Our Horses and Ponies

Here are the stars of our program — the therapy horses and ponies that work hard in providing people with disabilities with therapy and enjoyment. 

  • At RDA Singapore, our horses are far more than companions. They are the heart of our mission and the reason our therapy is so uniquely effective. 

    As the only charity in Singapore providing equine-assisted therapy completely free of charge, we rely on our horses to be partners in physical therapy, cognitive development, and emotional wellbeing. When a rider sits on a horse, the movement of the horse's body transfers to the rider in all three dimensions — forward and back, side to side, and up and down — engaging muscles and stimulating the body in ways that no other therapy can replicate. Just ten minutes on a horse encourages continuous, multidirectional muscle engagement equivalent to thousands of movements. 

    But the impact of our horses goes well beyond the physical. Scientific research has shown that simply being around horses has a calming effect on people. The bond that forms between a horse and a rider is powerful and genuine — it can build confidence, foster trust, and even change a person's outlook on life. For someone who is unable to walk unaided, has communication difficulties, or struggles with social interaction, riding a horse offers a rare sense of freedom and independence. 

    Since our founding in 1982, our horses and ponies have lovingly served more than 8,000 children and adults with disabilities. They have helped riders gain increased self-confidence, improved circulation and respiration, better balance and motor coordination, and a greater capacity for forming bonds and social relationships. These may seem like small steps to some, but to our beneficiaries and their families, they are life-changing achievements. 

  • Not just any horse can be a therapy horse. What matters most is not breed or size, but temperament and personality.

    Our horses need to be patient, gentle, and cooperative. They must learn to accept different types of equipment, work alongside a team of leaders and sidewalkers, and accommodate riders who have less balance, trunk control, or muscle tone than most riders. It is not only the rider who balances on the horse — the horse also works to balance the rider. Our horses are trained to support riders who may lie stomach-down, ride backwards, or require assistance mounting from a ramp or chair lift. 

    Each horse undergoes careful selection and training before joining our therapy sessions. Among our herd of approximately 20 horses and ponies, you will find a wonderful variety of breeds and backgrounds — Thoroughbreds, polo ponies, Irish Cobs, Welsh ponies, Quarter Horses, and many more. Some are former polo ponies or competition horses who have found a meaningful second career in therapy. Others were riding school ponies or carriage horses before finding their calling at RDA. 

    What unites them all is their kind nature, their willingness to connect, and their extraordinary ability to sense and respond to the needs of each individual rider. 

    Our horses work six days a week, with Sundays as their well-deserved rest day. Their health and wellbeing are paramount — as a British Horse Society (BHS) Approved Centre, we are accredited as meeting the required high standards of horse welfare, safety, and care.

Meet Our Horses and Ponies 

Each of our therapy horses and ponies has their own story, personality, and special qualities that make them a perfect fit for our program. Get to know them below. 

  • Alegria (Ally)

    PROUDLY SPONSORED BY
    SEEKING NEW SPONSOR

    Ally started out as a polo pony for children, but due to a recurring polo injury, her owner decided Ally needed a slower lifestyle. Since joining the RDA herd, she has been calm and patient with her riders, and is fast becoming a favourite with many of our volunteers!

    Breed: Argentinean Polo Pony
    Gender: Chestnut
    Born: 2014

  • Amorcita

    PROUDLY SPONSORED BY
    MDM HO CHING

    Once a polo pony who taught many players how to ride and play, lovely Amorcita transitioned well to therapy life. With her calm, gentle manner, she always looks after her riders – and her volunteers! – making her a firm favourite in the herd.

    Breed: Argentinean Polo Pony
    Gender: Mare
    Born: 2000

  • Colifa

    PROUDLY SPONSORED BY
    MR EUGENE YONG KON YOON

    Colifa’s stocky, solid build helped her carry heavier riders when she played polo, and makes her ideal for some of our larger riders. Her sweet nature makes her enjoyable to groom and interact with, and she absolutely LOVES a good back scratch – she will direct you to her favourite spot!

    Breed: Argentinean Polo Pony
    Gender: Mare
    Born: 2010

  • Coneja

    PROUDLY SPONSORED BY
    DOVER COURT INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL & IN MEMORY OF DR. MAUREEN ROACH OBE

    After her first job as a polo pony, Coneja picked up a second career competing in dressage and jumping. She’s even partnered some of our more independent riders in local dressage shows! This patient girl also enjoys being groomed and interacting with people during our unmounted Equine-Assisted Activities sessions.

    Breed: Argentinean Polo Pony
    Gender: Mare
    Born: 1999

  • Del Monte

    PROUDLY SPONSORED BY
    MR EUGENE YONG KON YOON

    This beauty queen was part of a riding school, and took her riders to great heights in jumping and dressage competitions. Del now enjoys a slower-paced life; her gorgeous “Barbie pony” appearance and patient character make her a popular pony with our riders!

    Breed: German Riding Pony
    Gender: Mare
    Born: 2007

  • Esmeralda

    PROUDLY SPONSORED BY
    SEEKING NEW SPONSOR

    One of our newer additions to our herd, Esmeralda decided that being a polo pony was not for her, and is now starting her second career as a therapy horse. She is currently is better suited for our more independent riders; however with time and more experience she looks to have a promising career!

