The animal’s soothing effect was there for all to see, with the impact not lost on some special guests.

Robert Davey and Ken Bellingham were there to donate $1500 on behalf of the Freemasons of Goulburn and Taralga. 

Mr Davey said the donation was part of the Association’s ongoing charitable activities.

“This is a charity that needs a lot of support to give pleasure to people who don’t get a lot of it,” he said.

“It also helps the children a lot with their coordination.”

Riding for Disabled (RDA) president Kerry Guymer gratefully accepted the funds.

“It’s a valuable donation,” she said.

“It will go into caring for and feeding the animals. We rely quite heavily on donations because we have ongoing costs like feed, drenching and farrier expenses.”

RDA has been based on a privately owned Rosemont Road property since 2000. It started in Goulburn in 1979 and initially operated from the TAFE campus. The organisation relies on volunteers and receives no government funding.

RDA vice-president Maggie McFadden said the group undertook a great deal of fundraising. The primary focus was on helping children with disabilities. She said 24 children used the arena daily, including two groups from The Crescent School.

Goulburn RDA is affiliated with the Federation of Horses in Education Therapy International.

Mr Davey said the Goulburn/Taralga Freemasons Association donated to a charity annually. It supported causes at a grassroots level, such as education scholarships, charitable, sporting and disabled organisations. 

“It tackles critical issues that make a lasting difference in society,” he said.