Are you ready for that time of the year? You know what time it is. When puns and wordplays, specific to one particular animal each year, start making their rounds both online and in real life.
Clue: Any variation of the phrase “gallop into the new year” or “have a horse-picious 2026”.
That’s right, Chinese New Year is in a few days, and the thematic puns are making their glorious return. This festive season’s greetings and promotional materials are always rife with wordplays that correspond to whichever Chinese zodiac that reins – oh wait, reigns – the year.
You’ve heard sayings like “slither into the new year” when the zodiac is the snake, “happy ‘niu’ year” when it’s the ox (called niu in Mandarin) and “happy new year ‘tu’ you” when it’s the rabbit (tu in Mandarin).
For 2026 (from Feb 17 until Feb 6, 2027 to be exact), the zodiac would be the horse. The Fire Horse, specifically.
What’s with the sudden linguistic lesson? Well, all this is to preface the fact that this article will be unapologetically riddled with “horseplay” on words.
What’s a Chinese New Year piece without the puns, right?
Let’s now focus on the real topic at hand: Where to go for some equestrian fun this Year of the Horse.
You don’t have to travel far – there are plenty of equine-focused spots in Malaysia itself. (How fitting, since the “Ma” in Malaysia is written in the same Chinese character as “horse”.)
Within the Klang Valley, you can go horse riding at places like Putrajaya Equestrian Park, Gombak Horse Riding Club (in Kuala Lumpur) and 3Q Equestrian Centre (Rawang, Selangor).
Whether these places go by the descriptor of park, club or centre, they share a commonality – horses for you to ride. More often than not, they also allow other activities, like stable tours and lessons of horse grooming.
There are also centres that offer equine-assisted therapy. For example, Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) Bukit Kiara, a branch of the non-profit organisation RDA Malaysia. Special needs individuals come here for therapeutic riding, a recreational activity designed for people with physical, cognitive or emotional disabilities.
RDA has also expanded beyond Klang Valley, with RDA Sabah officially formed in 2024. Since last year, RDA Sabah has started promoting equine-assisted therapy in Kota Kinabalu, with the aim of expanding into rural areas in the future.
There are riding centres that focus on hippotherapy, which has only been utilised in Malaysia for about a decade. The clinical rehabilitation treatment tool is used by licensed therapists to improve coordination and balance.
It is scientifically proven that horses can help humans heal. Not just physically but mentally as well. So, even if all you need is a little trot to wind down or an energising gallop to raise your spirit, riding a horse can do you wonders.
You can do more than just the standard horse riding too. There are packages that combine riding with other interesting activities.
Now, giddy-up! Get ready to check out “ma-vellous” places and activities that are perfect for solo outings or day outs with your friends and family.
Swim with horses (Kedah)
Perfect for combining one’s love for both water and horses, this is an activity that you can do in Langkawi, Kedah.
There are two packages that you can choose at the equestrian centre called Island Horses. The first is swimming with the horse, while the second includes riding as well as swimming.
Technically the “swimming” here means you enter the sea on horseback. But, of course, you can take a dip alongside the horse in the sea too.
For the second package, it entails riding through the lush rainforest of Langkawi, followed by a ride along the tranquil beach. Then, you’ll swim with the horse.
This is an interesting way to explore the island, especially if you feel like you’ve seen and done everything there is to see and do in the Jewel of Kedah.
Experience unbridled glee as you race your companions on the beach. Or keep calm and trot on, taking in the island’s verdant nature in a way you’ve never done before.
By the way, you can pay extra for drone footage, so you can have an epic shot of you galloping down the beach and into the cerulean sea.
Shoot with horses (Labuan)
You won’t be horsing around when doing this sport, because one wrong aim and your arrow might completely miss the target.
That’s not something you’d want to happen when participating in mounted archery.
It is also known as horseback archery, which is pretty self-explanatory. You do archery, while riding a horse. (And you thought shooting arrows while standing still was hard enough.)
Hearing “archery on horseback” might conjure up images of medieval warriors armed with bows and arrows while fighting gallantly in battles. That’s because this is precisely what this sport evolved from. It was once a cornerstone of medieval warfare.
Now, the “wars” are fought not on the battlefield but on track-and-field. Mounted archery competitions have been gaining traction in Malaysia. For example, the Labuan Horseback Archery Challenge that was introduced in 2023.
The competition was organised by Sadad Equestrian Labuan, together with the Malaysia Horseback Archery Federation. It’s received participation from not just local archers but also international ones, such as from Brunei, Singapore, Australia and Mongolia.
So, you can expect another edition to be held this year, though the date is yet to be confirmed.
If you’re a horse-lover visiting Labuan, or living in the Federal Territory, why not stop by Sadad Equestrian Labuan?
It’s located right by the beach, so you can go trail riding on sandy tracks. Of course, you can learn horseback archery here. If you prefer learning how to shoot your bow and arrow on steady ground, the centre does have traditional archery too.
