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

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ASKHQ: BAD VETTING

Q: I've fallen in love with a particular horse and am desperate to buy him. The problem is that he is lame. He's only just come off the track and apparently pulled some muscles in his back while still racing. I’m hoping his lameness will come right but everyone tells me to avoid him. What…

BylizzieJune 2, 20250Comments

Horse Health

DEHYDRATION IN HORSES – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Text: With JD du Preez at JME Veterinary Clinic Thank you to JD du Preez of JME Veterinary Clinic for this quick chat on dehydration in horses. JME is a family-oriented vet clinic based in Sun Valley near Inanda Country Base in Kyalami. They are a mixed animal practice that treats both horses and small animals. JD…

BylizzieMay 19, 20250Comments

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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

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ASKHQ: WHAT IS STOCKING UP?

Q: What is stocking up? A: Stocking up is a phrase used to describe what happens to a horse’s legs when they swell up below the knees. Commonly owners report that a horse swells up below the knees after a night spent in the stable, but then after turn-out in the paddock, the swelling goes…

BylizzieMay 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

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ASKHQ: MANURE FREQUENCY

Q: How many times should my horse manure each day? A: This is almost impossible for us to answer, as it varies from horse to horse. You need to get a sense over time of what is normal for your horse and use that as a gauge. To give you some idea of the range, an…

BylizzieAugust 24, 20240Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Health Q&A

ASKHQ: GELDING YOUR YEARLING

Q: My yearling is being gelded, but this is my first youngster, and I’m unsure of the castration process and the aftercare required. What can I expect? A: An ‘entire’ male horse’s behaviour is driven largely by testosterone, and this hormone causes ‘entire’ male horses to display herding instincts, sexual interest, and aggression. While typical in…

BylizzieJanuary 13, 20220Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel

ASKHQ: ACCIDENT PRONE

Q: My gelding is constantly injuring himself. He is always covered in cuts, has stepped on his coronary band a couple of times, and cracked two teeth. Is he just accident-prone, or is there something wrong with him? A: The first thing to suggest would be a good physical examination by your vet. This would include…

BylizzieJanuary 7, 20220Comments

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ADMINISTERING MEDICATION

When your vet gives medication to put in your horse’s feed, they are hoping that you will do the following: Mix it thoroughly with a feed that your horse enjoys; Ensure your horse eats the entire dose in one sitting with little to no waste Continue to monitor how well your horse eats…

BylizzieOctober 21, 20210Comments

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