Getting on a high horse!

Neither the finest luxury cars nor the most magnificent yachts can give the adrenaline rush that a gallop on a magnificent stallion can.

While horse riding was once the privilege of the rich and royal, it is not the case now, with a number of horse riding schools blossoming in Kerala. Many individuals are enrolling for these classes and some schools and colleges have included horse riding as a part of their curriculum.

For Sajith, an animal lover, his business trips took to a farm in Tamil Nadu that had a beautiful white stallion. That sparked his interest in horse riding but found the cost exorbitant. He also realised that most horses were sterilised foreign breeds that knew only to run. “I strongly believe that one should learn on a normal horse to understand and control its moods and gain mastery over it."

After researching on horses and training himself at a veterinary college, Sajith started the Silky Riding Centre in Kochi with five horses. He bought the white horse that had caught his fancy.

Sajith takes his students through the basics of attachment to a horse to the four steps -the walk, trot, canter and gallop. Starting from a 15 day riding class to a full month, the fees range from Rs 10,000 to 15,000 for students. Sajith's wife Sarika has also trained in horse riding and takes classes for women.

Most of the training schools say riding provides discipline and control and helps overcome fear. Many actors are trained in horse riding but not many actresses.

Malavika Wales says that her inspiration for horse riding stemmed from the fact that not many people indulge in horse riding. She enrolled herself at the Trichur Equine Club to learn it.

“Initially, I was curious to know what it entailed. The moment I joined, I understood that horse riding entails communicating, walking the horse and learning the four stages. It involves a lot of hard work and one needs immense control over the horse and our own body. I believe that learning to control a horse is akin to controlling a mob and it gives me added confidence as a person."

Ganesh Anantha sivan, who sells horses, attests to the growing fascination of Keralites for horse riding. “The craze to own a horse is definitely there. I also impart basic horse riding classes to a few students."

For yoga instructor Nuthan Manohar, learning horse riding was primarily because of the exhilaration she experienced. “Unlike driving a car or a scooter, riding a horse gives a natural high! Personally, I feel it is about learning the harmonious balance between the animal and the surroundings. As an exercise, it strengthens the abdomen and the thigh muscles, so is highly recommended."

Art director Salu K. George's craze for horse riding spurred him to start Gallop Cochin, a horse riding school. He says, “A lot many people are interested in learning the sport and I have many celebrities too from Tinsel town as members."

?