Students taking part in Riding for the Disabled sessions in Muswellbrook now have three new horses to bond with thanks to a recent donation from Glencore’s pastoral operation, Colinta Holdings.
Mello, Bucky and Billy have been learning the ropes at the Muscle Creek program for a few months now, but thanks to stringent assessments that happen as a part of the Colinta process they have been able to fit right in.
“They were just normal station horses, they worked all their lives on the land and they’ve just got a bit old for those big days out in the paddocks,” Matt Moore from Colinta Holdings said, adding that someone suggested contacting RDA rather than just putting them to pasture.
The decision to donate them was a no brainer, as such mild mannered and suitable horses are considered unicorns due to how hard they are to come by.
Colinta will continue to support the organisation by keeping up the trios health checks and supplying feed throughout the year.
Jo Whalan from Singleton Public School said the RDA program has so many benefits for their kids who get to take part, both in and out of the classroom.
“They enjoy riding, I think it gives them confidence as well and they’re calm afterwards,” she said.
“We love it because you see them succeeding at something and getting so much joy out of it.”
Benefits for the students include physical strength that comes from needing to sit up on the moving horse, as well as improved coordination, reduced anxiety and so much more.
Riding for the Disabled is a volunteer run organisation that is always keen to welcome newcomers to come and help be a part of the beneficial program.
If you would like more information about the organisation or how you can get involved, please call Chris Hayes on 0468 370 846.
