How this special program is helping the community

Riding for the Disabled is a program which enables children and adults with a disability, and who have an interest in horses, to ride.

Since its inception, the program - which is run out of numerous centres across the state - has helped hundreds of people.

This year, Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) of Victoria will celebrate 50 years, while Daylesford's Riding for the Disabled centre will celebrate 25 years.

The Daylesford centre was established after a teacher at the town's secondary school, Stephanie Ashley, heard the Riding for the Disabled program being discussed on a radio program.

Thinking it would be something that would be of great benefit to some of the students at the school, she, along with integration aid Wendy Hogben, worked to establish a centre in the town.

The two women garnered support for establishing the program in the Daylesford community and were mentored by volunteers from the already established Ballarat centre, who assisted with the arrangements until they received their coaching qualifications.

The women approached Boomerang Ranch to provide the horses and the space for the program and it has been running ever since - though there were a few years in recess due to the drought and the costs associated with running the program. The program also ceased running in March 2020, due to COVID-19.

Daylesford volunteers are preparing for participants to return to the ranch, located among beautiful native bushland, this February.

Each Friday afternoon during the program's riding season, a maximum of 15 riders mount a horse and ride, with the assistance of volunteers, through this picturesque landscape.

Lesley Hewitt grew up riding horses on the family farm in Northern Victoria. Her daughter was involved at the Glenlyon Pony Club and along with her son, the two both rode at Boomerang Ranch. Seeing both of their enjoyment, she decided to start volunteering and has been involved ever since.

She has been involved with RDA for 20 years and Daylesford for 12 years. She is the centre's secretary and is also a coach.

The program caters for people with a range of disabilities - from those with hearing and vision impairments to physical and intellectual disabilities.

The youngest rider to have participated was a three-year-old and the eldest a man aged in his 70s.

Riders are matched with trained horses, which are all assessed to ensure they have an appropriate temperament. It is also ensured that the horse has a weight bearing capacity for the size of the rider.

Since its creation, the program has benefited an array of people living in the region.

The riders reap the benefits of participating in a sport and recreational activity that they love, out in the fresh air.

These benefits include both improved physical and mental wellbeing - their physical fitness, balance and core body strength improves, while they also experience the benefits of socialising with a new group of people.

This also builds their confidence and self-esteem, as they participate in an activity that they enjoy.

"People with disabilities get the same benefits from physical and recreational activities as the rest of the population does," Ms Hewitt said.

"But when a person has a disability, sometimes people just need more support to participate and that's where the RDA comes in and the volunteers help."

The volunteers also experience benefits, including being part of a team that empowers the riders to take part in a recreational activity they enjoy.

Lainey Curr, Vice President and Rider Representative at Daylesford RDA, has been involved with the program as both a rider and volunteer for more than 25 years.

Ms Curr was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at six months of age. Called hemiplegia, she has limited movement on the right side of her body.

When she was six-years-old, a physiotherapist recommended that horse riding would be a good form of exercise for her. She had always loved animals so her parents signed her up. From there, she became a "horse fanatic".

With encouragement from her coach, Ms Curr advanced from riding for leisure and exercise to participating in RDA competitions as well as local competitions and state dressage. Taking her to her Friday lessons and to competitions on weekends became a family affair, and she experienced many benefits.

While she has gained confidence, better balance and posture, discovering horse riding as a form of exercise has also given her much more.

"If I didn't ride I'd probably have limited movement because horse riding works with all the muscles that are needed. I wouldn't be as independent as what I am today without horse riding."

She has also found a second family in RDA and has made some fantastic friends along the way.

About 10 years ago Ms Curr decided to join as a volunteer to give back to the program which has given her so much.

"It has brought me so much enjoyment so I wanted to see other kids and adults enjoy it and get something out of it too," she said.

While she continues to ride on a Friday, she also volunteers to assist others.

"There's always something to do. You're never not doing something."

More volunteers are required so the program can get up and running again next month.

While there is a core group of about 10 volunteers, more are required so COVID requirements - such as social distancing, limiting contact and sanitising equipment - can be met.

Volunteers do not require experience working with horses and people with disabilities as training will be provided, though they do need to be respectful, have a willingness to learn and a working with children's check.

While it isn't onerous physical work, Ms Hewitt said volunteers do need to be physically fit enough to be on their feet for several hours and to walk on uneven ground.

Outside of assisting riders on a Friday afternoon, there are also other opportunities - such as assisting with fundraising efforts and at events hosted by RDA Victoria around the state, which Daylesford participates in.

There will be two training days hosted for volunteers before riders are welcomed back - on January 29 and February 5.

Volunteers hope that the program will resume on February 12.

To register your interest in becoming a volunteer, call Lesley on: 0407 843 928