The relationship between horses and humans is an adventure that began six thousand years ago in Central Asia and continues to this day. It would perhaps not be an exaggeration to say that the horse, one of the participants in this adventure, is perhaps the only creature that symbolizes speed, aesthetics, and power in a single living being.

As the late Necip Fazıl said, it is impossible to explain the horse individually or collectively in terms of zoology, economics, military service, sports, and racing.

As the Master described it, the horse is the most enduring servant of the evolution that extends from the inanimate world to plants, from plants to animals, from animals to humans, and from humans to infinity. In the human eye and aesthetic plane, the conqueror of eternity, the horse, with all its features, movements, and abilities, is the most magnificent symbol of heroism.

Although the direction and purpose of breeding have changed throughout history, horses and horsemanship have maintained their importance for different purposes in every period, and undoubtedly will continue to do so.

As soon as humankind discovered the magnificent qualities of the horse, it took control and used it for thousands of years. They traveled long distances with it, won battles on it, cultivated its fields with it, had it carry its burdens, and overcame insurmountable obstacles with it for centuries.

The unity of the Turkish nation and the horse has been a symbol of the spread of civilization throughout history. This unity was a key factor in the Turks' establishment of new homelands, the opening of the gates of Anatolia, and the advancement of Vienna.

Malatya, the apricot land of Anatolia, also cherished and developed the horse. For 150 years, numerous steeds, seklavis, and manekis have been raised at the Sultansuyu stud farm.

Equestrianism, which continues to exist as a significant industry today, primarily serves equestrian sports. Many people earn their living from this sector. Turkey's annual horse breeding and equestrian sports revenue is around 800 million Euros, and the goal is to increase this revenue to higher levels. France's income from horse breeding alone is 7-8 billion Euros.

It is a fact that horsemanship and equestrian sports are a global industry, contributing significantly to the country's socioeconomic structure.

Equestrian therapy, used in the treatment of individuals with mental and physical disabilities, is one of the most important roles of horses today. Equine therapy, which utilizes six different methods, particularly hippotherapy, has been developing in Turkey in recent years. Malatya Turgut Özal University's Horse, Equine, and Equestrian Sports Application and Research Center (TATUAM) prioritizes this area.

Every initiative that advances horses and equestrianism means preserving our cultural heritage and contributing to the development of our country.

After all, every effort, from production to education, to be conducted on an infrastructure that considers all the contemporary and universal components of science related to horses, equestrianism, and equestrian sports, which have been a part of Turkish history, culture, and life for six thousand years, is an asset for Turkey.

Malatya Turgut Özal University is striving to develop this sector by establishing various academic, social, and sporting institutions. It also carries Malatya's equine culture and knowledge, which have survived from the depths of history to the present day, into the future with a scientific approach. The Battalgazi Vocational School Horse Breeding and Coaching Associate Degree Program, TATUAM, and the Malatya Turgut Özal University Equestrian Club continue to operate as the blood vessels that carry the horse and equestrian sports industry in our country.

In our country, 40,000 people directly benefit from the horse breeding and equestrian sports sector, and 200,000 indirectly, the Turkish Jockey Club has paid $9 billion in taxes to the government over the last 25 years. Turkey spends $2 million annually on the import of British horses, which are a premium in global equestrianism. In light of these figures and information, it is clear that horses, horse breeding, and equestrian sports constitute a sector and contribute significantly to the country's socioeconomic structure.

Historical Process (2011-2018)

To contribute to the development of the sector, İnönü University established the following programs:

The Equine and Coaching Associate Degree Program (within Akçadağ Vocational School) in 2011,
the İnönü University Horse, Equine, and Equestrian Sports Application and Research Center (ATUAM) in 2014,
the Equestrian Sports and Equestrian Facility in 2015, and
the İnönü University Equine and Equestrian Community (ATBİN) in 2015.

The Equine and Coaching Associate Degree Program and the Equestrian Sports and Equestrian Facility were transferred to Malatya Turgut Özal University in October 2018.

Historical Process (Since October 2018)

The Equine and Coaching Associate Degree Program, transferred to Malatya Turgut Özal University (MTÜ), continues its activities within Akçadağ Vocational School.

The Malatya Turgut Özal University Equine and Equestrian Sports Application and Research Center (TATUAM), established by regulations published in the Official Gazette dated July 16, 2019, and numbered 30833, continues its activities.The MTÜ Equestrian and Riding Facility, which was renovated in 2020 with a budget of 1,350,000 TL transferred from Spor Toto as part of a project submitted to the Ministry of Youth and Sports in 2019, continues its operations.
The MTÜ Horsemanship and Riding Community (ATBİN), established in 2019, continues its activities.