The aim of RDA Carriage Driving is to teach people with disabilities to drive carriage horses. Whenever possible, specially built wheelchair loading carriages are used, giving opportunities to both ambulant people and those who use wheelchairs.
Riding for the Disabled Association (NSW)
Riding for the Disabled Association (NSW)
The benefits of riding combine both physical and psychological aspects. It can be a valuable segment of rehabilitation programs. As well as having a therapeutic value, it is a stimulating and enjoyable activity. It can also be used to provide sporting and recreational programs to those whose opportunities for these may be limited.
Dressage
RDANSW Dressage offers registered RDANSW Riders an opportunity to compete in Dressage Competition. Each year we offer a Video Competition and encourage RDA Centre’s to host a Protocol Day and Regional Competitions in the lead up to the RDANSW State Dressage Championships.
Mounted Games
Mounted Game are aimed at being fun for horse and rider, while improving their co-ordination and confidence.
Hippotherapy
Hippotherapy literally means “treatment with the help of the horse” (from the Greek word hippos for horse) The horse’s movement is the tool used by the therapist trained in Hippotherapy to achieve the goals identified in the clients assessment.
Connections EFMH&L
Equine-facilitated psychotherapy (EFP) and equine-facilitated learning (EFL) are experiential forms of psychotherapy and learning that involve horses. RDA (NSW) has developed a coach accreditation program to ensure standards of professionalism and safety in offering these services to local communities.
Benefits
Horse riding, as well as being enjoyable, has many benefits.
These include
- improved balance and posture
- assisting with the development of fine and gross motor skills
- promotes decision making and thinking ahead
- motivation and learning – encourages reading and speech through games
- develops hand and eye co-ordination
- development of language and communication skills
- memory improvement and concentration
- personal challenge leading to achievement
- new mobility and access to new areas
- social integration
- mental stimulation
- increased self-esteem
- learn the value of rules
- promotes a general feeling of well-being
The benefits of riding combine both physical and psychological aspects. It is a valuable segment of rehabilitation programs because, as well as having a therapeutic value, it is a stimulating and enjoyable activity. It can also be used to provide sporting and recreational programs to those whose opportunities for these may be limited.
Language skills are developed by bringing language into games and exercises. Also in many cases, being with the horses seems to unleash some riders’ inhibition about talking.
Individual programs are developed for each rider and progress is monitored. The classes are varied and can include the use of games, music, co-ordination exercises and trail rides. All our programs and supports are delivered in line with the Disability Service Standards.
All RDA (NSW) Coaches are qualified and have skills in horsemastership, safety, medical knowledge, first aid, teaching and the selection and training of horses.