RDA Volunteering References

[SaddlePsych'D]

I have decided to enquire with my nearest RDA to see whether they are taking on volunteers, and am filling in the registration/enquiry form. One of the sections asks for two references but I can't find information about what kind of references they are looking for. I'm thinking one from my work line manager to confirm I am who I say I am and my professional background, and maybe one from the RS I attend to confirm I have some experience of riding/handling horses. Do those sound about right? I've emailed the centre but aware they may take a bit of time to get back to me, so thought I'd ask on here as aware there's others on HHO who have experience of RDA volunteering. I'd love to hear more generally about RDA volunteering experiences as well

 

[teapot]

Sounds good to me! (Ex group coach). It’s just to confirm you’re not a walking liability, and any equine based refs will be perfect too. Will help too if they do your DBS application as well (some groups will pay to do it for you).

I loved my time with RDA, so many happy memories, and simply just helping people get the joy out of something that can be taken for granted.

However one of the reasons I stopped going (aside from work getting in the way) is it can attract those with a lot of spare time and not a lot of experience when it comes to horses, certainly not what the impact of weight means on horses, and had some questionable ideas of what counted as safe! It is very group dependent (ie the group centres can be a lot better), and I’d say pick your group wisely so as to make your experience better and actually be more valued by others. I came across a lot of ‘oh we can do that, what’s the issue?’ and me watching a law suit waiting to happen…

RDA Regionals are fab to be involved with, and you won’t find a more humbling competition than RDA Nationals!

I love RDA and what it offers, but it needs to be dragged into the 21st century. The fact the new CEO lasted about two weeks and her quote re the structure says all you need know about it as a charity, sadly.

Edited, so as not to offend.

 

[Surbie]

Those should be more than fine, they will be very happy to have you! When you start they will run through the RDA way of doing things, both with horses and riders, which is designed to safely accommodate volunteers with little/no experience. They will probably buddy you up with someone who has been there longer till you get the hang of it.

I've been volunteering for 6 years now, at the same centre I helped at in my teens though it's changed enormously since then. I really enjoy it, although as with most things, aspects of it are frustrating. If you are looking at a larger centre, the options for helping are much wider and I have found supporting the pony care and property maintenance equally rewarding and nice to have as variety.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Those referees will be fine. We just ask volunteers for our group to avoid using other people connected to the group in some way.

It’s a really enjoyable way to give something back to your local community while gaining equestrian experience yourself. I have been involved with RDA for almost 40 yrs and have made life-long friends through the group.

Just be aware that people will be looking for stewards/fence judges/General dogsbodies for every equestrian event that you can think of once they see that you are capable.

 

[Muddy unicorn]

However one of the reasons I stopped going (aside from work getting in the way) is there are a lot of older women involved who maybe don’t have the most experience when it comes to horses, certainly not what the impact of weight means on horses, and had some questionable ideas of what counted as safe!

Yay, casual ageism strikes again

 

[rabatsa]

Yay, casual ageism strikes again

I agree, it was usually the young know it alls that were the problem. The ones that had been to a riding schools as well as the ones who had their own ponies. The older ladies generally at least listened to what you wanted them to do.

Now sexism bit, we did have the odd gentleman who would not believe that someone of the opposite sex really should be in charge.

Over the 30 years that I was involved with RDA we had some great volunteers of both sexes and all ages. One of the worst was a middle aged lady who arrived with a long Dr Who scarf and open toes shoes EVERY FLIPPING SESSION FOR 3 YEARS. Some people just seem impossible to get the basics into. We did make use of her and despite her wanting to side walk the riders, we had her make the tea and drinks for them instead.

Enjoy your RDA group, there are some fantastic ones out there, small as well as large.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Those referees will be fine. We just ask volunteers for our group to avoid using other people connected to the group in some way.

It’s a really enjoyable way to give something back to your local community while gaining equestrian experience yourself. I have been involved with RDA for almost 40 yrs and have made life-long friends through the group.

Just be aware that people will be looking for stewards/fence judges/General dogsbodies for every equestrian event that you can think of once they see that you are capable.

As long as I feel included and valued/in a friendly and welcoming place, I don't mind at all I'm struggling with my riding at the moment so desperately looking for some enjoyable horsey time and a relaxed/friendly horsey community that doesn't rely on me needing to be able to ride. I don't know much about the centre I'm looking at but they have some testimonials from their volunteers on their page which look good.

 

[J&S]

People with horse experience are really useful for tacking up and stable management. Side walkerS and leaders need to really understand the RDA WAY IS THE ONLY WAY.... there should be plenty of training events and even if you are not a rider you can still work your way up to coaching. Big thing is to be reliable, listen carefully, be aware of all the safe guarding rules and have fun along the way.
It will be coming up to Regionals right now and the Championships in the summer, well worth being part of both events.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

The centre got back to me and my application has gone in so just waiting to hear back now.

