Horses transport disabled into another world

M ORE than 2000 years ago, the Romans and Greeks were aware that riding horses was not only a means of transport or a useful asset when going into battle, but also offered therapeutic aspects for the rider, such as improving dexterity, co-ordination and muscle tone.
In more modern times, from the early 1900s through to World War I, horses were used in orthopaedic hospital programmes to rehabilitate soldiers, especially those who had lost limbs.
In the 1950s and 60s, a small group of dedicated people saw the advantages of using horses as therapists and recognised that people with all types of disabilities could be advantaged by riding quiet horses to regain some rehabilitation and enjoy social contact.
A polio-impaired Danish rider, Lis Hartel, is generally regarded as the first person to draw attention to the possibilities of managing disability through horse-riding. In 1952, she won the silver medal for Grand Prix dressage at the Helsinki Olympics. Medical and equine specialists took notice and therapeutic riding sprang up in Europe, leading to the Riding for the Disabled movement. More than 25 countries are members of the Federation of Riding for the Disabled International.
In New Zealand, Riding for the Disabled was introduced by Tom Atchison who was at the time president of the New Zealand Pony Club Association. He was responsible for supplying information about the movement he obtained during a visit to the United Kingdom.
The New Zealand Riding for the Disabled Association, as part of the worldwide charitable organisation, is run by volunteers. Its mission is ''Confidence, independence and well-being for people with disabilities through therapeutic horse riding and horse care.''
Jill Penn, president of the Wairarapa Riding for the Disabled (RDA) group, says the Wairarapa group has been going 36 years and was started by enthusiastic locals including Logan Bruce and his wife Ishbell.
''Logan was giving pony rides to disabled children from the Home of Compassion in Carterton and he had observed how much benefit the children were receiving from the riding,'' Jill says.
''He was then contacted by another interested person, Tom Atchison from Hastings, who had met Logan Bruce during a visit.''
Tom became interested and together they decided to form an RDA group in Logan's home town of Masterton.
Jill says the original RDA group worked on Logan's land in Johnstone St, Masterton, and when he retired he left land for carrying on the work with disabled riders. More land was purchased from a neighbouring market gardener at a later date.
''From that original gift of land to the present day, we have enhanced our land and increased our capacity for keen riders,'' Jill adds. ''We now have two arenas and more recently, as a result of a bequest by one of our clients, the late Lynley McWilliam, we have installed what we call a 'Sensory walk'.''
It consists several unusual features designed to supply visual and audio stimulus to the rider. For example, there is a boardwalk which the horses clomp over supplying the noise of hooves on wood, a fountain feature which supplies the sound of gently falling water, a gravel walk, a concrete archway and two mounds which the horses carefully negotiate.
RDA caters for all ages and those with special needs.
''People of all ages come to us, many are referred to us by physiotherapists, medical practitioners and special needs teachers, to name a few,'' Jill explains. ''The list of special needs may include anything from autism, cerebral palsy, stroke, multiple sclerosis to learning difficulties and hearing and visual impairment.
''It's interesting to note that those who are wheelchair-bound get the benefit of the movement of the horse.
''Apparently the movement of the horse is the closest thing to the human walk that can be duplicated, so for the clients in the wheelchairs this is the nearest thing they get to the walking sensation.''
The therapy horse is described by those in the know as ''a warm, flexible and responsive animal, friendly and undemanding''.
''Currently we are using some station hacks, some endurance horses.
''Most are quite mature animals and are on the small side, around 14 hands, to allow for easy mounting. Often children have to be physically supported once on the horse and it is easier for those assisting if the horse is not too tall.
''Often our riders will be seated on a sheepskin which assists with balance _ they have to work a little harder to remain balanced as saddles tend to hold the rider more firmly in place.
''We don't own all our horses, some are on loan, and they have the right temperament for the job. We have nine horses at the moment and part of the team are our human volunteers. These consist of chief coach Linda Tankersly, three assistant coaches with two further volunteers in training. They study aspects of therapy required for specific disabilities.
''The coaches are required to attend a coaching course and our other helpers also receive tuition centred on their particular duties. These are learning about the basics of handling and leading horses, grooming, feeding and general care.''
Jill says the group relies heavily on volunteers and currently there is a shortage.
The Wairarapa group is always keen to welcome new volunteers. ''We meet at the Johnstone St RDA venue every Thursday,'' Jill says. ''Usually helpers spend a full day with us but shorter hours are just as okay.
''There are two jobs that volunteers can be involved in _ they can lead a horse, usually those with some horse knowledge, or they can be a side walker which means they are there to help the rider mount, and to either physically support them once in the saddle, or be there to anticipate the rider's needs.
''There are also many other tasks, depending on the volunteer's interest and expertise, so all capabilities are catered for,'' Jill says.
She adds that there's also an annual National Awareness Week from April 28 to May 1 where displays can be viewed in the Masterton Public Library.
Jill says she loves the work and has been working with RDA for many years. She says she volunteered because of her love of horses and a desire to help those with disabilities.Keen to help? Ring Jill on (06) 378 7047 or Linda on (06) 372 5568