And it's more accurate than you might think For centuries, we have relied on feel, intuition, and hard-won experience to interpret their horse's emotional state. Now, artificial intelligence is learning to do the same thing, and at a speed and scale no human can match. A series of landmark studies published in 2024 and 2025 have…
Horse Channel
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…
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…
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…
The mare who built a dynasty In the modern sporthorse world, certain names echo far beyond the arena. They appear again and again in pedigrees, on start lists, and in the background of championship results. One such name is Carthina Z, a mare whose influence has quietly but profoundly shaped the landscape of international showjumping. She…
A history In 1969, George Morris visited South Africa to perform clinics in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Salisbury (Harare, Zimbabwe). At this stage in Southern Africa, a great variety of riding styles and theories were practised. This likely stemmed from the diverse sources of horsemanship; namely, farming, military and imported techniques from Europe. However, it…
With Hamza Minty and Chad Cunningham At 17, Hamza Minty has dominated South African showjumping with a remarkable string of victories. Behind the success lies a systematic approach developed by coach Chad Cunningham - a method built on decades of study, classical principles, and an unwavering commitment to both horse and rider development. Seventeen-year-old Hamza Minty…
Q: I had a bad experience at a show, and now I'm terrified to go back. How do I rebuild confidence? A: Recovering from a negative experience requires patience and a graduated approach. Your brain has learned 'shows equal danger,' and you need to carefully teach it otherwise. Pushing too hard too fast can reinforce…
Q: I ride well at home but fall apart at shows. Why does this happen and what can I do about it? A: This is perhaps the most common competition challenge riders face. The phenomenon has clear physiological and psychological explanations. At home, you're in a familiar, low-pressure environment. Your body is relaxed, your mind…
Beyond the spots It has been a genuine privilege for us at HQ Magazine to get to know and work with Ruconu Appaloosa Stud, and, in particular, to spend time with its founder, Mariann. As a breeding operation, Ruconu really stands apart for its quiet intentionality. At Ruconu, temperament is not an afterthought, development is never…
