Sustainable pasture management and toxic plant awareness Paddock management is one of the most overlooked aspects of horse care in South Africa, yet it fundamentally impacts horse health, property sustainability, and long-term costs. The difference between well-managed and poorly managed grazing can mean the difference between horses thriving on minimal supplementary feed versus requiring year-round…
It may be summer in South Africa, but here at HQ, we are making snowmen. The snowman exercise consists of two circles: one bigger circle, 20m, forms your snowman's body, and a smaller circle, 10m, forms his head. There is no set way to ride exercise; similar to the figure eight exercise, you can do the…
Q: How fast do horses' hooves grow? A: A horse's hoof grows at a rate of approximately 6-10mm per month. This means that in order to regrow and entirely new hoof capsule takes approximately 12 months. This rate varies from horse to horse, with some horses growing a new hoof capsule faster than others, but for…
Q: Should I clip my horse this winter or not? A: As winter approaches, many riders choose to clip their horses, but do you really need to and is it the best option for all horses? The winter coat The emergence of a full winter coat is triggered by the reduced number of daylight hours. In early…
With summer upon us and temperatures soaring, horses and riders are in danger of overheating. Excessive sweating can lead to an imbalance of electrolytes and dehydration as the horse loses fluids from his bloodstream. Humid conditions exacerbate the problem. Riding attire, which is designed with comfort and safety in mind, puts the rider at risk…
Make sure that your paddocks are safe for whatever your horses get up to! [dropcap]A[/dropcap]s we come out of the chilly winter season, it’s time to start looking forward to the warmer summer season. Summer means sunshine, green grass, much-needed rain, longer days, and more time to ride. With so much to look forward to, the…
Some horses may have allergies to biting insects. These issues need to be handled with care. Along with our glorious summer weather comes the dreaded mange for those whose horses are susceptible. Seemingly overnight, sleek shiny horses can turn into dull-coated, itching shadows of their former selves. It can be every proud owner’s nightmare and it’s…
