Golden Boy lends a hoof

He's called Golden Boy and he certainly was the boy of the hour on Thursday when the 11-hand Welsh pony came in to meet some fans in Stratford.

Golden Boy is one of the six horses and ponies used by the Central Taranaki Riding for the Disabled Association (Central taranaki RDA) in their work, and last week he came into Stratford to help the group raise awareness of the work they do.

It was RDA awareness week across New Zealand, and the Central Taranaki group was in town to sell gingerbread biscuits, hand out leaflets and answer any questions from the public about the organisation.

Golden Boy did his part, offering himself up for plenty of gentle pats from the young and old.

Sarah Collier, Central Taranaki RDA president, says the group works with a wide range of youngsters with special needs, with pupils coming from Stratford High School, St Mary's Diocesan School and Ngaere School.

The group has 10 volunteers giving their time to help the youngsters achieve their goals in a fun environment.

Sarah says horse or pony riding offers a range of therapeutic benefits, from increased self esteem through to muscular and skeletal benefits and improved posture and co-ordination.

As anyone who has ever owned a horse knows, they are not the cheapest of animals, and Sarah says being a not-for-profit organisation the group is always happy to receive donations.

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