Three retired stallion horses from Glencore Coal’s pastoral operation, Colinta Holdings are now calling the paddocks at the Upper Hunter Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) near Muswellbrook home.

Mello, Bucky and Billy recently retired from stock work at Colinta’s Singleton agricultural operation and managers Karen and Matthew Moore thought they were the perfect temperament to go to work putting smiles on children’s faces at the Upper Hunter RDA.

Matthew said the horses served them well, and he wanted them to continue to be cared for and appreciated.

“They were station horses that worked all their lives on the land, and they just got a bit too old to continue doing big days out in the paddock. We were trying to work out what to do with them and someone suggested that we bring them out here.

“The program here is unreal. The kids look forward to coming each week. We have a friend who has a non-verbal little boy, and I had a quiet gelding that we sat him on and he changed straight away. His whole face lit up, it was incredible, and his mother had never seen him so happy.”

Karen said each of the horses used by Colinta are assessed, as are the riders who use them here and in Queensland, so they know exactly what the horses are like.

“Every horse is assessed which helps us put together a complete history of the horse which is important when we are transferring them between Colinta stations.

“Our riders are assessed on a riding score as well so we can match the horses and the riders within their capabilities.

“The three horses we have donated are the right temperament and the right height; they just suited them, and they needed horses so it just all came together,” smiled Karen.

The new horses have settled in, and President of the Upper Hunter RDA Lesa Dobie said they were a wonderful addition to their program.

“It means so much to have these horses donated because they are so hard to find. These horses are perfect, they’ve gone through the Colinta process, so we know exactly what we’re getting.

“To see the joy on the kids’ faces when they ride a horse for the first time, there really is nothing else quite like it. Some of the kids come and they’re really playing up, but as soon as they sit on the horse they calm right down – it’s incredible.”

Upper Hunter RDA partners with three schools in Muswellbrook and the Singleton Public School to offer personalised riding experiences to nominated students across two school terms.

They operate Tuesdays and Thursdays teaching the nominated students about horse riding and care which can help aid in improving balance, coordination and muscle strength.

Jo Whalen is one of the teachers at Singleton Public School and said she has seen a huge difference in the children who get to take part.

“The program gives them confidence and they are so calm afterwards.

“A lot of the kids we bring out have anxiety. One of our boys when we first put him on the horse, he was really frightened so we had to walk with him but now he loves it.

“You see their success and they get so much joy out of it. Another child is non-verbal and when they sit on the horse they calm right down – it’s incredible.”

With more horses comes more work for the Upper Hunter RDA and they would love to get some more volunteers to get involved with the program.

“If we could get more volunteers we could accommodate more students,” said Lesa.

For more information and contact details head to the Upper Hunter RDA Facebook page.