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Riding for the Disabled Association Malaysia (RDA) was established in 1988, and is a registered charity ( no pendaftaran 1985/94 - Wilayah Persekutuan) under the Royal patronage of YAM Raja Dato' Seri Azureen Ibni Sultan Azlan Shah. RDA is a voluntary, non-profit organization, which provides opportunities for children and young adults with varying disabilities, including cerebral palsy, spina bifida, multiple sclerosis, autism, learning disabilities, speech problem, deafness, visual impairment, head injuries and behavioral problems.
The valuable sessions allow boys and girls of various ages a chance to enjoy a safe, stimulating, healthy, therapeutic and recreational sport, which have enhanced necessarily restricted and lonely lives, as well as encouraged an element of personal independence and confidence to their self-esteem. In addition, clear evidence has shown that this regular activity has been seen to greatly improve a wide range of medical conditions.
How RDA Operates?
RDA Malaysia is run and managed entirely by committed volunteers. The 82 active volunteers around Malaysia regularly and cheerfully give up a few hours a week and tireless energy to ensure that RDA provides the necessary services for its beneficiaries.
Presently, RDA actively operates in 5 areas around Peninsular Malaysia, namely, The Royal Selangor Polo Club (RSCPC); Bukit Kiara; Ipoh; Penang and TUDM. These sessions are held most weekday mornings, with beneficiaries coming mainly from special schools and day centres, including Tasputra Perkim Day-Care Centre, The National Autistic Centre, P.J. Spastic Centre, and Special Children of Ampang. ETC., and benefit from the opportunities.
Each session has a qualified instructor in-charge and helpers are provided as required to lead the horse and to provide support and encouragement to the rider. In some severe cases, three or more helpers are needed for one rider. The session's instructor keeps a profile of each rider and these are reviewed and updated after each session amongst the working volunteers and as the need arises with physiotherapist/occupational therapist for medical input and advice. (All riders complete a registration form on which their parent/guardian signs giving their consent. Additionally, their doctor or similar qualified person has to provide details of their medical history and any medication taken. The ages of riders vary from 5 years old to adult).
The RDA Committee and Sub-committee of each existing centre are responsible for its over all management, and they in-turn ensure the operation runs smoothly through the nomination of a group of volunteers to lead a working committee, who are responsible for the detailed running of each session, and for the exchange of plans and ideas.
The Ponies & Horses
RDA ponies/horses vary in age and size. Some participate in sessions with our disabled riders, organized events such as he gymkhanas and horse competitions, whilst other ponies are specifically for hippotherapy work (for children with extreme serious disabilities).
All the ponies and horses used are usually very willing with favorable temperaments and most of our riders have established a favorite amongst them. However, the number and suitability of the ponies is limited, with many current ones suffering from old-age and it is common that riding sessions are cut short as there are still limited, suitable ponies for all the beneficiaries involved.
Ponies and horses need to be professionally assessed for their overall suitability for the work to be conducted. They need to show good temperament and the height/width of their back is also extreme vital for therapeutic sessions such as hippotherapy.
The Royal Selangor Polo Club RDA owns 2 elderly ponies, however, all the other ponies/horses at the 4 existing RDA centres (namely, The Royal Selangor Polo Club-(RSPC); Bukit Kiara; Ipoh; and TUDM) are borrowed from either the Clubs or from private owners. The exception being RDA Penang who own of their ponies/horses and borrow a couple. Presently, it costs around RM1,000/monthly/pony to maintain (including feed, supplements, medicine, and groom). Recently, some private owners have expressed a wish to sell/give their retired ponies to the a cause and have approached RDA.
Benefits of RDA- A Unique Therapy
Evidence show most riders benefit both physically and mentally from horse riding with RDA. The planned activities require a good mix of disabled with the able bodied and the communication necessary between the riders and helpers develop understanding and social skills. The repeated pattern movement of the horse stimulates improved balance. Confidence is enhanced as the riders manage to achieve goals that are set for them and see that their achievements are recognized. Co-ordination is also improved as the riders learn to use their hands, feet and legs etc. to ride a horse.
The list of benefits is numerous but the following indicates just a handful of what our own volunteers have themselves experienced and found:
| Improves balance and posture | Riding is a natural Reflex Inhibiting Position | Promotes body awareness- overcoming sensivity to hearing and de-sensitising of the skin(Especially during hippo therapy) |
| Promotes decision making and thinking ahead | Sensory and speech encouragement through games promotes motivation and learning | Promotes hand eye co-ordination |
| Sequencing of actions can be taught | Sensory stimulation through 3-dimensional movement of the horse | Overcoming phobia such as water, heights and animals |
| Builds self confidence and self esteem and facilitates social integrations | Memory improvement and concentration | Promotes language and communication skills development |
| Learning the values of RULES (e.g. safety and discipline) | Personal challenge leading to achievement | Personal challenge leading to achievement |
| Participation and opportunity for competition (e.g Gymkhanas) | Gives the right to take controlled risk | Promotes general feeling and well being |