How Assistance Horses Are Quietly Changing Lives
Some of the most powerful healing in Australia happens in the arena, between a horse and its rider. Here's how the Petstock Foundation is helping that bond reach more people this Christmas.
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From classic Western films to luxury fashion houses and cult Aussie shows like The Saddle Club, there's something about a horse that the world adores. The quiet power, the steady weight, the way they seem to sense you before you even move. For some people, a horse's presence is literally life-changing.
At Riding for the Disabled Australia (RDA) centres across Australia, these animals are a key in providing therapeutic benefits — involving riding, carriage driving and unmounted activities — designed to help people with disability strengthen muscles, build coordination, develop confidence, and have fun.
Some riders are children born with developmental disabilities such as cerebral palsy or autism, while others are affected by physical disability including MS (Multiple Sclerosis) and progressive blindness. Some are even adults rebuilding after an accident, injury or diagnosis, including people who have become paraplegic, an amputee or suffered brain trauma.
The horses meet them where they are, instinctively attuned to every movement and mood, and riders respond in incredible ways.
"Horses have this beautiful ability to relax people," says Mary Longden. "They're sentient beings. The smell of a horse, the sound of the horse. Nothing beats actually being on a horse. I've seen almost miracles happen."
The changes go beyond riding ability, though practice makes perfect. Through assistance horses, riders who once struggled to follow instructions begin to respond, non-verbal participants start whispering to their horse, and those living with anxiety or attention disorders learn to self-regulate.
In these sandy arenas where horses trod along and coaches gently call out instructions like "heels down" or "soft reins", incredible progress is made. Routine, patience and progress are learned through care, from brushing and saddling to leading and riding. Each small action adds up to something bigger and creates more freedom than they ever had before.
The RDA program runs on volunteers who give up their time to help lead horses, support riders and keep sessions running. The whole thing is a win-win for both riders and volunteers. "The benefits are not just for the participants. It's uplifting to see the impact for their carers and the volunteers and the coaches," says Steve Gatt. "It's an amazing experience."
That sense of shared purpose is what's driven the Petstock Foundation to support RDA for more than a decade. Since 2007, the Foundation has contributed to coaching workshops, centre programs and national initiatives that help RDA continue its work.
This year, that partnership is further bolstered through Petstock Foundation's Christmas Project 'Support You Can Snuggle'. While you're picking up treats or toys for your pet this Christmas, donate $2 to the Petstock Foundation, either in store or online, and your contribution will help expand access to programs like RDA.
These donations go directly towards supporting and expanding assistance animal services in communities across Australia and New Zealand — ensuring more people can access the life-changing support they need.
Donate $2 to assistance animals this Christmas. Your support gifts theirs. Donate instore or online at petstock.com.au.
