Trust House – Telling our story

HASTINGS GROUP RIDING for the DISABLED ASSN.INC, provides therapeutic riding for clients from all areas of Hawke’s Bay, who have a variety of physical, intellectual, and emotional and behavioural disabilities. They are Referred by their Doctors, Therapists, Schools or families. Hastings RDA was formed in 1972 at the property of Jim and Mary Short, Hastings Group Riding for the Disabled had its grand opening at its current home, Murdoch Road East, Hastings in March 1999. Here we have a purpose-built covered arena and a wonderful club house.

Riding sessions take place on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday mornings during the school terms. A dedicated group of volunteers lead our nine horses and ponies, sidewalk and coach the riders.  The Group employs five part-time staff who organise the day to day running of the riding programme, care for the horses, ponies and grounds and coach our therapeutic riding sessions. They have help from over twenty-five wonderful volunteers.

The support of Trust House Foundation enables our committee to maintain and improve the therapeutic riding programme by providing trained staff and volunteers. Who work with parents, caregivers, therapists and teachers towards short and long-term goals for each individual rider.

Therapeutic riding is not just good exercise it can improve balance, muscle tone, co-ordination, posture, walking ability, communication, social skills, concentration, learning skills and self-confidence and these life skills are transferred into the home, school and wider community for our riders enabling them to live fuller, richer lives.

Once again thank you so much from everybody here at the hastings RDA

Website: www.rdahastings.org.nz