How a Durban equine therapy charity is changing children’s lives – and how you can help

The team at the South African Riding for the Disabled Association (SARDA) Durban have grown used to witnessing the way equine therapy can change children’s lives for the better.

But it remains a delight and one particular case proved so successful, it didn’t so much leave them speechless as it helped a youngster find her voice.

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Libby Durk, chairperson of the association, recalled the child was on the autism spectrum.

“She had never spoken, was non-verbal,” said Durk, telling how the child had been with them for quite some time when one day things clicked. “At the end of the ride, she said how much she loved the horse. The teacher could not believe this had happened.”

Picture: Supplied

Durk also remembered a little boy, one of a group from Ethembeni, a primary school for physically disabled and visually impaired children, in Inchanga, west of Durban.

He was unable to sit comfortably in his wheelchair. But after riding with SARDA Durban for some time, his muscles strengthened and he is now able to sit upright in his wheelchair and on the pony with minimal support.

“He developed muscles to the point he could hold his own body within the chair. It changed everything. He transformed into a happy, smiling little boy. It was unbelievable,” said Durk.

The local association, a registered non-profit organisation, with links to affiliates elsewhere in the country and abroad, recently hosted a media open day with the Hollywood Foundation. It was at their base, at the Natasha Parker Riding School, in the grounds of the Jockey Academy, in Summerveld.

Durk, who showed journalists around, appealed to the public for volunteers to assist their instructors with therapy. She also thanked the association’s sponsors, including the Hollywood Foundation, for their support, which allowed them to provide free therapeutic riding to children in need.

Numbers vary, but at any one time the association will have 40 to 50 children from special needs schools, as well as a home, enrolled in programmes. These included youngsters from Ethembeni; Fulton School for the Deaf, Gillitts; West Park Special School, Malvern; the autism unit of Browns School, Pinetown; and HOLA children’s home, Hillcrest.

The children have a variety of different abilities. Some have physical disabilities and paralysis, including from back and other injuries, or cerebral palsy. Others are hearing impaired or are on the autism spectrum.

Why horse therapy?

While horses’ temperaments vary, they tend to be naturally patient and affectionate. There’s also something about riding, being on top of things, in a sense, of having real mobility, that works a kind of magic on the rider.

Durk explained that a horse, although it has four legs, moves in a similar way to a human. “Movement is very therapeutic particularly for children with problems with balance or core strength.

“It’s just a natural thing,” she said, telling how on horseback children with contractions find their tight muscles relaxing, sometimes within a few strides.

Picture: Supplied

It starts with the instructors, Natasha Parker and Ross Hill (both certified by the Riding for the Disabled Association in the UK) and assisted by association committee members and volunteers, helping a child to sit on a horse.

“Once they are comfortable doing that, the lesson will start with a warm-up. Hands in the air; hands at the side; touching tummy,” said Durk. She said the main aim was to help children develop their core strength, muscle tone, coordination and balance.

But therapeutic riding works on many levels, she said, and goes beyond tackling physical disability. Durk said the association took a holistic approach.

“Often, children come with emotional disorders. They might have fear. We have children who come to us who have never seen a horse or touched one or have a fear of animals. And they have to overcome that fear.”

But being children it is also about fun, so the training includes games on horseback with hoops and balls.

“It’s a joy to watch. It brings them so much joy… a sense of achievement. It’s just amazing,” said Durk.

Apart from forging bonds with the school’s six horses, a mix of thoroughbreds retired from racing, smaller horses and ponies, the children come to develop warm connections with their instructors and the volunteers, she said.

Durk said they welcomed volunteers and that no previous knowledge or riding experience was required as training would be provided.

“Anyone can volunteer, so long as they are able to walk alongside a horse,” she said.

Volunteers assisted the instructors. They led horses and kept an eye on the young riders, ensuring their safety. Sessions normally lasted an hour to an hour-and-a-half and were held on weekday mornings.

Durk said the association relied heavily on volunteers and sponsors, who helped meet costs including rent and horse feed.

She said that last year, the Hollywood Foundation assisted them when they moved to their new home at the Jockey Academy, equipping bathrooms to be disabled-friendly and providing wheelchair pathways to the undercover training arena.

For more details about the association or to assist with a donation, visit sardadurban.org.za or facebook.com/SARDAdurban.

If you are physically able, aged 16 or over, and would like to volunteer, contact Libby Durk at [email protected] or 076 339 5544.

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