Image for article on variability in horse state and behaviour.

WHY YOUR HORSE FEELS AMAZING ONE DAY AND AWFUL THE NEXT

We've all been there when we arrive in the same arena with the same plan, but our horse feels completely different. One day our horse is soft and forward, and two days later he is stiff and distracted. Interestingly, this is rarely to do with the situation in the moment. How a horse feels under…

Bylizzie2 days ago0Comments

Horse Health

ASK THE EXPERT – HOW TO READ A HAY ANALYSIS

When it comes to feeding performance horses, forage isn’t just filler; it’s fuel. Any information about the quality of hay we are feeding is thus invaluable and can tell us about the true nutritional value of what our horses are eating and how balanced their overall diet is. This kind of information requires a hay analysis,…

BylizzieDecember 22, 20250Comments

Ask HQ

ASKHQ: WEIGHT, GRASS AND LAMINITIS

Q: My horse is overweight, and with the rain and fresh grass, I’m worried the situation will get worse, or that he will develop laminitis? A: Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial for your horse’s overall well-being, as obesity can lead to serious health issues like laminitis, joint problems, and metabolic disorders. If you’ve noticed…

BylizzieAugust 26, 20250Comments

Horse Health

DEPRESSION IN HORSES

Research indicates that horses can experience depression. Here we'll review the pioneering study that sought to identify depression in horses and examine some of the causes, list the signs to watch for and give tips on how to help alleviate depressive symptoms in affected horses. The study A French study evaluated domestic horses for signs of…

BylizzieAugust 4, 20250Comments

Horse Channel

WINTER WEIGHT LOSS

Keeping condition in the cold Loss of weight in winter is a concern with many of our equines, especially those who are older or naturally leaner. The cold weather in winter increases energy demands on our horses, as they need to produce more body heat to keep themselves warm. On top of this, the amount…

BylizzieAugust 1, 20250Comments

Horse Health

WINTER WEIGHT LOSS – KEEPING CONDITION IN THE COLD

Loss of weight in winter is a concern with many of our equines, especially those who are older or naturally leaner. The cold weather in winter increases energy demands on our horses, as they must produce more body heat to maintain their body temperature. On top of this, the amount and quality of the grazing…

BylizzieMay 26, 20250Comments

Ask HQ

ASKHQ: TYING A HAY NET

Q: How do you tie a hay net safely? A: Follow these steps to tie a hay net safely: Fill the hay net with hay. An average-sized hay net will normally hold 3-4 slices from a rectangular bale. Pull the drawstring on the hay net so that the top closes. Tie a knot,…

BylizzieFebruary 19, 20250Comments

Horse Health

MAKE IT LAST – HOW TO MAXIMISE HAY USAGE AND AVOID WASTAGE

Text: Hannah Botha, MSc How can you stretch your hay further, and what options are there to reduce waste? Hannah Botha from Epol talks us through her top tips for lowering forage wastage. Tip 1: Ensure you are feeding the correct amount Forage should be the foundation of every horse's ration, and ensuring that it is provided…

BylizzieFebruary 14, 20250Comments

Horse Channel Horse Health

MAKING YOUR HAY COUNT – WHEN TIMES ARE TOUGH FINANCIALLY

Text: Hannah Botha, MSc Equine Science With ever-increasing prices, we are all looking for ways to cut costs, but one area that we should never skimp on is our horse's hay supply. Forage is a vital part of the horse's diet, as it provides a valuable portion of the daily energy requirements and is essentially what the…

BylizzieFebruary 10, 20250Comments

Ask HQ Horse Health

ASKHQ: IRON LEVEL IN HORSE FOOD

Q: Why are people worried about the iron level in horse food? A: Concerns about the iron level in horse feeds stem from the potential adverse effects of excessive iron on horse health. Here are the main reasons why people are worried: Iron overload Horses require only a small amount of iron for healthy blood…

BylizzieJanuary 18, 20250Comments

HQ Newsletter