The weather finally improved enough that we stick and balled on the field yesterday for the first time since November. Today, Malaysia goes back into a tight lockdown, for at least the next two weeks, as the country grapples with getting the Covid-19 pandemic under control. At the Royal Selangor Polo Cub, Members are not allowed access to the club and cannot ride their own horses. Only the grooms who are living in the club, or who have moved in, may ride. KL Academy of Polo has had to stop all lessons. Zack’s Tack will operate only on-line or by WhatsApp for now.
While most clubs in Malaysia are respecting the lockdown, not all riding schools are closing. Their argument is that riding is recreational and as long as distancing is maintained, it should be allowed. The limitation of 10 km radius as a movement rule is a little more difficult to circumvent – not everyone lives right next to their stables.
For many of those in the periphery of the riding business, it will be a case of ‘Ride or Die.’ Most can’t afford a second lockdown, with completely no income. If they can’t stay open, many may have to shut forever. You will be surprised at how many small stables there are that you have never heard of. My last count of stables in the Klang Valley alone stood at over 30. What we, as a community, will have to watch for is the welfare of these horses as their stables suffer from this lockdown.
Feeding will be an issue, not just for those who are struggling to pay bills. For the horses, with no sport, it means they will not need high energy feed. Accordingly, Head Hunters and KL Academy of Polo are gradually shifting our horses’ energy feed downwards to feed less Polo Mix, supporting the diet instead with more Supa Soy. If you want to know more about what you should be feeding your horses in such times, take a look at this article: Exercise and Feeding During MCO.
With time on my hands, I shall be reading more. This is my current read – In the Zone: How Champions Think and Win Big. It is a book about visualization and sports psychology.
I also plan to learn a little more about natural horsemanship.
I’ll also be using these two weeks to get back into a tougher fitness regime. I have set a new weight target for myself. The Keto diet worked really well for me – I’ve lost 15 kg so far, but now aim to drop just a little more. I will also re-start the body-weight and light weight exercises at home that I did last EMCO lockdown.
My advice is to use this lockdown constructively.
Lockdown Related Links:
Are Online Shows the New Normal
A Zoom Show
Managing a Second Lockdown
Exercise and Feeding During MCO
African Horse Sickness Outbreak in Thailand
eLearning ~ Equine Learning
Zack’s Tack’s Handy Sanitizer and Stable Disinfectant
COVID-19 Statement by Hurlingham Polo Association
Message from the FEI President
Down Time
Locked and Loaded
Shows Down
Pink Postponement
AEF Young Rider Finals Postponed
Asia Horse Week Falls to Coronavirus
Recent Links:
RSPC Featured in ClickPOLO Asia’s 3rd Edition
Accolades for Malaysia’s Youth Development
RSPC Pony Club Christmas Camp
KLAP’s Christmas Show
Unpressured Showjumping Equitation
Showjumping Equitation Revisited
Are Online Shows the New Normal
A Zoom Show
Managing a Second Lockdown
RSPC Pony Club Polo Camp by KL Academy of Polo
D-Day Dressage Extravaganza
Federation of International Polo
KL Academy of Polo
