STUD HORSE RIDING & RESCUE

What Is STUD Horse Riding & Rescue?

Location and Purpose
- STUD is a horse riding stable and rescue organisation based on Gili Trawangan, one of the Gili Islands off Lombok, Indonesia.
- It combines tourist horse-riding experiences with an ethical rescue mission: caring for retired, injured, and rescued horses and ponies.
- The project is connected to broader animal welfare efforts on the island, working closely with the Gili Eco Trust, which supports vet clinics, animal care education, and rescue work.
History
- STUD was founded in 2004 by a businessman named Pak Fahmi, who had a passion for horses.
- After he passed away (and with no family to continue operating locally), the rescue operation evolved and grew, eventually taking in more horses.

Rescue Work
- STUD provides a permanent home to about 25 rescue horses and ponies.
- Many of these animals are retired, injured, or otherwise not fit for full-time riding.
- The rescue also played a role in a significant welfare milestone: the retirement of the “rubbish-collection” ponies on Gili Trawangan. For years, some ponies carried garbage carts across the island; that practice has now officially ended, and the remaining working ponies have been rehomed or retired.
Veterinary Care & Education
- STUD, working with Gili Eco Trust, organises free vet clinics on the island.
- They also run training for farriers (people who make horseshoes) to improve hoof care among local horse/cart-owners.
- Since there is no permanent veterinary hospital on Gili T (nearest are on Lombok), these efforts are important for the ongoing health and welfare of the horses.
Sustainable & Ethical Practices
- STUD imports high-quality feed, supplements, and horseshoes to maintain the health of its horses.
- They restrict riding times to cooler hours (morning and late afternoon), largely avoiding midday when temperatures are highest — this helps protect the horses from heat stress.
- There is a weight limit for riders (reported around 75 kg), which helps prevent overburdening the horses.

Horse Rides
- STUD offers beach rides, including sunrise rides and sunset rides, which are especially popular.
- They also have a longer “island tour” for more experienced riders, which circles the island and takes approximately 1.5 hours.
- During rides, guides often act as photographers, capturing moments of riders on the beach or in the water.
Pony Paddle
- For those who may not ride (or exceed the weight limit), STUD offers a “pony paddle”: walking smaller rescue ponies to shallow water so they can splash in the sea.
- This is as much a welfare and interaction activity as it is a tourist experience — all proceeds support the care of the rescued animals.
Booking & Safety
- Rides are guided (you’re not on your own), ensuring both rider safety and the horses’ welfare.
- Because sunset rides are very popular, booking in advance is strongly recommended.
- Helmets and chaps are provided for riders.

Supporting Local Welfare
- STUD doesn’t just care for its own rescued horses — it also supports working horse/cart owners on Gili T.
- Through education (e.g., farrier training) and periodic clinics, they help improve the general well-being of all horses on the island.
Collaboration & Recognition
- The organisation works with Animal Aid Abroad, a group that has praised STUD’s role in ending the use of rubbish-collection ponies.
- STUD’s model is often cited as an example of more ethical horse-tourism in a region where horses have historically been overworked.

Ethical Tourism Alternative: For visitors to Gili Trawangan who want to ride horses, STUD offers a more responsible option compared to other, less regulated operators.
Animal Welfare Impact: By rescuing and caring for retired and at-risk horses, STUD helps to alleviate some of the long-term welfare problems for equines on the island.
Community Influence: Its education and veterinary outreach help uplift local standards for horse care, benefiting not only rescued horses but also working animals belonging to local people.