Currently, there are over 4,000 equines in Malaysia concentrated in Cameron Highlands and Fraser's Hill. The industry involves equestrian sports, veterinary services, tourism, breeding, and feed production. While the industry has potential for further growth, coordinated efforts are needed between industry players and the government to ensure long term sustainability, including establishing standards for animal health and welfare.

1. Overview of
the equine
industry in
Malaysia
Dato’ Dr.Quaza Nizamuddin Bin Hassan Nizam
Director General Veterinary Services Malaysia
Photo : Zulkifli Ishak

2. Polo sports in 1886 in
Singapore
Background
Pre Independence
Major role as mode of
transportation
Helps in economy:
job creation
Royalties / elites Post Independence
Focusing on sports &
recreational activities
Used by government
bodies for Patrolling and
Enforcement purposes
Originated from China,
Burma and India
In addition, horses were
around in Sumatra
Malacca Sultanate
Started as an industry
around 150 years ago
during British occupation
Pre Colonial and Colonial
“Elephants, Horses and the C oming of Islam to Northern S umatra”
“Horse Breeding in Mainland S outheast Asia and Its Borderlands”
“Horse Trading: T he E c onomic R ole of Arabs in the Lesser S unda Island, c. 1800 to c. 1940”
W.G .
C larenc e-S mith

3. Equine Industry – Current Status
7
56
4,261
(RM47,967,546.87)
Equine
population in
Malaysia
Equine premises Total of equine
imported 2010 –
2016
Government
equine bodies
Stud farmRegistered
equine centre
Spelling centre
Association related to equine Professional turf club
391 2
CAMERON
HIGHLAND ,
FRASER’S
HILL
around 20
5
4904
1
National Stud farm
IPOH (Cease
operation)
equine centres, zoos,
turf club, stud farm,
speeling centre, etc
Selangor Turf Club, Perak Turf Club,
Penang Turf Club, Kota Kinabalu,
Kuching
Companies
involved
Around 20

4. Equine Industry
Increasing trend
Interest in equine sports
(since late 90’s)
Increase in the
population of equine in
Malaysia
Benefits of equine in human health , exercise, Sunnah
Equestrian sports
Agrotourism

5. IMPORTATION OF EQUINE BASED ON COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: 2016
ARGENTINA
48
187
AUSTRALIA
4
GERMANY
NETHERLANDS
28
61
NEW ZEALAND
INDONESIA 3
3MALAYSIA (from West MY)
SINGAPORE
328
THAILAND
140
U.S.A
8

6. Importation Of Equine Based On Breed
Selle Fran, 2, 0%
Anglo Arab, 3, 0%
Suffolk , 5, 0%
Andalusia , 12, 0%
Padi, 27, 1%
Arabian, 43, 1%
Welsh Pony, 44, 1%
Warm Blood, 105, 3%
Mestizo , 241, 6%
Throughbred, 1584, 37%
Undefined, 2185, 51%

7. Equestrian sports
Veterinary
Equipments
Health and
Therapy
Training
Feed
Sectors
involved
Tourism
Image : google

8. Department of Veterinary Services Malaysia: Functions
Animal Act 1953
Feed Act 2009
Animal Welfare Act 2015
Regulates & enforce
laws associated with
animal
Technical
Non technical
Training of staff
Declared free of African Horse
Sickness in 2013 by OIE
Outbreak of EI in 2015, case
resolved in 2015
Monitor the health
status of animals in
Malaysia

9. Department of Veterinary Services Malaysia: Functions
Research
Diagnostic test for horses related to Import-Export
VRI Ipoh
e.g Equine Infectious Anaemia (EIA), Equine
Influenza (Virus Type A) (EI), Surra /Piroplasmosis
(blood protozoa), Strangles, African Horse Sickness
Disease Diagnostics
4
5 Controlling the common diseases in horses
Parentage testing for Equine

10. EQUINE INDUSTRY: POTENTIAL

11. 11
STATUS
•Importation of feed stuff for horses more than RM 9 million in
2016
•Some companies using local products as a main ingredients
•Already exporting to few countries ( Taiwan, Sweden, etc.)
WAY FORWARD
•Malaysia has resources to produce feed locally
•This sector can further be expanded to cater for both
domestic as well as exports
Feed Production

12. 12
Education and Training
STATUS
•Malaysian Equine Council(MEC) plays a very important role to
conduct various courses for trainers, coaches, grooms and farriery
which have uplifted the standard of the various professions
•NOSS module in equine training (level 1,2,3)
•BSc. In Equine Management (UTM)
•Sijil Veterinar Malaysia (Paravet)
WAY FORWARD
•Industry recognition for employment
•More specialised courses based on the needs of the industry

13. 13
Veterinary, Healthcare and Welfare
STATUS
•Few vets are specialised in equine
•Equine used for physiotherapy
•RDA
•Hippotherapy
•Welfare of the animal is protected under Animal Welfare Act 2015
WAY FORWARD
•Specialist vets required; locally trained
•Better support for associations
•Registration of all Equine premises
•Enforcement of Animal welfare Act 2015

14. 14
Trading & transportation
STATUS
•Equine related equipments
•Horse shoe
•Supplements
•Floats
WAY FORWARD
• Continuously exploring other equine products for production
based on demand
•Help reduce cost
•Government incentives

15. 15
Agrotourism
Lots of homestay/resort has equine as a point of
attraction
Horse-riding
Mini zoos
Horse back archery

16. 16
Breeding
STATUS
•Breeding is being done in Kelantan and Sabah
•Not well organised
WAY FORWARD
•Breeding Strategies need to be developed
•Coordinating breeding plan
•Artificial insemination
Image : google

17. An industry full of
potential
In order for the
industry to sustain,
animal health &
welfare is important
Equine is no longer
considered as an
elite sports
Commitment of the
industry players and
government is
required for the
industry to grow
Opportunities
Animal Health &
Welfare
Acceptance
Support

18. FOR THE EQUINE INDUSTRY
TO FURTHER GROW IN A
HOLISTIC AND
COORDINATED
MANNER
THE GOVERNMENT
THROUGH
A MINISTRY MUST TAKE
CHARGE
Photo : Zulkifli Ishak
Image: Google

19. Acknowledgement :
Dr. Muhammad Syazwan bin Muhammad Sabri
Salleh Sheikh Ibrahim