Latest news with #Kelcie
Int'l Business Times
17-07-2025
- Business
- Int'l Business Times
Kelcie's Horse Treats Champions Thoughtful Innovation to Meet Equine Wellness
In the equestrian world, where horses are cherished partners, what they're fed particularly matters. Owners and trainers understand that a treat isn't a mere reward but a reflection of care, nutrition, and trust. Yet, the market for horse treats has long leaned toward the sugary side, relying on molasses and fillers that may be tasty but far from healthy. Kelcie's Horse Treats, a family-run brand, has emerged after recognizing this gap. Its mission is to create low-sugar, all-natural horse treats that animals and their caretakers can feel good about. Interestingly, the brand's story began with an encounter in a pub in a town in England. That's where Kelcie's founder and CEO, Kevin Nairne, a UK-based corporate professional with a career in IT, met Mary Elizabeth. She's a lifelong horsewoman whose family is deeply embedded in the professional show jumping community. From that moment, Kevin's life shifted. Marrying into a world of saddles, stalls, and showgrounds, he transitioned from technology to the tack room, driven by love and an unexpected passion for horses. The idea behind Kelcie's originated from Mary Elizabeth's observation of the lack of nutritious, clean treats in the market. "Many were loaded with sugar and additives," says Kevin. "They're unsuitable for horses that need to maintain optimal health and performance." The founder then brought his corporate mindset to the table and treated this realization like a business challenge. He formed a think tank of top grooms, veterinarians, and seasoned equestrians, asking one question: "What should the perfect horse treat look like?" The result was Kelcie's Pumpkin Spice Horse Treats. "Even the fussiest horses liked Kelcie's immediately," Kevin shares. "When we tested our first batch with our 25 horses at our home in Wellington, Florida, every single one of them, including the pickiest eater, devoured them instantly. In that moment, we knew we had made something special." The treats are made from 15 carefully selected natural ingredients. Pumpkin was chosen as the main ingredient because of its digestive qualities, turmeric for its anti-inflammatory properties, and anise were added to increase the palatability. Independently laboratory tested, the treats contain less than 9% (non-structural carbohydrates) sugar , making them ideal for horses with Cushing's and other sugar sensitivities. The treats undergo a unique extrusion process, which optimizes digestion and nutrient absorption, enhances shelf life, and prevents mold. Kelcie's Horse Treats Developed with sport horses in mind, Kelcie's products give every horse owner peace of mind, from spirited ponies to retired companions. "Our treats have no preservatives, no artificial additives, just fresh ingredients that are sourced and manufactured in the U.S. that support digestion, healthy coats, energy, and overall wellness," Kevin emphasizes. From its humble beginnings, Kelcie's took bold steps to establish itself. It partnered with a traveling showcase retailer to exclusively launch the brand at major US horse shows for several months. It put the treats directly in front of trainers, riders, and grooms at the heart of competitive circuits, resulting in immediate traction. Then the pandemic happened. While many businesses faltered, Kelcie's remained agile. Early traction and strong word of mouth carried the brand through. It shifted to online distribution and later secured a game-changing agreement with a leading distributor, allowing it to scale while preserving its handcrafted approach. Kevin's background in business was crucial. While he had no experience in equine nutrition at the start, his ability to build relationships, solve problems, and focus on quality helped Kelcie's grow. He brought the same attention to product development that he once applied to corporate solutions, insisting on nothing less than the best. Laura Kraut, a leading figure in international show jumping, whose Olympic pedigree speaks volumes, endorses Kelcie's personally , noting that even her most accomplished horses love the treats. That kind of recommendation doesn't come lightly. The reviews echo her sentiment. One shared: "She's a picky treat eater, which seems silly, but she enjoyed these [Kelcie's treats]. I was pleased with the ingredients, so it felt like a win-win." Another customer, writing about a rescue horse recovering from trauma, said, "I bought these for my sister's horse, Tamarindo, who is a rescue recovering from burns that previous owners inflicted on him. These treats have been great at gaining his trust while providing health benefits as well." With this reputation, it's hardly surprising that Kelcie's influence has expanded to the national stage. The brand has been named a participating sponsor for Wellington International, an event connected to Wellington's winter equestrian season, a prestigious event that attracts the best in the sport. Kelcie's aims to grow its legacy in the equestrian world. With a commitment to health, a personal story rooted in love and instinct, and a bold vision for what horses deserve, the brand continues to redefine how the industry thinks about horse treats.
