YOU’RE NOT CROOKED; YOU’RE HUMAN

Have you ever looked at a photo or video of yourself riding and thought… Alejandra Gonzalez Why am I always sitting just a little to the left? You adjust. You centre yourself. You think you’ve fixed it. Then five minutes later, there you are again. Slightly off-centre. It’s frustrating, especially when you’re doing your best to ‘sit evenly’ in…

BylizzieMay 15, 20260Comments

Horse Health

THE RIDDEN HORSE

Welfare and the precautionary principle A University of Guelph review argues that many long-accepted riding practices deserve closer scrutiny, even where definitive evidence of harm is still lacking. A review by Caleigh Copelin and Katrina Merkies, published in the March 2026 edition of the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, makes the case that modern equestrianism is…

BylizzieMay 14, 20260Comments

Horse and Rider Horse Channel

FLATWORK FOUNDATIONS – BUILDING BETTER TRANSITIONS

Smooth, balanced transitions are the hallmark of a well-trained horse and rider partnership. Whether you're preparing for your first dressage test or refining your technique for advanced competition, mastering the art of transitioning between gaits is fundamental to good riding. Yet for many riders (us included!), transitions remain one of the most challenging aspects of…

BylizzieApril 9, 20260Comments

Horse Channel

ARE YOU WHERE YOU THOUGHT YOU’D BE?

Resetting training goals By mid-year, it’s easy to feel like you’ve fallen behind. That competition you hoped to enter hasn’t happened. The lateral work you planned to master still feels elusive. Your horse had time off. You had time off. And now, as winter settles in, it’s tempting to believe the year has slipped away. But…

BylizzieJuly 18, 20250Comments

Ask HQ

ASKHQ: WINTER WARM-UP

Q: My horse is stiff to warm up in winter—should I be concerned? A: Mild stiffness during cold weather is common, particularly in older horses or those with underlying joint issues. Cold temperatures can affect joint fluid viscosity and muscle flexibility, making the warm-up phase even more critical. Begin with a longer walk period, incorporating gentle lateral…

BylizzieJune 16, 20250Comments

Ask HQ

ASKHQ: ASYMMETRICAL REIN RESISTANCE

Q: My horse is always more resistant on one rein. Is this normal, or is something wrong? A: Most horses are naturally one-sided, meaning they’re more supple or ‘willing’ on one rein than the other. This asymmetry can be due to conformation, habitual patterns, or even the rider’s own crookedness. While a degree of ‘sidedness’…

BylizzieJune 16, 20250Comments

Ask HQ Q&A

ASKHQ: FIT OR FRESH?

Q: How do I know if my horse is truly fit, or just fresh? A: There’s a big difference between fitness and freshness. A fresh horse may feel energetic or excitable due to rest, cool weather, or excess feed—but this doesn’t mean they’re conditioned for sustained work. True fitness refers to the horse’s cardiovascular, muscular, and skeletal…

BylizzieJune 15, 20250Comments

Horse Channel

BRIANA BURGESS – TRAINING FOR THE TOP

Briana Burgess is an International Grand Prix rider and Top 10 World Young Horse Championship Finalist. She spent 12 years based in Germany, training under some of the world’s top coaches, including Johan Rockx, Penny Zavitz-Rockx, Monica Theodorescu, Patrik Kittel, Helen Langehanenberg and Christoph Koschel. Now based in the South of France at Domaine Equestre Des…

BylizzieMay 24, 20250Comments

Ask HQ

ASKHQ: YEARLINGS

Q: What do I need to know about my yearling? A: A yearling is a colt or filly between the ages of one and two years old. These horses aren’t foals anymore, but they also haven’t quite reached adolescence yet. Characteristics Yearlings are most likely fully weaned and independent of their mothers. They sleep less and spend…

BylizzieApril 16, 20250Comments

Ask HQ

ASKHQ: YOUNG HORSE PURCHASE

Q: I’m thinking about buying a young horse for the first time, but I’m worried I don’t have enough experience. I have had horses for over ten years but never owned a youngster. I can’t afford to buy a going horse in today’s market, so a young horse is my best option, but how do…

BylizzieMarch 9, 20250Comments

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