ASKHQ: IS IT OKAY TO RIDE MY HORSE IN A HALTER?

Q: Is it okay to ride my horse in a halter or rope halter sometimes? A: Absolutely — if your horse is safe, trained, and you're in a controlled environment, riding in a halter can improve your feel and your horse’s responsiveness. It’s not about how much gear you use, but how thoughtfully you use…

BylizzieJuly 24, 20250Comments

Horse Channel Horse Training

MINDSET COACHING – BUILDING THE RIDER’S COMPETITIVE EDGE

Text: Lara Ellwood Horses have given us some of life’s most joyful moments—freedom, partnership, connection, and the friendships forged along the way. But for many riders, those highs can be tempered by the creeping nerves that come before a class, in the warm-up arena, or even while thinking about the next show. These overwhelming emotions can…

BylizzieJuly 21, 20250Comments

Horse Channel Horse Health

LUCERNE

Super forage or overrated? Lucerne (also known as alfalfa) has long enjoyed a reputation as a high-quality forage for performance horses. Rich in protein, energy, and calcium, it’s a favourite of many competitive yards and stud farms. But is lucerne really the super forage it's made out to be—or is it sometimes too much of…

BylizzieJuly 17, 20250Comments

Horse Channel Horse Health

BLANKETING IN SOUTH AFRICA

In the temperate climates of Southern Africa, the practice of blanketing horses during the cooler months is a topic of ongoing discussion among equine professionals and enthusiasts alike. While blanketing can offer protection against the elements, improper use may lead to adverse health effects. Understanding when and how to blanket is essential for optimal equine…

BylizzieJune 20, 20250Comments

Horse Breed Horse Training

TRAINING THE EYE – HOW TO ASSESS CONFORMATION AND MOVEMENT

Whether you’re shopping for a youngster, evaluating your current mount, or simply seeking to better understand your horse’s strengths and challenges, developing an ‘educated eye’ for conformation and movement is one of the most valuable skills a rider or owner can cultivate. It’s more than just assessing beauty or elegance — it’s about predicting performance…

BylizzieJune 17, 20250Comments

Ask HQ

ASKHQ: ASYMMETRICAL REIN RESISTANCE

Q: My horse is always more resistant on one rein. Is this normal, or is something wrong? A: Most horses are naturally one-sided, meaning they’re more supple or ‘willing’ on one rein than the other. This asymmetry can be due to conformation, habitual patterns, or even the rider’s own crookedness. While a degree of ‘sidedness’…

BylizzieJune 16, 20250Comments

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ASKHQ: TWIST IN THE WRIST

Q: My right wrist twists slightly when I’m riding. How can I train myself to stop this, and how will it affect my horse? A: Many people struggle with uneven hands, so you’re not alone in this. When riding, twisting your wrist can cause problems ranging from heaviness of contact for the horse to avoidance…

BylizzieJune 1, 20250Comments

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ASKHQ: NEW BOOTS

Q: What can I do to make my new boots more comfortable at the back of my knee? A: If your new boots are leather, then they should start to soften and drop once you’ve ridden in them a few times. This is because they’ll develop wrinkles at the ankles when you flex and bend.…

BylizzieMay 31, 20250Comments

Ask HQ Horse Health

SOCIAL ANXIETY – MANAGING A HORSE WHO IS AFRAID OF OTHERS

Most horses love other equine company, and for many of us, this idea is so ingrained that it can come as a shock to realise that some horses are, in fact, nervous around other horses. This usually comes about through a specific event or a collection of events, but it can be challenging to manage…

BylizzieMay 28, 20250Comments

Horse Channel

CHAD CUNNINGHAM – COACH OF PHILIP SMITH WINNER

Chad Cunningham’s student, Hamza Minty, has just won the prestigious Philip Smith Memorial Equitation Championship. This is a huge achievement, not only for the rider, but also for the coach, who must prepare their rider to face the most ‘all-encompassing’ challenge our sport has to offer. HQ Magazine were fortunate enough to catch up with Chad…

BylizzieMay 25, 20250Comments

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