If one loves riding the equestrian, the other loves taking care of it. Not only that, they also have the passion to prove Indian horses’ worth internationally. Meet the ladies who have a strange hobby! They have grown up with horses all around and they talk and play with horses as their own child. All ladies say one thing : ‘Oh, it’s not what I whisper in the horses ear, its what he whispers in mine!’. Yes , that’s the love between them.
Valerie, an Irish veteran, had always dreamed of becoming a vet one day. “My mother says that one of my first full sentences was “I want to be the doctor for the animals”. As I grew up in rural Ireland, I had plenty of opportunity to develop my love of animals and when not at school enjoyed helping the local farmers with their calves and lambs. As for horses, I’ve always loved them, most Irish people are passionate about them, its in our blood,”, she said.
Valerie rode her first race horse at the age of two. “All of my summer holidays were spent at the local riding school, and when I wasn’t riding I was mucking out the horses (cleaning their stables), feeding and watering them, grooming them, cleaning their equipment. Europe is a little different to India in that regard. Here you have a ‘Syce’ to do all these things for you but in Ireland you’re taught to do all these things yourself, which is good, especially for children as then they realise what it takes to keep a horse and don’t take it for granted but more importantly it teaches them about how the horses behave, how to communicate with them and they develop a strong bond with the horses in that way,” said Valerie, who qualified as a vet in 2003.
At the veterinary hospital at the race course, the horses are treated for all sorts of leg injuries (similar to a human athlete in training). Valerie faces the mood swings of horses and problems too. But she takes it easily because she can understand what they want to say. ” They can injure themselves from falling or perhaps they overdo it on the track and strain their muscles, ligaments or tendons. The treatment varies from giving them medicines, bandaging their legs or sometimes they may require surgery. Thus as a horse vet its important to try and teach people to prevent injuries in their horses in the first place, by feeding specialised diets and following sound exercise regimens. Of course they can get other problems such as gastrointestinal upsets, respiratory problems to name a few, all of which we treat them for. On race days turf club vets make sure all the horses are well enough to run, treat any of the ones that fall whilst racing (this is not very common) or develop other medical problems,” added Valerie.
Meet another such passionate lady, Devli — who owns a studd farm. Her family loves horses and she is always been surrounded by horses. Devli says that her elder brother started with a studd farm. “Naturally, surrounded by horses, I also got fascinated. We want to prove Indian horses internationally as people have a perception that Indian horses are weak compared to the international ones. We send our horses to America, Dubai, Singapore and Malaysia,” said Devli.
“It’s a family managed farm and I am the marketing director,” she added.
When asked about how it feels being surrounded by horses she replied, “It’s like a paradise.” And what about the difficulties faced in understanding horses’ behaviour? Pat came the reply, “I don’t think understanding horses is tough. After you have spent your life among horses, you can actually understand what your horse wants to say to you. Horses are very sensitive and loving animals.”
Owning horse races is a passion for her, but the lifestyle that comes along is luring too. Devli talked about her love for the horses. “It’s not only money. Passion is more. It’s a fantastic feeling when you see your horses wins. It feels as if your child has won. The child that was born in front of you, raised in front of your eyes and practised right with you! It’s just amazing.”
Equally ecstatic about horses is, Illoosh ahluwalia — artist — who started riding horses some five years back. “Five years ago my daughter started with horse riding. Gradually I also got attracted towards it. I got to know more about horses from my father and my grandfather. Being surrounded by horses is always lovely,” said Iloosh.
About understanding horses she said, “If you don’t try to understand a horse’s pyche, then you really can’t. but if you want to, you surely will.”
{ 0 comments }
Statement the require?