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

FLATWORK FEBRUARY #9: THE SIMPLE CHANGE

Yesterday, we looked at the walk-to-canter transition, and today, we add to that by combining it into a simple change. A simple change is a change of canter lead with a few steps of walk between periods of canter. The simple change is the beginning of teaching your horse to do a correct flying change; this…

BylizzieFebruary 13, 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: THE WALK

The walk is a four-time pace, which means that there are four beats to each complete stride. All four beats should be equally spaced. When riding at walk you should be able to count a regular one-two-three-four, one-two three-four. There is a lot of truth in the old reckoning that a horse who walks well…

BylizzieMay 2, 20200Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Health

ASKHQ: WALKING IT OFF

Q: What can you do for a colicking horse other than walk him around while you're waiting for the vet to arrive? We live in a remote area where a vet can't get to us quickly. Asked by Jackie K A: You can do the following for a colicking horse while waiting for the vet: Withhold access…

BylizzieFebruary 24, 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

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

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