An exceptional horseman!

Manama: Karan leads an idyllic, active, peaceful, fun and natural-filled life – one that can’t be manufactured no matter the amount of money you have on hand to spend, because, quite simply, passion can’t be bought! As the saying goes, the best things in life are free. 

Surrounded by nature and animals all day, he says his home in Bahrain reminds him of his past home in India and he loves it. He started horse riding when he came to Bahrain at the age of 18 to work as a groom, and prior to that he had never ridden a horse before. 

“I teach people of all ages and abilities, from total beginners to confident riders, and I trust each of my horses 100% or else I would not have them at the stables,” Karan told DT News. 

Anyone can call Karan and book a lesson – either a free-roaming hack on the beach, through the agricultural gardens, and all the way down to the Bahrain Fort near Seef, or a more contained paddock tutoring session.  

“The hacking area is special here because it’s not built up, as has happened in Saar” Karan said, “So we get to see a lot of greenery and the riders love that.”

“We recently had a lady from Buckingham Palace riding with us for a week, although I didn’t know it at the time! She later sent a signed letter of thanks and I was both astonished and honoured. I will definitely treasure that memory for the rest of my life.”

What makes a good rider?    “confidence, stamina and patience,” he says.

“If you like animals, you can like anyone – as they teach you patience and compassion. If you don’t have these qualities it is very difficult to be around animals and especially to gain their trust.”

As for his favourite horse, Karan smiled mysteriously and declared, “Every horse is my favourite horse.”

“It’s like asking which my favorite finger on my hand is. I am thankful for all of them.”

Trotting on the soft sand during low tide and enjoying a light water spritzing from the movement and weight of the horses’ hooves, it’s easy to see why people return again and again and can’t get enough of Karan’s infectious positive spirit and love for horses. Every so often, Karan would signal that we were going to canter (or, “run” for the layperson) and off we would go, the horses almost flying over the soft ground but still under our control. 

Karan’s horses are each impeccably-trained and trustworthy. On top of that, he knows his horses so well that he can read their body language in an instant. He is a pro at averting potential accidents, which, let’s face it, is a legitimate risk while riding a 1000 pound animal. He gives you a great feeling of security and enjoyment, while also challenging you to achieve your potential. 

You can’t help but smile when Karan smiles and tells you to loosen the reins and let the horses feel free. He gestures with his arms unselfconsciously, and is very animated and relaxed, and one can tell why the horses feel at ease with him.  

“I know all my animals very well and care for them with precision and love. I’d rather do most of the work, and really bond with the animals, then have multiple helpers who are just fulfilling a role and don’t really care to form a strong friendship with each individual animal.”

“I love my job, it keeps me fit and young at heart and I wouldn’t trade it for any job in the world.” Karan says.  He has a wife, Suja Karan, and two young children, a boy named Aarush Karan and a girl named Karthika Karan.