| 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 nine Totara Park RDA Horses: |
Caspar
Caspar
is a very accomplished pony having been through years
of Pony Club competitions and dressage.
He
is a Connemara Station bred cross and is flea-bitten
grey, 13.2hh.
He
is a great jumper, enjoys outings through the park and
works nicely with his RDA riders.
Casper
is a great size for RDA allowing his side walkers to
easily reach the rider for therapy. |
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Danny Boy
Danny
Boy 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 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 ponys.
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Dancer
Dancer
is a 14.2hh chestnut mare who joined RDA in May of 2010.
Right
from the start Dancer fitted in calmly and confidently
with every situation presented to her at RDA and she
has continued to be one of our most reliable horses.
Dancer
was partly funded by the Paul Newman Foundation and
we are very grateful for that grant. |
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Hershey
Hershey
is a 14.3hh Pinto gelding who has recently joined the
RDA team.
His friendly, gentle nature and beautiful colouring
make him a firm favourite with the children and adult
riders alike.
Hershey
is solidly built and strong enough to take smaller adult
riders as well as those needing intensive therapy.
He passed through his training regime with flying colours
and quickly joined in with the other more experienced
horses to fully participate in all RDA sessions.
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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.
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Shay
Shay
is another of our larger horses.
She
is a 15.1hh grey mare, 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.
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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.
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Saint Nicholas (Saint)
Saint
is a 13.2hh purebred Welsh Cob.
He
is a chestnut colour and is bright and cheerful in his
work.
His
shaggy mane and leg "feathers" make him a
favourite with the riders. Saint Nicholas was foaled
on Christmas Day - hence his name.
He
was able to be purchased because of a very generous
donation from "The Good Guys" store in Botany.
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Tobi
Tobi
is 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.
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