Breeding equine interest and passion
http://www.sportsarticles.com/Breeding-equine-interest-and-passion/a11120_1
Lisa Reese
By Lisa Reese
Published on 05/8/2009
The equine industry an in particular the equestrian sector covers a wide range of diverse activities, products and services. This includes the varieties of horses, medical personnel skilled in equestrian concerns, grooms, farriers, trainers, syces, equipment and feed producers, coaches, jockeys and a host of other personnel and infrastructure that make up the equine industry.
Breeding equine interest and passion
The equine industry an in particular the equestrian sector covers a wide range of diverse activities, products and services. This includes the varieties of horses, medical personnel skilled in equestrian concerns, grooms, farriers, trainers, syces, equipment and feed producers, coaches, jockeys and a host of other personnel and infrastructure that make up the equine industry.
One of the many issues that Lembaga Totalisator Malaysia (LTM) looks at, together with the Malaysian Equine Council is the fact that although the industry has grown from strength-to-strength in recent years, the services required by the industry have not kept pace with the industry's development.
An example of the said insufficient is in the equine veterinary field. In looking at the need for the development of skilled personnel and specialized services in the equine veterinary sector. LTM has set aside a provision of the funds for sponsorships to enable vets to undertake postgraduate studies in selected fields, as well as sponsorships for attendance at short courses and seminars. LTM has also invested millions in veterinary infrastructure and enhanced the types of services that can be provided to areas where large concentration of horses are situated.
Another area that requires LTM's attention is the area of equine sport. Malaysia has had a fair measure of success internationally, particularly at the Asian and SEA Games with Malaysian athletes securing medals in all three Olympic disciplines – dressage, show jumping and eventing. Considering that the Asian Games is just one-step off the top tier of the Olympic, Malaysia's accomplishments certainly warrant credit.
Certainly, the greatest challenge in running the equine industry in Malaysia is the fact that monetary support comes solely from the country's racing industry – namely the turf club and the ability of the board to manage and grow the equine industry.
Equine sports is very expensive industry in need of massive funding including the monthly feeding costs, veterinary services, grooms, trainers and farriers that every horse needs. It is sometimes easy to forget that a racehorse, unlike a F1 race car is a living thing that needs to be looked after even when not in use. And so there is a need for more funding, if the equine industry in the country is to grow and gain global recognition.
The media should also look at horse racing from a wider perspective, not just centered on the gambling. After all, horse racing is a form of entertainment and pleasure for a wide spectrum of people as it is in other countries which have a racing tradition, such as the United Kingdom, France and Australia.
One of the many issues that Lembaga Totalisator Malaysia (LTM) looks at, together with the Malaysian Equine Council is the fact that although the industry has grown from strength-to-strength in recent years, the services required by the industry have not kept pace with the industry's development.
An example of the said insufficient is in the equine veterinary field. In looking at the need for the development of skilled personnel and specialized services in the equine veterinary sector. LTM has set aside a provision of the funds for sponsorships to enable vets to undertake postgraduate studies in selected fields, as well as sponsorships for attendance at short courses and seminars. LTM has also invested millions in veterinary infrastructure and enhanced the types of services that can be provided to areas where large concentration of horses are situated.
Another area that requires LTM's attention is the area of equine sport. Malaysia has had a fair measure of success internationally, particularly at the Asian and SEA Games with Malaysian athletes securing medals in all three Olympic disciplines – dressage, show jumping and eventing. Considering that the Asian Games is just one-step off the top tier of the Olympic, Malaysia's accomplishments certainly warrant credit.
Certainly, the greatest challenge in running the equine industry in Malaysia is the fact that monetary support comes solely from the country's racing industry – namely the turf club and the ability of the board to manage and grow the equine industry.
Equine sports is very expensive industry in need of massive funding including the monthly feeding costs, veterinary services, grooms, trainers and farriers that every horse needs. It is sometimes easy to forget that a racehorse, unlike a F1 race car is a living thing that needs to be looked after even when not in use. And so there is a need for more funding, if the equine industry in the country is to grow and gain global recognition.
The media should also look at horse racing from a wider perspective, not just centered on the gambling. After all, horse racing is a form of entertainment and pleasure for a wide spectrum of people as it is in other countries which have a racing tradition, such as the United Kingdom, France and Australia.