THE LUSITANO

Text: Marike Kotzé The Lusitano is descended from the oldest riding horse known to history – the traditional Iberian horse, who in turn can be traced back to the primitive Sorraia horse. The Sorraia horse has been found depicted in cave paintings that date as far back as 20,000 BC, on the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and…

BylizzieAugust 8, 20190Comments

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ASKHQ: THE STRESSY MARE

Q: My mare is relatively calm most of the time, but when she comes into season she becomes horribly stressy. I've been advised to try and supplement for mares, but what ingredients do I need to be looking for? A: We all love our mares. We really do. But, it does have to be acknowledged, that…

BylizzieAugust 8, 20190Comments

Horse Channel Horse Health Know How

LEG LOW-DOWN: SUSPENSORY LIGAMENT INJURIES

Suspensory ligament injuries may also cause the tendon sheath to swell and the joint capsule to distend, similar to the appearance created by windgalls. However, the presentation is rarely as symmetrical as that caused by windgalls. Sprain of the suspensory ligament and its branches is common. Injuries tend to occur suddenly with resultant heat and…

BylizzieAugust 6, 20190Comments

Horse Channel Horse Health Know How

LEG LOW-DOWN: CELLULITIS

Cellulitis is a serious condition that is caused by infection of the limb by bacteria. Often the cause of the infection cannot be found, but it is commonly thought to occur secondary to a tiny puncture wound of the lower part of the limb. Your horse will have hot, painful, generalised swelling of the lower…

BylizzieAugust 3, 20190Comments

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ASKHQ: THE SPOOKY HORSE

Q: My horse is really spooky about anything we encounter on around the outside of the arena, but he's absolutely fine jumping pretty much anything I put in front of him. Why is this? A: Horses spook for lots of different reasons, but fundamentally they are flight animals so their instinct is to run from something…

BylizzieAugust 3, 20190Comments

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ASKHQ: HOOF CRACKS

Q: How can I prevent hoof cracks? A: There are several different types of hoof crack. Sand cracks are due to hoof imbalance or trauma to the coronary band. These cracks originate at the top of the hoof wall and travel downwards. Horses experience pain with these cracks as the crack opens and closes as the…

BylizzieAugust 2, 20190Comments

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LEG LOW-DOWN: WHAT IS A WINDGALL?

Windgalls occur when the tendon sheath (non-articular windgall) or joint capsule (articular windgall) fills with fluid in the fetlock region. The swellings commonly occur in both limbs, and the swelling tends to be squishy and relatively mild, with no associated heat. Non-articular windgalls occur on the back of the fetlock on the sides of the…

BylizzieAugust 2, 20190Comments

Horse Channel Horse Health Know How

LEG LOW-DOWN: WHAT IS A SPLINT?

Splints are bony lumps usually seen on the inside of the upper half of the cannon and splint bone in the forelimbs. They most commonly occur in younger horses and can be caused by trauma or by injury to the ligament between the cannon and splint bones (the interosseous ligament). The trauma causes inflammation to…

BylizzieAugust 1, 20190Comments

Horse Channel Horse Health

SYNEPHRINE WARNING

The FEI has issued a warning to the equestrian community about synephrine, a banned substance listed on the Equine Prohibited Substances List. A high number of samples taken from horses in the UK recently have tested positive for the substance. Investigations as to the specific source responsible in this case are continuing but the FEI…

BylizzieJuly 18, 20190Comments

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ASKHQ: WIRY-HAIRED FRIESIAN

Q: My Friesian has the most wiry mane and tail. Is there anything that I can do to improve the texture of his hair? A: Mane and tail conditioner and leave-in spray can help manes and tails to feel less coarse and wiry but, just like with our own hair, it is very difficult…

BylizzieMay 13, 20190Comments

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