With Storm Ciara, Storm Dennis and now Storm Jorge; this battering weather seems to be never-ending.
There are still remnants of the damage caused by storms Ciara and Dennis recently; fallen trees, broken fences, waterlogged fields, and heart-breaking destruction to homes.
Another storm is not good news for anyone, especially horse owners; trying to care for and manage horses in this unruly weather can be exhausting, even for the hardest of equestrians.
So, what has Storm Jorge got in store for us? Supposedly much of the same, 70mph winds and torrential rain, but certain locations will also need to brace themselves for some bitter snow showers.
Many horses can cope fairly well in bad weather, but extra precautions are certainly advisable during storms. Check the following are safe and suitable for your horse both before turning them out and whilst they are in the field:
- Fences
- Trees
- Water buckets and troughs
- Field shelters
- Ground condition - excessive mud (Click here to help defend your horse's skin against mud)
Being turned out isn’t necessarily the ideal place for many horses during a heavy storm but equally, some horses can become stressed if they are confined to their stables. With the wind whistling, doors banging, buckets flying, trees falling and, in some cases, rooves lifting off, it can all make a traumatic experience for many horses. If the horse panics, they may then attempt to jump out of the stable. For these reasons, it is often a case of knowing your horse and doing what is best for them.
If there's one thing we can be sure of, it’s that there will be more storms after Jorge… so what can you do to help settle a nervous horse?
Steady-Up provides a unique blend of ingredients to aid relaxation as well as reducing tension and spookiness. Calming herbs, Lemon Balm and Chamomile, soothe the nervous system and encourage calm behaviour. Two forms of Magnesium are included to minimise stressy, difficult behaviour.
Another key ingredient is Brewer’s Yeast which contains naturally occurring B-Vitamins to optimise correct nerve impulses and function, and amino acids including Tryptophan. Tryptophan is used by the body to make Serotonin, a chemical messenger which is thought to stabilise mood. Brewer’s Yeast is a prebiotic, supporting good bacteria in the hind gut, helping to keep your horse happy and healthy.
This effective calmer has been popular with horse owners for decades, helping their horses to focus and remain at ease.