WOBBLER’S SYNDROME

A summary Wobbler's Syndrome is caused by a narrowing of the vertebral canal in the neck, which causes compression of the spinal cord. The spinal cord carries nerve signals that coordinate movement to the horse's limbs. Compression of the spinal cord, therefore, disrupts these signals, resulting in weakness, loss of coordination, and abnormal limb positioning. The…

BylizzieNovember 2, 20250Comments

BRIDLES, BITS AND BIOMECHANICS

Rethinking what’s ‘normal’ The sight of a horse moving in a bridle, poll flexed, lips gently closed, has long been seen as the mark of advanced schooling and correct work. However, new research into bridle and bit pressure, nerve pathways, and facial anatomy is challenging that assumption, suggesting that many horses perform despite discomfort, rather…

BylizzieAugust 13, 20250Comments

Horse Channel Horse Health

CRUCIAL CONFORMATION, PART 9 – THE SHAPE OF THE NECK

When choosing or evaluating a horse, there are many factors to consider: breed, breed type (how the horse embodies the characteristics of his breed or type), pedigree, colour, temperament and personality. However, the most important element is the conformation, particularly if you want the horse to have an athletic career or breed. Choosing a horse…

BylizzieJanuary 17, 20240Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Health

WOBBLER’S SYNDROME – A SUMMARY

Wobbler's Syndrome is caused by a narrowing of the vertebral canal in the neck, which causes compression of the spinal cord. The spinal cord carries nerve signals that coordinate movement to the horse's limbs. Compression of the spinal cord, therefore, disrupts these signals, resulting in weakness, loss of coordination, and abnormal limb positioning. The Syndrome typically…

BylizzieOctober 14, 20210Comments

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 Horse Training

ASKHQ: TOPLINE

Q: What is topline? A: To put it simply, a horse’s topline are the muscles that support the spine from the neck all the way to the hindquarters. The topline of a horse stretches along the spinal column from the end of the neck at the wither area, down the back and loin. Three main muscle…

BylizzieOctober 29, 20200Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Training

ASKHQ: WARM-UP

Q: What are the key checkpoints to look out for during the warm-up? A: The key things to establish during your warm-up are as follows: Contact During the warm-up the contact should gradually be taken up by the rider and accepted by the horse. When taking up the contact, you should always strive for a smooth connection…

BylizzieApril 12, 20200Comments

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ASKHQ: GROWING HORSES

Q: People say horses don't stop growing until they're seven years old. If this is true, should we be riding them when they're four? Asked by Sami Francis A: The age that a horse stops growing varies, depending mainly on his breed. Thoroughbreds, for example, tend to mature much faster than larger, heavier Warmbloods, and as such,…

BylizzieJanuary 17, 20200Comments

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