Kota Kinabalu: Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) Sabah introduced its equine-assisted therapy programme for special needs children aged five to 15, aimed at improving their physical, cognitive and emotional well-being.
Its president, Datuk Mohd Pintaz Badar, said the therapy involved the use of trained horses to help children with cerebral palsy, autism and down syndrome strengthen core muscles, improve coordination and balance, and stimulate sensory functions.
“It also helped enhance focus, reduce anxiety and build self-confidence,” he said after paying a courtesy call on the wife of the Head of State, Toh Puan Faridah Tussin, at Istana Seri Kinabalu.
window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []};googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.defineSlot('/22826383987/dailyexpress_inline', [1, 1], 'gpt-passback').addService(googletag.pubads());googletag.enableServices();googletag.display('gpt-passback');});Toh Puan was also appointed as the patron of RDA Sabah during the visit, which was aimed at introducing the association and strengthening its volunteer-based programmes in the state.
Also present were the founder and director of the International Persons Certification (IPEC) Foundation, Dr Juliana Alut Lim, and RDA Malaysia’s head coach and coordinator, Muthusamy Kandasamy.
Mohd Pintaz said the association, which was registered in February 2024 under the IPEC Foundation, currently operated with three horses sourced from Tuaran. Each therapy session was conducted by trained volunteers.
“Although this therapy is still new in Sabah, it has proven to be effective in helping children with various disabilities. It supports both physical recovery and cognitive and emotional development,” he said.
Nationally, RDA has over 32,000 members. Its next programme will be held at SK Luyang on July 9 and 10, involving 85 special needs students.