VOLUNTEERS at Riding for the Disabled (RDA) say the motion of a placid horse moving around an exercise yard has a calming influence on the children who attend riding lessons every Wednesday.
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Wednesday was no exception and following their regular riding lessons, children from Glenroi Heights Public School had a treat for the faithful horses who give them such a wonderful experience.
Carrots in hand, they sang happy birthday to the horses.
“This is the closest day we could get to the horses birthday,”, which was actually August 1, president of Riding for the Disabled Pat Frecklington said.
In the decades since RDA was set up at Clifton Grove exercise areas have been extended and improved, and additional buildings have been built on the site.
However, it is the covered exercise area that has proved invaluable according to long-serving volunteer Alex Livermore.
“It just means when we have a problem with the weather the children don’t miss out,” he said.
Orange’s RDA has a volunteer base of around 30 people who turn up on a regular basis to get the children into their boots, fit them with their helmets and select a mount.
A special ramped area helps the children easily mount the horses.
If you would like to support Riding for the Disabled the group is hosting a fund-raising stall in Summer Street at the kiosk in Post Office Lane on Friday.