RDA provides interaction with horses to improve health and wellbeing outcomes for people experiencing disability, or who have specific challenges or needs, enabling them to have meaningful participation in, and contribution to, their community. Riding for the Disabled
All RDA Groups are Incorporated Societies and independently financed and managed, with New Zealand Riding for the Disabled (NZRDA) acting as an umbrella organisation providing standards, training, certification and support. Volunteer - Otorohanga RDA operates Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9am – 12:30pm during Terms 1,2 & 4, Island Reserve, Orihari Terrace, Otorohanga 3900. You are warmly invited to come along and watch (for the safety of some of our riders, photos and videos may not be taken). Volunteers are the heart and soul of Otorohanga Riding for the Disabled - without their dedication, enthusiasm and commitment to the RDA cause, our Riding Programmes could not continue. We are always looking for more willing people to offer their time. Volunteering with RDA is fun, rewarding and confidence building. It’s also a chance to learn new skills, enjoy the fresh air and stay fit, and to be part of something special. Volunteers can be involved in a number of activities, according to their interest and expertise:
- Preparing Horses prior to the Rider’s arrival
- Leading Horses and ponies during riding sessions
- Horse training and Horse care
- Assisting during riding sessions - side walking
- Helping with unmounted activities
- Assisting Coaches with equipment for games and riding sessions
- Fitting helmets and checking riding clothing
- Providing refreshments
- Maintaining of Horse pastures, fences and equipment
- Fundraising, publicity and Committee work
- Organising outings, camps and competitions
* Please note that an RDA Volunteer must be 14 years or over to Volunteer at an RDA Group - however an RDA Group may choose to allow exceptions to this (for non-riding session duties) in specific circumstances. A Police check is also required. Please contact our Volunteer co-ordinator Sheila Pulham on: 027 284 0661
A bit about our horses
Ideal Horses are hard to find - not all are suited to this specialised work, and much time and care goes into their selection, training and welfare. Many of our horses are purchased, others are leased where the private owner retains legal ownership. Horses/ponies must be sound, sensible, reliable and trustworthy. They must be forward moving yet responsive to being lead or to the physical and verbal commands of a novice rider. Some children/adults exhibit unpredictable behaviour and our horses/ponies must be unphased by this. Our arena is set up with various activities which again require a horse/pony which does not react to various apparatus such as sticks, balls, flags, cones (to name a few). Please contact our Horse Manager, Gwen Buckley on 021 265 1551 for further information. Maybe you have a suitable horse/pony? Riders
Should you wish to enrol a rider in our programme contact our Coach Gwen Buckley on the number above. Please note that there may be a waiting list. To ensure all our riders participate in a safe and effective RDA programme appropriate to their needs and abilities relevant documentation must be completed prior to commencing. For any further information please contact our President, Christine Purdie on 021 201 4165. Nga mihi - Thank You
