National Volunteer Week 2021: Tamworth Riding for the Disabled team an asset to community

Every member of the team has an important job to do - from caring for the animals daily and leading the ponies on riding days to making and serving morning tea.

That's what has kept veteran volunteer Annette Miller coming back year after year for the past two decades.

READ ALSO:

"I enjoy the company and all the people here and I love the horses, and I also enjoy the volunteers as well as the participants," she said.

"It's the satisfaction of knowing the people work so well together and give the participants a good time."

RDA has had a rough trot with the drought and having to feed the horses twice each day, followed by COVID-19 when the group was forced to shut down.

"I did miss it, we had a big break but we all still kept in touch," Ms Miller said.

RDA has only been back for a few weeks since the COVID-19 shutdown, but Ms Miller said the bond between humans and horses this term is already growing.

"We've matched up horses with riders and ... they have started to give the horses a cuddle or a kiss at the end of the ride, and we try and encourage that as well so they are connecting," she said.

Ms Miller is a coach at RDA and one of about 30 volunteers who dedicate hours every week to the cause.

"You see the looks on their faces when they have a lovely ride, it's very rewarding in that way," she said.

"Some of them have come through as kids and now they're still riding as adults."

Visit the RDA website to volunteer.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: