In RDA, new skills are developed. We learn how to collaborate with others to create a safe learning and developing environment for the riders. We have to understand how to help a rider who faces either physical or mental disabilities. RDA is an organisation that helps disabled people by offering therapeutic sessions which are conducted on horseback. Our job is to walk alongside the horse in order to help the rider better.

Also, challenges have been undertaken. I think the more sessions I go to, the more I am able to fit in to and understand the routine that goes around the organisation. How everything is conducted and how we were able to contribute to the organisation in order to improve our skills of communication. There are many types of communications that have been involved throughout this experience. First, we have to learn how to communicate better with our horse leader and side walker that we have to work with in order to create a safe environment for our riders. Some challenges we faced was because the people working around the horse may be a little inexperienced whether it’s their first time leading a horse or the first time walking alongside a horse but everyone there is very supportive and encouraging to the volunteers. Someone will always be there to guide you but of course we always have to do our best and be the best possible selves.

Next, we’ve got to figure out how the best way to communicate with the rider is either. Sometimes the best way to communicate is to be firm in your language. We can’t always be soft with them. Also, sometimes only one person should speak to the rider so they can figure out who they should listen to. Having multiple voices speaking to you at the same may confuse them which will mess up the goal we’re ultimately trying to reach which is to help them.

Lastly, communication to the organisers at RDA in order to inform them about how the rider is doing in that particular session which will help them figure out what kind of way is the best way to help the rider.