ASKHQ: POSTURE

Q: What can posture tell us about our horses? A: The Oxford dictionary defines the word ‘conformation’ as: “the way in which something is formed; the structure of something, especially an animal” while ‘posture’ is defined as: “the position in which you hold your body when standing or sitting”. These definitions may sound similar, but when…

BylizzieFebruary 25, 20210Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Health

ASKHQ: SADDLE FIT

Q: Can a badly fitting saddle cause behavioural problems in my horse? Answered by Farryn Day A: Absolutely! Along with correct trimming of the feet and regular dental work, the fit of the saddle is one of the biggest contributing factors to a horse’s overall behaviour and soundness. The following is a list of behaviours which can…

BylizzieNovember 29, 20200Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Health

ASKHQ: ARE STEREOTYPIC BEHAVIOURS CONTAGIOUS?

Q: The horse standing in the stable next to mine has a habit of crib-biting and wind-sucking. My horse has started a funny habit of opening his mouth and crossing his jaw when standing in his stable. I have only noticed it recently and I am worried he is picking up on the other horse’s…

BylizzieAugust 15, 20200Comments

Horse Channel Horse Health

THE FIVE FREEDOMS

The five freedoms are a set of internationally recognised and commonly adopted animal welfare standards. They outline what we as animal owners or carers must provide for the animals in our care. These are not just things we must aim to do, but things we have to do in order to be responsible animal owners. The…

BylizzieAugust 10, 20200Comments

Horse Channel Horse Health

FIVE FREEDOMS

The five freedoms are a set of internationally recognised and commonly adopted animal welfare standards. They outline what we as animal owners or carers must provide for the animals in our care. These are not just things we must aim to do, but things we have to do in order to be responsible animal owners. The…

BylizzieJuly 5, 20200Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Health

ASKHQ: A MARE’S CYCLE

Q: How long is a mare's cycle? A: A mare's cycle is on average 21 days. Each 21 days demonstrates a fairly fixed pattern of physiological and behavioural events that are under hormonal control. The cycle can be roughly divided into two phases: Oestrous, when the mare is receptive to the stallion. This usually lasts between…

BylizzieApril 25, 20200Comments

Horse Channel Horse Training Know How

Train your riders better

Not two riders are the same, and you as an instructor will have to adapt your teaching techniques as per their behavioural style [dropcap]P[/dropcap]eople differ from one another, and that’s a good thing: it makes the world more diverse and colourful. It also explains why you instantly ‘click’ with a certain person, while others are harder…

BylizzieApril 8, 20170Comments

Horse Channel Know How

Can a horse be born bad?

Some riders interpret fear as a horse being 'bad.' Other recognise fear as a horse's natural reaction to being an animal of prey. [dropcap]D[/dropcap]oes your horse have a natural tendency towards specific types of behaviour, or are his responses moulded by influences in his lifetime? Can the right handling cure the ‘bad’ horse or are some…

BylizzieOctober 8, 20150Comments

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