The program benefits for each participant vary and may include some of the following attributes:

Physical and Sensory:

• Improved overall fitness, endurance and physical capacity from participation in weekly exercise to improve motion, balance, muscle strength and cardiovascular conditioning.
• Increased muscular and postural control. Core muscles are strengthened from learning to sit comfortably and ride with the movement of the horse.
• Reduction of abnormal movement patterns and decreased spasticity through the warmth and movement of the horse and stretching tight or spastic muscles.
• Stimulation of sensory processing, especially vestibular (balance) and proprioceptive (spatial orientation of the body in regards to position, motion and equilibrium) sensory systems.
• Helps integration of sensory systems, sight, vision, movement, hearing, touch, vestibular and coordination.
• Improvement in gross and fine motor skills.
• Memory improvement and concentration

Psychological:

Experience of outdoor recreation, fresh air, enjoyment and fun.

• Enriched confidence, trust and self-esteem.
• Improved wellbeing, perception of quality of life and life satisfaction that comes from being active and engaging with their peers and the community.
• Increased interest in one’s own life and the larger world through a greater variety of experiences and setting personal challenges leading to achievement.
• Improved emotional control and self-discipline from developing the patience and focus of attention that comes from working with a large animal.
• A sense of achievement from being able to master the skills necessary to participate and overcoming phobias such as water, heights and animals
• Social and Communication: Participants share a common love of horses and the experience of riding, which helps build socialisation and interpersonal skills.
• Improved communication through feedback, following instructions, direction and communication to the horse and staff.
• Development of respect, love for animals and learning about their need for welfare.

Educational:

• Improved sequencing, patterning, multitasking, reading and speech though games played while on horseback e.g. Obstacle courses, pole bending.
• Improved eye-hand coordination and visual and spatial perception.
• Increased ability to differentiate significant from less significant stimuli in the environment e.g. Attend to the horse and those things that influence the horse and not the environment in general.
• Increased technical competence in horse riding and equestrian skills.
• Applied equestrian knowledge and practice safe behaviors for riding.
• Learning the value of Rules, e.g. safety and discipline

To find out more about Specific RDA programs, click on the drop down boxes below.

Horse riding as beneficial therapy was first recognised 3,000 years ago. For many people it is is also a fun activity. Therefore horse riding is a good way for people with disabilities to receive positive therapy at the same time as participating in an enjoyable recreational activity.

Further recognised benefits from riding include:

• Improved balance and posture
• promotes decision making and thinking ahead
• sequencing of actions can be taught
• clinical exercises executed in different and pleasant surroundings
• new mobility and access to new areas
• learning a skill that many able bodied do not have
• opportunity for competition

Riding activities that are taught in lessons may include some or all the following:

Mounted Games

Show jumping

Some RDA SA centres provide carriage driving. It is particularly beneficial for people for whom horse riding is not advisable; for example, people with fragile bones, severe arthritis.

Carriages are specially designed (and locally made) to accommodate wheelchairs. Due to the weight limit capability placed on our carriages, electric wheelchairs are not currently able to be accommodated in our carriage driving program.

A volunteer can apply to become an RDA qualified Whip (driver).  The Whip is responsible for all driving sessions under their supervision, just like a coach is responsible for all riding sessions under their control.  They must also have a current Senior First Aid certificate

 The ground work program is similar principles applied as per the ridden program but it is unmounted. This program also has more emphasis on horse care such as rugging, feeding, grooming, putting saddlery on and health. Games may still also be incorporated where by participants may lead their horse instead.

The ridden program may also incorporate aspects of the ground program on days where it is deemed unsafe to ride such as weather conditions.

RDA offers a variety of competition opportunities for participants. Several riders have competed at National level for many years, and some have also ridden overseas, representing Australia in international competitions.

The pathway is as follows:

Internal: An RDA centre hosts its own competition. They may choose to open the event and invite participants from other centres or keep it closed to its clients only.

State Events: The state hosts an event which is open to all its participants at each centre. Participation may be based on the participants centre’s ability to provide assistance with coaching, horses and transport. RDA SA typically hosts 1 dressage and 1 mounted games competition. The Dressage event is usually held at Mallala and the Mounted Games at one of the Metro Centres.

National: RDA Australia typically holds a competition every two years for athletes in Australia. States are invited to submit a team and there are also some limited opportunities for individuals.

Special Olympics: This may be held at a local, interstate, national or international arena. Participants must have an intellectual disability. The events are run by Special Olympics but often hosted by RDA.

International: Currently RDA participates in the Hope Cup which is held in Taiwan every two years.

RDA riders are encouraged to take part in Dressage competitions, not only at RDA level, but also in open competition.

RDA SA riding and driving programs would not exist without special horses and ponies.

We prefer to use middle aged (11+ years) horses & ponies in our programs as they are more likely to be calm and relaxed.  We also want horses to be conformationally sound, with rhythmic, regular movement.

Generally RDA SA needs horses between 12 and 16 hands high, and both wide and narrow horses have their uses within the program. Horses used at a given centre will tend to be determined by the clients currently being serviced.

Typically horses used in the program are owned (purchase or donation) by RDA SA or leased by the centre. Suitable horses are purchased from centre funds.

All horses and ponies are trialed for one month to assess their suitability before they are integrated into the program. Horses undergo regular training and exercise in order to keep them strong and and in a good mental state.

At the end of their days with RDA SA we try to find our horses a retirement home; many return to previous owners.