Training

Training offered by CRDA

Are you interested in learning more about the benefits of therapeutic riding and increasing your horse skills?  Do you want to start training as a Coach?

Training new volunteers to become effective horse leaders and side walkers and up skilling our current coaches is top priority for CRDA.   Riding therapy programs provide a multitude of benefits to people with disabilities such as autism, cerebral palsy, strokes, global developmental delay, IHC, accident victims, bi polar, at risk youth etc…  Targeted training is very important if RDA wants to provide greatest benefit to each group.

The National body of RDA provides the training framework for all affiliated RDA groups and has a team of specialist trainers who run courses throughout New Zealand. CRDA has a training coordinator who coordinates the training courses which include general horse skills, safety and specific disability workshops plus the formal training for those wanting to become coaches. Workshops are held at CRDA and other RDAs throughout N.Z.

Improving the coach’s knowledge and skills plus keeping everyone safe while working with the horses and ponies is essential to providing a professional service.  Funding for training is an ongoing challenge for the committee who apply for grants to subsidise the coaches.

To fully train a coach usually takes three years.  They need to attend workshops and complete Unit Standards on equine care and training, medical knowledge of disabilities and how to benefit the RDA riders, mounting and dismounting procedures, planning productive riding sessions and keeping everyone safe.

What’s on our training program?

Next Volunteer Workshop- Tuesday 22 October 2019, 1-2.30pm

For more information on these Workshops and how to register your interest phone or email Volunteer Coordinator Annette Shier on 021 1744 096.

For more information about Coaches training with CRDA contact Training Coordinator Jenny Nicol.   Please remember to include your phone number.

All training programs are designed within the guidelines of the NZRDA Code of Safe Practice.

For more information about volunteering with CRDA, use the link “Volunteers” at the top of this page.