INSPIRING HOPE & IMPROVING LIVES OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

Riding for the Disabled Association of Singapore is the only local charity which provides Therapeutic Horse-Riding and Equine-Assisted Activities for children and adults with disabilities, 100% free of charge.

Our therapy horses and ponies provide a tool for the purpose of contributing positively to the cognitive, physical, emotional and social well-being of individuals with special needs, in a non-clinical setting, that is fun and effective, helping the beneficiaries to function better in school/at work, at home and general daily activities, and ultimately helping to improve the quality of life for the beneficiaries and their families.

As part of the therapy, we bring our riders out for walks at a nearby forested trail. For many of our riders with physical disabilities, going into a forest is impossible on a wheelchair or with a walking aid. But they can do so with ease on a horse-back.

Over the years, some of our riders have advanced beyond therapy riding to international competition level! Two of our riders, Gemma Foo and Maximillian Tan, who represented Singapore in the 2012 London and 2016 Rio Paralympics Games started their riding sessions

We offer two programmes;

Therapeutic Horse-Riding for Special Education Schools, VWOs and Individuals (10 week programme) and Equine-Assisted Activities (10 week programme).
We work with all types of disabilities, such as Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Hearing Impairment, Global Developmental Delay, Muscular Dystrophy and Autistic Spectrum Disorder.

Riders gain self-confidence, improved circulation, respiration, balance, motor coordination and mobility through therapy. For someone who is unable to walk unaided, see or has communication difficulties, riding a horse gives them a sense of freedom and independence. Horses also provide tools for physical therapy and cognitive improvement, and sometimes these animals have the power to change a person perspective on life.

Besides the physical benefits derived from horse-riding therapy, the contact with the animal is a powerful experience, and the strong bond experienced has a profound, uplifting effect on people who are troubled or suffering.