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MYTH BUSTING: HOOF STRENGTH

Many people still believe that white feet are softer and of poorer quality than black feet. However, scientific studies have proved that this is not the case. White feet have exactly the same structure and strength as their black counterparts, with the only difference between the two being in terms of their pigmentation. Therefore both…

BylizzieSeptember 19, 20190Comments

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ASKHQ: OVERREACH BOOTS

Q: Does my horse need overreach boots? A: Overreach boots, also known as bell boots, are worn over the pastern and the hoof and help to protect the heels of the horse's front feet from being struck by the hind legs during movement. Overreach boots also help to prevent a horse from taking off his front…

BylizzieSeptember 17, 20190Comments

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ASKHQ: A FRACTURED PELVIS

Q: My friend's horse has been diagnosed with a fractured pelvis, yet the horse is not having surgery. Is this normal? A: Pelvic fractures are challenging to handle in horses, not just because of the horse's size but because of the heavy muscling and tissue that surround the pelvic area. This makes surgical intervention such as…

BylizzieSeptember 17, 20190Comments

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ASKHQ: OLDER HORSES

Q: My older horse still seems to love work, but I'm concerned as his stiffness is definitely increasing. I've had my vet to look at him, and she agrees that we need to slow down, but how do I do this when he enjoys his work so much? A: Many horses bodies start to slow down…

BylizzieSeptember 16, 20190Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Health

ASKHQ: CLICKING FETLOCKS

Q: My horse's fetlocks click when I pick up his feet. What could it be? A: Clicking joints and fetlocks are fairly common in horses, and are generally speaking nothing to worry about. Clicking joints in horses are very similar to clicking joints like knuckles and knees in humans, where sudden expansion of the joint creates…

BylizzieSeptember 13, 20190Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Health Know How

ANATOMY 101: THE EQUINE EYE – FROM THE OUTSIDE IN

The bone cavity in the skull that contains the eye is called the orbit. The orbit is actually formed by several bones and also contains muscles, nerves, blood supply and glands and ducts for producing and draining tears respectively. The white of the eye is called the sclera. It is very tough. The…

BylizzieSeptember 11, 20190Comments

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ASKHQ: OSTEOARTHRITIS

Q: My mare has osteoarthritis in her hocks, which can make some schooling difficult for her. I want to maintain her fitness, without stressing her joints or making her arthritis flare. Do you have any advice for how best to achieve this? A: Osteoarthitis is a condition that commonly affects older horses, but it doesn't have…

BylizzieAugust 30, 20190Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Health Know How

SWEET ITCH

Sweet itch is caused by an allergic reaction to the saliva of the Cullicoides midge (the same midge involved in the transmission of the dreaded African Horse Sickness). The midges bite the horse, and in horses with allergic sensitivity they develop itching of the mane and tail and, in some cases, the face and the…

BylizzieAugust 28, 20190Comments

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ASKHQ: CONCAVITY OF THE SOLE

Q: Why is a concave sole desirable? A: Concavity of the sole is a far better sign than a 'flat foot'. Part of the foot's shock-absorbing mechanism is the ability of the sole to drop when weight is put on the foot, allowing the hoof wall to flex, and in some situations to improve traction (grip)…

BylizzieAugust 22, 20190Comments

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ASKHQ: WHITE LINE DISEASE

Q: What is white line disease? A: The white line is the area on the ground surface of the foot that appears as a narrow ring at the outside of the sole but inside the rim of the hoof. Infection occurs here when this area is weakens and a cavity develops, which separates the outer hoof…

BylizzieAugust 21, 20190Comments

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