Tōtara Park Riding for the Disabled

18/04/2026

14/04/2026

A new sculpture at Riverhaven Artland called Shepherdress and her horse. Quite mystical.... They have an open day this Sunday.

08/04/2026

This terms Newsletter for your perusal and catch up on what has been happening at TPRDA this year!

06/04/2026

We hope you have all had a wonderful Easter break. See you next term, ready and raring to go.....if we can wake up Alice that is....

03/04/2026

All of our horses at TPRDA need time to get used to the different things that come with riders with disabilities, like loud noises, movement, walking aids, and wheelchairs, just to name a few.

On Thursday, we introduced Ferdie to a rider in a wheelchair. He checked it out, gave it and the rider a sniff, walked around it, and decided it wasn't so scary. Our horses deal with a lot and the best way to help them adjust is by slowly getting them familiar with everything they might see and hear during riding sessions. By slowly familiarizing them with the environments and equipment they’ll encounter during riding sessions, we help build their confidence and ensure a safe, positive experience for both horse and rider.

We think Ferdie will fit in very well :)

25/03/2026

For the safety of our Riders, Volunteers and Ponies, TPRDA Thursday sessions have been cancelled. WET WET WET! Stay safe out there everyone

25/03/2026

We are coming into the end of the first term and we would love a few more volunteers to join our crew if you have 3-4 hours spare...
https://totaraparkrda.org.nz/volunteering-2/

20/03/2026

We are seeking donations to support the care of our therapeutic horses and team so we can continue providing life-changing experiences for our riders.

18/03/2026

Here is a wonderful poem written by one of our volunteers Jeanette which gives you a little insight and humor of a typical RDA day :)

ANOTHER SPECIAL DAY....

The rattle of the gate, as volunteers arrive,
The sheds are unlocked and the yard comes alive.
Buckets filled with water and nets filled with hay
A typical start to an RDA day.
In the clubroom, come office, the admin team sit
Pairing the horses with riders that fit.
With thought and due care it's done by design,
Matching them up with our colourful nine.

There's Puni and Belle in mahogany bay,
If you're smaller in stature there's Jane our wee grey.
For something a bit 'racey' there's Alice with speckles,
And just as quirky, Jubilee with her freckles.
There's Zoe and Moa our patchwork pair,
Who can hide in plain sight in their camouflage wear.
Shimmer looks fetching in her rich golden gown,
And lastly there's Sam and he's...well...just brown!

In an age where there's regular trips to the stars,
Where there's self-cleaning ovens and self-parking cars.
We have hi-tech and low-tech and AI of course,
But no-one's yet bred a self cleaning horse!
So grabbing their brushes the team set to work,
Nine horses to clean means no time to shirk.
An hour or so and they'll have this job licked
Not forgetting there's thirty six hooves to be picked.

Brushed and bridled with saddle cloths in place,
The horses are ready to head down the race.
With the leaders and coaches and side walkers too
And some lucky helper to pick up the poo.
In the arena, the riders, are intent on their task.
What some may find easy, is for others a big ask.
The support team are there to help them believe,
With encouraging words to help them achieve.

Hard work brings reward and oh so much pleasure
Sometimes a small 'take home'...something to treasure.
The smile on their faces leaves no more to say,
For the ride team it's golden in much the same way.
Back in the yards the clean up's on track
And with the horses returned it's time to untack.
Soon back to their paddocks after just a short wait,
Will the last person out….PLEASE SHUT THE GATE.

10/03/2026

It was a weekend of getting jobs done! The gateway in the scary paddock needed to be scraped back and rotten rock put down to stop the winter time blues of knee deep mud!

Cheers to Russell and his trusty side kick Dug the Digger, made short work of it, all nice and tidy again. Thanks again Russell from the team at TPRDA :)

10/03/2026

Corporate volunteering, otherwise known as Employee Volunteering, provides companies with the opportunity to develop staff skills and build teams. TPRDA have hosted a number of Corp volunteers and this is a valuable way corporates support us.

When Georgia and her specialist team from ACC reached out to us offering to help with a project, we gratefully accepted their support.
The all girl team did a fabulous job of painting the long back wall of our stable block, in record time, a crucial job ensuring the wood is protected & ready for another winter. Not an easy task painting it from black to white!

A particularly big "thank you" also from our horses as they will benefit the most.... Thank you !!