| Many
of the horses at the three riding schools are ex-racehorses,
retired from the track after their racing career is over.
Those chosen to come to the riding schools are carefully selected
for their soundness and temperament. After arriving at the
designated riding school, all ex-racehorses undergo an intensive
retraining programme to equip them with the necessary skills
and muscles required by modern equestrianism. The retraining
programme comprises long reining and lungeing, ridden work
in the arena and on the hacking trail, work over poles on
the floor and eventually small competitions to consolidate
their education. When these horses are confident, fit and
safe enough for the public to ride, they will be introduced
to riding lessons but will continue to receive regular training
from riding instructors throughout their life. We have some
ex-racehorses that are in their twenties but are still fit
and well to be ridden. One of the attractions in our riding
school is former Horse of the Year Fairy King Prawn who has
turned into a great riding horse due to his intelligent and
kind disposition after retiring here.
Some horses and ponies are imported from Australia
and the UK. The ponies range in size from 11.2 to 14.2 hands
high and some of the ponies at Tuen Mun Public Riding School
have been there for over ten years. Many of the bigger horses
are imported to help beginners and heavier riders for whom
the ex-racehorses are not suitable. We have recently imported
some horses from Southern Australia that are proving very
popular.
All stable staff are internally trained and
examined using a module system to ensure the well being of
all the horses and to maintain the high standards of the Club.
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