Malaysia Veterinary Forum (Archive)

Dr. TanDY

Investment pays off for Syed

Date: 8 August 2006

Source: The Star

KUANTAN: The love for animals has led local businessman Syed Abdul Rahman Syed Hassan Al-Kudree to invest in horses.

It started about two years ago when Syed Abdul Rahman bought 14 “rejected” horses in an auction with the intention of taking care of them.

According to him, the horses were either sick, had fractured bones, were injured or were just too old for riding.

Syed Abdul Rahman with his prized possessions.

“I took pity on these 14 horses when I chanced upon the auction in Cherating.

“I decided to buy them all at a cost of RM28,000 by utilising my personal savings,” he said in an interview.

Syed Abdul Rahman, 49, said, he placed the horses on a 4ha piece of land in Kampung Pantai Sepat which he bought in 2002 to breed cows and goats.

“Since I already have the land, the task of looking after the horses was easier,” he said.

Syed Abdul Rahman said as time passed by, news of him having a horse ranch spread and many people visited his place.

Two women giving the horses a bath at the ranch.

“A former polo player, Zulkifli Kadir, who visited me quite often volunteered to look after the horses.

“I agreed and before long, the horses became healthier,” he said.

He said Zulkifli suggested he sell the healthier horses and open a public ranch for horse riding activities.

“I thought it was a brilliant idea and carried it out with my remaining savings.

Bettina Ruggli (right) and her daughter Learina Mahatsa Kamal spend many of their holidays at the ranch.

“Soon my ranch became popular and many owners even stable their horses here,” he said, adding that presently there were 42 horses in the ranch.

Some are for sale while others are for recreational purposes.

Syed Abdul Rahman said he had even received demands from horse lovers from Kelantan and Terengganu to buy his horses but he had to turn them down as only the healthy ones were for sale.

There are eight professionally-trained staff to look after the horses, he added.

“Anyone who loves animals and wants to ride the horses are welcome.

“It is up to them to pay a token sum to the trainers,” he said, adding that on an average, visitors would pay RM30 for a ride lasting an hour.

Syed Abdul Rahman’s three-year-old daughter, Syrifah Ami Balqis, looks like she is following in her father’s footsteps.

He said he was lucky to have veterinarians volunteering their services to inspect the horses.

“Once a while, they would come over and treat the horses,” he said.

Syed Abdul Rahman said he planned to improve his ranch and have better infrastructure and signages.

“Sometimes, I have students dropping by for horse rides. Some parents have also organised birthday parties for their children here while other parents like to teach their children to ride horses here.

“All these activities encouraged me to acquire more horses and provide a better environment,” he said, adding that the horses he owned were mainly used in polo matches and racing previously.

Besides horses, Syed Abdul Rahman also has 250 cows for livestock breeding, 200 goats, a few ponies, and ostriches.

“Ever since I was young, I loved animals,” he said.

Dr Nat · Joined: 07 Dec 2005 Posts: 1834 Location: Klang Valley

Good to know that "unwanted" horses have a place to go in our country :)

Dr. TanDY · Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2006 6:27 pm Post subject:

Yeap otherwise they will be euthanized. Good to know someone with the good heart gets the rewards too :-)

Dr csh · Joined: 21 Jan 2006 Posts: 425

Well, I don't know about fractured bones but it is nice to find a place for horse retirement.

netty · Joined: 09 Jul 2006 Posts: 4

Dr csh wrote: Well, I don't know about fractured bones but it is nice to find a place for horse retirement.
not only for retirement, they have also young horses.....
the place in wonderfull, with very friendly people, and the best of all.....it's CLEAN!!!!!!
I never saw horses, clean as they are over there, the care from the people for the horses, is wonderfull.
after the rainseason I will go back for riding and grooming :P

Dr. TanDY · Posted: Thu Jan 11, 2007 8:53 am Post subject:

I see. Great to hear from a satisfied customer Syed's ranch :-)