PADDOCK MANAGEMENT 101

Sustainable pasture management and toxic plant awareness Paddock management is one of the most overlooked aspects of horse care in South Africa, yet it fundamentally impacts horse health, property sustainability, and long-term costs. The difference between well-managed and poorly managed grazing can mean the difference between horses thriving on minimal supplementary feed versus requiring year-round…

BylizzieMay 7, 20260Comments

Ask HQ

ASKHQ: SHEDDING

Q: My horse seems slow to shed his winter coat this year. Why might that be? A: A horse shedding more slowly than usual can have a few different causes - some completely benign, others worth checking out: Seasons and environment Shedding is driven by daylight hours (photoperiod), not temperature, so even if it is…

BylizzieDecember 1, 20250Comments

Horse Health

WINTER WOES

Keeping your horse healthy South African winters are not nearly as harsh as those in Europe, yet this time of year still presents some challenges for horse owners. As the temperature drops, how do we keep our equine partners in tip-top shape? Maintaining weight Take care As the days get shorter and the nights get longer,…

BylizzieNovember 11, 20250Comments

Ask HQ

ASKHQ: SWEET ITCH IN WINTER

Q: My horse’s sweet itch has not gone away completely this winter. Why is this? A: Sweet itch in horses is the term for the itchiness caused by the saliva of biting midges. It typically appears in spring and often settles by winter. The condition is usually seasonal because, in sufficiently low temperatures (i.e., below…

BylizzieJuly 7, 20250Comments

Horse Health

WINTER WEIGHT LOSS – KEEPING CONDITION IN THE COLD

Loss of weight in winter is a concern with many of our equines, especially those who are older or naturally leaner. The cold weather in winter increases energy demands on our horses, as they must produce more body heat to maintain their body temperature. On top of this, the amount and quality of the grazing…

BylizzieMay 26, 20250Comments

Horse Channel

ASKHQ: TO CLIP OR NOT TO CLIP

Q: Should I clip my horse this winter or not? A: As winter approaches, many riders choose to clip their horses, but do you really need to and is it the best option for all horses? The winter coat The emergence of a full winter coat is triggered by the reduced number of daylight hours. In early…

BylizzieApril 8, 20210Comments

Ask HQ Horse Channel Horse Health

ASKHQ: LIVING OUT

Q: Can my horse live out? Answered by Charlotte Bastiaanse A: Before domestication, horses used to live out throughout the day and night. Nowadays, horses are generally, at least in South Africa, turned out during the morning and brought back into their stables in the late afternoon. Some yards, however, still only turn horses out for a…

BylizzieJune 15, 20200Comments

Ask HQ Horse Health

ASKHQ: DEHYDRATION

Q: What are the signs of dehydration? A: Dehydration is a serious threat to your horse's well-being, as this loss of water also means the loss essential minerals such as sodium and potassium. In serious cases, if the horse is not quickly rehydrated, it could lead to colic, kidney failure, cardiac problems and even death. A horse's…

BylizzieMay 28, 20200Comments

Horse Health Know How

Winter Hoof Care

As the days become shorter and the nights longer, winter is certainly on its way. South African winters are considered fairly mild compared to other parts of the world, but in some of our regions, it can still get very cold at night! As the weather differs vastly throughout our country, with the Cape regions…

BylizzieJune 21, 20170Comments

Horse Channel Horse Health Know How

Winter feeding

"It's wise to follow nature's rules" when it comes to feeding With the onset of winter, you may need to adjust your horse’s feeding to keep him healthy and correctly nourished through the colder months. Winter energy requirements In colder weather, some horses may need to eat more to maintain their condition. This depends on many factors –…

BylizzieJune 27, 20160Comments

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