as their heads grew larger, their eyesight became more acute and their sharp minds grew as they focused on survival.

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If you are a professional horse-rider and are interested in a more challenging way to test your skills and have some fun and excitement at the same time, Then, look no further! This article give you some overview on some fun filled horse riding games while on horse back. The objective of each game are also explained.

Horse riding games can be enjoyable for people of all ages and genders and at various level of skill. Certain games, especially those played by children, ponies are used. Different games are designed for the enjoyment of couples, individuals or teams.

Most of the horse-riding games are similar to the ones that we play even without mounting horses. One such game for children is the egg and spoon race. Each child is provided with an egg and a spoon. They have to balance the egg on the spoon and reach the finish line by riding on their ponies. The child that reaches the finish line first with the egg intact on the spoon is adjudged the winner.

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If you want to master the art of riding a horse, you have to overcome your personal fears before getting on one. If you are a beginner, you should stick with the basics, and you will be riding your horse in no time. Attain the sense of freedom that comes with this hobby by following these tips:

Choose your teacher wisely.

The key to learning any skill is finding a competent teacher. Talk to relatives or friends who own horses and visit boarding facilities to look for the instructor best suited for you. Look for professional instructors who have first aid training and teaching certifications. Some teachers may not have these qualifications and may have just learned this skill through other veteran riders. Just make sure that you get to learn the skill you want from your shoes instructor.

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It is important that you keep your horse active and having enough room for them to run around is key. Most horses need to be able to move around and gallop so make sure that if you do not have a large place to keep your horse that you get them out and ride them to allow them to get proper exercise. It is important that you make sure that your horse gets the proper shoes so that they can have less issues with there feet when they are moving around. The horse needs ot have a good cardiovascular workout so that they can maintain good health.

Along with making sure your horse gets the proper exercise you want to feed them the best food so they will stay healthy. It is important that if you see any issues with your horse that you get them medical attention so that the vet can give them treatment and prevent any damage. You need to remember that a horse is a living breathing animal and needs to be exercised. Some people think of there horse like a motorcycle they can jump on and ride at anytime. It is crucial that you build a trusting relationship with your horse so that when you ride them you will have a good relationship with them.

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