Program complete

RDA Lessons – Riding Develops Abilities

At RDA Alice Springs, we take a capabilities approach rather than a deficit view; our focus is on abilities, not disabilities. Riders with disabilities, whether physical, intellectual or social-emotional, are assessed individually to determine the best program for them. Riders can take lessons either individually or through an organisation, such as a school group or therapy group.


Here to Support You

Riders are generally supported by a side walker to help with their balance and horse control, and can be supported by up to three helpers. If possible, riders progress to riding independently and some have even competed in competitions – either through video entry or by travelling to the venue with their horse.

You’re in Safe Hands

Safety is a huge consideration, so all riders are assessed to ensure that they are able to participate safely and enjoy the benefits of riding. A Medical Practitioner’s Consent Form is required before starting lessons. This ensures that the lessons provided are targeted to address the specific needs of each rider. These needs are progressed and re-evaluated, as required, to ensure the rider continues to benefit.

We also have strict safety standards at RDA Alice Springs. Riders are required to wear approved helmets for horse riding and horse-related activities, and correct footwear. We can provide both of these items if needed.

Special equipment is occasionally used; however, we attempt to keep conditions as close to natural as possible to encourage the riders to achieve a good position. A lot of the equipment we use are games and other toys to make the sessions fun and riders participate through the use of their own body, as riding develops abilities. 


Benefits of RDA lessons

  • Fun, motivation and learning
  • A general feeling of wellbeing
  • Encouraging reading and speech through games
  • Improved balance, posture and body awareness
  • Developing gross and fine motor skills, as well as hand-eye coordination
  • Promoting decision making and thinking ahead, sequencing of actions
  • Enhancing memory and concentration, as well as language and communication skills
  • Overcoming phobias such as heights and animals through sensory stimulation activities and surroundings
  • Contact with animals and learning about the need for welfare
  • Gaining a natural Reflex-Inhibiting Position, also giving newfound mobility and access to new areas
  • Building self-confidence and self-esteem and facilitating social integration
  • Learning the value of rules, e.g. safety and discipline, through exercising the right to take a controlled risk
  • Personal challenge leading to achievement, including competitions
  • Learning a skill that many able-bodied people don’t have

Able-bodied Riding Lessons

RDA Alice Springs offers able-bodied lessons developed by our coaches for all levels of riding ability: from walk to trot, canter and beginner jumping. These lessons are an important part of our fundraising, and are not subsidised. We do accept the NT Sports Vouchers which are kindly provided by the Northern Territory Government.

These lessons are very popular with our riders. We cover horse welfare, safety, tack and equipment information, as well as an amazing and safe riding experience for all ages in the beautiful surrounds of the Alice Springs Showgrounds at Blatherskite Park. 

We have a range of horses to suit all riders, and we also provide all the necessary safety equipment, helmets and riding boots. We ask all riders to present in long pants: either jeans, jodhpurs, or tights, as these are the most suitable and safe for riding.
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Please get in touch to see what we can offer you. These lessons are very popular, so don’t miss out.

Grooming Therapy & Walking ‘In Hand’

Horse Therapy, also known as Equine Therapy or Equine-assisted Therapy, is very well documented in regards to its benefits for improving overall health for a range of conditions, ranging from autism, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), cerebral palsy, and acquired brain injury; to anxiety, depression, and other mental-health disorders. It is, undoubtedly, one of the more effective therapies available.

Here at RDA Alice Springs, we provide riding lessons that cater to all these needs. However we recognise that, for a variety of reasons, some people are unable to get onto a horse. We are seeking to address these areas so that no one misses out on the wonderful opportunity to experience horse therapy.

The ‘Grooming Therapy & Walking ‘In Hand’ program aims to improve community involvement and overall health,
physically and emotionally. We want our participants to feel like they are making a difference and contributing to their community in some way.