STV News
02-05-2025
- Health
- STV News
Girl with extremely rare condition dreams of 'wonderland' garden
The family of a girl who lives with an extremely rare condition is hoping to build a safe 'wonderland'. Kelcie Brooks found out her daughter's brain wasn't fully forming in the womb due to a buildup of fluid in her head. Two weeks after welcoming Winnie into the world on April 15, 2019, she underwent her first of four brain surgeries. One operation saw a shunt – a thin tube – placed in the baby's head to drain the fluid putting pressure on her brain. After years of genetic tests and scans, Winnie was diagnosed with Coffin-Siris syndrome (CSS) at four years old. Supplied Winnie The diagnosis was made after doctors detected a mutation of the ARID1A gene. As of February 2025, just over 530 people are clinically registered with the condition according to the National Organisation of Rare Disorders. CSS can impact a child's mental and physical development to varying degrees. Winnie requires a wheelchair and is in need of supervision, with her mum, Kelcie, as her full-time carer. The now six-year-old is also 'preverbal'. She understands what is being said but has a limited vocabulary. Supplied Winnie and Kelcie. Kelcie says the diagnosis gave the family an answer, but it didn't change the way they love and care for Winnie. She told STV News: 'It was nice to have a name to put to it, before I didn't have answer. 'The diagnosis hasn't changed the treatment she is getting or how we treat her. 'We have found a Facebook community for other people with Coffin-Siris. I've managed to speak to other mums with children of a similar age. 'It didn't change our life because she is still Winnie.' The 36-year-old revealed life can be 'hard' for her daughter, but the 'very happy' six-year-old has taken everything in her stride. Supplied 'She always wants to say hello to people when we go out and give them a cuddle'. 'Winnie makes friends everywhere we go,' she told STV News. 'She always wants to say hello to people when we go out and give them a cuddle. 'She is sociable and loving.' Kelcie has created a fundraiser in a bid to build a garden tailored to Winnie's needs at their home in North Lanarkshire. The schoolgirl loves the outdoors, with a majority of her time spent crawling at the park and playing in the sand. The mum is aiming to create a safe environment where her daughter can do all the things she loves close to home. Supplied The family is aiming to create a safe place for Winnie to play. 'Winnie loves to be outside, it is her favourite thing,' the 36-year-old said. 'For me, as a mum, a garden will make life a lot easier. As she gets bigger, it can become harder to take her to the park because she can't be put in a normal-sized swing anymore. 'To be able to open the back door to Winnie's wonderland would be amazing. 'It would be safe for her as well because she doesn't have a sense of danger. 'It would get used all year because Winnie loves going outside no matter what.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Daily Record
30-04-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Motherwell mum's bid to provide life-changing dream garden for brave six-year-old daughter
A loving Motherwell mum is determined to build a specially adapted garden for her six-year-old daughter who has a very rare genetic condition. Kelcie Brooks, 36, has been waiting for a suitable council home for over three years. Kelcie's six-year-old daughter Winnie has the extremely rare condition Coffin-Siris Syndrome, there are currently only 200 known cases in the world. Exasperated by the lengthy wait for a new house with no guarantee of a suitable home being found, Kelcie has secured a privately-let ground floor flat with a garden in North Lanarkshire which is more suited to Winnie's needs and is preparing for the move. The youngster has had issues since birth and underwent brain surgery when she was just a month old, but was only diagnosed with Coffin-Siris Syndrome at the age of four. The condition means she's unable to walk, or talk and needs constant care. Winnie has multiple disabilities and uses a wheelchair, but loves being outdoors and the move will be life-changing for her. She manages to get around on her knees and loves being active. Her mum, who is Winnie's full-time carer, is determined to raise the funds to adapt the outdoor space into a dream garden at their new home to allow her daughter to enjoy daily life as fully as possible. Currently the garden is not at all child-friendly or safe for Winnie as it's accessed by a number of stairs, and is uneven and made up of patchy grass with a few broken slabs. However, Kelcie's plans to install a child-safe soft surface, a sand pit, and a trampoline, the adaptations along with landscaping will reach to a five-figure sum. She is funding as much as she can herself with help from family. 'Initially, I was a bit naïve and didn't realise how much gardens cost," said Kelcie. 'With Winnie's limitations, it's getting more difficult to do things at local parks alone with her so an outside space where she can safely play will help her tremendously. 'This garden would be life changing for Winnie. She's a very happy, sociable and brave girl who's been through a lot in her short life. 'If we can raise at least £10,000 then we'd be able to get the basics; we need a ramp, the soft-pour tarmac surface for her knees, sand pit and an in-ground trampoline. If we can get that and it's all safe then over time I can eventually add other bits and pieces. "She's obsessed with sand, and calls it mand. Ideally we could have a mud kitchen and tuft trays for messy play, something that spins for her to sit or lie on. And a tunnel would be amazing as it's typically her favourite thing at play parks. "Safe and accessible is the key though, but the more donations we get the more we can do. 'We've already been helped by local businesses as we go into a lot of cafes and stuff. So they've donated and shared the link. 'We got a big donation of £5,000 from Garron Noone, an Irish musician and comedian. I'd messaged him and he replied and sent the donation, which was incredible.' Kelcie knew from when she was pregnant that her daughter would have health issues. 'We went for a scan and the woman told us we had to go to foetal medicine, and I had to go for tests,' Kelcie said. 'We then found out she had hydrocephalus. It's been constant hospital appointments since Winnie was born. 'You see people with kids in wheelchairs but it doesn't really cross your mind what life is like until you're in that position. 'We are in hospital a lot for respiratory issues, when she gets a cold it turns really bad. She wants to be outside and do stuff, we can't stop her getting a cold but we have treatment plans in place and she has daily nebulisers and inhalers. "I want Winnie to have the best life she can have. She tells me in her own way that she wants to go outside and see people. 'Winnie loves people and loves school. She just loves everything and is the happiest girl you could ever meet, she's absolutely ecstatic. "She's a genuine ray of sunshine and I'm blessed to be her mum. 'Yes, things can be difficult with all the hospital visits but I always look at the positives and just want to make her life as good as I possibly can. 'My hope is that as well as donations we may potentially get a few people reaching out who could perhaps do the job.' You can find Kelcie's GoFundMe page to build Winnie's dream garden at: *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here . And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here .
