Difficulty: Summiteer (Level 3)
The horses are happy as they run around and play in a big indoor sand arena.
The arena is in Pok Fu Lam, a quiet and green Hong Kong district. It is part of the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Pokfulam Public Riding School. It recently underwent a major three-year upgrade that cost HK$375 million.
The Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) is a charity that teaches children and adults with disabilities to ride horses at this school.
The RDA was founded in 1975 by Lady MacLehose, the wife of the Hong Kong governor at the time.
Helping riders gain confidence
Joelle Scott has been an instructor at the RDA for 30 years. She noticed how riding horses has been helpful for people with disabilities.
“Riders gain improved balance, coordination and muscle tone, while also building confidence, focus and emotional resilience,” Scott said.
Many riders come with little movement or confidence and often feel alone, she said.
“After therapy, we see remarkable changes: greater independence, joy and self-esteem and in many cases, a new sense of belonging within the community,” she said.
Scott has seen incredible things happen: “I have witnessed the magic of the horse’s gentle nature. I have heard the first words spoken to a pony from a child who had been non-verbal their whole life. I have watched children become strong when they previously couldn’t hold themselves upright.”
Heartwarming experience
Horses are special because they are prey animals and live in groups. This social behaviour helps them work well with people who have disabilities.
They are very good at sensing human feelings and body language, making them great for therapy.
Because they are prey animals, they pay close attention to everything around them. This includes small changes in a person’s face, posture, breath and energy.
This means horses can quickly respond to how someone is feeling without using words.
Scott mentioned that it’s really touching to see a special connection grow between a rider and a horse.
“What I love about horses is that when we bring the children around them, they are so gentle with them. They understand that they need extra care,” the instructor explained.
“I have seen every child benefit from our therapy and have seen big changes in their behaviour and in their confidence. They become less anxious because a horse is able to calm them.”
