Birthday celebrations for therapy horses

27 July 2015

Birthday celebrations for therapy horses

In the Southern Hemisphere, 1 August is widely celebrated as the official birthday of all horses.

There is some science behind this date, relating to when the weather starts warming up and mares are likely to deliver their foals, but regardless of the accuracy of the date – it’s still an occasion recognised by many horse-lovers. None more so than at Wellington Riding for the Disabled (WRDA) which is giving each of its horses a slice of birthday cake on 1 August to celebrate their big day (carrot cake of course!).

WRDA has seven horses providing riding therapy to people in Wellington who have physical, intellectual or emotional challenges. Interacting with horses develops increased ability, independence and self-esteem. WRDA Operations Manager Toni Gray explains why working with horses is so beneficial:

“At an average walk, a horse moves a rider 2,250 times in 30 minutes. Physiotherapists say there is no other way this movement can be replicated in a clinical situation,” says Toni. “This is especially beneficial to people in wheelchairs, as the horse can help move their bodies in ways that wouldn’t otherwise be possible.

“We have two professional coaches and 38 clients doing riding therapy with us each week,” she says. “But we have an ever increasing waiting list and, because clients typically need to work with us for between six to 24 months, the list moves very slowly.

“WRDA receives no government funding, so the very best birthday present we could hope for would be more funding so we can expand our service and help more people. We are grateful to have received $15,000 from NZCT this year, but we’re constantly looking to raise more funds just to survive.”

WRDA’s track record of success, despite its limited budget, shows how much hard work and passion Toni, her team and the WRDA volunteers put into the programme. In 2014 alone, WRDA provided 1,555 therapy sessions to the community. This comprises 101 people with disabilities as well as groups who participated as part of WRDA’s community partnership work. WRDA works with several community organisations (such as the Wellesley Community Action and Child Youth and Family) and several high needs and low decile schools, to give people in need a positive experience with its horses.

WRDA’s work has been recognised through several community awards, including its senior volunteer team being runners up in the 2014 Ministry of Health Volunteer Awards, a Tawa Civic Award for long serving volunteer Mal Fyfe, a finalist nomination in the 2014 Wellington Community Awards and a local rider (Du Dway Ko) winning the New Zealand Riding for the Disabled ‘2014 Rider of the Year’ Award.

How you can give WRDA a much needed horse’s birthday present? Make a donation by contacting us on 04 237 5550 or wellingtonrda@xtra.co.nz.

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