“It’s been, and still is, an amazing journey with RDA”

RDA Rider Hyrum has written us a letter about how he has found therapeutic horse riding! He talks about what riding has done for him.

“When I was 14 years old I was learning to ride a horse. A good mate of mine, Jordan, was teaching me. I thoroughly enjoyed what I was learning. It all came to a stop in 2011 at age 15 as I had a tragic accident which caused a Traumatic Brain Injury. Which also affected my right-side. Rehab was and still is my journey.

I was in a wheelchair when I met RDA in March 2016. I did not think I would ride a horse again, but I would give it a go. Because I had good support I was able to ride again!

I needed three side walkers, and encouragement.

I felt free on the horse named Blaze. She was perfect, which made me feel good. I always looked forward to my sessions with RDA.

It’s been and still is an amazing journey with RDA. I currently am walking and riding a horse named Milo, with one walker who takes me off the lead and lets me walk freely. I have come a long way. I’m learning to hold the reins evenly and my heels down and toes up in the stirrups. From being fully supported on and off the horse I now have the ability to hop off the horse the right way, but on the wrong side, with support.

I am truly blessed to have met some awesome people through my RDA journey, the many hands-on volunteers and workers, I have thoroughly enjoyed being in their presence. I will continue riding with RDA as I feel safe in my learnings with the team.

Ngā mihi nui, Hyrum.”

At Riding for the Disabled, we celebrate every individual’s unique abilities and focus on building capability, capacity and strength beyond the perceived limitations. The riders learn to move, adapt and succeed. This leads to a stronger sense of self that translates beyond the arena and into homes, schools and communities.

Hyrum was in our Therapy Programme because he was a wheelchair user when he started and he needed specialist therapist support to ensure we did no harm and that Hyrum was set up to succeed.

All RDA groups offer individualised riding programmes according to the needs of their riders.

But did you know that there are three different programmes depending on what the rider needs?

Therapy Programme

Our therapy programme is set for each rider in conjunction with an NZ registered therapist. Each rider will have a different required outcome. Through using riding skills, alternative positioning and saddles or equipment, riding helps stimulate all parts of the body, build muscle strength, improve coordination and balance and may improve walking ability. Riders in this programme usually have higher support needs, and are often wheelchair users. They have specific goals developed by a trained RDA coach and a therapist, to ensure they achieve the best outcome.

Education Programme

Our education programme focuses on school aged riders, with goals that are linked to the NZ curriculum such as supporting literacy and numeracy skills. The RDA environment and activities can be adapted to teach a wide range of educational skills and goals. Programmes are often aligned to their IEP goals (Individual Education Plans) that are developed as part of their school programme.

Sport & Recreation Programme

Our sport and recreational riding programme offer exercise and active recreation and leisure activities in a challenging, fun and supportive environment. All riders have individual set outcomes/goals, and these may include pathways to Pony Club, riding centres, Para-Equestrian or Special Olympics. Recreational riding can help maintain a rider’s independence and functionality.

All riders engage in either a therapeutic, educational or sport and recreation programme. However, we recognise most riders receive outcomes associated with more than one programme and can readily move between them.

For Hyrum, therapeutic horse riding meant that he could regain back some of the functionality he lost through acquiring a traumatic brain injury.

For all riders, the care and knowledge of their Coaches and volunteers makes the difference.