    Breed: Argentinean Polo Pony
    Gender: Mare
    Born: 2012

  • Freda

    PROUDLY SPONSORED BY
    TESS & KAYE CARMICHAEL

    Originally hailing from Ireland, Freda used to pull a cart before coming to RDA. Her solid build and no-nonsense attitude makes her a great horse for therapy! This hairy black beauty (check out her moustache!) loves to lie down in her bedding, much to the dismay of whoever has to groom her!

    Breed: Irish Cob
    Gender: Mare
    Born: 2013

  • Imogen

    PROUDLY SPONSORED BY
    YAN YULONG & VERNICE YAP

    Imogen came to Singapore from the UK as a child’s riding pony, and then worked as a riding school horse for a while. She has found hippotherapy to be much more to her liking! Imi’s favourite things are eating, having a nap, taking photos and hearing “3… 2… 1… WHOA!”

    Breed: British pony
    Gender: Mare
    Born: 2009

  • Jaycee

    PROUDLY SPONSORED BY
    JOSHUA KHOO YAO MING

    In her previous career, JC was a competitive riding school horse, participating in jumping and dressage competitions. Now that she’s “retired” from being ridden, she is one of the stars of our Equine-Assisted Activities ground programme!

    Breed: Australian Riding Pony
    Gender: Mare
    Born: 2003

  • Jimmy

    SEEKING NEW SPONSOR

    Small in size, but HUGE in personality – Jimmy is the smallest horse at RDA, though he think’s he’s the biggest! An ex-competition pony from Australia, Jimmy’s hobbies are eating, keeping unsuspecting volunteers in line, eating, giving cuddles, eating, taking photos, eating… unfortunately for Jimmy, he’s on a permanent diet!

    Breed: Welsh Section A Pony
    Gender: Gelding
    Born: 2005

  • Jota

    PROUDLY SPONSORED
    IN MEMORY OF DR. MAUREEN ROACH OBE

    When she retired from being a polo pony, Jota’s calm, steady demeanour meant she would be a perfect therapy horse. Although she is usually a poised, regal lady, sometimes her playful side emerges and she might give you a “smile”!

    Breed: Argentinean Polo Pony
    Gender: Mare
    Born: 2001

  • Kodie

    PROUDLY SPONSORED BY
    CATELINE KHOO YAO YU

    An ex-show pony in Australia, Kodie’s now turned his good looks and tolerant nature to hippotherapy. When not working hard in sessions, Kodie loves to get other horses (especially Priscilla!) to groom him – gotta scratch that itch!

    Breed: Australian Riding Pony
    Gender: Gelding
    Born: 2002

  • Larga

    PROUDLY SPONSORED BY
    JOSHUA MILLER

    Meet Larga! Being a therapy horse is nothing new to Larga; after years of playing polo, she spent several years as an “equine therapist” before coming to RDA. Her tall stature and friendly nature make her a great partner – and she will be your friend for life if you give her lots of neck scratches!

    Breed: Argentinean Polo Pony
    Gender: Mare
    Born: 2005

  • Pampita

    SEEKING NEW SPONSOR

    “Little P” was a fast and nimble polo pony before joining the RDA herd. Her small size and sensitive nature pair well with our more independent young riders. If you pass by the big paddock in the mornings, chances are you might see Pampita having a roll in the grass, or in a mud puddle.. Or in her stable!

    Breed: Argentinean Polo Pony
    Gender: Mare
    Born: 2005

  • Pitita

    PROUDLY SPONSORED BY
    THE BRITISH CLUB

    This calm and gentle girl is an old-hand at being a therapy horse – after her polo career she tried her “hoof” at hippotherapy before joining the RDA herd. Pitita loves nothing more than a morning out in the paddock – bonus points if there is a big mud puddle available!

    Breed: Argentinean Polo Pony
    Gender: Mare
    Born: 2004

  • Priscilla

    PROUDLY SPONSORED BY
    TESS & KAYE CARMICHAEL

    With her comfortable broad back and steady paces, Priscilla was a dependable riding school horse in Ireland. These same traits make her great for therapy sessions. Priscilla is the boss of the big paddock – she loves to make her rounds, grooming everyone and keeping them in line!

    Breed: Irish Cob
    Gender: Mare
    Born: 2009

  • Rhino

    PROUDLY SPONSORED BY
    BRATINA TAY (BRATSKI WITH LOVE)

    Rhino came all the way from Ireland (with his friends Freda and Priscilla), where he was training to be a hunting horse. This extremely intelligent boy is a crafty escape artist – both the bar and the chain have to be secured on his door whenever he is in the stable!

    Breed: Irish Cob
    Gender: Gelding
    Born: 2013

  • Shamus

    PROUDLY SPONSORED BY
    ANONYMOUS DONOR

    Shamus has been with the RDA herd since 2004! He’s seen and done it all – not much fazes our sweet old man. Due to a dental condition, his front teeth have had to be removed. Eating is not a problem for him, as he still has his molars and can chew well. You will notice this makes his tongue poke out though!

    Breed: Danish Riding Pony
    Gender: Gelding
    Born: 1997

  • Tapadita

    PROUDLY SPONSORED BY
    IN MEMORY OF DR. MAUREEN ROACH OBE

    Before RDA, Tapadita was the epitome of a fiery polo pony! Beneath her spicy exterior lies a gentle, sensitive soul; she does well with our more empathetic, independent riders. When not in session, Tapadita loves to work out how to get hay from the hay ball – she’s extremely clever pushing it around!

    Breed: Argentinean Polo Pony
    Gender: Mare
    Born: 2007