Horse Training

FITNESS IS NOT ONE THING

A horse can become less breathless before every tissue in the body is ready to take on more load. Cardiovascular fitness, muscular conditioning, bone adaptation, tendon capacity and technical skill do not progress as one unit at one pace. The problem with ‘he feels fit’ Riders often judge fitness by how easily a horse completes a…

BylizzieAugust 4, 20260Comments

Horse and Rider Horse Health Horse Training

WHAT FATIGUE DOES TO MOVEMENT

A tired horse does not simply perform the same movement with less enthusiasm. Fatigue can alter force production, coordination and stride-to-stride consistency, but it does not create one universal pattern. Movement depends on more than strength Every stride requires the nervous system to recruit muscles in the right sequence and at the right intensity. The horse…

BylizzieAugust 3, 20260Comments

Horse Training

THE HORSE NEVER FORGETS

What science has learned about equine memory Over the past two decades, and with increasing momentum in recent years, researchers have been piecing together a picture of equine memory that is far more sophisticated, nuanced, and frankly humbling than traditional horsemanship ever gave horses credit for. What these researchers have found doesn't just satisfy academic…

BylizzieApril 18, 20260Comments

Horse Health Horse Training

WHEN THE GUT AFFECTS THE BRAIN

How the equine microbiome influences behaviour, focus and performance For years, equine science focused primarily on the musculoskeletal system, specifically tendons, joints, muscles, and conditioning. However, recent research has shifted attention inward, to a system less visible yet, it emerges, equally vital to performance: the gut. The so-called gut–brain axis, the constant communication between the digestive…

BylizzieDecember 21, 20250Comments

Horse Training

OPERANT CONDITIONING

A summary Text: Sarah Wanless Horses start learning from day one. From the moment they find their feet and begin to nurse, their brains register information in their environment that they learn to adapt their interactions and ensure optimal outcomes. It is therefore essential to remember that every interaction with your horse is teaching them something.…

BylizzieNovember 21, 20250Comments

Horse Training

WHERE ARE YOUR FEET?

Developing proprioception Proprioception is often an underrated aspect of movement patterns, but it is absolutely vital for even the most basic undertakings. Proprioception refers to the body’s ability to perceive its position in space. For instance, it allows us to walk on the ground without using our eyes to watch every footfall. It is easy to…

BylizzieNovember 7, 20250Comments

Horse Training

SHOULDER-FORE FOR SUPPLING

The suppling abilities of lateral work are essential for horses in any discipline and therefore should play a major role in your horse’s training programme. Introducing lateral work early gives you time to establish it in the horse’s repertoire and allows you to move onto more advanced work with more confidence. A really useful exercise for…

BylizzieOctober 30, 20250Comments

Horse Training

READY FOR TAKE-OFF

Get your distances right Showjumpers commonly talk about 'seeing' distances when jumping. The problem with this approach is that it only deals with what happens in the immediate vicinity of the jump, and if you struggle to 'see' the distance, you can find yourself in a flat panic on top of the fence. Much more…

BylizzieOctober 29, 20250Comments

Horse Training

NECK STRAPS

Neck straps are often associated with young or tricky horses. However, many riders use them, and all have their reasons for doing so – even five-star and Olympic eventer William Fox-Pitt always uses one, even in the highest level of competition. Why neck straps? Neck straps are great for giving riders confidence in the saddle,…

BylizzieOctober 27, 20250Comments

Horse Training

CIRCLES

The wonders of circles Dressage is all about suppleness. Without consistent bend throughout your horse’s body lots of exercises become difficult and you’ll struggle to get a respectable dressage score. Here we give you two simple exercises that you can work on that will ultimately help to improve your circles: Spice it up: Circles are…

BylizzieOctober 23, 20250Comments

Default
Dark

Horse Training

HQ Newsletter