Island Life Magazine Ltd November/December 2005 | Page 28

EQUESTRIAN - Sponsored by Brickfields and Froghill Comfort and style for your horse When mum and daughter Soo Richardson and Mandy Steen wanted to set up a tack shop on the Island 25 years ago, they were almost laughed out of the bank. “The bank thought it was too much of a risk to lend £500 to two silly women who wanted to set up a business in a caravan,” recalls Mandy. But the women ended up having the last laugh - because their now-thriving business, Froghill Tack at Sandford, carries a stock of at least £150,000, and is a favourite haunt for riders from miles around. Soo and Mandy, who started out because there was only one other tack shop on the whole Island (which was too far away for their own convenience) refused to be put off by the bank’s downbeat attitude and plunged in regardless, selling tack on a small scale. To their satisfaction, they soon outgrew the caravan they set up in, and their business now fills an old agricultural building on the farm where they live. Mandy and Soo both have homes on the site, as does Mandy’s sister Genevieve Sanders, who undertakes a repair and cleaning service for horse rugs. In fact, this family concern has proved its enterprise by constantly looking for opportunities to diversify the business – and then going for it. Five years ago, for instance, after the clothing chain C&A closed down, Froghill Tack saw a niche in the skiwear market, particularly at the budget end, and began stocking clothing to take customers stylishly onto the slopes. “We used to get people coming in asking if our riding jackets would be suitable for skiing as well” says Mandy, “and we realised this might be another opening for us”. The ski section now attracts a lot of firsttime skiers who don’t want to blow a fortune on a sport they are only just trying out, but want to look fun and funky for their first foray into the snow. With the new season’s ranges of salopettes, jackets and accessories just 28 arriving at Froghill, this is the time of year when trading becomes brisk. It also coincides with the time of year that riders start to dig out their old horse rugs and realise that barbed wire, horses’ teeth and English weather have taken their toll. Sometimes, the damage can be put right by repair expert Genevieve, but Froghill also has a fantastic stock of new rugs to choose from. Mandy’s tips when choosing a new one are: Quality Like anything, if you buy quality, it will last longer than a cheaper brand. Rugs have to take heavy punishment from barbed wire fences, rolling, and most common of all chewing from the horse so it’s sensible to go for the best quality you can afford. Seamless rugs are a good bet because there is less to get caught, such as seams, etc. Also look out for thermobonded fibre, which regains its original structure and thickness if the horse rolls. Last but not least are the straps: make sure they are stitched or bonded, as many rugs fail because of the stitching on the straps and round the buckles. Design Design is not just about looking pretty, it’s about fitting correctly and keeping the elements at bay. There are plenty of designs on the market, but some basic rules apply. First, look at the neck area, and make sure the rug does not cut into the bottom of the horse’s neck and chest, as this can become very uncomfortable and make grazing difficult. Another important area is around the stomach and legs. Look for rugs that wrap snugly round the horse’s shape, giving it extra protection without getting caught and gathering behind the elbow. This in turn gives the horse more freedom of movement.