Michael Whitaker chooses Equine SunSwitch

Michael Whittaker

Four times Olympic Medalist, Michael Whitaker, has recently installed two Equine SunSwitch solariums in his Nottingham yard. Manager, Melissa Braybrooke described the product as, “Brilliant!” when she talked to Equine SunSwitch Director, Lisa Auckland.

Lisa: So Melissa, how are you getting on with Equine SunSwitch?

Melissa: Brilliant! It’s absolutely great. We’ve just installed four heaters and two waterproof timer controllers in one of our boxes and they’re just right. Not over the top. And really simple to use.

Lisa: What sort of things are you using it for?

Melissa: Everything! It dries horses really quickly, and helps them relax. It’s great for keeping horses warm and settled when you’re clipping. And because you can do it with their rugs off, it’s quick and you can see what you are doing better.

Lisa: Have you tried using it for warming horses before exercise?

Melissa: Oh yes, its great for that. It saves so much time and must help prevent muscle strains. We just put it on when we getting a horse ready.

Lisa: How do the horses take to it?

Melissa: They love it! When we first took delivery of it, we couldn’t wait to get going so were tried it out with just two of the heaters on the wall. The horse kept positioning himself where he could feel the heat, and then turning round to toast the other side.

Lisa: How do you think Equine SunSwitch compares with a canopy style solarium?

Melissa: Oh it’s much better. Michael wouldn’t consider using a canopy solarium. It has to work in a way that allows you and the horse to move around freely, and where big horses like our 17hh Rooney can be treated without any danger of coming into contact with it.

Lisa: Some people say horses find canopy solariums scary, and that lowering them down over horses’ backs seems a bit risky.

Melissa: Yes I can believe that. Rooney, who’s only five, is really naughty, and I wouldn’t want to put him under a canopy! But he loves Equine SunSwitch and behaves himself.

Lisa: Any problems at all?

Melissa: No, none. In fact we want to order another. When can you get it to me?...

Michael Whitaker
Born 1960, one of four boys - John, Ian and Steven. Raised on their parents’ farm in Yorkshire, where they were all taught to ride by their mother. Aged just 20, Michael became the youngest ever winner of the Hickstead Derby, a record which remains unbeaten. He went on to take three more Derby wins. In 1999 as the highest placed British rider, he came 5th in the World Cup Final. Then in 2001 he did even better, reaching 3rd ranking. He came second to his nephew Robert in 2008 when Whitaker men took first, second and third at the British Open Show Jumping Championships. Michael has had no less than five Olympic selections, and four King George V cup wins to his name, not to mention over a hundred Nations Cup appearances.