At the centre of every RDAV program is a very special partner — the horse. Across Victoria, our 200 horses and ponies give more than 550 participants each year the chance to experience freedom, connection, and achievement through riding, carriage driving, and groundwork.
With their calm nature and intuitive presence, RDA horses help people discover new strengths. They stand patiently as a rider builds balance, walk steadily to foster trust and confidence, and bring joy in moments of freedom that many participants cannot find elsewhere. Their impact reaches far beyond the arena — inspiring resilience, independence, and wellbeing.
Each horse is carefully chosen for their temperament, patience, and ability to work gently with children and adults with a wide range of disabilities. Whether they once came from competition, leisure riding, or donated family ponies, every RDA horse finds a new purpose here: to change lives, one stride at a time.
They must be able to tolerate traffic, strange sights and sounds, unusual mounting techniques and spasmodic movements and the ability to cope with a variety of riders
Kind and friendly on the ground, easy to catch, groom and saddle. Tolerates people and other horses close by.
Horses must be responsive, sound, sure-footed and able-bodied in order to carry riders who may be unbalanced and anxious on a horse.
Each centre requires a variety of horses and ponies of different sizes as they have to be carefully matched to the riders needs and abilities. If they don’t have a suitable horse, that rider can’t join the program. Most common size is between 12 to 15.2 hh, for ease of mounting/dismounting at the ramp or block, and for side walkers to provide support. However, smaller or taller horses are also needed.
Recommended 8 to 18 years, preferably with exposure to multiple and diverse environments.
RDA Victoria is proud to have strong association with off the track programs with both Racing Victoria, Harness Racing Australia and Harness Racing Victoria.
Standardbreds are known for their easy-going temperament (being hardy, sound horses), and have the advantage of being adaptable for both riding and carriage driving programs. They must be re-trained for a minimum of 6 months, be regularly ridden, and be able to walk, trot and canter.
Because Thoroughbreds have been exposed to different environments, are disciplined and have a great work ethic, the right horse is ideal for our independent riders who are pursuing their goals in the competition arenas. They must be re-trained for a min of 6 months, regularly ridden, and have been exposed to a variety of other disciplines.
Fiona met Snoopy 13 years ago. A friend had gotten him off the track as a four-year-old and he needed lots of groundwork, TLC, teaching social skills and riding aids. She was supposed to sell him on but fell hopelessly in love with him and his personality.
She taught him dressage and jumping and did a couple of stockman’s challenges and many trail rides. When they were riding along a road next to a train line, the train was early, and she found herself stuck between a 100 km/hr train and a barbed wire fence with nowhere to escape. It was when Fiona dismounted and held tight, and Snoopy just stood there and watched the train speed past, that she knew.
Fiona then began training him for RDA. He didn’t start off well, because his first session was at RDA Warracknabeal, which is based at a racecourse. It took Snoopy a while to realise he wasn’t going on the racetrack.
Fiona kept taking him back and it was at his fourth visit to the centre that he was able to meet all the kids and the coach and after another 3 months, he was assessed as a safe and reliable horse.
Fast forward 10 years and Snoopy continues to enjoy his fortnightly trips to RDA Warracknabeal and gets to do what he does best, walking and trotting around the yard adapting perfectly for each rider. He’s also taken a couple of kids to the local agricultural show to compete in a few RDA events.
All who meet Snoopy comment on how kind and sensitive he is with the kids. A wonderful life for a beautiful Off the Track thoroughbred.
Happy, healthy horses are the cornerstone of our RDA programs and horse welfare and safety are a primary focus.
As a charity, we need your help to sponsor their yearly upkeep, food, health (medical and dental) and other associated costs.
You can donate online with the reference “Horse Fund”
They are assessed for suitability, and checked by a vet, and we recommend a trial period before the purchase or lease of horses.
The horses undergo training when they arrive at a centre to get familiar with the facilities. They are exposed to the different pieces of equipment used and activities that are undertaken during a session.
Whilst at RDA, horses are well cared for by a Horse Welfare team and provided the best possible care.
