RDA Lessons – Riding Develops Abilities
At RDA Alice Springs, we take a capabilities approach rather than a deficit view; our focus is on abilities, not disabilities. Riders with disabilities, whether physical, intellectual or social-emotional, are assessed individually to determine the best program for them. Riders can take lessons either individually or through an organisation, such as a school group or therapy group.
Here to Support You
Riders are generally supported by a side walker to help with their balance and horse control, and can be supported by up to three helpers. If possible, riders progress to riding independently and some have even competed in competitions – either through video entry or by travelling to the venue with their horse.
You’re in Safe Hands
Safety is a huge consideration, so all riders are assessed to ensure that they are able to participate safely and enjoy the benefits of riding.
We also have strict safety standards at RDA Alice Springs. Riders are required to wear approved helmets for horse riding and horse-related activities, and correct footwear. We can provide both of these items if needed.
Special equipment is occasionally used; however, we attempt to keep conditions as close to natural as possible to encourage the riders to achieve a good position. A lot of the equipment we use are games and other toys to make the sessions fun and riders participate through the use of their own body, as riding develops abilities.
Benefits of RDA lessons
- Fun, motivation and learning
- A general feeling of wellbeing
- Encouraging reading and speech through games
- Improved balance, posture and body awareness
- Developing gross and fine motor skills, as well as hand-eye coordination
- Promoting decision making and thinking ahead, sequencing of actions
- Enhancing memory and concentration, as well as language and communication skills
- Overcoming phobias such as heights and animals through sensory stimulation activities and surroundings
- Contact with animals and learning about the need for welfare
- Gaining a natural Reflex-Inhibiting Position, also giving newfound mobility and access to new areas
- Building self-confidence and self-esteem and facilitating social integration
- Learning the value of rules, e.g. safety and discipline, through exercising the right to take a controlled risk
- Personal challenge leading to achievement, including competitions
- Learning a skill that many able-bodied people don’t have
Able-bodied Riding Lessons
Grooming Therapy & Walking ‘In Hand’
Horse Therapy, also known as Equine Therapy or Equine-assisted Therapy, is very well documented in regards to its benefits for improving overall health for a range of conditions, ranging from autism, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), cerebral palsy, and acquired brain injury; to anxiety, depression, and other mental-health disorders. It is, undoubtedly, one of the more effective therapies available.
Here at RDA Alice Springs, we provide riding lessons that cater to all these needs. However we recognise that, for a variety of reasons, some people are unable to get onto a horse. We are seeking to address these areas so that no one misses out on the wonderful opportunity to experience horse therapy.
The ‘Grooming Therapy & Walking ‘In Hand’ program aims to improve community involvement and overall health,
physically and emotionally. We want our participants to feel like they are making a difference and contributing to their community in some way.
How the Program Works
Participants typically attend for one hour per week throughout the school term, with a maximum of five participants per session. The session is broken into two parts:
Grooming
Grooming is relaxing and therapeutic for both horse and participant. Grooming stimulates the blood and healing process in the horses – if they have any tight or sore muscles this will help them to feel better. Grooming also helps to form a bond between the participant and the horse, giving them a responsibility to help their horse relax and feel better.
Walking ‘In Hand’
In the second part of the session, participants take the horses for a short walk on their lead around the grounds. The benefits of this are twofold: improved movement and improved emotional health.
Mounted Therapeutic Lessons
Our therapy lessons focus on the therapeutic aspects that come with simply being on a horse and outside in nature. Most therapeutic lessons will combine the physical and emotional aspects of riding however we have separated them here to make it easier to understand the different benefits of each.
Physical – Some of the physical benefits of horse riding include improved balance, posture, body awareness, developing gross and fine motor skills, as well as hand-eye coordination and overall muscle conditioning. It is also a great low-impact form of exercise for people who may struggle with being active. These lessons will be focused on the physical benefits to that particular rider and how we can improve their quality of life.
Mental (emotional) – Our emotional therapy lessons have a greater focus on the relaxation and de-stressing most people experience when on a horse and going for a ride. While we ensure everyone is safe on the horse and doing things correctly, these lessons are less focused on learning new skills and pushing yourself to improve, and more about simply having an activity that is enjoyable and relaxing, while also improving at your own pace.
Depending on the riders preferences we usually go for rides around the park grounds, however we can occasionally follow the normal term structure as outlined in the section on mounted skills-based lessons. The therapeutic lessons are more flexible when it comes to the activities for that session, and the coaches will have the discussion about specifics with each new rider before the lessons start.
All our mounted therapeutic lessons include catching, grooming, tacking up and riding as part of a 30min lesson depending on the rider. There is also the option of 30-minute lessons where the horse is tacked up and ready, however this is assessed on a case-by-case basis and depends on the riders capabilities and goals.
A Medical Practitioner’s Consent Form is required before starting lessons. This ensures that the lessons provided are targeted to address the specific needs of each rider. These needs are progressed and re-evaluated, as required, to ensure the rider continues to benefit.
VET Course
Certificate I in Stable Hand
RDA Alice Spring facilitates through the Department of Education and the generous support of NIAA, Certificate I in Racing (Stablehand). This course is offered to all senior secondary schools in Alice Springs at the start of each year and takes place for a full morning once a week. Students learn all the skills required to be a stable hand in a variety of equine-related fields
Youth Diversion
We introduce children and young people at risk of or engaged in the youth justice system, to the opportunities aplenty, in taking care of, spending time with, and learning about horses and horse care.
In addition, we focus on life skills such as developing trust, building resilience, working in teams, building confidence, listening, and generally learning to understand and respect each other. The experiences on offer could open doors to a preferred way of life with horses, and a range of career prospects within the equestrian and other industries.
While the benefits of therapeutic services such as RDA Alice Springs have been medically documented, statistics alone cannot fully describe the value of this service to the community.
The program we run is characterised by relationships that are, at their core, supporting the whole person in increasing their self-esteem and developing skills that will enable them to make positive choices. To put it simply, the RDA program works and the benefits are ongoing.