In Dressage the horses are the athletes and they cannot tell us in english if they are feeling a bit tight or a bit flat. It is our job as their carer and trainer to ensure they are in full health and able to perform the tasks in our training sessions that we require from them. It is therefore very important that we have a very good program of care.

I have a great team of sponsors who make my program of care second to none, Mitavite, Horseland-Gold Coast, Equitec Performance Products and Equessential.

Mitavite

Founded in 1987, Mitavite used radical new techniques to formulate complete feeds, including the development of horse specific amino acid profiles, the analysis of energy pathways and the understanding of the interaction and metabolisim of vitamins and minerals through the horse’s digestive system. Now located on the NSW Central Coas,t Mitavite expanded to meet growing demand with a new state of the art computerised feed mill. Their steam extrusion process, introduced to enhance the digestibility of grain starches, is second to none.

I have been feeding Mitavite for the past 4 years and the horses are looking great and have the best balance of energy for their workload. The Mitavite company is a very proud and professional organisation, with advice from experts in the field of Equine Nutrition available at all times.

What Does Nicole Feed?

Dante is a truly beautiful animal, but he can be high wired, taking great exception to unpredictable incidents. The ideal feed for him is a blend of Xtra-Cool and Athlete Plus. Athlete Plus is specifically formulated for high performance equine athletes, with its balance of nutrients, trace minerals, electrolytes and amino acids. It is designed to assist with replenishment of energy stores and as an aid for recovery and muscle repair after work. Low in starch and void of cereal grains, this muesli style formation is excellent for Dante.

Nicole & Dante

Flavio is a real character, whose antics in the paddock and in general cause many a challenge. With his natural abundance of energy, the ideal feed for him is a blend of Cool Performer and Athlete Plus.

Cool Performer provides a safe form of cool energy, rich in rice bran oil and virtually starch free with a low GI for longer lasting energy and sustained performance.

Nicole & Flavio

Furst Tyme is a lovely person. Full of character, he is gentle, playful and loves to please. Since his arrival in Australia as a 2 year old, he has been on Breeda. Formulated to promote optimum, balanced growth with its balanced amino acid profile that helps develop lean muscle, strong tendons and smooth flat bone. Now as a rising 5 year old, I have also introduced Athlete Plus to his feed blend to assist with recovery and repair.

Nicole & Furst Tyme

Mitavite provide the best nutritional value at very affordable rates. Visit www.mitavite.com.au for more information.

Horseland - Gold Coast

Stuart Hill and his team at Horseland Nerang are the perfect people to answer all your equine gear questions and needs. A customer there for 20 years, they always bend over backwards to help everyone that comes into the shop.

Some of my favourite clothing brands are K-Ritchie and Ariat, whilst Dublin are always coming out with something stylish and innovative.

Nicole thorougly recommends the new Ariat Bromont top boot (pictured below). "They are extremely comfortable, flexible and waterproof, giving the rider as close a feel to leather top boots without the inflexibility of them. They are perfect work boots and are easy to put on and take off."

NEW!

For the horses rugs, you cannot go past Weather-Beeta.

Their Anky bridles are gorgeous, especially finished with a unique “Shelley Price” brow band. I prefer the Sprenger bits for encouraged salivation.

Nicole has just started Flavio in a double bridle and uses the Anky Double (pictured below). "The leather is divine, and the look simple and elegant."

NEW!

There are a massive range of saddles from the Bates range, to Prestige’s, Keiffer’s and Luc Childeric’s.

Equitec Performance Products

As a member of the Queensland State Dressage Squad, we are generously sponsored by Equitec Performance Products, who has a proven system of health maintenance and well being. The ingredients include the latest advances in dietetics and nutrition. Containing NO prohibited substances, EQUITEC Performance Products' All Natural Horse Supplements are designed to establish a satisfactory level of well being in the horse.

Dante, Flavio and Furst Tyme all get Pro-Flex, a supplement that helps maintain healthy cartliage, ligaments and tendons.

Dante and Furst Tyme also get Placid Rein, a nutraceutical support for nervous horses. This product really helps with their ability to cope with the pressures of competition. Completely non-swabbable.

Visit www.equitec.com.au for more information.

Equessential

Recently purchasing a set of Equessential Ice and Magnetic Boots, has proven to be my best purchase in months!

Ice Boots:
Ice therapy is the best treatment for trauma to a joint or leg. If you are like the old me, my horse would sustain an injury/trauma and then I'd be running around trying to find a way to ice the leg for that crucial, initial 20 minutes! Not anymore!! Now I am armed and ready for that unfortunate incident, and the boots are in the freezer ready to go if needed. Ice therapy is also encouraged by vets whenever a heavier than normal session is experienced to prevent joint damage and soft tissue injuries. 

Equessential Ice Boots are the very best I have ever come across. They have been designed for maximum coverage and contact AND they do not slip! The horse can walk around with them on and can even be floated. These are a "must have" for every horse owner.

Magnetic Boots:
Knowing that horses have no muscles from the knees and hocks down, we purchased the boots in the interest of ongoing soundness and preventing wear and tear on the joints and soft tissues.

Just like human athletes, the dressage horse is prone to everyday wear and tear on muscles, ligaments and tendons. Magnetic Therapy helps prevent this wear and tear and prolong their working life. They assist strain by encouraging blood supply through the tissues, thus reducing recovery time.

In the short time I have used them, I have already noticed reduced swelling in Dante's joints in overnight boxing, and the reduction of Flavio's windgalls and Finn's splints! Even without these visual improvements, I like the idea of assisting the horses to cope with their everyday work and am very interested in preserving ongoing soundness.

For enquiries, contact Kate info@equessential.com or phone 0413 439 940.