Riding for the Disabled needs your help

Riding for the Disabled needs your help

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Riding for Disabled coach Marianne Hancock with Rachel Slobe, Deja Hawken, Thomas Slobe and coach Marleen Slobe. Photograph – Aaron Van Rongen.

Without volunteers an Oakford-based not-for-profit organisation specialising in helping children and adults with developmental, social and physical disabilities, would cease to exist. 

Riding for the Disabled provides opportunities for anyone with a disability to enjoy safe, healthy and therapeutic horse-related activities. 

Coach Marleen Slobe said the volunteers helped work on improving participants’ balance and posture, hand-eye coordination and reflexes, communication skills, self-confidence, self-esteem, social interaction skills and wellbeing. 

“Our horses aren’t only therapeutic for our riders but also for our volunteers,” she said. 

“Volunteers are the life blood of our centre and they make a real difference in the lives of our riders. 

“It is a real beautiful and phenomenal experience witnessing riders with a disability connect with our horses.” 

The group is looking for volunteers aged 13 and over to help out on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings. 

Tasks include side walking, leading, horse care, poo pick up, riding, boot polishing and gardening. 

A volunteer induction will be held on March 16 from 9am at Lot 281 Gossage Road in Cardup. 

For more information about volunteering email volunteer@rdaoakford.com.au