Special needs therapy arrives on horseback
KOTA KINABALU: What started as a small volunteer-led effort to bring horse therapy to Sabah's special needs children is now galloping into public schools – giving more students access to this special treatment.
For the first time ever, equine-assisted therapy was formally introduced at a public school in Sabah through a two-day workshop held from July 9 to July 10 at SK Luyang here.
Jointly organised by Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) Sabah and SK Luyang, the programme brought together 30 students with disabilities, two therapy horses and 50 special education teachers as well as support staff from schools across the state.
'It's hard to explain unless you've seen it for yourself – the way a child lights up when they're riding a horse,' said RDA Sabah founder Dr Juliana Lim.
'It builds trust, confidence and balance – not just in body, but in spirit.'
The students – many of whom live with autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, developmental delays or sensory impairments – were given a rare opportunity to experience horse therapy free of charge, with hands-on guidance from a certified trainer from RDA Malaysia.
SK Luyang headmistress Lau Su Fun said the programme offers a much-needed alternative for emotional and motor skills development for the school's 100 special needs children.
'We've seen our students respond with calmness and joy – things we sometimes struggle to achieve in a classroom,' she said.
One child who knows the impact of horse therapy well is Biel Cornet Lim, a 12-year-old with ADHD and dyslexia, who underwent treatment for over three years in Kuala Lumpur.
Once struggling with low confidence and a stammer, Biel now speaks fluently and even participates in horse-riding competitions.
'Riding makes me happy. Horses are kind. They understand people's feelings,' he said when met at the programme.
RDA Malaysia's head coach Muthusamy Kandasamy confirmed that Biel has grown significantly in both confidence and speech.
'He can ride on his own. He's won trophies and could one day represent Malaysia in the Special Olympics.'
Volunteers and educators from schools such as SK Pekan Kinarut and SK Bukit Padang also took part, reflecting growing interest in adopting equine therapy in their own for special needs programmes.
Founded in February 2024, RDA Sabah hopes to expand its reach beyond Kota Kinabalu into rural areas and is currently planning a dedicated Equine Therapy Centre equipped with a riding arena and integrated occupational therapy facilities.
The initiative has received strong encouragement from Toh Puan Datin Seri Panglima Datuk Hajah Faridah Haji Tussin, the wife of the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sabah, who has championed the programme's goal of 'free therapy for all'.
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