| Horsing Around By: Gigi Ivana |
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Riding in the jungles with the wind in your hair not only does wonders for your physique but mentally rewarding too... It’s a bit difficult to find horse riding centres in Malaysia that offer proper rides through the natural environment. Unless you own your own horse, aspiring riders usually ride around in a paddock or around the stable grounds. The Berjaya Hills trails provide a unique experience allowing riders to take their horses out to the surrounding natural terrain. Experienced and beginner riders can choose to ride through the jungle enjoying the local flora and fauna, ride through creeks and mountain streams, ride to a scenic spot and have a relaxing picnic or ride to a vantage point for a spectacular view of the golf course and surrounding countryside. I rode the jungle and mountain trails on the first day and these an excellent choice as the setting was just so beautiful. I’m not an experienced rider but I’ve ridden a couple of times before so getting on the horse wasn’t too difficult. It took a bit of time for my horse, Sky, and I to get used to one another but after we understood each other’s temperament, the ride was a breeze. Equestrian manager Lorraine Bottreau, said that you can tell a lot about a person by the way they interact with their horse. She said that horses react based on the signals you are sending them through your body language. If the horse is calm and steady and listens to your command, you would most likely be a calm and firm leader with good communication skills, but if your horse becomes fidgety and uncontrollable, you might be having some problems communicating to those around you. Most often, your relationship problems will surface when you are around horses. I got along fantastically with Sky as his temperament was quite suited with mine. He was a bit too calm at times which made me realise that I shouldn’t be too laid back and had to be firmer in sending out commands. Trotting was fun but you got to get the hang of the rhythm otherwise you’ll end up with a sore bottom from all the bouncing around. It’s not good for the horse’s back either. There is a knack to it. You have to rise and sit down according to the rhythm. It’s amazing once you get it as the ride becomes so much more enjoyable. I even managed a canter on the second day when Sky went up a steep jungle hill slope. Besides being an enjoyable and beneficial activity for people of all ages, riding is also a progressive form of therapy. “The ability to control a horse and your own body requires balance and good posture so people lacking in these areas are able to work on their balance and posture. Besides the physical benefits, horse riding is also beneficial emotionally, socially and psychologically. “Riding helps individuals interact and form meaningful relationships with horses and people. Horses help people feel in control of their situation because there is a direct correlation between action and reaction. It is a very social activity as you must be able to communicate efficiently with the horse and the instructor, but it is not daunting to people who are uncomfortable in social situations,” she added. I was physically exhausted but extremely happy by the end of my visit. Not only did the weekend give me peace of mind, it gave me great abs too and all from just two days of riding. Berjaya Hills Horse Trails |
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