LANGKAWI HORSE RIDING

A new Langkawi equestrian center with thoroughbred horses retrained for jungle rides offers horse riding along beaches, through local villages & through the Langkawi rainforest. The stable includes 17 beautiful horses. Most are thoroughbred racehorses from Argentina now retired and retrained by the caring staff for beach and jungle riding. Some private horses are also stabled including the ex-PM of Malaysia's private steed.

What makes riding in Langkawi unique is the choice of rides. The rugged and impenetrable Langkawi mountains are slowly being opened up with riding trails being added regularly. Rides are offered along sandy beaches, through small kampong villages and into untouched rainforests adjacent to Mount Matchinchang.

Rides can be as short as 45 minutes for novices, or as long as five-hours through the higher reaches of the rainforest where your destination is a cool, clear stream for a refreshing dip. If jungle riding isn't your thing, you can enjoy a leisurely ride along the wide, empty stretches of two of Langkawi's best beaches - Burau Bay and Pantai Kok. If you are an experience rider and the guide approves, you can trot or even gallop these energetic former race-horses along the beach.

A new 9km trail is a favorite. It takes in a bit of jungle, some rubber plantation, a golf course, and a remote kampong village. When you reach the village, tie up your steed at the local tarik tea shop for cold refreshment.

There is nothing else like this in South-East Asia and many guests really appreciate the opportunity to see Langkawi like it's never been showcased before. As a bonus this activity is environmentally friendly as horses have a minimal impact on the rainforest.

Stable master Hamzah and his team do a fine job of looking after the horses and offer guided rides. Novice riders first undergo a thorough briefing and lessons are available and recommended. Instructors are patient and won't send riders immediately into the wilds of the Langkawi forests without basic training. Riders are all equipped with safety helmets too, just in case they leave the saddle.

Recently, Malaysia's world champion endurance rider, Datuk Kamaruddin Awang rode along a new forest trail carefully constructed through the Gunung Raya Forest Reserve. Ex Malaysian PM Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is a regular here too.