Fiske’s – An Old-Time Product Is New Again

This article appeared in the March 2009 issue of The Toronto CADORA Newsletter.

Equi-Business Profile: Fiske’s – An old-time product is new again

“If not now, when?”

Sandy Bracalente asked herself this question in 2008 as she was contemplating when to start her own business. It was something she always wanted to do. In a moment of insight, she had her answer and began to formulate a plan. That was when preparation met opportunity and a little luck was thrown in for good measure.

With a background in marketing and a desire to do something good in the horse world, Sandy took up the challenge and threw her heart into finding the right product to launch her business.

“I found Fiske’s!” she exclaims with a smile, “it had worked for me and my horse, it is all natural and I love the company so it became the inaugural product in my business of selling care products for horses and people.”

And what is Fiske’s, you might well be asking?

“It’s a Canadian-made, all-natural, healing remedy for hoofs, hide and muscles that is made from a 100-year-old recipe,” Sandy explains.

“In those days they wanted one liniment to tackle many conditions,” Sandy notes, “unlike today where there are separate products for individual maladies. Fiske's is truly multi-purpose.

Canadian-made, eh? Sandy notes that Fiske’s was indeed formulated by a veterinarian, Dr. Clarence Simms, in Nova Scotia in the late 1980s to treat feet, skin and muscle ailments common to farm animals. It’s a medicinal, topical remedy with naturally therapeutic ingredients providing anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-septic and anti-fungal properties.

Indeed, remove the lid from a bottle of the balm or jar of the salve, and you are greeted by a whiff of stables past and a trip down memory lane. Fiske’s all-natural ingredients include camphor (anti-inflammatory and anti-septic), eucalyptus (anti-bacterial and relieves sore muscles), thymol (anti-fungal and anti-bacterial), wintergreen (moisturizer, pain reliever and anti-inflammatory), Neats Foot Oil (skin conditioner) and Pine Tar (analgesic, anti-bacterial, anti-biotic, anti-fungal, anti-septic and anti-viral).

So how did the recipe get to be Fiske’s?

According to Sandy, old Dr. Simms entrusted his formula to Leon Fiske, a friend and keen horseman, to produce and promote, which he did until he died in 2004. Fiske left the recipe to his daughter, Melanie, as his legacy. At first Melanie was reluctant to continue Leon’s business but loyal customers kept calling the family for the ‘Hoof Lotion’ and ‘Black Salve’.

“People were asking for it,” says Sandy, “and were afraid they wouldn’t be able to get it, so Melanie took up the challenge.”

Today Fiske’s is still manufactured in Nova Scotia where it is produced, poured and packaged by members of the community of disadvantaged men and women in the Annapolis Valley.

Testimonials continually pour in regarding the results of using Fiske’s. One of which is that it does not test positive, a real concern on the show circuit where some other hoof care products affect the test results.

Currently Fiske’s Hoof & Hide Balm and Horse to Hound Skin & Wound Salve (which is great for dogs and even some humans use it) are sold across Canada, the USA and expanding internationally into the UK, Europe, Romania and the Middle East. Prices start at $24.95 for a 450ml jar. As well, longevity on the shelf is never in question as it is easily stored and does not freeze.

For her part, Sandy is not limiting herself to one product line. She calls her online store Natural Horse Health Centre (www.naturalhorsehealthcentre.com) and in addition to the Fiske’s products, offers lighted safety accessories for horses, dogs and people. There is an LED lighted cap that you might wear if you need to work hands-free in a low light area such as mucking a dark stall or checking a wound. The flashing dog collars, leashes and harnesses help you and your canine companion be seen while walking at night.

“I’m planning a broad-based offering for horses and their humans and continue to shop for ‘caring’ products,” Sandy explains. “I’m on the hunt right now for a solar heater for outdoor water troughs.”

In the meantime, while Sandy searches for a modern device to tackle the age-old problem of frozen water troughs, she’s happy to help horse people everywhere discover the magic of an age-old remedy. And she’s doing it … now!