Srinagar: The rhythmic sound of hooves cutting through forest trails is fast becoming a familiar echo in Baramulla. What began as a personal passion for 20-year-old Basharat Ahmad Bhat back in Uzbekistan, where he was pursuing his medical education, has now sparked a growing trend among the youth of his village.

“Horse riding was very common in Uzbekistan. People of all ages would ride regularly. I was fascinated by it and started learning. Soon after landing in Kashmir, I purchased a horse to pursue his interest,” Basharat said.

Now, Basharat is not, but all three other friends have imbibed this sport. “We are now three friends with exotic horse breeds. We often go horse riding in the jungles as it relieves us from all the stress and anxiety,” he said.

A common mode of transport in the valley some decades before, horse riding is gradually emerging as a new recreational trend in the Valley, with many youths expressing interest in learning the skill.

Sensing this growing enthusiasm, structured and professional horse riding courses have now begun in Kashmir.

 Nineteen-year-old Ibaadullah Lone from Srinagar recently launched a horse riding course during the holy month of Ramadan. The response, he said, has been overwhelming.

 “This is the first time we have started this course. We have a batch of 30 people, and more than 18 seats have been filled within just two days of announcing it,” Ibaadullah said.

 According to him, the course is designed to provide systematic training among enthusiasts by professionals.

“The professionals will teach the students horse riding from basics to a professional level. We have Marwari horses, which are considered one of the best breeds for riding,” he said.

 For Ibaadullah, launching the course during Ramadan was a conscious decision. Horse riding holds religious significance in Islam and is considered a Sunnah.

 “This was the main reason we started this course in Ramadan. We are getting good support from parents who want to enroll their children in horse riding to follow this sunnah.

“Beyond riding techniques, the course also emphasizes discipline and personal development,” he said.

He said their course starts with animal behavioural lessons among students, then moves to riding on different trails,” Ibaadullah added.

Encouraged by the response, his firm plans to expand the initiative significantly after Eid, with a new batch accommodating up to 100 students. “We are getting enough requests from people who want to take up this sport after Eid-ul-Fitr. So, we have decided now to start this course for a bigger batch,” he said.

© The Kashmir Monitor News