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…
The HQ Team were blown away by the exquisite Appaloosas on display at Horse of the Year 2025. Here we give you the low down on this unique and versatile breed. History The Appaloosa is a breed with a storied past, tracing its roots to the Nez Perce people of North America. The Nez Perce people…
Q: Why do Appaloosa's tend to have thinner/shorter manes and tails than other breeds? A: Appaloosas with sparse manes and tails tend to have more of the 'original' breed in them. This means that when an Appaloosa competes in a breed-specific show his thin/short mane and tail should not be held against him in the scoring. The…
Saddles are generally designed to fit the average horse. However, we all know (and perhaps own) a horse who has less than average conformation. When fitting a saddle the key is to check that the saddle is the correct width for the width of the spine, and that the balance is correct from front…

