P.H Winterton and Son are proud to be one of the companies on the Government’s Biomass Supplier List. If you have never heard of this list, we have put together this handy guide to tell you everything you need to know. This scheme ensures that all wood fuel registered on it is from sources that are at least 75% sustainable and 100% legal. Once the applicant’s application is approved, they are provided with a BSL authorisation reference number. It will usually be in the following format – ‘BSLXXXXXXXX-XXXX’. The Biomass Supplier List is a scheme which provides participants of the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) with a straightforward way to demonstrate that their fuel complies with the RHI’s standards. What is the eligibility criteria for the Biomass Supplier List? Suppliers (such as P.H Winterton and Son) registering fuels on the list will be required to verify that the emissions from the cultivation, processing and transport of the biomass fuel achieves a saving of at least 60% against the EU fossil fuel average for heat when used in a boiler which achieves a 70% average seasonal efficiency. This is also calculated using the life cycle assessment methodology set out in the European Commission’s 2010 report ‘Sustainability requirements for the use of solid and gaseous biomass sources in electricity, heating and cooling SEC 2010 65 Final’. How We Process Biomass Fuel P.H Winterton is proud to work with Cheshire-based organic recycling specialists CRJ Services, to assist with the processing of biomass fuel. CRJ Services supplied P.H Winterton with hire equipment to meet shredding requirements with the Doppstadt AK430 High-Speed Shredder, which is recommended by their team to deal with the demand for biomass fuel. Got More Questions? Get in Touch If you have any more questions about biomass fuel, please contact us today. P.H Winterton and Son currently provide biomass fuel in Staffordshire, Cheshire, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire plus we can plan to deliver to your address if you are further...
Read Moreabout What is the Biomass Supplier List?Providing your horses with innovative hoofwear plus the finest equine bedding is the best way to prepare for your next race. For our latest blog, we are going to look at the latest hoof protection which includes a variety of glue-on shoes, hoof boots and orthotics. Understanding Hoofwear Today far more shoeing and hoof care materials and products are available, with your horse being the beneficiary. Pat Reilly, chief of farrier services at the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Centre School of Veterinary Medicine spoke about the advantages of glue-on shoes, saying, “Now glue-on shoes are commonplace; it is amazing that we have made that much progress in my professional lifetime. “I’m not sure we can make horses run faster with different shoes as the equine foot doesn’t flex and have the same energy return as a human foot. But there are innovative ways we can address the interface between the foot and the shoe and get ahead of the injury curve.” The ability to apply shoes without nails has changed the face of farriery and glue-on shoes have been proven to work with many companies getting into the game and changing their shoes. Glue-on shoes are truly useful today with acrylic adhesives being adapted for equine use. Within the glue-on shoe market, there are several types and materials that range from traditional steel and aluminium to non-metallic options such as urethane. Several manufacturers and innovators provide shoes that are not only glue-on but also flexible, which can bend or move with the horse’s hoof capsule. Get Race Ready with PH Winterton Here at P.H Winterton, we understand the importance of caring for your horses and we believe the best place to start is with their bedding. We offer three types of equine bedding that will suit all different types of horses and budgets, contact us for more information. Recently we started stocking Zebra Fibre Bedding, which has excellent absorbent qualities plus it’s available in 48-60 bales per...
Read Moreabout How Innovative Hoofwear Helps Keep Horses HealthyWith cases of Coronavirus growing by the day, we have put together a handy guide to identify if your horse may have contracted the virus. ECov-, as it is referred, and is considered to be mild with miniature horses said to be at higher risk of infection but with a very low chance of fatalities. The recent Cheltenham Festival went ahead despite fears around the spread of Coronavirus, with extra sanitary measures put in place for visitors and riders. The Symptoms of Coronavirus According to the Equine Disease Communication Centre, ECoV- can spread when faeces from an infected horse are ingested by another horse plus it can also be transmitted when horses make oral contact with surfaces or objects that have been contaminated with infected faeces. Stalls, muck forks, manure spreaders, thermometers, hands and clothing are common objects that carry infection. It is also worth noting that Coronavirus is typically diagnosed in the winter. The shedding period for most horses is still under investigation but based on previous reports the virus is present in samples between 5 and 21 days post-infection. Horses with no clinical signs of the disease can shed the virus but it is still not clear how soon infected horses become infectious. The following complications can occur in rare cases – • Protein loss • Dehydration • Neurologic signs (such as lethargy, depression, loss of body control) secondary to an excess of ammonia in the system • Recumbency that can progress to an inability to stand Keep Your Horses Healthy with Equine Bedding Giving your horses a comfortable place to sleep, is one of the best ways to maintain their health and have them ready for your next event. Here at PH Winterton, we pride ourselves in providing only the finest range of equine bedding for customers right across the country. If you would like to know more about our equine bedding, please contact us...
