What South African horse owners need to know If you've ever had a horse that was 'just not right' - a bit grumpy, slightly off their feed, not quite performing the way they should - there's a very real chance gastric ulcers were part of the story. Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome, or EGUS, is one…
Two generations, one dream There is something quietly extraordinary about chatting to Felicity Theunissen. She is 13 years old. And yet she speaks about horses, pressure, and the road ahead with a clarity that would put many seasoned competitors to shame. In our latest Heard at HQ interview, we brought Felicity together with Ronnie Healy, her…
Is your horse business idea actually viable? Kim Dale, Founder of Unbridled Marketing If you have spent any time around horses, you have probably had a business idea at some point. A product you wish existed. A service you think could be done better. A small side project that keeps popping into your head between rides. Most…
The real purpose of the warm-up Text: Lara Ellwood of Insight Equine There’s something about the warm-up arena at a show that seems to buzz with invisible tension. It’s meant to be a space to prepare, to ease our horses and ourselves into rhythm and readiness, but more often than not, it becomes a pressure cooker.…
For more than 70 years, Stellenbosch District Riding Club (SDRC) has stood as a proud cornerstone of the Western Cape equestrian community. Generations of riders, grooms, officials, families, and friends have passed through our gates - each leaving their mark and helping to shape the club we cherish today. As we close the chapter on 2025,…
How awareness, biomechanics, and horsemanship are reshaping rider education Text: Alejandra González I have loved horses for as long as I can remember. I was fortunate to grow up in a family with horses - my father was a horse trainer - so horses were never just a hobby; they were part of my everyday life. But…
Keeping horses cool in hot weather Summer in Southern Africa can be relentless and heat stress becomes a genuine concern for horse welfare. While horses are remarkably adaptable animals, they struggle more with heat than with cold; their large body mass, relatively small surface area, and the heat generated during exercise make them vulnerable to…
AskHQ: What should you consider when choosing an equine Veterinary Expense Policy? Answered by Hollard Equipage Equipage: Owning a horse in South Africa is both a privilege and a substantial financial responsibility. With rising veterinary costs, increased travel for competitions and higher risk exposure in terms of climate change, more horse owners are turning to equine…
Smooth, balanced transitions are the hallmark of a well-trained horse and rider partnership. Whether you're preparing for your first dressage test or refining your technique for advanced competition, mastering the art of transitioning between gaits is fundamental to good riding. Yet for many riders (us included!), transitions remain one of the most challenging aspects of…
When and how to supplement Few topics in equine nutrition generate as much confusion and conflicting advice as electrolyte supplementation. Walk into any tack shop, and you'll find shelves stocked with electrolyte products in every conceivable form: powders, pastes, pellets, liquids. Ask ten different horse owners when and how to use them, and you'll likely…
