AN INTRODUCTION TO EQUINE GAIT ANALYSIS, PART 1

Text: Christie Bull (www.cwbiokinetics.co.za) Visual assessment of equine movement and lameness, colloquially known as ‘eyeballing it’, has been done for hundreds of years. However, research has shown that even the most experienced vets differ in their opinions on visual assessment of lameness, especially on a circle [1], and the more subtle the lameness, the more difficult…

BylizzieJanuary 14, 20250Comments

Horse Channel

2024 IN REVIEW – PHILIP SMITH MEMORIAL EQUITATION CHAMPIONSHIPS

Photography: Merlynn Trichardt Photography One of the highlights of the Easter Festival hosted at Kyalami Equestrian Park each year is the Philip Smith Memorial Equitation Championships (PSM). This unique event is one that every aspiring young rider dreams to compete in, never mind win! History It is an event steeped in rich history, going back over 50…

BylizzieDecember 17, 20240Comments

Horse Channel Horse Training

DRESSAGE FOR THE SHOWJUMPING HORSE

Text: Shari Michaelis While showjumping might seem like a ‘point and shoot’ discipline to some spectators, a good showjumping round requires much more from the horse than just clearing the jumps. Showjumping demands that the horse is adjustable, flexible, in balance, has straightness in his body and has a good and powerful canter. Working the horse…

BylizzieMay 1, 20210Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Training

BACK TO BASICS 5

And finally, to round of this mini series, here are a few extra exercises you can add to your schooling routine to get you and your precious pony back in action. Extra exercises Transitions – get your upward transitions to be light and forward and be careful of falling onto the forehand…

BylizzieJune 6, 20200Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Training

ASKHQ: TRANSITION TROUBLE

[Q] How can I keep my horse on the bridle when transitioning downwards? Asked by Chesney Williams [A] Problems with maintaining a contact through downward transitions are common symptoms of a lack of throughness or suppleness. In order to achieve true throughness, your horse must create energy in his hindquarters and transfer it over his back, withers,…

BylizzieFebruary 8, 20200Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Training

ASKHQ: THE SITTING TROT

Q: I just can't sit the sitting trot. How can I improve this? Answered by Elena Jankowitz A: The sitting trot is challenging for everyone and there are numerous factors that can make it difficult to sit. The important point to remember is that the trot has a moment of suspension when none of the hooves are…

BylizzieDecember 1, 20190Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Health Horse Training

ASKHQ: RISING TROT

Q: How does the rising trot affect the horse's back? Answered by Hayley Kruger A: The rising trot can be a lot more forgiving on the horse's back than sitting trot. However, riding rising trot incorrectly can also do serious damage to the horse's back. The rising trot caters to the forward movement of the horse. So,…

BylizzieOctober 17, 20190Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Training

ASKHQ: BREAKING INTO DOWNWARD TRANSITIONS

Q: How can you stop a horse from breaking into downward transitions? A: All too often riders experience that feeling of the horse collapsing into the downward transition instead of gracefully changing from one gait to the other while maintaining impulsion. Riders tend to focus so much on the preparation and quality of their upward transitions…

BylizzieOctober 1, 20190Comments

Horse Channel Horse Training Know How

Tricky transitions

Concentrate on keeping the horse uphill before any upward or downward transition [dropcap]U[/dropcap]nless you’re a competitive dressage rider, riding perfect transitions are probably not top of mind. It may not seem like such a big deal if your horse is slightly delayed off the leg or a bit heavy in your hand, but these are subtle…

BylizzieSeptember 8, 20170Comments

Horse Channel Horse Training

Lengthening and collection

Lengthening and collecting is a useful exercise to practice during schooling sessions because it improves your horse’s level of responsiveness and accuracy, as well as encouraging your horse off the forehand and onto his hind legs. It’s important not to overdo the lengthening and collection in any schooling session because it puts more strain on…

BylizzieJune 17, 20160Comments

HQ Newsletter