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: PEELING FROG

Q: My horses frog peeled off. Is this normal? He’s sound and doesn’t seem bothered, but the whole thing just suddenly seemed to lift up and come off? A: The frog is crucial for overall hoof health, as its tough but elastic tissues absorb concussive forces and cushion the structures within the hoof. In order to…

BylizzieOctober 24, 20200Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Health

ASKHQ: BREAKOVER

Q: What is the breakover? The breakover is the last phase of the stride and covers the time between the heel leaving the ground and the toe leaving the ground. ‘Delayed breakover’ means that this phase takes longer, as may be the case with a long toe, and a ‘shortened breakover’ means that it takes less…

BylizzieJuly 24, 20200Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Training

ASKHQ: THE WALK

The walk is a four-time pace, which means that there are four beats to each complete stride. All four beats should be equally spaced. When riding at walk you should be able to count a regular one-two-three-four, one-two three-four. There is a lot of truth in the old reckoning that a horse who walks well…

BylizzieMay 2, 20200Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Health Horse Training Know How

ASKHQ: PHOTOGRAPHY

Q: My vet has asked for photographs of my horse’s feet, but she has asked me to retake them twice as they aren’t showing her what they need to? What am I doing wrong? Asked by Shannon Barnes Why photographs? A good set of photographs records the shape and condition of the feet at that particular…

BylizzieFebruary 7, 20200Comments

Ask HQ Horse Breed Horse Channel Horse Health Know How

ASKHQ: LARGE FEET

Q: Why are large feet preferred in horses? A: It is not simply that large feet are preferred, but rather that the feet need to be in proportion to the body of the horse. If feet are too small for a horse’s build, they are less likely to hold up under strenuous work. The bigger the…

BylizzieDecember 9, 20190Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Health Horse Training

ASKHQ: DO MINIATURE HORSES WEAR SHOES?

Q: Do Miniature Horses wear shoes? A: Miniature Horses have no need for shoes. They have very hardy hooves and with correct trimming they do not need shoes unless for medical or corrective reasons. Soft 'tekkie-like' shoes are placed on their hooves when people take them indoors to avoid them slipping on the floors, but these shoes…

BylizzieNovember 18, 20190Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Training

ASKHQ: BREAKING INTO DOWNWARD TRANSITIONS

Q: How can you stop a horse from breaking into downward transitions? A: All too often riders experience that feeling of the horse collapsing into the downward transition instead of gracefully changing from one gait to the other while maintaining impulsion. Riders tend to focus so much on the preparation and quality of their upward transitions…

BylizzieOctober 1, 20190Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Health Horse Training

ASKHQ: TRIPPING TROUBLE

Q: My young Thoroughbred came off the track at the end of last year. He often trips during schooling and I'm just wondering what might be causing this? He has quite flat feet. Asked by Bianca de Silva A: When horses are tripping, it is important to first rule out any injuries, neurological problems, lameness issues and…

BylizzieSeptember 24, 20190Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel

ASKHQ: THRUSH

Q: What exactly is thrush? A: Thrush is a bacterial infection that commonly affects the frog. It is often associated with wet and dirty bedding, poor hoof management, inadequate trimming, or shoeing with pads that have trapped dirt and moisture. Thrush is commonly noticed due to the unpleasant odour it produces and the black discharge that is…

BylizzieAugust 21, 20190Comments

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