Taupo District Riding for Development

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Taupo District Riding for Development

Riding for Development provides a therapeutic horse riding programme called Riding for Development

Rider application forms can be obtained by emailing us at [email protected]

28/09/2026

We had an amazing term 3 so many new challenges we all worked through together.
We were very lucky to get given the wonderful Shadow, he spent a month getting used to the routine and watching what goes on. Caitlin rode him in a couple of practise sessions and when we felt he was ready we put one of our lovely students on, he was an absolute superstar! Thank you so much to Kim who has kindly given him to us to use. These horses are so special and it is great we can give them a few more years before they retire completely, usuly in their late 30's.
One of our volunteers decided to bring a lamb along for a couple of days for the kids to pat & lead. Amazing how many have never patted a lamb. Their faces were priceless.
End of term we always try to recognize the childrens achievements, and how far they have progressed. They all get to choose their colour ribbon, looks like blue was the favourite this term.
As we head into term 4 our numbers are at maximum we can look after, we would love to be able to offer more sessions as we now have a large wait list. To do this we need more volunteers. 3 hours 1 morning a week, Tues, Wed, Thurs is all you need to give up.
Give me a call and you can come down and watch a session & see how you feel about it.
Huge thank you to all our volunteers and sponsors for making Term 3 an amazing one.

Karen, Caitlin & the team at Riding for Development.

10/08/2026

Hope everyone made it thru the last couple of weeks of freezing weather...
Sessions as usual, tho everyone was very well rugged up, horses and humans.
We have been so lucky to be given a grant from DV Bryant Trust to buy an Equissage for the horses, they absolutely love it. Trying to get them all massaged before the sessions is a challenge.

Taupo Vets have been and done all the horses annual health checks, Dental and any other needs the ponies have. This is a huge cost to RFD but an absolute must to keep the ponies all healthy.
Please get in touch if you would like to be a part of the horse sponsorship to help us keep them all healthy. We cost each horse out at $2k per year or $500 x 4. Tax deductable.
We are very grateful to those wonderful business and indivduals who help us to be able to help those amazing children who need our help.
Huge thank you to our wonderful volunteers, we are always looking for more especially as our numbers are now at maximum.

Stay warm everyone.

Regards
Karen, Caitlin & the team.

09/07/2026

RIP BARNEY

REST EASY TO ONE OF OUR VERY SPECIAL PONIES.

You were an absolute legend at Taupo Riding For Development.

So many children got to ride on you over the years, you were the safest most special pony we know, we trusted & knew you would look after our most special students.
Thank you for all your wonderful memories and the joy you brought to so many. You were clearly a favorite with the kids, parents and everyone who knew you.

Your cheeky face will be missed, but you chose the perfect sunny day to go over the rainbow bridge and join your mates.
So glad you got to enjoy your retirement. 38 incredible years old
Thank you to Gavin Bowater for his sponsorship of Barney.

28/06/2026

WE DESPERATELY NEED EMPTY FEED BAGS FOR OUR POO COLLECTION.......
We are out of bags for our poo collection, if you have any spare bags please drop them in to us. Either leave at the door or in the carport if no one is there.

Many Thanks.

18/06/2026

Just finished our 2nd last ride for the term. Great way for this bunch of Taupo Primary students to near the end of their turn at RFD.
Next term it will be 4 new amazing students. All these riders have gained so much confidence and skills within themselves.

We brought one of our old favourites in for a surprise visit.
Barney loves coming in and being the boss! Our retirees are all well rugged fed and looked after. Some are well into their late 30's

Caitlins dog 'Spud" came to work clearly he felt he needed to supervise Caitlin mowing the lawns....

Last week of the term next week. Lots of new Volunteers this term, going to be a great end of term "Pizza Party".

Thank you to all our Volunteers, horse sponsors, and wonderful horses for another great week.

05/06/2026

Well winter has arrived, it has been an indoor week this week. The students miss going around the garden exploring.

This gorgeous student has really struggled with confidence but has really gained her independence and confidence and now rides happily backwards and is even confident enough to throw a ball thru the hoop sitting backwards. So rewarding to see the students develop like this.

We introduced a new horse to our team. SKY . Caitlin has been doing lots of ground work and practicing all our games. Sky has been amazing and is now a huge part of our team, we are so lucky to have her. Thanks Louise Dunn and Adlou Farms.

We decided to give one of our longest riders a surprise and brought in her favorite pony from a year ago who we retired.
Think Barney was happy to see her and get spoilt with peppermints. We know she was extremely happy to take him for a walk.

Hope everyone has a great week.
Thanks Karen, Caitlin and the Team at RFD.

01/05/2026

Do you have a special unicorn in your paddock 13.2hh up to 15.2hh that you know would rather be getting groomed, fed and go for a quiet walk a couple of times a week?
We are always looking for amazing ponies or small hacks to join us. We are happy to offer full retirement or just until they are ready to totally retire. Lease or purchase (not a big budget)
This pony (below) is 27yo he wasn't ready to retire so we now have him, he waits at the gate as we drive in waiting for his turn.

Ore Horses / Ponies
Only walk 2 x 40m sessions per day
Only do 2 days per week
Fed & supplemented daily
Regular farrier barefoot or shod
Regular vet visits with annual health bloods dentist etc.
35 acres with wonderful garden walks.
Ponies are carefully managed by competent professional staff.

Please contact me if you have a special friend in the paddock you think could bring joy to some amazing children.
Have an amazing weekend.

Cheers
Karen, Caitlin & the team.

24/04/2026

Week 1 of Term 2 was absolutely amazing!
Thank you to the amazing new volunteers that have joined us and to the amazing existing ones.
We have had incredible support from schools and welcome some new schools on board.

Must say winter arrived very quickly, waking up to big frosts already.

The horses couldn't wait to come in to have a nice warm breakfast before the first session starts.
Summer covers have been replaced by lovely warm rugs, (I think we all pulled out our winter clothes as well).
Looks like we are going to be very busy clipping soon.

We are currently working on a new crossing / path area out to the sensory garden, and Infront of the covered yards making it a much easier path for the horses and volunteers.
Big Thank You to Taupo Trenching for all the landscaping work they do for us.

Don't forget if you have a spare morning and want to be involved with helping our young ones give me a call.
Sponsoring a "Pony" is also another way you can help if you don't have time.
Enjoy the long weekend......

Karen, Caitlin & the team.

20/04/2026

Big Thank You to Force Mechanical on Palmer Mill Road.

Our tow behind arena rake has been getting a lot of use lately trying to keep the arena looking great, so when I went to harrow the arena & had a major break Force Mechanical sent the guys out straight away.

Force Engineering / Mechanical also keep our work vehicles & my private vehicles running smoothly.

Force Engineering & Mechanical Palmer Mill Road Wairakei Taupo

15/04/2026

Nearly the end of the school holidays! Hope everyone has made it safety thru the recent storms.
Thanks to the awful weather I haven't got thru the list of outside jobs I wanted done.
Term 2 sees us will nearly 50 students which means I am really needing help! 3 hrs one morning a week is all it takes.
Sadly, I have had to turn some away and now have a long waiting list which is rather sad as horse riding is such great therapy for the kids.
Please consider coming and volunteering, awesome team, awesome morning teas provided, end of term BBQ and "horse Perks" if you have your own horse.

Pic 2 is of one of our incredible students who was 2 when he started unable to walk, limited communication. Now he walks in, gives the best hugs and smiles. Sadly he has moved to another town but we wish him well & mum will be bringing him back for regalar visits.
Moments like this are so rewarding, come and share in moments like this.

Pony Sponsorship is also required as we have 13 ponies in work so sponsoring a pony is going to help us a lot. Not much more than a coffee a week.!
Please get in touch if you can help in any way, it will be very much appreciated.

Call Karen on 027 2682958

Cheers Karen, Caitlin and the amazing team at RFD.

Address

164 Poihipi Road

3330

Telephone

+64272682958

Website

http://www.tauporfd.co.nz/

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