The Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (KVASU) has launched Jwala, the first horse riding club in the State in the public sector, at its headquarters at Pookode in Wayanad district.
Jwala offers lessons in horse riding, show jumping, dressage, and walk and trot skills to beginners at an affordable fee.
The programme is being organised by the Directorate of Entrepreneurship of the KVASU in association with the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pookode, T.P. Sethumadhavan, Director of Entrepreneurship, KVASU, told The Hindu.
The club has been set up at a specially designed square arena on the KVASU premises.
The varsity has procured three horses for the purpose. The horses are being fed five kg of prepared horse feed (inclusive of mineral mixture), one kg barley, and half kg Bengal gram as extra feed apart from the daily ration.
John K.K., a former Indian Army personnel, is the trainer of the club. Manju Sasidharan, Assistant Professor, Department of Livestock Products Technology, KVASU, is coordinating the project.
The fee for the course is Rs.2,500 for students of the university and Rs.3,000 for staff and faculty.
Mr. Sethumadhavan said Rs.5,000 was the fee for the public and they would be selected after interview. Each riding session would include 24 classes.
The KVASU was planning to provide insurance cover to trainees.
For details, contact 8289937305 or email at ridingclub@kvasu.ac.in.