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.

Friday 14th of September was the first time we went to the RDA. I really didn’t know what to expect as I haven’t done a service before where I had to be hands on and helping someone physically. I knew that the people riding the horses where disabled in some way, whether learning-wise or physically, and we had to walk along side the horse (aka side walking) and help them. They were going to be on the younger side and dealing with children/teens hasn’t always been by forte. So I was totally nervous going in as I had no idea what I was doing (I’ve never side walked before) and my mind was whispering somewhere in the back of my mind that I was going to botch something up and everything would fall apart. Apart from all that, I was excited because it’s something new.

As we first arrived, we were given an introduction and a lesson as to what to do and what really to expect. Then we got on with it, meeting the riders, introducing ourselves, putting on the helmets for them and giving them a general prep up before getting onto the horse and starting the actual riding. As some riders had a learning disability, they were non-verbal as well so trying to communicate while barely getting a response was very frustrating. This was also the first time meeting the riders so I didn’t know what to look for to see if something were wrong thus I had to be really tentative in my approach as to not alarm the rider in any way. Also, ensuring the safety of the rider was at the utmost importance and any harm would be our fault. With that thought in mind, I definitely had an amount of pressure to make sure the rider stayed on the horse as some of them physical disability. With a physical disability, they could not hold onto the saddle or maintain their balance which is what the organisation RDA is trying to provide a therapy lesson of.

All the worries aside, there was definitely a very rewarding side to the experience and many things I learned. As the horse started walking, there was a very obvious happiness that spread throughout the riding hall. It seemed like the riders were having the best time of their lives and some even broke into ecstatic laughter. Even though the goal of RDA is to provide lessons to improve the riders in some way and these lessons to improve themselves obviously takes concentration and laughing may take away from that concentration it still gave me a sense of fulfilment. These riders have probably gone through so much more than we could ever imagine and yet they are still able to find a place in themselves to just feel happiness. They are so strong in a way that doesn’t require wit or physical strength but one that of bravery. For that, I hold a piece of admiration for them.

I definitely learned or am still in the process of learning a new skill of side walking. It definitely isn’t easy and requires a certain amount of arm strength if we were to hold up a physically disabled. After learning how to do it, I think it is more important to be able to see and adapt towards the needs or other riders because we’re not going to get the same rider every time. That skill is definitely one worthwhile to have. The whole first experience was a challenge and that’s one of the learning outcomes: An experience that will be a challenge to you and where you will learn a new skill.

100% I’m looking forward to the next session and to see what’s more in store for the organisation. I have to say, I’m honoured to be part of an international organisation and can proudly say that I’m directly helping people, and making their life a little more blessed.