PBITG – The Cost of Horses

Zack’s Tack’s Managing Director, Peter Abisheganaden has written about the cost of horses – not just the monetary, but emotional cost of keeping horses.

Peter writes, “Many commercial riding schools are suffering during this MCO, with no income. The internet is filled with photos of starving horses in Malaysia.

Appalling photos have been published of horses that are skin and bones, dying by the roadside. Dato’ Awang Kamaruddin has published many photos of horses in the unofficial and kampung stables that need immediate help.

Why does this happen? How can this be allowed to happen?

Unfortunately, in Malaysia, it is not enough to expect horses to survive on just grass. There just isn’t sufficient nutrition in our cow-grass that horses can survive. As you can see in the picture, they starve.”

In Malaysia, stables do not have to be registered with any authority. There are no requirements whether commercial or private. Joining an association such as the Equestrian Association of Malaysia or the Royal Malaysian Polo Association is optional, not mandatory. In any case, these associations govern competitive sport, and are not charities or welfare organizations. With no real industry organisation or registration, stables get no financial help from the government, foundations or even councils.

What financial help is there out there for the equine industry? There is nothing I can point you to. While Malaysians are generous and do care about animals, there has been no financial help from the government or equine authorities to provide some relief or to save these. If asked, I am sure netizens would be quick to offer monetary help. There is a need for a foundation that looks after the welfare of horses in Malaysia. A charity that perhaps organizes or distributes basic horse feed for the starving horses, and educates horse owners. Malaysians are by nature kind, and horse-loving. I am sure that such a charity, if properly run, would get many donations. This could save many horses’ lives in Malaysia. There are too many horses starving and dying, and too many horses that are being prematurely euthanized when I am sure there is help out there.

Emotionally, we all get attached to our horses. Saying goodbye to our horses is harder than many owners can handle. Giving them away is less emotive but how many get a true retirement? There are no horse retirement homes in Malaysia. None. Out of sight may be out of mind, but what are we really doing for those horses? All I can do is reiterate Wan Ming’s point that if you give away your horse for ‘adoption’, you are probably consigning it to a fate worse than death.

To read Peter’s full article, please go to his blog to read: The Cost of Horses.