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ASKHQ: THRUSH

Q: What exactly is thrush? A: Thrush is a bacterial infection that commonly affects the frog. It is often associated with wet and dirty bedding, poor hoof management, inadequate trimming, or shoeing with pads that have trapped dirt and moisture. Thrush is commonly noticed due to the unpleasant odour it produces and the black discharge that is…

BylizzieAugust 21, 20190Comments

ASKHQ: FLU VACCINE

Q: If vaccines work, why do vaccinated horses still contract flu? A: Vaccines don't stop infection entirely, but they increase your horse's immunity to the infection. This means that the vaccine helps to reduce the severity of the disease and the clinical signs your horse will show. They also minimise transmission of the virus to other…

BylizzieAugust 20, 20190Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel Know How

BECOME A PLAITING PRO

Text: Jan Tucker A neatly plaited horse looks professional when he enters the ring, and in many disciplines plaiting is compulsory. But is it always necessary and what constitutes the perfect plait? Certain styles, for example the use of white tape for dressage, go in and out of fashion, but for showing classes in particular, very…

BylizzieAugust 12, 20190Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Health Know How

ASKHQ: THE STRESSY MARE

Q: My mare is relatively calm most of the time, but when she comes into season she becomes horribly stressy. I've been advised to try and supplement for mares, but what ingredients do I need to be looking for? A: We all love our mares. We really do. But, it does have to be acknowledged, that…

BylizzieAugust 8, 20190Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Health Know How

LEG LOW-DOWN: CHECK LIGAMENT INJURIES

Check ligament injuries are characterised by sudden onset swelling on the inside and outside of the forelimb behind the cannon bone, close to the knee. These injuries are relatively common. The swelling generally feels firm to the touch, and in recent injuries there will be pain and heat on palpation. Most horses will also show…

BylizzieAugust 7, 20190Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Health Horse Training

LEG LOW-DOWN: BOWED TENDONS

A bowed tendon is strictly speaking in fact a strain of the tendon. Bowed tendons commonly occur in racehorses, but can occur in any breed in any kind of work. They are usually due to wear-and-tear injuries and initially signs may be difficult to spot. However, the earlier they can be detected the better as…

BylizzieAugust 5, 20190Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Health Horse Training Know How

ASKHQ: THE SPOOKY HORSE

Q: My horse is really spooky about anything we encounter on around the outside of the arena, but he's absolutely fine jumping pretty much anything I put in front of him. Why is this? A: Horses spook for lots of different reasons, but fundamentally they are flight animals so their instinct is to run from something…

BylizzieAugust 3, 20190Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Health Know How

ASKHQ: HOOF CRACKS

Q: How can I prevent hoof cracks? A: There are several different types of hoof crack. Sand cracks are due to hoof imbalance or trauma to the coronary band. These cracks originate at the top of the hoof wall and travel downwards. Horses experience pain with these cracks as the crack opens and closes as the…

BylizzieAugust 2, 20190Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Health

LEG LOW-DOWN: WHAT IS A WINDGALL?

Windgalls occur when the tendon sheath (non-articular windgall) or joint capsule (articular windgall) fills with fluid in the fetlock region. The swellings commonly occur in both limbs, and the swelling tends to be squishy and relatively mild, with no associated heat. Non-articular windgalls occur on the back of the fetlock on the sides of the…

BylizzieAugust 2, 20190Comments

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ASKHQ: VETERANS

Q: I have a 19-year-old horse who I still ride daily, and occasionally compete. He is sound and in good condition, but I want to ensure that remains the case. What can I do to make sure he has everything he needs to support him as an older horse? A: If your horse is not showing…

BylizzieJuly 30, 20190Comments

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