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Julie has taklen up Western riding on Alf. Click here. For her showing story - read on. |
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Dear Equifeast Team, You may like to know how delighted I am with your Winning Edge Silver. After a hard winter when my small horse lost quite some condition, I still decided to enter him
in his breed classes (Haflinger) at Royal Windsor. After some research, I started him on Winning Edge Silver loader pack February 1st. This one very comprehensive item replaced about five other supplements that
the horse was receiving. At this time I also changed the fiddley feeding regime to just one: BHF Fibre-Beet. Alfred's coat is also softer and glossier than when I was feeding oil (flax/linseed), so much so that I
almost didn't wash him for the Windsor Show. I have had comments from both the yard manager and my farrier about how much calmer Alfred is, my instructress was amazed how he gets straight into his work, and
my results at Windsor were wonderful! He looks fabulous, well muscled and working fit. His coat colour is also darker, which we prefer as he is rather too light in tone. The only other time shown at Windsor
(2006 age 4) he was 4th in hand and 11/12 in the ridden. This year he was 2nd to a stallion and 4th ridden, and even wore a halo all day for the first time in three years. Two days later at our first ODE he
came 4th in the dressage section, and would have placed except for elimination at the water. It was a first over any jumps of that height (2'3") or around an 18 fence XC course. When the tests were finished,
the judge's writer came over to tell us that both the judge and herself thought he was a super little horse. Again he wore a halo all day instead of being stressy. I would describe it as 'relaxed yet willing
energy!'. Out hacking he is now cantering up some steep hills and full of laid back 'pep' after being a bit of a lazy plod. In the school, field and yard, he is really focused on me and very "lovey".
Just great. Yours sincerely, Julie Grimwood-Ferguson Hampshire. |
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Julie's Western Adventure Dear Malcolm Have just received our next 4 months of Winning Edge Silver Extra. So thought you may
like an update on Alfred who as you know, had 2 months professional Western training this spring. His top class trainer, Michael Langford, was very pleased with his learning and working attitude.
Alfred has taken to this discipline like a duck to water, although he still likes a long fast "lope" out on his trail rides! We attended our first ever live-in Camps, both Western, in
July and August. Alfy was very relaxed in his lodgings, and the camp environment gave us some great 1 on 1 bonding time. He worked very attentively and safely in the twice daily clinic
sessions. I did take a mental note that he was an example of easiness, calm and compliance when compared to many other horses, and was very grateful that this was with no doubt due to his Winning
Edge Silver Extra. We have also had many hours of day/weekend clinics and some lessons, at which Alfred has behaved perfectly in company or alone, and gave his full attention. One coach used him as
a demo for softness and relaxation of the neck and head, this groundwork being laid by his trainer Michael, but I didn't even know my horse could be that soft!! Between April and September
Alfred attended 2 fun/practise shows and 3 official Western shows. We have 20 rosettes and 2 sashes as he was placed in the top 5 in every class (except where I took the wrong course and we were
disqualified!), and even beating the American breeds: Quarter horse, Appaloosa and Pinto. Frankly, I have been truly amazed at how well he has done as a new Western horse (and me a novice and ageing
Western rider too) and can only put it down to your supplement: Alfred certainly has had the winning edge this year 2010. Very recently, Alfred was most stupid with his hay net - a first time - and was
found laying on his side. On box rest immediately due to severe lameness, the Vet later signed him off after only 5 days saying "he has got off lightly". I am convinced this
incident has been helped by the calming, mobility and digestive goodies in his supplement, which supported the trauma and aided his natural recovery. At our WRC fun show, we had a go at the
discipline of fun freestyle Reining, which we have not really tried before or trained in (although his trainer had started some of the basics). We both absolutely loved it, and it was the best thing I have ever
done on horse back, real exhilaration!! We were even voted 1st from 3 for our "try" and the fun we had. I am hoping we will be able to pursue this discipline although it is very difficult. All for now, and Many Thanks of course!! Julie Grimwood and Alfred |
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4th May 2010You may be interested to know, that the horse has moved from the yard where he was so upset. He had calmed down very considerably I
would say 95% on the Extra, which was fantastic. But as soon as we left, both of us heaved a huge sigh of relief. Neither of us really just got on with the place, and the wind....well I have never
been anywhere so windy ALL the time. It was so draining. Alfred has now been in training for a month, with another one to go. He is at one of the top Western yards, which luckily is just 10 minutes
away. There was a W.E.S. practise show there 2 days after he had arrived, and he was very stressed in the first class at 10 am. By about 11 am, in the 2nd class he was much more laid back, and we even
ended up with a 2nd and 3rd place by the end of our 4 classes. I was especially pleased with the 2nd which was a Pleasure class (ridden class where you horse looks a pleasure to ride, being relaxed, slow and
steady). He has not looked back, no whinnying reported, and very settled, paying attention in his training every day. Much obliged, and many thanks, Julie Grimwood |
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