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

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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

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

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

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

Horse Channel Horse Health

FEEDING THE HOOVES – NUTRITION FOR HOOF HEALTH

Many horse owners are plagued by hoof issues like chipping, cracking, slow growth and general softness, and whilst there are a multitude of factors that can contribute to these problems, nutrition is definitely a key one to address. Here, we give you a brief rundown of the nutritional elements necessary for optimal hoof health. It all starts…

BylizzieJanuary 27, 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 Horse Training

ASKHQ: THE HORSE THAT WON’T DRINK

Q: How can I encourage my horse to drink? A: The simplest way to encourage your horse to drink is to ensure that he has clean, fresh water at all times. Frequently cleaning and refilling buckets is essential to keep water fresh and palatable. Other ways to up your horse's water intake include soaking hay, adding water…

BylizzieApril 4, 20210Comments

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