Sunday 12 December 2010

KONABO PRO RUGS

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!"

Sunday 28 November 2010

Launch of Konabo

Hello world!  I'd like to announce the launch of Konabo - the new name in equestrian performance wear.
Our flagship product is the innovative Hy-Liner, a removable, interchangeable lining, customisable to your preference, which has been designed to put you in control of managing your horse's skin health and the rug's hygiene.

Anyone with a horse will know how terribly dirty their horse rugs and blankets become. Grease, sweat, dirt, faeces, urine and hair all build up on the lining resulting in a fairly disgusting rug being in direct contact with your horse's skin.  The concept of the Hy-Liner is simple - it's clean sheets for horses all in one rug, much like we use duvet covers on our duvets.

The Hy-Liner zips completely into the rug so that when it is attached the rug handles and behaves as one rug so that you would never know it is there.  When it's time to wash it, simply unzip the Hy-Liner and replace with a clean one.  Each Konabo Pro rug comes with two Hy-Liiners as standard - one to wash, one to wear.

Not only does the Hy-Liner revolutionise rug management, but the overall performance of each Konabo Pro rug means that your horse will probably be in one of the best rugs available on the market today.  Because our Pro turnout rugs are made from a waterproof, breathable ballistic nylon outer, with the Hy-Liner guaranteeing you a clean, dry lining, it means that they can also be used when your horse is stabled too.  A good quality, breathable, waterproof rug is a very sound investment, but the rug can only perform optimally if it can maintain its ability to "breathe".  When the lining is clogged with grease, dirt and hair not only does this create a breeding ground for bacteria but it also means that the performance of the rug is compromised and so it loses its function to "breathe".  Maintaining a hygienic environment by changing the Hy-Liner regularly means that a clean, unclogged lining is always next to your horse's skin and allows the rug to perform optimally and enables it's breathability to be maintained.

I could wax lyrical all day about the Hy-Liner.  It's principle is founded on common sense, not gimmicks.  As horses are spending an increasing amount of time wearing rugs, we have to challenge ourselves constantly to look at new ways to improve the environment in which they live.   Konabo's ethos is simple - Quality - Innovation - Performance.  I'd love to hear your views on this topic.  Please let me know how important your horse's skin health is to you.  Konabo is holding demonstration days across the UK and has a video available on You Tube.  Please visit www.konabo.com for more details or to contact us.