The society can provide information regarding careers with horses and the various institutions which offer degree courses. Career guidance for the training of farriers and other essential supportive equestrian trades will also be promoted.

The society aims to advise on “the elevation of standards of local stables in the country and, by doing so, issue information to the public regarding facilities available to them at these stables and details of qualified instructors.”

In this respect, the BHS will become a centre of education and communication between the equestrian community and the wider society. It aims to work closely with the Veterinary Services Directorate and the Quarantine to improve understanding of Health Regulations and management of equine conditions as well as to improve the services rendered by these Directorates.

Bahrain’s equestrian community has recently battled with an outbreak of ‘Glanders’ caused by the bacteria Burkholderia mallei. The infection, which affects the horses’ lungs and mucous membranes in the upper respitory tract, has sadly been responsible for the necessary euthanasia of more than 35 Bahraini horses so far.

This outbreak has had serious repercussions upon the wider equestrian scene. It has especially affected horse owners who have lost horses whom they dearly loved. Due to being an island, Bahrain’s horses have, in the past, not been threatened by such epidemics.

“It is hoped that this outbreak will be controlled as early as possible with the co-operations of the riders and the Ministry of Agriculture”, June explains.

“The focus should be on limiting the infectious cases and “learning lessons for the future.”

The resounding professional advice asks that horses should not be moved between stables in the hope to quarantine infection and ensure that the epidemic does not hinder training for the upcoming competition season.

The BHS, of which June is a founding member, is working towards improving the current quarantine procedures and exploring ways to prevent such serious horse diseases from entering and spreading in Bahrain.

A seminar educating and informing about Glanders disease was held on July 24 at the Bahrain Exhibition Centre. The BHS website has now been launched which includes an open forum for members in Arabic as well as in English. Address of the website is www.bahrainhorsesociety.com.

June Al-Saffar feels extremely fortunate to have witnessed the old customs and life in Bahrain and the transitions that the society has seen over the years.

For more than 30 years, June has been running Things- To-Do and riding across the ‘empty spaces of the past’.

I think we can all agree that June’s long term commitment to Bahrain’s community as an active businesswoman, horse rider, and finally as a contributing member of the BHS, is an invaluable inspiration to us all.