Horse Racing Singapore and Malaysia

Don’t approach the stables as if you are a tourist. Although you may be very curious and excited about your impending horse ownership, you must approach these trips like a prospective employer interviewing job applicants.

Don’t be afraid to assert yourself and to pay close attention to important details.

What details should you be noticing? There are several things to consider as you visit each stable. If you don’t feel as though you will remember all of the important considerations in choosing a stable, you may want to bring a notepad with you on each “inspection.”

Here are some critical considerations to keep in mind when checking out the recommended stables on your list.

Cleanliness. A clean, organized property is evidence of a commitment to quality care. Although there may be great stables that look a little “rustic,” even those that lack “bells and whistles” should be neat.

Stay away from stables that don’t look well tended.

State of repair. Notice the various structures, fences and other physical aspects of the stable. Are they in good repair? A serious stable will be firmly committed to keeping their operation in tip-top running order.

If buildings appear dilapidated, fences are sagging or other obvious problems exist, you may want to consider the next stable on your list.

Water. There should be a ready supply of clean water available to horses both in paddocks and their stalls. Like all animals, horses need water for both survival and comfort.

If a stable doesn’t seem to have water at the ready for all of its equine guests, it may be a sign of trouble.

Horse health. You are a first-time horse buyer, not a professional veterinarian. Thus, you aren’t expected to perform full physicals on the horses you see.

However, you should look for signs of overall health. Do the horses have nice shiny coats? Do their eyes seem soft and focused? Do they appear to be well fed?

If the horses at the stable look less than healthy, there may be a serious problem afoot.

Horse disposition. Obviously, at this stage of the game, you are not a horse expert. However, you should be able to get a sense of whether the stabled horses look happy. Horses should appear to be relaxed.

Look to see if their ears are pointed forward (a good sign) and that their tail isn’t rigid.

If something seems “wrong” about the disposition of the animals, you should probably trust your guts and look elsewhere.

Employee disposition. The best stables have happy horses and happy staff members. Remember, you will be spending a great deal of time at the stable with your horse and an important part of your experience there will involve your interaction with the stable staff. Make sure to note how you feel about the people you meet at the stable. It is important to select an outfit with whom you can get along.

Student disposition. The horses should be happy. The stable personnel should be happy. The students should be happy, too! If the folks at the stable don’t appear to be having a good time, think twice about the facility.

This is where you will be going, and you certainly want to enjoy yourself, right?
Student/staff interaction. Observe lessons and how instructors are conducting lessons. The stable will be your “horse college,” so you want to make sure you will be attending classes with “professors” you’ll enjoy and from whom you are likely to learn.

If you aren’t comfortable with the attitudes or teaching strategies, avoid the stable. It is possible to find instructors who make learning the ins and outs of horse ownership and riding fun.

Safety. Make a point to notice whether it appears as if the stables are safe for the horse owners. Notice whether riders are dressed appropriately and are wearing protective helmets or hard hats.

Also, look at the tack and equipment used. Does it appears to be in good shape and treated with respect? If it looks as though the stable is playing fast and loose with safety, it probably isn’t the best place for any horse owner-especially a first-timer.

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