FITNESS IS NOT ONE THING

A horse can become less breathless before every tissue in the body is ready to take on more load. Cardiovascular fitness, muscular conditioning, bone adaptation, tendon capacity and technical skill do not progress as one unit at one pace. The problem with ‘he feels fit’ Riders often judge fitness by how easily a horse completes a…

BylizzieAugust 4, 20260Comments

Horse Channel Horse Health

GENETICS AND PERFORMANCE

Are we any closer to linking DNA to ability? For as long as horses have been bred for sport, breeders and riders have sought to answer the same question: what makes one horse a champion and another simply average? Conformation, training, nutrition, and management all play their roles, but could part of the answer be…

BylizzieSeptember 21, 20250Comments

Ask HQ

ASKHQ: JUMP REFUSALS

Q: My horse has started refusing jumps he used to pop over easily. What could be going on? A: A sudden change in jumping confidence or willingness is often a red flag. First, rule out physical causes: discomfort from sore feet, back pain, ill-fitting tack, ulcers, or even subtle lameness can make jumping uncomfortable. A…

BylizzieAugust 25, 20250Comments

Horse Training

GIRTH FITTING GUIDE

Follow these steps: Step 1: Choose the right girth shape Start with your horse’s conformation and saddle placement. Horse type Best girth style Forward girth groove Anatomical or contoured girth Narrow ribcage/prominent sternum Wider girth to distribute pressure Very active/jumping Stud guard or anatomical for stability Sensitive/girthy Soft-lined or elasticised girth with shape relief Step 2: Correct fit Length Girth should sit two to four fingers…

BylizzieAugust 6, 20250Comments

Ask HQ

ASKHQ: DIFFERENT SADDLES

Q: What are the differences between jumping, dressage and general purpose (GP) saddles? A: Here's an overview of the key differences between these three types of saddle: Jumping saddles Purpose: Jumping saddles are designed for showjumping or cross-country, where the rider needs to maintain a secure and balanced seat while navigating jumps. Key features: Flatter seat: Jumping…

BylizzieJuly 7, 20250Comments

Horse Channel Horse Training

POSITION PERFECT – FINE TUNING YOUR JUMPING POSITION

Showjumping has become an increasingly technical discipline, demanding utmost precision from horse and rider. While most can acknowledge rider error when a pole comes down after you took the wrong stride, it can be difficult to know what went wrong when you arrived at the fence at a good distance and pace but managed to…

BylizzieMarch 19, 20250Comments

Ask HQ

ASKHQ: PUISSANCE

Q: What is a puissance competition? And how does it work? A: A puissance competition, also known as the 'high jump' in equestrian sports, is a popular showjumping event that tests the horse and rider's ability to clear an increasingly high obstacle, typically a wall or fence. The name 'puissance' is derived from the French word…

BylizzieMarch 11, 20250Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Training

THE FIVE PHASES OF THE JUMP

It’s no secret that it takes a lot of skill to successfully negotiate a fence. One thing that many riders find helpful in breaking down the task is understanding how the five phases of riding a jump each contribute to ‘getting to the other side’. These five phases include: the approach, takeoff, in the air,…

BylizzieAugust 21, 20240Comments

Horse Channel

THE PAIR TO WATCH – AMY MICHAU AND GO TO BLUE

Amy Michau and Go to Blue are on form. Their convincing victory in the Grand Prix at the 334 Sporthorse Stud Show after a challenging Easter Festival speaks to the quality of this pair and the strength of their partnership. We caught up with Amy to learn more about this super-talented young lady and her journey to…

BylizzieDecember 29, 20230Comments

Horse Channel News Updates

THE WEATHER IS NOT THE ONLY THING HEATING UP AT THE RWHS

Day four of Royal Windsor Horse Show offered brighter skies and yet more thrilling action. The Services proved they could not only look spectacular — when taking part in the Household Cavalry Best Turned Out Trooper — but could also perform under pressure in The Kingdom of Bahrain Services Team Jumping. International Show Jumping took…

BylizzieMay 15, 20230Comments

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