In the Year of the Horse: 7 equine-led healing experiences in Singapore and beyond

I’ve loved horses for as long as I can remember, devouring every horse story and picture book I could get my hands on. My father would stop by the Singapore Polo Club just so I could peek at the stables, and in secondary school, I got to care for the falabellas at the Singapore Zoo — tiny horses with big personalities.

I assumed it was simply a childhood affection — until nearly two decades later, when I began to understand why they resonated so deeply.

That clarity came while volunteering in Singapore, witnessing how horses meet people in ways words often cannot. They can steady a grieving widow, bring out a gentler side in youths shaped by broken backgrounds, or quietly build confidence in children undergoing cancer treatment.

Across history and cultures, horses have shared a profound bond with humans. Acutely sensitive to subtle shifts in energy, tone, and body language, they can reflect emotions we might not even be aware of — and through that attunement, offer a catalyst for healing and transformation.

Equine-assisted interventions (EAI) encompass a range of practices, from therapeutic riding to horse-assisted therapy, designed to support mental, emotional, and physical well-being. These sessions can help people with anxiety, depression, or social and emotional challenges, building confidence, trust, and a calming, grounding presence. 

Therapeutic riding, in particular, is used for people with physical, developmental, or cognitive disabilities, supporting strength, coordination, and self-assurance. Crucially, horses are not props or pets — they are sentient partners in the process.

Over the years, I sought out these connections — volunteering at horse ranches in Peru, Japan, and beyond, and riding across landscapes from Hawaii to Yunnan and Kazakhstan. In moments of struggle, horses offered solace; in moments of joy, companionship.

A sacred refuge, away from the relentless city.

With growing recognition of the profound impact equine-assisted experiences can offer, The Peak Singapore presents a curated round-up of therapeutic equine programmes in Singapore and nearby, timed for the Year of the Horse.

EQUAL

Founded in 2015, EQUAL is an IPC charity that harnesses the quiet power of retired and rescued horses to support emotional well-being across generations.

Through carefully facilitated equine-assisted learning, EQUAL creates calm, purposeful encounters that nurture socio-emotional awareness among children, youths, seniors, and persons with special needs — often through their very first interaction with a horse.

Beyond its stable, EQUAL brings its work into the community. Hooves on the Move introduces moments of stillness and grounding in schools, while its partnership with Temasek Foundation, Haydays with Horses, sees miniature horse-assisted sessions in nursing homes and active ageing centres, supporting seniors’ emotional and cognitive health.

This year, EQUAL plans to expand its outreach and welcome corporations and individuals seeking purposeful giving and hands-on volunteering.

Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) Singapore

Small milestones can feel monumental for riders at the Riding for the Disabled Association of Singapore (RDA Singapore). Learning to sit upright, walk unaided, or engage confidently with others may seem like everyday tasks — but for persons with disabilities, each achievement represents extraordinary progress and renewed independence.

Since 1982, RDA has empowered over 8,000 lives through equine-assisted therapy, offering fully subsidised sessions that include therapeutic riding, groundwork, and guided interactions with horses.

It supports children and adults across a wide range of physical, developmental, cognitive, and learning abilities. Time with the horses nurtures confidence, strengthens body and mind, and fosters connection with others. 

A recipient of the 2024 Charity Transparency Award, RDA continues to inspire hope and promote inclusion. In FY2024/2025, its programmes reached over 520 beneficiaries — well above the target of 380 — demonstrating the tangible difference time with horses can make.

Gallop Stable

Excitement is in the air at Gallop Stable with the opening of its new Sembawang premises, where over 100 horses have been relocated from the former Turf City in Bukit Timah.

The expanded space provides more room for participants and equipment, allowing the stable to host larger groups and a lively mix of activities — from therapeutic sessions to horseback archery, polo, trail rides, riding camps, and more — and to welcome schools, corporate groups, healthcare workers, seniors, and other participants.

Led by experienced trainers, handlers, and volunteers, each programme draws on decades of expertise to meet participants’ needs, whether for short-term intervention or longer-term engagement.

The stable also maintains a branch in Pasir Ris, bringing equine programmes to communities across the island.

Healing Horses Singapore

At Healing Horses Singapore, children connect with horses in programmes designed for early intervention and emotional growth.

As Singapore’s first organisation to offer both indoor and outdoor therapeutic riding, it runs sessions that combine equine-assisted therapy and yoga therapy, supporting participants — from young children to adults — with physical, emotional, or cognitive needs.

The organisation is led by Chithra Rogers, whose lifelong love of horses and years of experience working with children with mild to severe autism in Singapore and Australia shape every session.

Under her guidance, participants build confidence, emotional awareness, and connection — whether through short blocks or ongoing programmes tailored to each family’s pace.

Therapeutic & Educational Riding in Singapore (THERIS)

At THERIS in Singapore, therapy doesn’t just happen across a room — it happens in the quiet connection between horse and human, a space free of judgment. That’s the belief of founder Jessamine Ihrcke, a psychology-trained therapist with decades of experience in equine-assisted work.

THERIS runs tailored programmes for children and adults that combine therapeutic riding and equine-assisted activities. Participants spend time grooming, leading, and riding horses, guided by mental health professionals, building confidence, emotional awareness, and life skills. 

The organisation also offers corporate programmes in which groups explore teamwork and leadership through interactive horse activities. At its heart, THERIS is about the horse-human relationship: a deeply personal way to empower people to reach their full potential.

Riders Resort (Malaysia) and HERD Singapore

An hour’s drive from Woodlands Checkpoint, Riders Resort in Kulai, Malaysia, feels like a brief countryside escape. Set amid sprawling grounds, the colonial-era mansion — now home to 25 cosy rooms — has drawn those seeking a reprieve from Singapore’s constant rush since 1999.

In 2026, Riders Resort is embarking on a partnership with HERD Singapore, a social enterprise specialising in equine-assisted interventions. Led by trained practitioners, HERD has worked with a wide range of communities, including schools, family service centres, and nursing homes.

Together, they will offer bespoke retreats for corporates, teams and private groups, retreats focused on reset and reflection, guided by the quiet intelligence of horses.

The resort has also launched a new long-stay package designed for rest and unhurried days. Beyond wellness, Riders Resort has long been a gathering place — hosting riding lessons, trail rides, international school camps from Malaysia and Singapore, and weddings. 

At its heart, it remains a place where people come not to do more — but simply be, in the company of horses and open land.

NIHI Sumba (Indonesia)

At NIHI Sumba, the Equine Therapy & Wellness Programme invites participants to explore healing through the presence of horses, guided by the Indonesian island’s natural rhythms. In 2026, the programme enters into dialogue with the Year of the Fire Horse, adding a layer of symbolic resonance while staying rooted in its core philosophy.

This year’s programme centres on an intimate five-day retreat from June 26 to 30. Conceived as a restorative journey, it combines equine-guided healing sessions with chakra-aligned practices.

Led by internationally recognised equine healer Candice Webster, the experience unfolds alongside NIHI Sumba’s sea horses.

Their instinctive presence — connection to land and water — forms the emotional centre of the programme. With limited places, this unconventional retreat invites participants into reflection and renewed clarity.