'Six-star' stables to pamper horses

Horses taking part in the Olympic equestrian events in Hong Kong will be pampered in spacious 'six-star' accommodation with special 'playrooms', automatic drink dispensers, air-conditioning, and a choice of cold and warm showers.

Putting the horse 'hotel' at Sha Tin on show yesterday, the Jockey Club's Olympic stables manager, Tony Shea Ching-yu, said representatives from Italy, the Netherlands, Mexico, the United States and Britain had all praised the facilities. 'Their comment on the stables can be summed up in one word - 'excellent',' he said.

Asked whether it was the equivalent of a five-star hotel, Mr Shea said: 'Six stars, I dare say.'

About 200 stalls, each 3.6 metres square, have been arranged in four U-shaped stable blocks. Each block is equipped with a rolling box - or playroom - for the horses to relax in after practise.

Mr Shea said it was the first time rolling boxes had been provided at an Olympic equestrian venue. The blocks also contain laundry rooms for equipment, and equine showers with cold and warm water.

The entrance to each block is equipped with an air curtain to stop hot air flowing in, to keep the interior temperature at 23 degrees Celsius.

To avoid infecting the horses, visitors must wear protective coats and disinfect their hands before entering. The floors and walls are protected with rubber, to prevent the horses from hurting themselves if they kick out, and there are no handles on the doors or sharp edges in the stables, to minimise the possibility of accidents.

Closed-circuit cameras have been placed on the ceiling of each block to monitor the horses.

Mr Shea said about 90 per cent of the stables had been completed and would be handed to the Hong Kong Equestrian Committee in late May.

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