Read Moreabout Understanding Coronavirus for HorsesP.H Winterton has been providing the best horse bedding on the market for 60 years plus now, and we have talked to hundreds of riders during this time. Throughout these six decades, we have learned a few things about horse riding and the proper etiquette for riding in competitions. The truth is that very few riders have a perfect position and you will see a variety of riding techniques every time you attend a show. Often a fault can become a habit which makes it harder to correct as time goes by. It is a worthwhile exercise spending a bit more time focusing on what is going wrong until the right way becomes your new normal. Four Rider Issues with an Easy Fix Here are four common issues riders struggle with and how you can fix them. 1. Don’t Look Down – While concentrating on what you are doing in the saddle it can be hard to remember to look ahead. Your head is roughly 10% of your body weight and looking down puts more weight on your horse’s forehand that makes it more difficult for them to maintain balance. One way to rectify this issue is tying a coloured bow or a red ribbon in your horse’s mane and every time you see the ribbon it means you are looking down; which reminds you to look ahead. 2. Sit Up – Tipping forward is sometimes caused by nerves, a poorly fitted saddle or a lack of core stability. You can improve your core by doing Pilates and yoga plus lunge lessons, short bursts of sitting trot and working without stirrups also helps. To adopt a more upright position, lift up through your ribcage and bring your shoulder blades closer together. A common trait of nervous riders is that they tip forward, which makes you less secure. If you suspect your saddle is tipping you forward, you need to get it checked by a professional fitter. 3. Bend Your Elbows – Straight arms result in an inconsistent contact with the horse’s mouth and in too much movement in the rider’s hands. We recommend aiming to create an L-shape with your arms so the upper one hangs vertically by your...
Read Moreabout How to Perfect your Riding PositionSome horses can find being stabled quite difficult, having evolved from travelling up to 100 miles a day and grazing on the go. Here at P.H Winterton, we understand the importance of keeping your horse happy, which is why we provide only the finest equine bedding on the market. For our latest post, we are going to share seven essential tips to help maintain your horse’s health and prepare them for your next big competition. Essential Horse Care from P.H Winterton Standing still for long periods goes against their natural instincts to keep moving so be wary that some horses can react to being confined for long periods. Follow our 7 step guide below to maintain your horse’s happiness. Exercise – As long as your horse has no physical problems, they will need as much exercise as possible. Try to plan ahead and schedule rides out regularly. Other Turnout Options – Consider if they can be turned out in the yard area with some equine bedding and a companion (if possible). Create a Turnout Area – Create a fenced area outside of your horse’s stable, giving them the option to wander in and out at their leisure which helps them feel less restricted. Long Walks – Lead your horse out in-hand but prepare for them to be bouncy. We would recommend wearing a hard hat, sturdy footwear and gloves. Ideally, attach a lunge-line to their headcollar and inform someone where you were going. You could even consider making it a social trip and ask another horse owner to come along too. Change of Environment – If you have a spare loose-box in the yard you could consider putting your horse in there for part of the day for a change of scenery. Meet their Social Needs – If your horse is stabled for long periods of time, they need to be housed next to a friendly horse. Ideally, they should be able to touch and mutually groom each other. If you can’t stable your horse nearby to a friend, consider taking them over for a visit. Entertain your Horse – Horses love to play so having a bit of playtime with toys helps to break up the day. Towels...
Read Moreabout 7 Ways to Keep a Stabled Horse Happy