How the Program Works

Participants typically attend for one hour per week throughout the school term, with a maximum of five participants per session. The session is broken into two parts:

Grooming

Grooming is relaxing and therapeutic for both horse and participant. Grooming stimulates the blood and healing process in the horses – if they have any tight or sore muscles this will help them to feel better. Grooming also helps to form a bond between the participant and the
horse, giving them a responsibility to help their horse relax and feel better.

Walking ‘In Hand’

In the second part of the session, participants take the horses for a short walk on their lead around the grounds. The benefits of this are twofold: improved movement and improved emotional health.

Ready Set Trot

Ready Set Trot is a beginner riders’ program for children. It allows children with an interest in horses, and who may not have access to a horse of their own, the opportunity to have fun and get started in equestrian sport.
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Ready Set Trot aims to introduce children to horses and provide them with a better understanding of horsemanship in a fun and exciting way. It strives to teach children the fundamentals, allow them to sample opportunities within the horse industry, and build a lifelong passion for horses.

This program was first launched in 2013, as a joint initiative of Equestrian Australia, Pony Club Australia and the Australian Sports Commission. It is supported by Riding for the Disabled Association of Australia and Standardbreds Unharnessed.


Safety is our Priority

RDA Alice Springs is committed to providing a safe environment during the course of each child’s participation within the Ready Set Trot program. Whether participating in mounted or unmounted activities, children are monitored and taught the essentials of staying safe around horses. Coaches delivering the Ready Set Trot program require appropriate coach accreditation and are responsible for keeping their insurance maintained and up-to-date. ​

Ready Set Trot: Playground Skills

This provides young people with an introduction to horses through a series of free games and activities. It is the most accessible way to dip a hoof into the horse world and has been designed especially for school teachers, after-school carers, parents and club coaches. Ready Set Trot – Playground Skills requires minimal resources so it can be delivered anywhere, anytime. By using the imagination of children to link horses to everyday play, children are acquainted with a basic understanding of the horse world.

Ready Set Trot: Stable Skills

Stable Skills introduces children to the fundamentals of horsemanship and the basic elements of horse riding. The group program features 16 hours of coaching split over a series of sessions delivered by RDA Alice Springs. The sessions provide the children with the opportunity to learn about basic horse welfare and the fundamentals of horse riding. Ready Set Trot – Stable Skills is the perfect opportunity for horse-mad kids to get involved in the horse world. 

VET Course
Certificate I in Stable Hand

RDA Alice Spring has introduced a Vocational Education and Training (VET) course for Certificate I in Stable Hand, in conjunction with Yirara College and Centralian Senior College. The students from both schools visit for the day once a week. They learn all the skills required to be a stable hand in a variety of equine-related fields.

Here at RDA Alice Springs, we provide hands-on experience in handling, caring for and riding our horses as well as a good solid foundation in the theory side of horse husbandry. This includes learning to clean stables quickly and effectively, as well as the parts of the horse, parts of the tack, how to fit a bridle, saddle and rug. Students also learn to safely walk, trot and canter.

Youth Diversion

These programs aim to break negative habits and behavioural cycles by helping ‘at risk’ young people to critically evaluate their experiences in school and in the community and help them set a positive course that supports their life goals.

We focus on young people experiencing risk indicators that are linked to future homelessness, poor health outcomes and involvement in the child safety and youth justice systems. We consider these young people to be most at risk and in need of support.


‘At risk’ or ‘vulnerable’ young people are young people who need services the most due to multiple factors, including:

  • The cumulative effects of not learning literacy or numeracy
  • Leaving school without qualifications
  • Unemployment
  • Homelessness or the risk of homelessness
  • Living with disabilities
  • Social and geographic isolation
  • Affected by physical, mental, and/or emotional ill-health
  • Affected by regular substance misuse
  • Subject to child protection and/or youth justice orders


While the benefits of therapeutic services such as RDA Alice Springs have been medically documented, statistics alone cannot fully describe the value of this service to the community.

The program we run is characterised by relationships that are, at their core, supporting the whole person in increasing their self-esteem and developing skills that will enable them to make positive choices. To put it simply, the RDA program works and the benefits are ongoing.

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