Mangalore: Horse Riding - Learn New Skill, Get Recreation, Improve Fitness

Pics: Tilak Attavar
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Sep 28: “Wear your track suits, long shoes and helmets. Be ready to realise your dream of becoming a trained horse rider. At the same time, also enjoy various health benefits,” say Dr Udayakumar, Mulky Keerthan Shetty and Nitesh Kumar Ballabagh. The three have set up Riders Club in Someshwar, near Someshwar temple, near the city. After getting initial training, enthusiasts will be ready to go horse riding.

Anyone who is above eight years age and below 60, can learn horse riding completely in 20 days for just Rs 3000. The people are being given the freedom of choosing the timing that suits them. For those who want to become regular members of the club, a very reasonable fee of Rs 12,000 is being charged, said Mulky Keerthan Shetty.

Horse riding basically comprises of three stages, trotting, cantering, and galloping. In trotting, the diagonal legs of the horse will move either forward or backward, together. In the case of cantering, either front or back legs will be in the air at any given point of time. Galloping is nothing but faster cantering. Interested people are given training by Joseph from Andhra Pradesh, who is backed by 15 years of experience, Keertan said.

“Training in horse riding is being offered all seven days the week between 6 and 9 am in the morning and 3 to 7 pm in the evening session. The club, which presently possesses three horses, plans to add seven more to its stable shortly. The club buys horses that are retired from race courses. Horse riding can burn calories at the rate of 780 calories per hour, as against 240 lost during swimming for the same period. Horse riding also gives relief from symptoms of certain ailments, particularly joint pains. It strengthens the muscles of hands, legs and waist,” the three say.

Keertan Shetty explained that the aim of starting the club is recreational, and not commercial. A horse rider is taught to synchronise his body movements with that of horse while riding in the initial training. If the would-be riders want assistance in buying the gear they are required to wear, the club will assist them, Shetty added.

Mangaloreans have got an opportunity to learn and experience horse riding. Those who want to begin horse riding either for fun or health gain, may contact the club at Someshwar, or Keerthan Shetty (9620416062, email: shettykeerthank@yahoo.co.in) or Dr Udayakumar (9739001312).