LEG AND HOOF CARE

An overview Text: By Shari Michaelis We've all heard the saying "no hoof, no horse," and I would go as far as to say, "no legs, no horse". Whether you do showjumping, dressage, eventing, endurance, or anything in between, your horse's future depends mainly on how his legs and hooves stand up to whatever task…

BylizzieOctober 24, 20250Comments

Horse Health

SHOEING VS. BAREFOOT IN THE SPORTHORSE

What does the science say For some riders, shoes are non‑negotiable tools that let sporthorses stay comfortable, protected and competitive on modern surfaces. For others, the barefoot (often boot-assisted) model is a welfare-forward way to build stronger, more functional feet, and many swear their horses move better for it. The truth, as usual, sits somewhere…

BylizzieAugust 11, 20250Comments

Horse Channel Horse Health

UNDERSTANDING HOOF CRACKS IN HORSES

Hoof cracks are a common but often overlooked issue in our equine companions. Many of us are guilty of trivialising these issues, with ‘It’ll grow out’ or ‘It’s just because of the nails’, but we need to remember that the hooves are vital living tissues that must be taken care of. As the old and oft-repeated…

BylizzieJune 18, 20250Comments

Horse Health

CRACKING HOOVES – THEY’RE NO JOKE

Hoof cracks are a common but often overlooked issue in our equine companions. Many of us are guilty of trivialising these issues, with ‘It’ll grow out’ or ‘It’s just because of the nails’, but we need to remember that the hooves are vital living tissues that must be taken care of. As the old and oft-repeated…

BylizzieMarch 13, 20250Comments

Horse Health

UNDERSTANDING EVENT LINES

[Text] Christine Pinna If there is one thing that has been a complete game-changer for me in the last fifteen years of barefoot trimming, it would have to be learning to read the horse's hoof wall in order to understand what has happened in the horse's life in the last few months. This often shows me…

BylizzieFebruary 3, 20250Comments

Horse Channel Horse Health HQ Pro

BAREFOOT HORSES AT THE SA DERBY 2023

By Amelia Campbell-Horne Photography: Merlynn Trichardt Going barefoot or keeping sporthorses barefoot is a trend that is on the rise around the globe. Barefoot showjumpers came into the spotlight after the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, where the Swedes took home the Gold medal with a team of two out of three barefoot horses. It is a trend that…

BylizzieNovember 17, 20230Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Health

THE LONG AND SHORT OF IT – IS YOUR HORSE DUE FOR A TRIM?

Has your farrier or barefoot trimmer ever commented that your horse's feet were awfully long, but they simply didn't look that long to you? Or, if you're not sticking to a specific trimming schedule, are you unsure as to when you need to have your horse's feet trimmed? Or are you the person uttering the…

BylizzieMay 18, 20230Comments

Horse Channel Horse Health

WHAT ARE CONTRACTED HEELS?

Contracted heels are one of the most common problems encountered by farriers today. In fact, many of us are so used to seeing contracted heels that we don't even consider them abnormal. Heels can become contracted for a number of reasons, with the most common being that the toes have been allowed to grow too long. When…

BylizzieMay 17, 20210Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Health

ASKHQ: DP IMBALANCE

Q: What is ‘DP imbalance’ and how can I assess it? A: In addition to balancing the left and right halves of the feet, the farrier will also want to evaluate the balance from front-to-back of the foot. This is called the dorsopalmar balance when talking about the front feet, and the dorsoplantar balance when discussing…

BylizzieNovember 3, 20200Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Health

ASKHQ: HOOF CRACKS

Q: What causes a hoof crack? A: Hoof cracks are simply splits in the hoof wall. They are often the result of trauma to the coronary band or hoof wall; irregular hoof trimming; poor hoof balance; poor conformation; poor quality of hoof; poor diet; and extreme weather conditions. Cracks are easy to see on the hoof…

BylizzieJuly 12, 20200Comments

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