At Totara Park RDA we are proud of our well mannered, fit and keen horses.
We value them highly because

No horse, …. No RDA

To qualify to be a “Totara Park RDA Horse”, horses and ponies must be patient, fit and well, free-moving with an even gait, have a great temperament and above all, be willing and happy to work with us.

We like to keep our horses fresh by allowing pony club and adult riders to “lease a pony”.

This gives our horses a variety of fun activities on site on non-RDA days.

Presently we have eight Totara Park RDA Horses:

Danny Boy

Danny Boy is our newest recruit.

He came all the way from Whangarei and has a wealth of experience with smaller riders in pony club and just going around the farm.

Danny is 12 years old, 12hh and is a grey Welsh X gelding. His extremely quiet, calm demeanour and wonderfully friendly nature makes him a real favourite with our very young riders.

Danny shares his paddock with our other small pony, Jerry, and the two of them are certainly the cheekiest pair at Totara Park.

Hamlet

Hamlet has been with RDA for some time now. He is a faithful, reliable dark bay gelding standing at 14.2hh.

Many children and adults have learned to ride on Hamlet. He is excellent for riders who have high tone (muscle tightness) and has a smooth even gait.

Hamlet is well able to tolerate people riding backwards, leaning on his rump, and those who are unevenly balanced.

Jerry

Jerry is the smallest addition to our paddocks, being a mere 11.2 hh.

He is a cheeky little black teddy-bear who comes calling out and cantering towards the gate when we call him for duty.

Jerry is ideal for our younger riders as he is easy for them to groom and lead as well as ride in the arena and over the farm with the larger horses.

He shares his paddock with Windy and Danny Boy they make a great team on Mondays.

Klyde

Klyde is a big, strong Clydesdale standing at 15.2hh who is ideal for our adult riders.

His wonderful “Clydesdale” movement and calm temperament make him ideal for RDA.

His paces are even and controlled and he just loves being around the children and adults on RDA day.

Klyde has no problem at all with riders being unbalanced or riding in alternative positions and is certainly a favourite with everybody.

Shay

Shay is another of our larger horses.

She is a 15.1hh grey mare aged approximately 13 years, whose history involved trekking.

Shay has an excellent top line which encourages good posture for the riders and her impulsion and tempo provide wonderful trunk movement and rotation for riders who require lots of movement.

Shorty

Shorty is a lovely thoroughbred bright chestnut gelding.

At 10 years old and standing at 15hh he has been a great investment for RDA.

Shorty is particularly suited to our adult and teenage riders who are more capable as he responds quickly to light aids and has huge movement in his long thoroughbred legs.

Tobi

Tobi is a 7 year old 15hh Stationbred Pinto mare originally from Weiti Station.

She is a great asset to Totara Park RDA and has fitted in well to our programmes.

Tobi has a wonderfully placid nature and is happy to take riders of all sizes and abilities. She is strong, reliable and friendly and really enjoys carrots from her riders and volunteers. Riders feel right at home on Tobi’s wide back and her gentle nature gives confidence to even the most apprehensive rider.

Windy

Windy is a 13.2hh grey mare who has recently joined us at Totara Park RDA.

She has previously won many ribbons at pony club for dressage, jumping and eventing and is a very exciting addition to our herd.

Windy only needed four full training sessions to be completely ready to participate in our RDA programme.

She has proved popular with the children who are lucky enough to ride her and with our volunteers who are glad of her smaller stature, gentle personality and willing, forward gait. Windy particularly enjoys games and walking out across the farmland with her riders.