FEEDING THE MODERN SPORTHORSE

Are we getting it right? For decades, the default sporthorse ration looked something like this: two big buckets of concentrate, a slice or two of hay, electrolytes on hot days, and maybe oil ‘for shine.’ It worked, until it didn’t. Today’s competition horses jump higher, move bigger, travel more, and live more intensively managed lives…

BylizzieAugust 15, 20250Comments

Horse Health

INTRIGUING INGREDIENTS: FLAXSEED

Flaxseed (also known as linseed) has gained considerable attention in the equine nutrition world over recent years. Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, high-quality protein, and dietary fibre, flaxseed offers multiple benefits for horses of all ages and disciplines. But like any supplement, it’s important to understand when, how, and why to feed it. In this article,…

BylizzieJune 16, 20250Comments

Horse Channel Horse Health

FIBRE CAN CHANGE ABNORMAL BEHAVIOUR

Stereotypic behaviours are actions that are repeated without any apparent or obvious purpose or function. These behaviours involve a need-related drive that develops if an environment has inadequate opportunities for satisfying the need the horse is trying to fill. Once established, these behaviours may become a need in and of themselves, and the animal repeats…

BylizzieJanuary 31, 20250Comments

Ask HQ Horse Health

FIBRE CAN CHANGE ABNORMAL BEHAVIOUR

By Hannah Botha, MSc Equine Nutriiton Stereotypic behaviours are actions that are repeated without any apparent or obvious purpose or function. These behaviours involve a need-related drive that develops if an environment has inadequate opportunities for satisfying the need the horse is trying to fill. Once established, these behaviours may become a need in and of…

BylizzieMay 7, 20230Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Health

ASKHQ: BEET PULP

Q: Why is beet pulp good for horses? A: Beet pulp is a great feed for horses. It is an energy-rich source of digestible fibre that helps to promote and maintain a healthy microbial hindgut population, keeping the digestive system healthy. Beet pulp is a byproduct from the sugar beet industry. Sugar beets are grown and harvested…

BylizzieFebruary 16, 20210Comments

Horse Channel Horse Health

HQ FOCUS NUTRITION GUIDE CONTENTS

As this Nutrition Guide is a bit of a marathon production, we thought it wise to give you the option of diving in and out according to your needs and interests. Here's a breakdown of the contents with the relevant links so that you can rummage around and find the bits that interest you, or…

BylizzieDecember 6, 20200Comments

Horse Channel Horse Health

SOYA

By Hannah Botha, MSc Equine Science, Equus Feeds The use of soya has become a hot topic in recent years as research continues regarding its use on the human market. Of interest to horse owners, however, is how soya suits the equine diet. What is soya used for? As a protein Soya is used in most manufactured…

BylizzieJuly 21, 20200Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Health

ASKHQ: TIME TO RIDE

Q: How long do you actually have to wait to ride after feeding your horse? Asked by May Clarke A: This depends on the type of feed, the amount and how hard you’ll be working your horse. On the one hand, if your horse has just eaten a 0.5kg meal that is mainly fibre-based and you are…

BylizzieJune 23, 20200Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Health Horse Training

ASKHQ: DIFFERENT SURFACES

Q: What are the benefits of working on different surfaces? Answered by Jan Tucker A: Soundness is a key issue for all equine athletes, and the trainer's ability to keep the horse in peak condition while working at the required level depends on a complex interaction between horse and environment. The surfaces a horse trains and competes…

BylizzieApril 15, 20200Comments

Horse Channel Horse Health

HINDGUT DISTRESS

Horses are trickle feeders, designed to eat fibre all day long, rather than consuming large meals less frequently. Fibre digestion takes place in the hindgut where a population of micro-organisms break down the fibre, in a process called fermentation, to provide a source of slow-release energy. Fermentation requires a healthy population of bacteria in the…

BylizzieAugust 27, 20190Comments

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