Admire colourful horses (Sabah)
Tamu Besar Kota Belud is not to be confused with Tamu Kota Belud, the weekly traditional market held in the eponymous Sabah district. As the word “besar” (big) would indicate, the former is a grand celebration held annually that celebrates the district’s cultures and people.
The biggest stars of the event are undoubtedly the horses dressed in colourful garb from mane to hooves. Yes, you can ride them too.
They belong to the Bajau community, more specifically Bajau Samah or Bajau Darat. They are known for their impressive horsemanship, as opposed to the Bajau Laut, Sabah’s “sea gypsies”, who are famed for their maritime expertise.
Nicknamed “cowboys of the east”, Bajau Samah people share a profound connection with their horses. Hence the horses look every bit as festive as they do during the annual celebration.
Even if you’re not from Kota Belud, why not “stirrup some fun” this horse year and put this on your calendar? This will definitely expand your horsey horizon.
There is no set date for the 2026 edition yet. But as this is a major event that’s been held for decades, chances are it will make a return around October or November.
Let’s say the tamu doesn’t materialise this year for some reason – which would be a shame, considering this being the Year of the Horse after all – you can always just visit Kota Belud anytime.
While the horses won’t be decked in ceremonial colours, they are always there. Speak to the local Bajau people and learn their culture and traditions. Even if you don’t speak the language, you are sure to bond over your equestrian adoration.
Play polo on ponies (Kuala Lumpur)
Did you know that despite what they’re called, polo ponies aren’t actually ponies? Basically, a pony is a term for small horses that usually measure under 150cm tall. Meanwhile, polo ponies stand at 152cm to 163cm tall.
Long story short, due to height restrictions in the 1890s up until 1919, horses bred specifically for polo – a sport played on horseback – came to be known as ponies to this day.
Want to know more? Ask an expert at a polo club. Another thing you can do at a polo club is – try your hand at the sport.
However, even if you’re well-versed in horse riding, playing polo may not be a trot in the park. It requires whole different sets of skills to commandeer a polo pony. Hence some clubs, like the KL Academy of Polo, has lessons on riding for polo.
That means you get to learn things like rein holding methods, neck reining and polo stops and turns. Once you’ve mastered these skills, then you might find the transition to playing polo much easier.
Go trail riding (Pahang)
From the cool highlands to the sunny beaches, Pahang has it all. That’s what makes the state perfect for trail riding.
Have “neigh-ver-ending” fun riding horses in the coastal areas. Go riding on the beach, an activity offered by places like the Assakaf Equine Centre in Kuantan and the Penn Endurance & Equestrian Club in Cherating.
The latter even has a sunrise package, which means you go on a rejuvenating horse ride early in the morning. You’ll be trotting along while bathed in the golden glow of the rising sun, the cool morning air gradually turning warmer as the sun rises higher.
If you want to be enveloped in cool air that stays cool throughout the day, then you’d want to head to the highlands instead.
You can get your cool-climate riding experience in places like Cameron Highlands, Fraser’s Hill (in the Raub district) and Genting Highlands as well as Bukit Tinggi (both in Bentong).
For example, Colmar Tropicale in Bukit Tinggi has several different types of trail rides you can choose from. Go for the Jungle Ride if you want to see more of the highland terrain and admire its flora and fauna.
Golf View Ride lets you enjoy the rolling green view of the golf course, while Picnic Ride includes a stop at a scenic spot. Here you can enjoy a picnic lunch while admiring the countryside’s tranquil beauty.
Another way for you to explore the beautiful countryside is by taking part in the Creek and River Ride. This entails riding leisurely alongside a secluded mountain stream, followed by riding across the waterway to continue the exploration.
Canter in the river (Selangor)
Speaking of horse riding in a river, technically this could fall under the trail riding category. But it’s quite a novel concept in Malaysia that it deserves its own entry.
Most trail rides that involve places with water usually means riding toward, riding across or trailing along next to that body of water, instead of being submerged in it for a prolonged period. However, there is a particular equestrian club in Batang Kali, Selangor that offers exactly this.
The Al Heyzum riding club has a package called “joyride adventure at the river”, which lets you and your horse canter in the water as you enjoy nature.
No walk-in is allowed, so you will need to book a session. A minimum of four participants is required per session – open for both adults and children (aged four to 12).
Don’t worry if you’re a beginner, the staff will provide thorough briefing and guidance.
You can add on a dining package if you want to experience having a simple meal in the river itself. How relaxing it would be to have cool water gently flowing around you as you eat your nasi lemak.
You can also simply enjoy the coolness together with your equine pal – just get off your (high) horse and lower yourself into the water.
In a way, this is an amalgamation of two activities: trail riding and swimming with horses. If you can’t decide on which to do, and you don’t want to break your bank doing both, well... this is your most “financially stable” decision. Happy trails!
