How Hong Kong horse riding charity’s equine therapy helps people with disabilities
Riding for the Disabled Association instructor Joelle Scott reveals some of the amazing ways equine therapy can help those with disabilities
The horses are in their element as they run and roll around the spacious indoor sand arena nestled in a peaceful corner of Hong Kong’s Pok Fu Lam neighbourhood.
The space is part of the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Pokfulam Public Riding School, which this year completed a three-year, HK$375 million (US$48 million) renovation.
The Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA), a charity that teaches riding skills to disabled children and adults, operates at the state-of-the-art facility. The association also has schools in Tuen Mun and Lei Yue Mun in Hong Kong.
Instructor Joelle Scott watches the horses. She started working with the RDA 30 years ago and is passionate about the welfare of the animals, speaking about them as though they were her children.