Gunnedah Riding for the Disabled desperate for more volunteers

Malcolm Heath has been volunteering for about 20 years and said his experience had been great.

"It is an enormously rewarding experience to see some of the looks and the joy that we give some of the disabled students," Mr Heath said.

"When they get off the horse, and there is that moment when the kids really enjoy it, [it] makes it worthwhile."

Gunnedah RDA president Max Small said volunteers helped the students participate in various activities.

"You put the students through the things that go on at the RDA. There's saddling, getting you on the horse, and leading the horses," Mr Small said.

"[But you] don't have to love horses - there's also book work or even making cups of coffee."

Read also:

Mr Small said the majority of the volunteers came from St Mary's College and Gunnedah High School, and assist in the activities, providing learning for both volunteers and riders.

But he said the age of volunteers wasn't limited.

"We're always on the look out for volunteers," Mr Small said.

"It's a bit of a social gathering plus it's a bit of work."

Not only are they looking for human volunteers, they are also on the look out for some placid horses to be ridden by the students.

Mr Heath said it was a great retirement situation for horses.

"[Any people] that have horses that they want to see having a nice, quiet retirement where they come out once a fortnight and get lead around with some disabled kids, this is the place to go," he said.

"We have a need for horses as much as people."

Mr Small said those interested in volunteering could come down to the Gunnedah showground on Fridays from 9am-12pm.

The RDA aims to provide most people with a disability the opportunity to ride and enjoy the activities connected with horse riding.

All your local news for only $2 per week.