Among the many volumes newly available in the Adul Wichiencharoen Room of the Pridi Banomyong Library is a collection of books about horses. Among Ajarn Adul’s energetic activities on behalf of nature and education, he has raised horses at his rural home. These books, most of which are new titles to the TU Libraries collection, include Breeding the Racehorse by Federico Tesio, an authoritative study by an acknowledged master in the field. The Italian Federico Tesio (1869–1954) is ranked as a leading breeder of thoroughbreds in horse racing history. The Racing Post termed Tesio the only genius ever to operate in the breeding world. Another new highlight of the collection is An Introduction to the Thoroughbred by Peter Willett, also previously unrepresented in the TU Libraries. The author, who died last year at age 96, was a respected authority in the UK on horses and horse racing. Willett describes the British thoroughbred as one of the most remarkable products of English genius. The book’s goal, as its introduction states, was to provide a consecutive account of the development of the British Thoroughbred and of the principles involved, from his known origins down to the present day. Willett’s book begins around the year 1660, when England’s King Charles II was the first royal racing regular, and was a competent race-rider himself. His unwavering enthusiasm and constant patronage of Newmarket helped to make racing a national sport.
Famous UK racehorses such as Flying Childers, Eclipse, Hyperion, and Ribot are also described. Yet another book newly available in the Ajarn Adul Room is Horsemanship: A Comprehensive Book on Training the Horse and Its Rider by Waldemar Seunig. Seunig (1887-1976) was an Austrian officer, sport rider, horse trainer, and author. The son of an imperial officer, Seunig served as a military riding instructor in Vienna. He once described horse riding as the dialogue between two bodies and two souls aimed at establishing perfect harmony between them. There are also some practical texts such as Mares, Foals and Foaling: A Handbook for the Small Breeder, an elementary text of basic principles. There is also Veterinary Notes for Horse Owners: a Manual of Horse Medicine And Surgery by M. Horace Hayes. Since the late 1800s, Captain Hayes’s book has been the standard work on health care for horses, with regular updates. It details in simple language almost every ailment or injury that the horse may experience. Veterinary Notes for Horse Owners has been described as a necessary reference book for the thinking horse owner.
Thailand and Horses
As a 2013 article in The Bangkok Post noted, purebred native Thai horses prove most reliable in a tropical climate. The article quotes Dr. Thianthada Pothipongsatorn, a veterinarian at the Lampang Pony Welfare Foundation. Dr. Thianthada argues that purebred Thai horses are naturally suited as domestic or work animals in the Kingdom. Since Lampang is noted for its horse-drawn taxis, the condition and stamina of the animals, especially during holidays, becomes a matter of concern. Dr. Thianthada states:
A lot of Thai horse lovers prefer to keep foreign species to Thai horses, because they are huge and tall. Their height means more money when the horses are sold on… A number of horse breeders believe cross-breeding is an approach to the development and improvement of horse species. But for me, cross-breeding means damaging and destroying horse breeds.
When animals are bred to be larger, they can also be more vulnerable to disease and physical problems. Apart from Lampang horses, Thai species may be found in Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, and Nan. These native Thai horses share DNA with Mongolian horses. Przewalski’s horse is a wild, endangered subspecies once found in the steppes of central Asia. Although extinct in the wild in Mongolia a half-century ago, it has been reintroduced since then. Dr. Thianthada explains:
My focus is to increase the population of native horses and to raise awareness, especially among local people, regarding the value of Thai ponies. Przewalski horses are purebred, while a large number of horses you see these days – be they racehorses, jump horses, carriage horses and so forth – are ‘man-made’ species. So if we do not attempt to preserve Thai ponies, soon they will be gone forever.
Recreational horse riding
Although few Thais regularly ride horses for fun, in March a branch of the Swiss retailer Felix Buhler opened on Bangna-Trat Road as the Kingdom’s first store specializing in clothing and riding gear for amateurs of horse riding. Shirts, helmets, boots, and other items are sold as well as grooming supplies. Saddles, braid bands, and body brushes are also available. An estimated one thousand Thais enjoy horse-riding in around 150 registered clubs. Most are women, inspired by the example of Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana, who excelled on the national team at the 2013 SEA Games and 2014 Asian Games. For less dedicated horse riders, there are such options as The Thai Horse Farm in the Phrao valley north of Chiang Mai, offering horseback riding holidays in Sri Lanna National Park. As its website notes, the Thai Horse Farm features the Himalayan mountain horse,
well known for its stamina, intelligence, friendliness and most importantly its sure-footedness…They range in height from 1.10 meters to 1.50 meters and vary in color and markings… On the whole it would be fair to say that these horses are somewhat calmer, harder working and not as shy as their European brothers and sisters. Another big plus is they are not skittish. The mountains are their home so they know every stone and trail like the back of their hand…or should we say hoof? These horses are accustomed to a nomadic way of life and have a very robust physique, their heads are well proportioned with very expressive, alert eyes and their ears are always listening attentively for any sound… They are very reliable and undemanding work horses… In Northern Thailand transportation has become increasingly modern and locals have replaced horses by their beloved moped. Here at the Thai Horse Farm we have a controlled breeding program to ensure the survival of this horse breed.
Another horse breeding farm where visitors may enjoy a brief stay is Farm Mor Por, founded by Dr. Nopadol Sarapala, an obstetrician and gynecologist practicing at the Bumrungrad International Hospital in Bangkok. Located 15 kilometers from Khao Yai National Park, Farm Mor Por proposes a variety of open-air activities for visitors. As its website observes:
The skills children learn from training and caring for a horse will stay with them forever, not only will it help with their own development but also it will help them learn how to act in social situations. There is also no doubt that horses can be of great benefit to children with emotional and behavioral issues. In order to properly care for a horse new skills have to be developed. The process of developing these skills can help children who are impatient, anxious, or have low self-confidence.
(All images courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.)