Well, we have a reprieve for a couple of days before more sub-zero weather is forecast - although we had a light dusting of snow quite unexpectedly this morning so its clearly still not that warm. But after a few weeks of it averaging -9 degrees C here, then 2 degrees above zero feels positively sub-tropical!
Konabo is getting off to a flying start and our Extreme Pro turnout rug, made using 1680d ballistic nylon outer and 450g of therma-filling couldn't have been launched at a more appropriate time.
From the outset we decided to make the best possible rug that we could and our principle was simple - it had to be a rug that we would buy ourselves! As horse owners we have bought more rugs over the years than we care to remember. The cheaper rugs can often turn out to be a false economy - constant repair bills and sending them off to be professionally cleaned at least once a year can soon add up to quite a princely sum. So Konabo set about designing a rug that would be a wise investment as well as a step forward in what is currently available.
Technological advances have changed the face of many outdoor sports - skiing being one of the most obvious. Equestrianism is now increasingly benefitting from these advances also, from inflatable body protectors to rider safety systems, health and well-being is now at the forefront of many a new product aimed at the discerning equestrian enthusiast. And the Konabo Pro range of rugs is no exception. The high quality Konabo Pro rugs incorporate the Hy-Liner, which has been developed with the horse's health and wellbeing in mind.
Horses are increasingly spending more time wearing rugs, whether being turned out in a paddock, travelling to a show or stabled. Our skin, and that of our horses is the body's largest organ, through which body temperature is regulated and water loss occurs. The skin is also the body's first line of defence against infection as it provides a natural barrier to organisms and foreign bodies. Keeping skin healthy then, should be a top priority, not just for ourselves, but also for our horses. With the inside of rugs being in constant contact with the horse's skin, it provides an immediate environment with which the skin "interacts". It follows on, logically, that this environment should be managed so as to create as near optimal conditions as possible. There is no substitute for fresh air and I would be the first to advocate that no rug at all, wherever possible, is the best course of action. However, from a pragmatic perspective, it is accepted that this is not always possible or practical. Under these circumstances, basic principles of good hygiene make the most sense. This means that when your horse needs to wear a rug, keeping a clean rug on a horse at all times is extremely important. Of course, the predicament we all know only too well is that rugs are expensive, heavy and cumbersome and it is not possible or practical to wash an entire rug as regularly as good hygiene dictates. The Hy-Liner, a removable, interchangeable rug lining system, has been designed to specifically overcome this problem. It zips into the rug completely - once it is attached to the rug it becomes a near-invisible, integral part of the rug, until it needs to be zipped out and changed for washing in a standard size washing machine, with no need to wash the outer rug! Each Konabo Pro rug comes with two Hy-Liners as standard: one to wash, one to wear. Additional Hy-Liners are available to purchase separately, at a fraction of the cost of a second rug. It means you can wash your Hy-Liner as frequently as good hygiene management requires it. Using the Hy-Liner system puts you in control of rug hygiene management which may result in better skin health and coat condition for your horse.
Next time you're throwing your rug on your horse, take a moment to look at the lining. If its torn, dirty, stained, covered in hair, grease or dried sweat ask yourself whether you'd wear it if it was your shirt and was that soiled, dirty or damaged? If you would, then there's probably no point in you reading any more of Konabo's blogs! If not, ask yourself why your horse isn't wearing a Konabo Pro rug....then go and order one. Quote this blog and get £20.00 off an Extreme Pro or £10.00 off a Total Pro.
"Simples!"