 

[toppedoff]

The centre got back to me and my application has gone in so just waiting to hear back now.

I hope you have a lovely time there keep us posted!

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

As long as I feel included and valued/in a friendly and welcoming place, I don't mind at all I'm struggling with my riding at the moment so desperately looking for some enjoyable horsey time and a relaxed/friendly horsey community that doesn't rely on me needing to be able to ride. I don't know much about the centre I'm looking at but they have some testimonials from their volunteers on their page which look good.

Give it a few weeks to settle in, most volunteers are busy concentrating on their own task, so might not be chatty until you become a familiar face and of course it takes a while to build up a relationship with individual riders.
We try to keep the same volunteers and riders together, as far as possible, so that helps, especially if the rider needs a side-walker as well as a leader.

 

[stangs]

For the sake of showing different sides of the argument - I ‘volunteered’ with the RDA (didn’t have a choice, I was volunteering and then working at a RS that did some RDA) and I hated 90% of it.

You get some good kids with lovely parents who are fun and rewarding to work with, but the majority of clients (we had almost all children, the minority of which had physical disabilities) are difficult to deal with, particularly as someone with little experience working with mental problems. Then you get the good kids with very over-protective parents that fight lesson plans every step of the way. And then there are the kids that pull at manes, scream, and it’s miserable watching the ponies have to put up with it. Unless you have a nice rider, side-walking is the most godawful boring thing on the planet and leading isn’t much better when the horse starts trying to take their frustration out on you.

Having said that, lessons are much easier when you have a well-trained coach who doesn’t leave you trying to handle an aggressive kid on your own. It doesn’t taken long to befriend your fellow volunteers even if you’re poorly socialised like I am; it gives you experience dealing with conditions you would not be allowed near without proper training in any other industry; and, in theory, you get training opportunities if you’re at a proper RDA centre, and not just a riding school that does a couple RDA lessons a week. Avoid the latter at all costs. No one will know what they’re doing there. And avoid yards that don’t give their horses a good, varied life - many don’t, and it destroys you having to watch horses suffer in the name of ‘helping people’.

ETA - can’t help with references as I was already there, but what you describe sounds good. My yard never even checked references.

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

For the sake of showing different sides of the argument - I ‘volunteered’ with the RDA (didn’t have a choice, I was volunteering and then working at a RS that did some RDA) and I hated 90% of it.

You get some good kids with lovely parents who are fun and rewarding to work with, but the majority of clients (we had almost all children, the minority of which had physical disabilities) are difficult to deal with, particularly as someone with little experience working with mental problems. Then you get the good kids with very over-protective parents that fight lesson plans every step of the way. And then there are the kids that pull at manes, scream, and it’s miserable watching the ponies have to put up with it. Unless you have a nice rider, side-walking is the most godawful boring thing on the planet and leading isn’t much better when the horse starts trying to take their frustration out on you.

Having said that, lessons are much easier when you have a well-trained coach who doesn’t leave you trying to handle an aggressive kid on your own. It doesn’t taken long to befriend your fellow volunteers even if you’re poorly socialised like I am; it gives you experience dealing with conditions you would not be allowed near without proper training in any other industry; and, in theory, you get training opportunities if you’re at a proper RDA centre, and not just a riding school that does a couple RDA lessons a week. Avoid the latter at all costs. No one will know what they’re doing there. And avoid yards that don’t give their horses a good, varied life - many don’t, and it destroys you having to watch horses suffer in the name of ‘helping people’.

ETA - can’t help with references as I was already there, but what you describe sounds good. My yard never even checked references.

Oh dear that doesn't sound like a good supportive set up for anyone involved! Sorry to hear that was your experience.

The centre I'm looking at is a large, and I think primarily RDA centre with some non-RDA riding school lessons and other competitions/events held there. I have had a couple of lessons with them myself though sadly couldn't continue as they just don't offer lessons at times I can attend. I know that the horse I rode was also an RDA horse, I think they get out hacking around the grounds too so not just the RDA work/in the arena all the time. The automated email response I've had mentions training so that's a good sign!

 

[teapot]

Yay, casual ageism strikes again

I've edited, but hard to describe the almost decade of experience I spent with RDA at local, regional and national level to reflect the older aged predominantly female volunteers that I encountered and desperately tried to work with to ensure they were safe, and aware of the modern practices, let alone ensure the riders were safe? We didn't have any teenagers volunteering so can't comment on the younger generation, but I certainly found the very few of us in the region who were younger viewed with an element of suspicion as we tried to change things for the better. Meanwhile I witnessed riders that were too heavy being manhandled (or should that be woman-handled?) on to horses that simply were not capable of taking their weight. The suggestion I made of perhaps considering a weight limit for riders given the horses available was met with disgust and that 'horses can take it'. Horses being pulled around and not being led properly 'because that's how we've always done it'. That's the sort of thing I'm thinking about here, those of a certain generation and the attitudes that can come with it.

