Mounting interest in horseback riding
Print Edition
IT’S the Chinese Year of the Horse, and horseback riding in the countryside is both healthy and fun. Horseback riding farms have sprung up in Shanghai’s suburbs as interest in riding increases.
Riding isn’t just sitting on a horse. It’s great for all the core muscles and keep the body upright and balanced. It’s good for the abs and thighs that press against the horse.
Riding is a good de-stresser and gives a sense of accomplishment and confidence. It also provides a satisfying and calming sense of closeness to the horse and the nature.
Therapeutic riding, or hippotherapy, can be helpful for children and adults with neurological problems, cerebral palsy and autism, as well as emotional problems.
But horses are big, you have to know your way around them and horseback riding can be dangerous, especially if you fall. Head injuries are a risk and helmets should always be worn.
Remember to take lessons if you are inexperienced, wear the appropriate clothing and take proper precautions.
Here are some riding clubs and farms that have horses for riding, professional staff for teaching, and necessary equipment. They are rated by Shanghai Daily editors.
Jiading District
The farm, a member of the China Equestrian Association, has a main riding track, practice area and training area. Visitors can ride in meadows, hills and wooded areas.
It has five professional instructors and two horse trainers.
The club offers English-style equestrian classes, as well as instructions in jumping and steeplechase.
Membership cost ranges from 3,000 yuan (US$481.8) to 10,000 yuan for one year. The wild riding costs 180 yuan for 30 minutes.
Instructors emphasize not only riding skills but also how to connect with your horse and be a team.
Children are welcome.
Quanjin Riding Club
Hours: 8:30am-5:30pm (reservations required)
Http://www.idealshanghai.com/Venues/11605/
Qingpu District
Started seven years ago, the farm has 50-60 riding horses, professional instructors and a beautiful environment.
It has a 600-meter sand track, the longest in Shanghai.
Horses include thoroughbreds, Dutch warmblood, German Holsteiner, Yili and Mongolian breeds.
Professional trainers are available.
The farm is also a good place to relax.
In addition to horseback riding, Sun Island Resort contains the Mahota farm that emphasizes healthy living. It can offer a personal program that includes growing and picking vegetables and fruit, creating herb and mini-pot arrangements, baking scones, making jam from freshly picked fruits and practicing yoga in the open air.
Sun Island Horse Riding Farm
Hours: 8:30am-5pm
Http://www.idealshanghai.com/ Venues/11580/
Songjiang District
The club has complete facilities, horses for riding and instructors for beginners, intermediate and advanced riders.
The club has around 300 members, some of whom board their horses. There are 24 horses, including thoroughbreds, Arabians and Mongolians.
Members can visit on weekends and take part in regular activities and competition.
Membership plus instruction for one year costs 16,800 yuan for those who simply come to rent a horse and ride.
If you are not a member, a single lesson costs 188 yuan for 45 minutes on weekdays and 228 yuan on weekends.
The area offers plenty of activities. Chenshan Botanical Garden is nearby and hiking is good in the Sheshan Hills.
Happy Valley amusement park is not far off, and it has plenty of rides and a roller coaster.
Happy farmer houses or nong jia le, where farmers entertain guests, offer country pastimes such as fishing and picking fruit. Locals cook fresh products for guests as well.
Chenshan 517 Horse Riding Club
Hours: Daily 7:30am-6pm
Http://www.idealshanghai.com/Venues/11578/
Hengsha Island
Riding a horse on the beach and watching the sunrise and sunset is an exhilarating experience.
Hengsha Island is smaller, lesser-known and less-crowded than Chongming Island and it makes a fine getaway from the city. Visitors can drive — it’s on the way to Chongming Island.
The farm is part of Hengsha Island Angel Bay Vacationland resort. It has 19 horses and a riding ring, as well as a beach for riding on the shore of the South China Sea, and 200,000 square meters of grassland.
At night, visitors can watch the twinkling stars that can rarely be seen in city center because of light and air pollution.
The resort offers many activities, including barbecue, picking vegetables, fishing, cycling and cart racing. Fresh river fish and vegetables are delicious.
Shanghai Angel Bay Vacationland Horse Riding Farm
Hours: 8:30am-5:30pm
Http://www.idealshanghai.com/Venues/11604/
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