For nearly 20 years a ride around the Pony Club’s grounds with Cowra’s Riding for Disabled group has assisted young people in developing skills but more volunteers are needed to help it provide its services.
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The group, which meets every Wednesday between the second school term’s second week and November, gives over 35 young people with disabilities a chance to ride a horse and socialise.
For volunteer Bronwyn Ford it is a rewarding experience to partake in.
“It is rewarding to be able to see a child’s face light up when they either see one of the volunteers they really click with or one of the horses they like to ride, and their face lights up and they can’t wait to be part of that,” she said.
“It’s valuable because it socialises children with animals as well as other people.”
Bunnings Warehouse Cowra employees Julie Thoms and Sarah Wight volunteered on Wednesday, and two staff members from the store will help Riding for Disabled once a month.
The group teaches young people how to mount a horse, provides balance exercises and puts on games using motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
Volunteers help children on and off horses, walk them around the grounds, interact with and support them, and help them put helmets and boots on.
Prior experience with horses is not necessary to be a volunteer.
