And finally… a gift for pony-mad tots

Funny, weird and wonderful goings on the horse world. As we come to the end of the week H&H provides a light-hearted read

Do you fondly remember pony rides on your parent’s knee as a toddler?

Well, now this childhood game can be made even more authentic thanks to an exciting new toy.

Donkey Products has created a strap-on pony head that can be fixed to your leg to transform boring limbs into a miniature horse.

“Imagine you’re a child,” states the product description on donkey-products.com.

“Look at a computer game then look at your parent’s leg. What’s the difference? Fun.”

The soft, cream-coloured pony with a white mane is made from cord, and sports a red bridle with matching synthetic leather strap.

Parents are spared the task of supplying their own neighs, clip-clopping and snorting noises, as the toy comes complete with “horse sounds”.

Each pony head costs €34.95 (£24.70) — a steal for endless horsey fun.

For more information visit: http://donkey-products.com/en/293/horsehead-hoppe-hoppe-reiter-2.0

The power of poo

Think manure can only be useful as flower fertiliser? Think again, as Finland’s government has proposed using horse poo to heat the country’s homes.

The government manifesto sets out to use dung as a renewable source of energy, as reported by the country’s national broadcaster Yle.

The Fortum Corporation is trialling a biofuel made from horse manure and a wood-based litter, which is burned to generate power.

The energy company says the annual waste created by three horses would be enough to heat a family home for a year.

There are around 77,000 horses in Finland, which means more than 20,000 homes could potentially be heated.

Better start bagging up your muck heap in time for winter…

Anyone for tennis?

The fizz of champagne, the aroma of strawberries, the thwack of a racket… and the pounding of hooves. It could only be Wimbledon, where this month a whole new take on the sport of tennis was enjoyed to mark Wimbledon fortnight.

Inspiration came from Clare Balding’s appeal to send in quirky tennis-themed photos and videos under the social media hashtag #anyonefortennis.

So a couple of horses and instructors from Wimbledon Village Stables — about half a mile from the All England Lawn Tennis Club — headed off to Wimbledon Common for a game of horseback tennis.

Jen Hesketh and Chester (pictured) took on Fernanda Zuniga and Rocky in a fun match, cheered on by spectators and filmed by people driving by. Who needs queues for a spot of sporting action?

The horses didn’t put a hoof wrong, and after the match finished they couldn’t resist jumping the net as a grand finale.

Carol Andrews, owner of Wimbledon Village Stables, was asked if it might catch on. “Why not?,” she said. “But the groundsman at Wimbledon may not be so keen!”

H&H wonders what a doubles match of horse tennis would be like…

Cuddle a clone of your horse

Can’t bear to leave your horse in their stable all night and prefer them to be able to sit next to you on the sofa?

Luckily, you now can — and they won’t have to be mucked out afterwards. The Cuddle Clones toy company will create an exact replica of your horse — or any pet — from a photograph. As well as soft, plush replicas, the Kentucky-based company also makes sandstone figurines in the image of your pet, and memorials made of granite.

Cuddle Clones gives a proportion of its proceeds to pet-related charities, and prices for larger animals, such as horses, dogs and cats start at $199 (£133). Smaller animals, such as rabbits and guinea pigs, start at $129 (£86).

For more information visit: www.cuddleclones.com

Get on your bike

By Rachael Hook

Do you miss your horse on the morning commute? And are you tired of your bicycle’s uninspiring appearance?

Cyclists can now embrace their love of equines by transforming their bikes into pedalling ponies, with a wooden horse-shaped cycle frame.

“I wanted to give a special look to bicycles so that people would care about cycling, not only as transportation but as a lovely pet,” said South Korean designer Eungi Kim.

“The manual is very simple, so anyone can easily arrange it according to their needs,” added Eungi.

The design, “Horsey”, has been shortlisted for the Seoul Cycle Design Competition. H&H can’t wait to get our hands on one of these two-wheeled steeds.

Dung good for health?

By Caroline Bankes

It’s good for the roses and it could also be good for you.

Horse manure has been found to have hidden medicinal properties, according to new research by European scientists.

Mushrooms grown on horse dung were found to contain the bacteria-killing compound copsin.

The discovery was made by a research team looking to develop a range of antibiotics.

“Horse dung is a very rich substrate that harbours a diversity of micro-organisms, including fungi and bacteria,” said researcher Andreas Essig.

He said copsin could be useful in the food industry as it kills pathogens such as listeria, bacteria that causes food poisoning.

The research team have registered copsin for patent approval, but it is not certain whether it could be used as an antibiotic.

No wonder there are so many worms wiggling about in the muck heap.

Thelwell your life up!

By Caroline Bankes

Do Thelwell’s cartoons remind you of young, happy days being thrown off fat, hairy ponies?

The famous loveable beasts can now be seen galloping out of control across t-shirts, aprons and phone covers.

Fans of Thelwell can add a name or a joke alongside the cartoon in the new range of merchandise launched by Spreadshirt.

Philip Rooke, of the company, said he grew up on a farm riding a fat little black pony called Damar.

