Sunshine Coast RDA would not exist without our amazing horse family. Our horses are especially selected and trained for the important work that they do. Before we take on a new horse they are trialed for up to 4 weeks to make sure they will cope with their workload and enjoy their time with us. Our horses are trained and cared for by our full time horse manager/mother Megan.
Trigger
Trigger is a Shetland pony and the smallest member of the RDA horse family - but there is nothing small about his personality! Trigger is curious, mischievous and loves a challenge. He is also very bossy and has to be separated from all of our other horses except for Sugah. Poor Sugah is the only one who can put up with him.
Trigger is our Meet and Greet pony and is used in our EAL program. He loves a good scratch and always wants to be part of the action.
Sugah
Sugah is our only mare and is a multitasking wonderwoman! She is used in our riding, dressage, carriage driving, hippotherapy and EAL programs! She is a Strawberry Roan and is 14.2hh.
Sugah is very smart and sometimes gets annoyed when people don't know how to talk to her in proper horse language, but if you treat her with respect she will be very loyal and affectionate.
Perry
Perry is the tallest of our horses at 17hh, but don't let his size scare you. He is a gentle giant and loves to be around people. He is playful and affectionate and his curious nature makes him a lot like an over grown toddler!
Perry was a top dressage horse in his earlier years and is still very smart and very well trained. He aims to please and can get confused and a bit anxious with inexperienced riders who don't know where all his dressage buttons are!
Bandi
Bandi is a very placid and trustworthy horse. He is owned by one of our fabulous volunteers (Tracy) and loaned to us for our programs.
We hope Bandy likes being part of our RDA family as much as we love having him!
Dougal
Dougal is a Highland pony and is 14'2hh. He is very dependable, quiet and extremely tolerant. He is used mainly for hippotherapy and his movement and temperament make him the perfect physio tool.
Dougal came to our centre with his best mate MacGregor and the pair were a much loved fixture in the paddocks. Unfortunately MacGregor has recently been retired due to deteriorating eye sight which made him easily frightened and unsafe for our program. They are coping well without each other but they will always be remember as "MacDougal" the highland ponies.
Captain
Captain 15hh, and 15 yo, originally joined the RDA family as our first carriage driving horse. He also become part of our riding program and was a favourite with the beginners. He is ready to retire from the hard work at RDA and has recently found a home with one of our member. He is looking very handsome in his new coat and loves his brand new dinner bowl.
Indi
Indi by name if not by nature. He pretends to be a tough guy but it is all show! He loves a good scratch... But then again maybe that's just his skin allergies talking!
Indi is 14'2hh and is used in our riding and carriage driving programs. He is a very hard working carriage horse and even though he may not admit it, we think he enjoys the work and all the pats.
Spotty
Spotty has come a long way from the nervous "Spooky Spotty" that first arrived. He is now very laid back and happy to hang out with his mates in the arena or out in the paddock. He has a beautiful nature and is eager to please, although we are starting to see his cheeky side more and more.
Spotty is 15'2hh and loves his food so much he is sometimes mistaken for a pregnant mare!
Alfie
Alfie has a condition called Big Head. When he arrived it was so bad that his jaw didn't close properly and he had trouble eating grass and hay. Since joining the RDA family the swelling in his head has reduced, he has put on weight and he is looking great!
Alfie is a very sweet natured horse with a cheeky side and a great sense of humor. He is a fantastic EAL horse and is good at puzzles and hoopla and is also used in our riding program.
Louis
Lou is the youngest member of our RDA family at only 5 years old! He is good at keeping us on our toes and reminding us not to become complaisant around our other horses.
Lou is 15hh and still growing! He is cheeky and curious and also very respectful of people. He likes to play games and sometimes needs reminding of who is in charge.
Ollie
Ollie was originally donated to Doonan RDA. He has since spent some time at Gympie RDA and has just come back to his Sunshine Coast RDA family.
Ollie is a Percheron cross Arab. He can be naughty and often needs reminding of who is boss! He is a successful Dressage Competition horse and is great for our larger clients to learn to trot. He is like sitting on bouncing pillows.
Podge
Podge is very sweet and responds well to riders and leaders. He is used in our riding program and has been training our budding Dressage riders and taking them to competitons already as well.
King
King is a sweet natured horse who likes to be around people. He is curious and usually easy to get along with.
King is 17 years old although he has a very young personality. He was a very successful competition Pony Dressage horse at his former home. He is used in our Riding programs and settling into our famly well. He is very suspicious of the electric fence tape and keeps well clear of it.
Phoenix
Phoenix is owned and trained by Ben and Linda and loaned to our centre. He is a Welsh x Arab and 13’1hh.
Phoenix is a sweet natured and curious pony and a great addition to our Riding and EAL programs.
If your would like to help by Sponsoring one of our Horses
Please contact us for Details or download our Brochure Today