THE RIDDEN HORSE

Welfare and the precautionary principle A University of Guelph review argues that many long-accepted riding practices deserve closer scrutiny, even where definitive evidence of harm is still lacking. A review by Caleigh Copelin and Katrina Merkies, published in the March 2026 edition of the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, makes the case that modern equestrianism is…

BylizzieMay 14, 20260Comments

Ask HQ Breeding

ASKHQ: WHEN IS THE BEST AGE TO BREED A MARE?

ASKHQ: When is the best age to breed a mare? A: Most vets and breeding specialists recommend breeding a mare between four and twelve years of age. Why not younger? Physically, a mare reaches maturity around four years old. Breeding younger than this (two to three years) is possible but not advisable: her body is…

BylizzieMay 12, 20260Comments

Horse Health

ASKHQ: CURB ON THE HOCK

AskHQ: I’ve been told my horse has a curb on his hock. What does this mean? A: A curb on a horse’s hock is a form of soft tissue swelling or thickening that appears just below the point of the hock, at the back of the leg. It’s usually caused by strain or injury to the…

BylizzieMay 11, 20260Comments

Breeding Horse Health

THE FUTURE OF EQUINE BREEDING – GENETICS, DATA AND ETHICS

The next frontier of sporthorse breeding isn’t just about bloodlines; it’s about information. Across the world, breeders are increasingly using genetic testing, artificial insemination (AI), embryo transfer (ET), and data-driven analysis to predict, enhance, and preserve equine athletic potential. But as the science accelerates, so do the ethical questions that come with it. Artificial insemination, embryo…

BylizzieMay 10, 20260Comments

Horse Channel

SPURWING HORSE FEEDS

HQ: Can you tell us briefly how Spurwing was founded in 1993 and what the core inspiration behind the brand is? Spurwing was founded in 1993 with a clear and practical vision: to produce reliable, high-quality horse feed that genuinely supports performance, health and longevity. The brand was born out of hands-on experience in…

BylizzieMay 8, 20260Comments

Horse Health

PADDOCK MANAGEMENT 101

Sustainable pasture management and toxic plant awareness Paddock management is one of the most overlooked aspects of horse care in South Africa, yet it fundamentally impacts horse health, property sustainability, and long-term costs. The difference between well-managed and poorly managed grazing can mean the difference between horses thriving on minimal supplementary feed versus requiring year-round…

BylizzieMay 7, 20260Comments

Horse and Rider Horse Channel

BUILDING CONFIDENCE AFTER A FALL

Psychological strategies and progressive exercises for riders returning after falls Every rider falls eventually. This is not dramatic pessimism; it’s just statistics. Whether it is a simple loss of balance, a spectacular spook, a refusal you were not expecting, or something more serious, the moment you hit the ground, something shifts. What was once unconscious…

BylizzieMay 6, 20260Comments

Horse and Rider

SHOWJUMPING COURSE WALK STRATEGIES

How to walk a showjumping course effectively The rider who rushes through the course walk, barely glancing at fences, then wonders why distances feel awkward. The competitor who walks diligently but still gets lost mid-round, missing fence four entirely. The nervous showjumper who sees only terrifying heights rather than rideable lines. These scenarios play out…

BylizzieMay 5, 20260Comments

Horse Channel

334 STALLION STATION

A new opportunity for South African sporthorse breeders South African sporthorse breeding is entering an exciting new chapter as 334 Sporthorse Stud opens the doors to its brand new Stallion Station for the 2026 breeding season, giving breeders across the country access to all of their top-class stallions. What is a Stallion Station and why…

BylizzieMay 4, 20260Comments

Horse Health

MEET HANNAH PETRIE HAY

Member of The Horseback Vet Team and Core Conditioning proponent Could the key to your horse's long-term soundness be hiding in plain sight, not in the vet's diagnostic kit, but in the way your horse moves, and the way you ride? It's a question that's gaining traction in equine circles, and one that veterinary surgeon…

BylizzieApril 30, 20260Comments

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