Highlands a success with Riding for the Disabled
Two Highland geldings have been purchased by the Sunshine Coast RDA in Qld and are fantastic RDA mounts.
Photo's below are of our Highland ponies, Taranganba McDougal & Harakaway Lodge McGregor . The picture of Billy with our physiotherapist and two side helpers is of particular interest because Billy is rarely able to sit up straight at all. He loves being out of his wheelchair, sitting high above his mates enjoying the sense of warmth and movement.
I only became aware of how fantastic these ponies are about 2 years ago. I contacted several breeders in search of ponies for RDA and our prayers were answered by Sue Jarman from her stud near Stanthorpe. Dougal and McGregor consequently joined the Sunshine Coast Riding for Disabled family at our facility in Yandina.
Is there nothing these ponies cant do?
Patient, steady, solid, willing and they love their riders!. Unphased by the use of large foam blocks, riders kneeling on their backs, waving flags and music and two sidewalkers they are worth their not inconsiderable weight in gold to our program. Currently they are used in our riding program as well as hippotherapy, a one to one physiotherapy on horseback, and we are now looking to add carriage driving and trail riding to the list.
Riders who, because of the nature of their disabilities, are not suitable for a riding program are often suited to carriage driving, where their wheelchair can be wheeled onto the carriage with a specially designed back which doubles as a ramp.
Katy Ash
