HANDLING HOOVES IN THE WET SEASON

Text: Christine Pinna With the large amounts of summer rain recently arriving, many horse owners will be looking at their horse's hooves while biting their nails and praying for dry weather. But is there something that we, as horse owners, can do to help prevent the inevitable thrush, cracks and chipping that tends to occur in these…

BylizzieMarch 7, 20250Comments

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ASKHQ: HEAD BOBBING IN THE STABLE

Q: My horse bobs his head up and down if he is in the stable for a while. Most people laugh and find this funny, but my stable manager has recently said that she thinks his behaviour could be due to stress. Is this true? A: Firstly, we would recommend contacting your vet, who can rule…

BylizzieNovember 30, 20240Comments

ASKHQ: SWOLLEN LEGS

Q: My horse’s legs swell overnight in the stable but reduce to normal size after a bit of turnout or exercise. Why does this happen? Do I need to worry? A: Your horse’s lower limbs can become swollen overnight due to a lack of movement. Horses circulate blood around their bodies through movement, such as when…

BylizzieJanuary 26, 20240Comments

Horse Channel Horse Health

UNDERSTANDING WINDGALLS, PART 2

Causes of windgalls Windgalls are the result of irritation of the joint surfaces or joint capsules, causing excessive production and reduced absorption of synovial fluid. The following are examples of contributing factors to windgalls in horses: Overworking a young or heavy horse, particularly on hard surfaces. Heavy breed types, like cobs, are more susceptible to…

BylizzieApril 23, 20210Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Training Know How

ASKHQ: CONFIDENCE WITH PEOPLE

Q: How can I make my new rescue mare more confident around new people? A: Building a horse’s confidence, particularly a horse who has had difficult past experiences, takes time and patience. However, the reward makes the work worth it! The first step should be to introduce a calm, horsey friend to your new horse, preferably over…

BylizzieFebruary 23, 20210Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Health

ASKHQ: ARE STEREOTYPIC BEHAVIOURS CONTAGIOUS?

Q: The horse standing in the stable next to mine has a habit of crib-biting and wind-sucking. My horse has started a funny habit of opening his mouth and crossing his jaw when standing in his stable. I have only noticed it recently and I am worried he is picking up on the other horse’s…

BylizzieAugust 15, 20200Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Health

ASKHQ: BOX REST

Q: How can I make box rest easier for my horse? He is so stressed when the other horses go out in the morning. Asked by Gemma Picken A: Box rest can be really difficult if your horse is used to extensive turnout. It can be especially hard if your horse is the only one left behind…

BylizzieJuly 4, 20200Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Health

ASKHQ: LIVING OUT

Q: Can my horse live out? Answered by Charlotte Bastiaanse A: Before domestication, horses used to live out throughout the day and night. Nowadays, horses are generally, at least in South Africa, turned out during the morning and brought back into their stables in the late afternoon. Some yards, however, still only turn horses out for a…

BylizzieJune 15, 20200Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Health

MOVING YARDS

Problem: I need to move livery yards, but don’t really know what I’m looking for. Solution: There are several things to consider when choosing a livery yard that suits you and your horse. Below are a few of the major considerations that you need to bear in mind. Money matters Budgeting should always be your first step…

BylizzieMay 18, 20200Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Health

ASKHQ: WOOD CHEWING

Q: My horse chews wood. People at the barn say it is due to a nutritional deficiency, but I'm not sure what that deficiency is? A: Many horses like to chew or eat wood in their stable, or nibble on paddock fencing. For owners, this can be frustrating, but chewing on wood, twigs and bark is…

BylizzieApril 27, 20200Comments

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