SDPPA grant to purchase specialist equipment and horses

Samford RDA is a grateful recipient of 2019 SDPPA (Samford & Districts Progress & Protection Association) grants program. This generous local financial support will allow us to purchase specialist equipment and expand our herd of amazing horses.

We plan to purchase several purpose-designed saddles that give riders, including those with Cerebral Palsy, very close contact with a horse. For the rider, the physical benefits of the horse’s movement are maximised.

The $3,115 grant will also purchase a head-set communication system to allow hearing impaired riders to have direct contact with their coach, plus an equine massage therapy pad for use on horses who spend long periods carrying unbalanced riders.

Thanks to a further SDPPA grant of up to $10,000, we plan to purchase new horses with the many attributes required for working with people with a wide range of disabilities.

Suitable horses of the desired size and with an unflappable attitude are in strong demand for beginner riders, making them expensive and difficult to secure. At Samford RDA, we are always looking for new horses to maintain the quality and capability of our program as horses retire from the program.

Thank you Samford & Districts Progress & Protection Association for your much-appreciated financial support to improve RDA facilities for children and adults with a disability.