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A shot of a dark bay horse trotting away from the camera in its paddock at dusk

ASKHQ: CHRISTMAS BREAK

Q: Does my horse need a break over Christmas? A: It depends, but probably yes, in some form. Even if your horse hasn’t competed heavily this year, a short period of rest or a change in routine over the festive season can be beneficial both physically and mentally. Rest and recovery Horses, like people, benefit from periods…

BylizzieDecember 13, 20250Comments

a close up image of a grey horse at its trainer with focus on the horses muzzle and the treat bag on the belt of the trainer

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ASKHQ: POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT

Q: Is it safe to train my horse with positive reinforcement? Lots of people at my yard say it is dangerous and makes horses pushy. A: That’s an excellent question, and one many riders are asking right now. In short: yes, positive reinforcement can be safe and highly effective when used correctly, but it does require…

BylizzieDecember 13, 20250Comments

A portrait of a dainty grey horse with a pink nose wearing a bridle with a showing browband and a plaited mane on a black background

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ASKHQ: SHIFTING A HORSE’S WEIGHT BACK

Q: When my instructor says I need to ‘shift my horse’s weight back’ (on the ground), what does she mean? A: When your instructor asks you to shift your horse’s weight back, she’s probably noticing that he’s leaning onto his forehand, even while standing still. Many horses naturally park themselves with more weight over the shoulders…

BylizzieDecember 13, 20250Comments

A close up image of the letter B of the dressage arena while the sun sets

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ASKHQ: COUNTER-CANTER

Q: What is counter-canter and why is it worth practising? Counter-canter is when a horse deliberately canters on the outside lead. For example, the horse canters on the left lead on a right-hand circle, or the right lead on a left-hand loop. In ordinary canter work, the horse’s leading leg matches the direction of travel;…

BylizzieDecember 13, 20250Comments

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ASKHQ: SHEDDING

Q: My horse seems slow to shed his winter coat this year. Why might that be? A: A horse shedding more slowly than usual can have a few different causes - some completely benign, others worth checking out: Seasons and environment Shedding is driven by daylight hours (photoperiod), not temperature, so even if it is…

BylizzieDecember 1, 20250Comments

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ASKHQ: MELANOMAS

Q: Where are the most common sites for melanomas in grey horses? A: In grey horses, melanomas are very common - some studies suggest up to 80% of greys over 15 years old will develop at least one. While many are benign and slow-growing, their location can affect comfort and management. Most common sites for melanomas…

BylizzieDecember 1, 20250Comments

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ASKHQ: BREEDING MARES

Q: 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…

BylizzieDecember 1, 20250Comments

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ASKHQ: CURB ON HOCKS

Q: 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…

BylizzieDecember 1, 20250Comments

A diagram showing the molecular structure of amino acid - HQ Magazine

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ASKHQ: AMINO ACIDS

Q: What are amino acids and why are they necessary? A: Amino acids are biological building blocks that link together to create proteins. Those proteins form everything from muscle and organ tissue to enzymes, hormones and antibodies. Amino acids are particularly helpful in cellular regeneration of muscle in performance horses. This role in regeneration makes…

BylizzieNovember 23, 20250Comments

A diagram showing the skeletal structure of a horses lower leg - HQ Magazine

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ASKHQ: NAVICULAR

Q: How does a vet diagnose navicular? A: In recent years most vets have moved away from the term navicular syndrome, as it does not seem specific enough to describe what’s often going on in a case of lower-limb lameness. Navicular syndrome is classified by its degenerative impact to the navicular bone itself. This is…

BylizzieNovember 23, 20250Comments

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