Close up of horse's back legs showing the bay horse trotting in the arena - HQ Magazine

ASKHQ: CONDITIONING VS STRENGTH TRAINING

Q: I keep hearing about ‘conditioning’ and ‘strength training’ for sporthorses. Are they the same thing? How do I know if my horse is actually getting fitter, and not being overworked? A: Although the terms are often used interchangeably, strength training and conditioning target different systems in the horse’s body, and both are essential for…

BylizzieDecember 21, 20250Comments

Ask HQ

ASKHQ: AGGRESSION WITH DOGS

Q: My horse really doesn't like dogs and can get quite aggressive when they come near him. Is there anything I can do to make him more comfortable around them? A: Horses often have past trauma we are not aware of. It's possible your horse has had a negative experience with dogs and, as a…

BylizzieAugust 26, 20250Comments

Horse Channel Horse Health

THE MID-YEAR CONDITION CHECK

Why now is the right time to evaluate your horse’s condition, topline, and muscle health At the midway point of the year, it’s tempting to push forward, focusing on training plans, competition calendars, and surviving winter’s demands. But July offers a unique opportunity: a quiet reset. This is the perfect time to reflect not just…

BylizzieJuly 20, 20250Comments

Horse Channel Horse Training

ARE OUR HORSES TOO FIT?

Striking the balance between peak performance and soundness In a world of precision breeding, state-of-the-art conditioning, and elite-level competition, equine athletes are arguably fitter than ever before. But a growing number of veterinarians and riders are asking: is there such a thing as too fit? And could over-conditioning be quietly compromising the long-term soundness of…

BylizzieJune 16, 20250Comments

Ask HQ Q&A

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

Horse Channel Horse Training Know How

MUSCLE UP: CONDITIONING YOUR HORSE

Conditioning muscles, as with most other work with horses, therefore, relies on a consistent, progressive programme [dropcap]M[/dropcap]uscle is the most adaptive tissue in the body in that it can grow and develop with training and degenerate and become weaker during periods of inactivity. Trained muscle is more efficient because: It has an increased number in the…

BylizzieMarch 12, 20180Comments

Know How

Beating the heat

With summer upon us and temperatures soaring, horses and riders are in danger of overheating. Excessive sweating can lead to an imbalance of electrolytes and dehydration as the horse loses fluids from his bloodstream. Humid conditions exacerbate the problem. Riding attire, which is designed with comfort and safety in mind, puts the rider at risk…

BylizzieDecember 24, 20160Comments

ASKHQ: CONDITIONING VS STRENGTH TRAINING

ASKHQ: AGGRESSION WITH DOGS

THE MID-YEAR CONDITION CHECK

ARE OUR HORSES TOO FIT?

ASKHQ: FIT OR FRESH?

MUSCLE UP: CONDITIONING YOUR HORSE

Beating the heat

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