They weren't all bad, far from it, and RDA survives on people being able to volunteer during the week (aka those who perhaps semi retired or retired) so apologies if you think that's what I was implying, as I wasn't, but RDA does have a certain culture, and that culture needs to change if it is to survive. That said, I would still encourage anyone to volunteer with it, because you can make a difference to individuals that frankly sometimes don't get much joy in their lives.

@stangs post is spot on too - ensure you're at a group that has a sensible, safe way of managing the trickier riders. I certainly had to defuse some situations that shouldn't have happened had things been better organised, or indeed certain things not being said. Do not be afraid to ask on how best to manage certain conditions

 

[Muddy unicorn]

Just think about what you said - would you say the same referring to any other group? Race, religion, sexuality, disability … no of course you wouldn’t but older people, especially women, well that’s fine

 

[Red-1]

I am glad some people have raised concerns with some RDA groups, as I have seen a few and had concerns myself. So, hoping it all works out for you but, if it doesn't, don't necessarily think it is because of you.

 

[Snowfilly]

I’ve helped at two RDA centres over the years; one was terrifying and I still regret being a nervous teenager and not speaking up about the ill fitting tack, dangerous handling and poor care of clients. I left after 4 weeks and never went back.

I’m glad to say the second one, where my aunt went when her disabilities progressed, was wonderful and many of the volunteers were experienced horse people who stayed around for years. The horses were well kept, only did RDA stuff a couple of days a week and had tack that fitted instead of banging their teeth on bits and pinching their withers.

Like many organisations that depend on volunteers, the RDA does tend to skew towards older people. There’s no getting away from that.

 

[teapot]

Just think about what you said - would you say the same referring to any other group? Race, religion, sexuality, disability … no of course you wouldn’t but older people, especially women, well that’s fine

Is it the word 'older' that you take issue with with reference to women, or both words? I only ask as 'older' is a word use by RDA themselves to describe their volunteers... https://rda.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Benefits-of-RDA-Volunteering-1.pdf

I was simply describing the make up of the group and region I was involved in, nothing less, nothing more. If it had been made up of teenage girls, I would have said 'lots of teenage girls'.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

For the sake of showing different sides of the argument - I ‘volunteered’ with the RDA (didn’t have a choice, I was volunteering and then working at a RS that did some RDA) and I hated 90% of it.

You get some good kids with lovely parents who are fun and rewarding to work with, but the majority of clients (we had almost all children, the minority of which had physical disabilities) are difficult to deal with, particularly as someone with little experience working with mental problems. Then you get the good kids with very over-protective parents that fight lesson plans every step of the way. And then there are the kids that pull at manes, scream, and it’s miserable watching the ponies have to put up with it. Unless you have a nice rider, side-walking is the most godawful boring thing on the planet and leading isn’t much better when the horse starts trying to take their frustration out on you.

Having said that, lessons are much easier when you have a well-trained coach who doesn’t leave you trying to handle an aggressive kid on your own. It doesn’t taken long to befriend your fellow volunteers even if you’re poorly socialised like I am; it gives you experience dealing with conditions you would not be allowed near without proper training in any other industry; and, in theory, you get training opportunities if you’re at a proper RDA centre, and not just a riding school that does a couple RDA lessons a week. Avoid the latter at all costs. No one will know what they’re doing there. And avoid yards that don’t give their horses a good, varied life - many don’t, and it destroys you having to watch horses suffer in the name of ‘helping people’.

ETA - can’t help with references as I was already there, but what you describe sounds good. My yard never even checked references.

I appreciate that was your experience but I do object to the advice to avoid 'just a RS that does a couple RDA lessons a week'. Ime a multipurpose RS can do a superb job of helping people with disabilities to ride.
I used to take a group of children that I taught in a mainstream school to a Children's RS after school, those children had a great time and learned a lot about the ponies because there was a friendly, safe, nurturing atmosphere.
The group that have spent almost 40 yrs with started at a RS that operated out of a family farm. The ponies were used in the RS, took the owner's children hunting and showing at appropriate times of the year and did a brilliant job of introducing children and adults, mainly with learning disabilities and autism to riding.
That group is still going strong, although the RS closed sometime ago when the owner retired and later died. Her daughter now coaches the group, while her son runs the farm.
There are still a few volunteers and riders involved who have been with the group from the beginning, we are no longer in the first flush of youth but are all active, horse owners and committed to the success of the group.

In fact if it wasn't for the availability of semi/retired people, there would be very few volunteers. We do have some younger volunteers but often they appear for a season while they do the DoE challenge and then disappear again.

