Horse displays and donkey chats all in the name of NGO growth

Gauteng’s South African Riding for the Disabled (Sarda), a non-profit organisation that offers free therapeutic riding to physically and mentally challenged children and young adults who cannot afford it, held another successful market and fun day at the Earth Centre on 29 October.

The day saw over 50 stalls selling various goods, donkey pat ‘n chats and pony rides at the organisation’s Gauteng branch. In the background, parents were seen cheering on their children riding on one of the horses.

Doing this, they each received a certificate and well-deserved applause from their friends and family after completing a year with the organisation.

Ronell Viljoen, Sarda Gauteng’s marketing coordinator, said the challenges that children overcome, are amazing. “Riding a horse presents an extra dimension because the horse is a large living creature; it has feelings, is sensitive and has enormous strength. To ride a horse successfully and safely requires discipline of body and mind, as well as the development of tact, sympathy and patience,” she said.

“Being around a horse is healing in its own right. They accept us unconditionally, as we are. Added to this is the physical warmth of the horse, which helps to relax and soften tight spastic muscles.

“Riding provides a new and exciting way for disabled people to perform interesting motor tasks.”

According to Viljoen, the disabled particularly benefit from horse riding. “The pony’s three-dimensional movement, forward and back, side to side, up and down, stimulates in our hips the muscles we use for walking,” she said.

One of the riders, 10-year-old Thulisile Ngwenya, who has Down syndrome, started riding with Sarda Gauteng at the beginning of the year. She now finished the year through her school in Linden, Casa do Sol School, where her teacher, Ambyr Zeelie, said she has grown to be very confident.

Thandi, Thulisile’s mother, said she has become braver and mostly conquered her fear of animals. “We are still working on dogs,” she laughed.

“We are glad Sarda can provide this therapy for her. Private institutions are too expensive,” she said.

Details: www.earthcentre.org.za