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 Channel Horse Health

FEEDING THE MODERN SPORTHORSE

Are we getting it right? For decades, the default sporthorse ration looked something like this: two big buckets of concentrate, a slice or two of hay, electrolytes on hot days, and maybe oil ‘for shine.’ It worked, until it didn’t. Today’s competition horses jump higher, move bigger, travel more, and live more intensively managed lives…

BylizzieAugust 15, 20250Comments

Ask HQ

ASKHQ: GASTROSCOPY RISKS IN HORSES

Q: Are there any risks to having horses scoped for ulcers? A: Gastroscopy is a safe and effective diagnostic tool for a variety of conditions, but it is most commonly used to diagnose gastric ulcers. Before the procedure, your vet will assess your horse’s suitability for sedation and take appropriate measures to mitigate potential risks. Although nosebleeds…

BylizzieMay 14, 20250Comments

Ask HQ

ASKHQ: SQUAMOUS GASTRIC ULCER

Q: My horse has just been diagnosed with gastric ulcers in the squamous part of his stomach. He is in light work and has been fed a balancer. Do I need to change this? First and foremost, it is important to note that your treatment and management plan should be arranged in consultation with your vet.…

BylizzieNovember 30, 20240Comments

Horse Health

ALOE VERA – IS IT SAFE FOR HORSES?

By Hannah Botha, MSc Equine Science, Epol Nutrition Advisor Aloe vera is certainly not a new addition to the management of horses, and for many years it has been used topically for ailments such as inflamed or burnt skin. More recently, aloe vera has come into focus for treating common conditions such as gastric ulcers. But…

BylizzieMarch 11, 20230Comments

Horse Channel Horse Health

HQ FOCUS NUTRITION GUIDE CONTENTS

As this Nutrition Guide is a bit of a marathon production, we thought it wise to give you the option of diving in and out according to your needs and interests. Here's a breakdown of the contents with the relevant links so that you can rummage around and find the bits that interest you, or…

BylizzieDecember 6, 20200Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Health

ASKHQ: LINSEED OIL

Q: Why is linseed oil the new thing to feed? Asked by Erin Booth A: Oils have been available on the equine market for years now, yet there is still some confusion over which oil to use. While there is technically no ‘bad’ oil, there may be some that are better options for your horse than others.…

BylizzieJuly 31, 20200Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Health

ASKHQ: NUTRITIONAL ISSUES OTTB

Q: What nutritional issues should I be aware of in my new OTTB? A: Australian nutritionist Dr Nerida Richards, the resident nutritionist at FeedXL.com, explains that a Thoroughbred who is adapted to processing 8kg or more of concentrates a day as a racehorse may have have the following problems when he comes off the track: Bacterial…

BylizzieFebruary 4, 20200Comments

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