Eta, my experience is that the people who are most resistant to change are those on the Board of the National organisation

 

[eahotson]

For the sake of showing different sides of the argument - I ‘volunteered’ with the RDA (didn’t have a choice, I was volunteering and then working at a RS that did some RDA) and I hated 90% of it.

You get some good kids with lovely parents who are fun and rewarding to work with, but the majority of clients (we had almost all children, the minority of which had physical disabilities) are difficult to deal with, particularly as someone with little experience working with mental problems. Then you get the good kids with very over-protective parents that fight lesson plans every step of the way. And then there are the kids that pull at manes, scream, and it’s miserable watching the ponies have to put up with it. Unless you have a nice rider, side-walking is the most godawful boring thing on the planet and leading isn’t much better when the horse starts trying to take their frustration out on you.

Having said that, lessons are much easier when you have a well-trained coach who doesn’t leave you trying to handle an aggressive kid on your own. It doesn’t taken long to befriend your fellow volunteers even if you’re poorly socialised like I am; it gives you experience dealing with conditions you would not be allowed near without proper training in any other industry; and, in theory, you get training opportunities if you’re at a proper RDA centre, and not just a riding school that does a couple RDA lessons a week. Avoid the latter at all costs. No one will know what they’re doing there. And avoid yards that don’t give their horses a good, varied life - many don’t, and it destroys you having to watch horses suffer in the name of ‘helping people’.

ETA - can’t help with references as I was already there, but what you describe sounds good. My yard never even checked references.

Good Lord.

 

[rabatsa]

Eta, my experience is that the people who are most resistant to change are those on the Board of the National organisation

To my mind National became too big and bloated with part time people. The person you needed to talk to was never in the office and there are a lot of posts that started as temperary and became permanent. Getting a centre of its own stopped nearly all the fantastic regional training sessions that National used to put on, instead they expect everyone to go to them. Killing off the discipline sub committees was not their best move.

The paperwork that the volunteer coaches now have to do takes up far more time than the working with riders/drivers themselves. Many groups are closing for this reason alone as no one can undertake the commitments now needed. My local group is on its final season due to this.

Oops I do not think that this is really the thread for my moans.

 

[MuddyMonster]

What a lovely thing to volunteer to do @SaddlePsych'D . Hope it works out for you

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Ooh update! I have been invited for induction and Bronze training (not sure what that is!?) next week. Sounds like a positive start I reckon.

 

[teapot]

Ooh update! I have been invited for induction and Bronze training (not sure what that is!?) next week. Sounds like a positive start I reckon.

There used to be a Bronze proficiency test which was one of the entry level badge riders could earn (RDA version of the PC tests) so not a bad way of training new volunteers. If it that, you'll be more than fine mind you given your experience!

Could well be that they train their volunteers in bronze, silver, gold level skills too, which actually could be pretty sensible as not everyone is suited to being a leader or side walker etc

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Ooh update! I have been invited for induction and Bronze training (not sure what that is!?) next week. Sounds like a positive start I reckon.

Congratulations!
There is still a Bronze/Silver/Gold award scheme. Bronze is very basic, there won't be anything that you don't know already.
Enjoy!

 

[SaddlePsych'D]

Just popping back to update again. I attended the induction and Bronze training last week, then today attended my first group. The coaches and other volunteers were really welcoming and I was paired up with others to help me get a feel for how things run. It was a little overwhelming at first, I'm sure I'll settle into it once I know who everyone is and remember who does what bit.

I did some side walking and some leading, although technically I'm not sure if I'm trained for that bit yet the coaches seemed satisfied I could do this well enough. I do need practice though, it's been many years since I was last doing this at an RS!

I really like that they do a bit in the arena and then a walk out/mini hack - great for the riders and the horses.

Some of the riders at the centre have qualified for Nationals and I plan to go along to help and/or watch.

 

[toppedoff]

Just popping back to update again. I attended the induction and Bronze training last week, then today attended my first group. The coaches and other volunteers were really welcoming and I was paired up with others to help me get a feel for how things run. It was a little overwhelming at first, I'm sure I'll settle into it once I know who everyone is and remember who does what bit.

I did some side walking and some leading, although technically I'm not sure if I'm trained for that bit yet the coaches seemed satisfied I could do this well enough. I do need practice though, it's been many years since I was last doing this at an RS!

I really like that they do a bit in the arena and then a walk out/mini hack - great for the riders and the horses.

Some of the riders at the centre have qualified for Nationals and I plan to go along to help and/or watch.

thats brilliant! glad ye having fun

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Thanks for the update! I was wondering the other day how your application went.

 

[teapot]

Enjoy Nationals, it's a wonderful weekend!

 

[Red-1]

Fantastic update.