Guestbook

test008

Horse racing involves trainers, jockeys, and equine caretakers, while equestrianism is divided into riding instructors, therapeutic riding instructors, and equine caretakers.Abroad, there are various professions such as horse groomers, course designers, and saddler makers, but in Korea, it still feels like the roles are rigidly defined.While studying horse-related topics, I have many questions and confusions, but it is difficult to find information in our country. This is the most disappointing part.

test008

We will protect the public’s healthy diet by establishing a system for producing and supplying safe food, including eco-friendly agricultural practices and the safe management of agricultural materials.In particular, in preparation for the full implementation of the pesticide list of permitted substances management system, we will expand the authority for direct pesticide registration and actively promote education on the safe use of pesticides to ensure safe crop production and prevent harm to farmers.

test008

Seungpung Parang. Just like the idiom meaning riding the wind to cut through the waves,we must not shrink back in difficult times but prepare for the future with greater boldness.In the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the Rural Development Administration will promote rural development projects with a focus on the following four areas, based on a field-oriented and customer-centered approach that seeks answers on the ground and provides strong support to farmers and the public, to ensure the sustainable growth of the agricultural industry through technological innovation and advance agriculture.

test008

Specifically, we should focus on expanding demand and establishing a foundation for the horse industry, while also paying attention to creating integrated horse industry complexes and revitalizing special zones to strengthen the industry's competitiveness. In addition, we must strengthen capabilities not only in establishing a foundation for horse meat production and distribution but also in training specialized personnel for the horse industry and popularizing horseback ridingWords are a symbol of wealth,

test008

Given that the Eurasian Altai Cultural Exchange Exhibition, held in 2017 at Gwanghwamun Square alongside the Korea Language Industry Association’sSeoul Language Culture Festival,' attracted not only citizens but also many foreigners, I am confident that the language industry can become a major national policy for our country, much like K POP. Like the many stars of South Korea who have brought honor to the country, including Kim Yuna, I have no doubt that Korea’s horse industry will expand to every corner of the world.

test008

Korea is the first nation in the world to achieve both an economic miracle and a political miracle in 70 years. Are you aware that Genghis Khan is originally a descendant of the Korean people. A record was recently discovered stating that Genghis Khan was the 19th-generation descendant of Daeyabal, the younger brother of Balhae’s Dae Jo-yeong. The Han people are a nation that, while proudly ruling the Manchurian plains, conquered the entire world beyond East Asia to include China,

test008

May all your wishes come true, and especially may the sound of horses’ hooves, which shakes the earth, once again resonate through the land, making this a busy and exciting year for everyone working in the horse industry.Looking back, the past year was a very difficult and challenging one. We have endured the pain of our years of hard-earned achievements collapsing overnight; in particular, the image of the horse industry, including equestrianism, has been severely disparaged, the number of visitors to riding centers has declined,

test008

Of course, given the very negative image it has built, I believe it will still take a great deal of effort and time to recover before attempting to increase the number of successes through noise marketing.The horse industry is steadily growing in developed countries. The industry structure, once focused on horse racing, is shifting toward equestrianism as a youth- and family-centered leisure sport. This is an industry activity that helps increase the income of livestock farmers while promoting integrity to the public.

test008

Unfortunately, at the center of it all, the horse industry especially equestrianism has been making headlines, conveying negative images of it day after day.One incident caused tremendous damage to the entire horse industry, and as a result, many people, including myself as the owner of the riding club, had to overcome extremely difficult times.Through the first comprehensive horse industry plan, an unexpected period of hardship arrived for South Korea’s rapidly growing horse industry,

test008

Although it has already been seven years since the only horse industry promotion law in the world was enacted and implemented, the most important amendment to the Farmland Act in the riding horse sector has yet to be made. To install rural-style equestrian facilities, existing farmland must be converted into sports land, and the excessive farmland conversion charges are a significant burden. To improve the current situation where many rural equestrian facilities are operating without permits or reports, this issue must be resolved during the second horse industry plan period.

test008

Nevertheless, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs is delaying the establishment of the legally mandated 'Second Five Year Comprehensive Plan for Horse Industry Development' without providing a clear rationale for the policy change, which is nothing less than a loss of trust in the government and a disappointment to farmers and those working in the horse industry.Moreover, without the announcement of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs’ '2nd Five Year Comprehensive Plan for Horse Industry Development,

test008

Meanwhile, reports are also continuing in which the Ewha Womans University admission scandal and other incidents are said to have occurred due to special favors granted to Choi Soon-sil's daughter, Jung Yoo-ra, in equestrian activities.However, the Horse Industry Promotion Act was a policy formulated by the government in 2011 to boost the export competitiveness of the manufacturing sector, sacrificing the agricultural sector and offering the horse industry as an alternative for increasing rural income.

