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

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

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ASKHQ: COPD DIAGNOSIS

Q: My horse has been diagnosed with COPD. How does treatment for respiratory problems work, and will it limit what he is able to do? A: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), also known as recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) or, most recently, equine asthma, occurs when a horse inhales an allergen. This causes the airways to…

BylizzieJuly 30, 20250Comments

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ASKHQ: DANGERS OF USING STUDS

Q: What are the dangers of using studs? A: Studs are very useful for competing, particularly in the country in eventing or on grass for showjumping. However, there are some dangers you should be aware of when using them. Firstly, some horses can cut themselves (known as ‘speedi cuts’) or even stand on themselves with studs,…

BylizzieJuly 8, 20250Comments

Horse Health

HORSES AND HAY

Text: Rhiannon Cecil We all know horses eat grass, right? Feeding horses is a complex process, and each horse must be approached as an individual to find the correct balance. The different types of grass are suitable for different horses, each with their own requirements in terms of work and temperament. The basics Horses are hindgut fermenters…

BylizzieMay 19, 20250Comments

Ask HQ Q&A

ASKHQ: SMUTSFINGER

Q: Is smutsfinger a good option for horses? A: Smutsfinger grass (Digitaria eriantha), also known as digit grass, is a warm-season perennial grass native to southern Africa. It is commonly grown as pasture or hay and is valued for its drought resistance, palatability, and high forage production. It’s particularly suited for horses in regions with…

BylizzieJanuary 12, 20250Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Health

ASKHQ: HAYNET

Q: Can eating from a haynet be detrimental to my horse? A: Horses have evolved over millennia, and so their diets and eating habits have had to change too. As horses evolved from shrub-browsers to trickle feeding herbivores, they needed large flat teeth for grinding forage. Horse’s teeth are therefore designed to cope with the…

BylizzieFebruary 16, 20210Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Health

ASKHQ: MOULDY HAY

Q: How can I tell if my horse’s hay has gone off? A: The consequences for your horse’s gastrointestinal and respiratory health can be severe if forage quality, especially hygiene is poor. Changes in forage have a much bigger impact on gastrointestinal health than that of concentrate feeds. In particular the impact of forage on the…

BylizzieFebruary 16, 20210Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Health

ASKHQ: WORMS IN THE PADDOCK

Q: How do you manage pastures to reduce the incidence of worms? Answered by Jassy MacKenzie A: In the vast open spaces of their natural environment, wild horses would not graze near their droppings, but very few owners are fortunate enough to have this kind of space. In limited space, or where grass is short or scarce,…

BylizzieJuly 4, 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

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