“To people around horses Thelwell is still relevant today; we have just used print-on-demand technology to offer Thelwell merchandise anywhere in the world, and with a personalisable option.”

The instantly recognisable drawings are available internationally through Thelwell online shops.

Fifty years on Thelwell is continuing to make people laugh — the humour hasn’t changed, just the merchandise, and this time it might star you.

Donkey milk frappé

By Sophia Heath

Cleopatra bathed in it, the Greeks used it as a healing remedy and Pope Francis drank it as a child. Is donkey milk about to make a resurgence in 2015?

Donkey milk is reportedly the latest beauty product to sweep Asia, and looks set to hit the US soon.

Alicia Yoon, co-founder of Korean beauty site Peach and Lily, told American press that donkey milk is one of the hottest new cosmetic trends.

“It is known to be gentle and soothing for those with sensitive skin and eczema, has four to five times more vitamin C than cow’s milk and is rich in proteins,” she said.

As well as its cosmetic values, the milk is being marketed as an alternative to human milk for babies that are allergic to cow’s milk.

A website has been set up that not only sells donkey milk products but also gives advice on locating, preparing and certifying the milk, as well as recipe ideas.

Fruit and donkey’s milk frappé, anyone?

Pint-size rare breeds

By Caroline Bankes

Britain’s rare equine breeds have received a welcome boost — thanks to toymakers Breyer.

Suffolks and Clydesdales (pictured) might be on the rare breeds watchlist (news, 29 January) but they can now take pride of place in your home as the heavy horses are being scaled down from 18hh to 3.5 inches.

The company is launching its new “Best of British” collection this week (22 February). There is also a model of the Highland pony at 3.5in, while the Welsh cob, Connemara and Shetland pony are being produced in 9in versions.

“We have been working towards these special collections as part of our international expansion,” said Breyer’s Stephanie Macejko.

“It was only natural to begin with the UK. It is a country filled with horse lovers and so many rare breeds.”

Get back in the game

By Sophia Heath

Has the long winter break from eventing taken its toll? Are you feeling a bit rusty and looking for a way to get your mind and body back in the game? Well, help is on hand because the first-ever eventing simulator has been developed.

The new model — from Racewood, which produces dressage, jumping, polo and racing replicas — uses flight simulation technology to replicate the movements of a horse in all three phases.

Four years ago the company developed a jumping simulator, which could test riders up to 1.20m, but it has now put all three disciplines together in one multi-tasking fake horse.

“This is the world’s most realistic and interactive riding experience in a safe and controlled environment,” a spokesman from the company said. “It challenges riders of beginner or professional status.”

If you fancy giving it a go you had better grab your passport — Racewood will be giving demonstrations at Equitana in Germany (14-22 March).

For more information visit: www.racewood.com

Love is in the air

You’ve heard of Tinder, now horse owners glued to their mobiles could benefit from a new app — designed to help people connect with others who share similar interests.

InCommon, which launched in December, puts people in touch with those who have common interests and live locally.

Founder Jennifer Jones said: “Many people have an interest that that none of their close friends or family share. The idea is to have a buddy to share something that perhaps you’ve always had to do alone up until now.”

New users can sign up through Facebook or Google. Once they have created a profile, they can then view friendship matches.

They can also filter searches by distance, gender and age.

“This sounds like a great idea to connect with people for hacking or even sharing transport to fun rides or events,” said one rider.

➤ To find out more visit: www.getincommon.com

H&H horse owners can also link up with fellow riders on the H&H forum page: www.horseandhound.co.uk/forum

The poop’s in the post

By Caroline Bankes

Bagging up horse manure and selling it on the side of the road is one way of getting rid of a mounting muck heap.

Otherwise it’s a case of relying on the local farmer to spread it on his fields.

But now one company has turned to technology.

You can buy almost anything on the internet — and now horse poo is being sent around the world after an entrepreneur set up an online company called Shit Express.

The company’s website claims it made US$10,120 (£6,640) in its first 30 days, and charges people $US16.95 (£11) for the service, which includes free packaging, shipping and a personalised message.

“We had media attention from almost 500 websites. As of 4 December, we’ve already shipped poop to 36 different countries,” said the company.

Although, unless you’re a keen gardener, it’s likely most people will think the idea of receiving a parcel of poo in the post stinks.

Saddles in fashion

By Sophia Heath

Have you always been envious of Paul Tapner’s and Mary King’s colour-coordinated saddles? Do you feel you lack that extra something special when you stroll though the lorry park with just a normal black saddle?

Well, panic not! Help is now at hand as Sue Carson has developed a jump saddle which allows riders to choose a specific colour for their back cantle and piping.

Eventer Jake Fowles is the proud owner of a new Zeus saddle with electric blue additions.

“It looks fantastic and makes the already attractive Zeus a very sexy saddle,” he said.

Unfortunately, as with many fashion statements, this product does not come cheap. The saddle costs £3,300. However, with a blue Dior handbag setting you back in the region of £2,000 H&H thinks the saddle offers better value for money.

For more information visit: www.suecarsonsaddles.co.uk