test008

Last year, we experienced a monumental upheaval in our constitutional history marked by the Choi Soon-sil political scandal, the impeachment of former President Park Geun Hye, and the election of President Moon Jae In. In addition, North Korea’s successive nuclear tests and missile launches, including ICBMs, have brought about a security crisis not only for South Korea but also internationally, including among the United States and Japan, while China’s economic retaliation over the THAAD deployment has created an economic crisis,

test008

Horses begin to walk and run as soon as they are born, but humans do not develop precise motor skills until well over ten years have passed. If the Horse Industry Promotion Act were compared to a person, it would only be eight years old and about to enter elementary school next year. I believe the current difficulties are growing pains for the horse industry to continue growing and developing.As citizens wisely overcome the crisis, showing interest and affection for the horse industry, we hope that in the new year the industry will make a strong leap forward,

test008

Since its establishment in 1969, a U.S.-based therapeutic riding association has had 881 centers specializing exclusively in therapeutic riding, with 4,800 instructors providing programs to 66,000 participants. This is possible thanks to 62,000 volunteers, thousands of donors, and 7,800 moulins. The centers were established and are operated through donations, with many volunteers participating directly or indirectly in everything from feeding the horses to running the centers. Volunteers who participate directly

test008

Building on these achievements, the Korean Society of Therapeutic Equestrianism was established in 2013, and on December 22, 2017, the Korea Therapeutic Equestrian Association received approval from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs to become a incorporated association. The Korea Association of Therapeutic Riding will embrace related academic and educational organizations, therapeutic riding instructors and therapists, as well as various expert and professional groups in the equine industry,

test008

We were able to easily observe increased self expression, a more active and joyful demeanor, and sociable behavior in the children with ADHD, leading us to conclude that therapeutic riding could be a new treatment method that can be combined with existing therapies for ADHD. These achievements have been scientifically validated through contributions to international academic journals. Other researchers in Korea have also applied therapeutic riding programs to various disorders,

test008

Rehabilitation horseback riding in our country began in 2001 as a public service project by the Samsung Electronics Equestrian Team. I joined the operation of the therapeutic horseback riding program with the light expectation of providing a unique experience as an event for children with brain lesions, but the rehabilitation effects for these children exceeded my expectations. Children with brain lesions participating in the therapeutic riding program through the Department of Rehabilitation are not only enjoying each session and gaining confidence,

test008

Fortunately, the 'Horse Groomer Employment Structure Improvement Plan' signed last year with the two major labor unions, the Korea Racing Authority, the Euljiro Committee, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs agreed to hold a Horse Racing Working Committee and joint workshops with the racing community quarterly to discuss issues related to race plans and practical matters. We hope that communication between the Korea Racing Authority and related organizations will proceed smoothly and that the voices from the field will be properly reflected in the system.

test008

Until now, the Korea Racing Authority had followed only internationalization and modernization, prioritizing systems over people. Meanwhile, many people had to leave the racetracks either on their own or due to industrial accidents or illness. There was no way the system would improve. Because competition was the priority. Whether by choice or not, horse racing, which continues to cause more deaths, must stop. It is only natural to believe that good racehorses come from people who are peaceful, safe, and happy.

test008

The innovation plan unilaterally created by the Korea Racing Authority must be completely scrapped, and a new plan based on joint deliberation and consensus among all stakeholders must be developed.Last year, they held a rally wearing struggle vests even on the day of the opening ceremony, and since then, on days of blizzard, union members have been chanting slogans such as Withdraw the horse racing reform, Guarantee job security, and Protect the right to livelihood in front of the Korea Racing Authority’s main gate every day.

test008

Over nearly 100 years of history, Seoul Racecourse has reached its present state by having senior managers and workers gradually improve the poor working conditions. It is not about not doing or doing less work, but about doing work while adhering to laws, regulations, and systems. This means that the employment, right to livelihood, and safety from industrial accidents of horse groomers must be guaranteed, and the Pukyong Racecourse must be included within that framework.

test008

Considering that the law and budget are still insufficient, I hope the government and the National Assembly will join forces to explore the integration of the Korea Racing Authority Act and the Horse Industry Promotion Act from a new perspective.Through this, we must remove the obstacles hindering the development of the horse industry and wisely address any conflicts with other laws.To all the horse industry family members working hard across the country for the development of the horse industry today as well

test008

In addition, in line with the Korean Society of Animal Resources Science’s 2017 change of its name to the more identity-driven Korean Society of Animal Science and Technology and its growing active role in advancing livestock development in Korea, the Equine Academic Industry Research Association aims to contribute academically to the healthy development of the equine industry through mutual cooperation and convergence, in accordance with the policy to expand the horse industry special zone, which is planned for designation in 2018.

test008

Now more than ever, efforts are needed to revive the horse industry, which is still merely surviving without concrete plans, as the Second Five-Year Plan for Horse Industry Development has yet to be finalized. At the end of May 2015, the Horse Industry held the inaugural general meeting of the 'National Horse Industry Forum,' a private-sector cooperative body aimed at promoting balanced development of the horse industry alongside the racehorse industry as a sixth-sector industry, but it has since been drifting amid the indifference of related agencies.