ASKHQ: WHAT ARE THE RULES OF SHOWJUMPING?

Photography: Merlynn Trichardt Q: What are the rules of showjumping? The international governing body for most major show jumping competitions is the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), and in their rulebook the two most common types of penalties are jumping penalties and time penalties. Jumping penalties Jumping penalties are given for refusals and knockdowns, with each refusal or knockdown…

BylizzieApril 5, 20210Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Training

ASKHQ: STRAIGHT APPROACH

Q: How can I keep my horse straight over fences? Are there any exercises that help with this? A: A straight approach to a fence is very important and the training for this begins on the flat. Until your horse moves evenly into both hands and pushes fairly equally with both hind legs, you’ll struggle to…

BylizzieFebruary 23, 20210Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Training

ASKHQ: DOG-LEG

Q: How do you jump a dogleg? A: A dogleg is a curved line from one fence to another to test your control and reactions. They are particularly challenging when they are incorporated into a shorter related distance. By looking towards the second fence in the dogleg when jumping the first, you position your shoulders in…

BylizzieFebruary 14, 20210Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Training

ASKHQ: WALKING THE CROSS COUNTRY COURSE

Q: How should you walk a cross-country course? A: If you are going to jump a cross-country course, walking it beforehand is essential so that you can assess the terrain, going and the obstacles. This allows you to make the best decisions for you and your horse about how to tackle the course. When walking the course…

BylizzieNovember 16, 20200Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel

DELTACREST STABLES

The HQ team have decided to relocate to the Cape and move our ponies to Deltacrest. Check this place out! 😍 Tell us about your yard. Deltacrest Stables has the one of the most beautiful settings in the Cape Winelands with a 360 degree backdrop of dramatic mountain scenery surrounded by orchards, vineyards, natural fynbos and…

BylizzieMay 13, 20200Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Training

ASKHQ: COMBINATION CONUNDRUM

Q: What can you do to help a horse who likes to run out in combinations? A: First ask yourself: why is my horse ducking out; what can I do to change this; is my horse sore; do I have enough confidence to jump; and does my horse have enough confidence to jump? The first thing to…

BylizzieMay 4, 20200Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Health Horse Training

ASKHQ: STIRRUP LENGTH

Q: What is a good guideline for jumping stirrup length for heights between 70cm and 1.20m? Asked by Laura Paschini A: As a rule of thumb, your flatwork stirrups should hand slightly above your ankle when your legs are hanging loosely around your horse's barrel. Some riders are quite happy to jump smaller heights (50cm to 80cm)…

BylizzieJanuary 20, 20200Comments

Ask HQ Breeding Horse Breed Horse Channel Know How

ASKHQ: BREEDING TIPS FROM CALLAHO

Q: What are Callaho's top breeding tips? A: The broodmare is the beginning and the end of any successful mating. A good dam mated to a mediocre stallion will give you a good horse. A top stallion is mostly useless on a mediocre mare. Any attempt at creating a good dam-line from scratch is not impossible…

BylizzieJanuary 16, 20200Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Health Horse Training

ASKHQ: GRACKLE NOSEBAND

Q: What is a grackle noseband? A: The grackle noseband is also known as the figure-of-eight noseband. The grackle is designed with a main pressure point at the crossover point on the top of the horse's nose. The straps pass through a slotted leather circle, which often has a sheepskin backing to prevent discomfort or rubbing.…

BylizzieDecember 15, 20190Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Health Horse Training Know How

SAUSAGE BOOT

The sausage boot is a ring of rubber, secured by a buckle, fitted around the fetlock. These boots are worn to protect the pastern or coronet from injury, such as when a jumper strikes himself as he takes off at a jump.

BylizzieNovember 10, 20190Comments

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