Motueka Riding for the Disabled visits: ‘the highlight of our week’
We can learn many life lessons from horses; they teach us to be flexible, stay present and be bold enough to try new things. Since the beginning of term four, ponies Fudge, Toby and Koby have been leading the way at Motueka RDA for Grace and her two girls, six-year-old Nikaiah and three-year-old Allyssa.
Grace first brought Nikaiah and Allyssa to Motueka RDA at the beginning of term one this year to learn how to ride and care for horses, in therapeutic horse-riding sessions that are designed to enhance and improve physical, psychological and social abilities.
More recently, a grant from Network Tasman Trust means Grace no longer has to watch from the sidelines. She and her two girls are now one of three family groups – comprising a parent (or caregiver) and up to three children – funded to take part in weekly sessions for the whole of term four.
"It’s much more beneficial for whānau to participate together," says Tūhono Pukenga Manaaki Paula Bethwaite, who accompanies the whānau to the riding arena each week.
Grace says the Motueka RDA visits are the highlight of the whānau’s week, with ‘improved confidence’ being the biggest benefit for her whānau.
Nikaiah and three-year-old Alyssa enjoy watching their māmā have fun too.
By helping develop a stronger bond between whānau, this equine therapy programme aligns perfectly with the goals of two of Te Piki Oranga’s services: Tūhono and Tamariki Ora.
Tūhono provides a kaupapa Māori intensive, personalised programme that aims to build a strong bond and relationship between māmā (or mātua) and tamariki, developing parenting and life skills along the way, while Tamaraki Ora aims to improve and protect the health of tamariki.
In this case, the two Te Piki Oranga services provide Grace with wrap-around support, for both her, the two oldest girls and her 18-month-old pēpi.
When asked to describe her role, Paula turns to Grace, asking, "Do you think of me as an acquaintance, but someone you can ask more of than you would a friend?"
Grace nods and smiles, then puts on her helmet and mounts her pony Fudge.
