Founded in 1982, RDA Singapore is the only charity locally to provide free Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapeutic Horse-Riding programmes for children and adults with disabilities. The range of disabilities that benefit from therapeutic riding include:
Physical, emotional, cognitive and social difficulties such as Cerebral Palsy, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Visual impairment, Hearing Impairmen
t, Learning Disabilities, Muscular Dystrophy and CVA (Stroke)
Horses provide a tool for physical therapy, emotional growth, and cognitive improvement, in a unique format that is fun, exhilarating, and sometimes has the power to change a person’s perspective on life. Besides the physical benefits derived from therapeutic riding, the contact with the animal is a powerful experience, and the strong bond that is sometimes experienced often has a profound, uplifting effect on people who are troubled or suffering. RDA can benefit virtually all disabilities, both physical and learning disabilities, in children and adults. As well as providing recreation and sport, riders gain increased self-confidence, improved circulation, respiration, balance, coordination and mobility. For someone who is unable to walk unaided, see or has communication difficulties, riding a horse allows them to experience a new sense of freedom and independence. Friends are made and it’s fun. People using wheelchairs for mobility are able to walk tall with the aid of a horse – they are no longer looked down upon. They can venture into the forest or jungle for a walk, something that is virtually impossible for anyone who is a wheelchair user.
