Q&A

ASKHQ: CLIPPING CONUNDRUM

Q: I’ve heard you should only rug a horse if they’re clipped. Is that true? A: Not necessarily. Rugging decisions should be based on the individual horse’s condition, environment, and management, not just whether they're clipped. Clipped horses do lose their natural insulation and generally need rugs in colder weather, but some fine-coated, older, or…

BylizzieAugust 26, 20250Comments

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ASKHQ: FIT OR FRESH?

Q: How do I know if my horse is truly fit, or just fresh? A: There’s a big difference between fitness and freshness. A fresh horse may feel energetic or excitable due to rest, cool weather, or excess feed—but this doesn’t mean they’re conditioned for sustained work. True fitness refers to the horse’s cardiovascular, muscular, and skeletal…

BylizzieJune 15, 20250Comments

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ASKHQ: SMUTSFINGER

Q: Is smutsfinger a good option for horses? A: Smutsfinger grass (Digitaria eriantha), also known as digit grass, is a warm-season perennial grass native to southern Africa. It is commonly grown as pasture or hay and is valued for its drought resistance, palatability, and high forage production. It’s particularly suited for horses in regions with…

BylizzieJanuary 12, 20250Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Training Q&A

ASKHQ: WATER-PHOBIA

Q: My horse hates water, even tiny puddles. If we encounter water on an outride, I have to find a way to go a long way around it, or sometimes even turn back. What can I do to make him more confident? A: Many horses are wary of putting their feet into a puddle because they…

BylizzieJanuary 24, 20240Comments

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ASKHQ: H-WAVE THERAPY

Q: What is H-wave therapy? A: H-wave is a type of muscle stimulation therapy that can be used to reduce pain and assist healing. It does this by passing an electrical current through the skin of the horse, which stimulates the sensory and motor nerves. This stimulation of the sensory nerves has two possible effects: Blocking pain…

BylizzieJanuary 22, 20240Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Training Q&A

ASKHQ: FILLER FEAR

Q: My horse is generally very forward-going and happy to jump. However, the second you introduce any type of filler she is a nervous wreck. How can I help her with this? A: With these kinds of issues, the best advice is to go back to basics. The first thing to do is revisit simple poles on…

BylizzieFebruary 12, 20220Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Health Q&A

ASKHQ: GELDING YOUR YEARLING

Q: My yearling is being gelded, but this is my first youngster, and I’m unsure of the castration process and the aftercare required. What can I expect? A: An ‘entire’ male horse’s behaviour is driven largely by testosterone, and this hormone causes ‘entire’ male horses to display herding instincts, sexual interest, and aggression. While typical in…

BylizzieJanuary 13, 20220Comments

Ask HQ Horse Health Q&A

ADMINISTERING MEDICATION

When your vet gives medication to put in your horse’s feed, they are hoping that you will do the following: Mix it thoroughly with a feed that your horse enjoys; Ensure your horse eats the entire dose in one sitting with little to no waste Continue to monitor how well your horse eats…

BylizzieOctober 21, 20210Comments

Horse Channel Horse Training Know How Q&A

ASKHQ: TROT UP

Question I have realised that I really cannot see lameness and it makes me worry that I don’t see issues with my own horses. How can I learn to get better at this so that I don’t miss something important? Answer Lameness is not always easy to spot, especially when it’s mild. A lame horse…

BylizzieAugust 19, 20210Comments

Q&A

ASKHQ: JEALOUSY ISSUES

Question My horse has competed at a high level previously. I bought him to improve my confidence, and to teach me the basics. I’ve never had a ‘schooled’ horse before and he was meant to be my treat to myself. However, since I’ve bought him the other liveries at my yard are making horrible comments…

BylizzieAugust 19, 20210Comments

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