Meet The Horses - Personalities - they're all different!

Meet the RDA (Woodbridge & District Group) Horses

At RDA Woodbridge & District, our horses and ponies are at the very heart of everything we do. They are confidence‑builders, each with their own personality and special way of connecting with the people who ride, drive and care for them. Every day, they help our participants achieve things they never thought possible: taking their first steps towards independence, finding balance, building trust, or simply discovering the joy of being around horses. Their patience, kindness and willingness to learn make them exceptional at their jobs, and we are endlessly proud of them. Below, you can meet each member of our equine team and learn a little about what makes them so special.

Amber

Amber is a chestnut mare with a splash of white and the most gorgeous flaxen mane and tail. She loves learning new things and taken to her new role in carriage driving with enthusiasm.

Bea

Bea is a palomino mare, has the most wonderful gaits and is fast becoming the Centre’s vaulting horse. She’s taken this new activity in her stride and we’re all super proud of her. 

Cooper

Cooper is a gelding who joined us in 2022 from another RDA centre. He is super comfy to ride, a dream to lead, and a firm favourite with lots of participants. He is usually turned out with Pugs and Jacko.

Dolly

Dolly is a Welsh cob mare. She joined us in 2011, when she was 5, so has seen it all and done it all. She is a super carriage driving pony and loves being ridden too. Her favourite place is anywhere where there’s grass!

Dougie

Dougie is the perfect older gentlemen. A flea-bitten grey he’s a lovely easy ride, and like all the ponies, is a real confidence giver. 

Fern

Fern is a Fell mare who has the distinctive black coat, abundant mane and tail typical of her breed. Like all the equines at the centre, is patient and kind.

Fizz

Fizz is a little Shetland x mare who loves investigating any new equipment in the arena. Instead of just sniffing a bucket, she’ll be the one who sticks her head right into the bucket for a good rummage.

Izzy

Izzy is our biggest horse, she stands at 17h2. She’s a Percheron x Appaloosa - the Appaloosa part accounting for her colouring, and wispy mane and tail.

Jacko

Jacko is a little gelding who has the best moustache on the yard and is wonderful with participants who are a little anxious. He gets really worried if he can’t see another horse - so he’s not left on his own in the field, stalls or stables. Sometimes Jacko plays ‘catch me if you can’ in the field.

Lucy

Lucy is an amazing senior citizen and semi-retired now, but she still enjoys an occasional in-hand therapy session with clients. She teaches us all how to look after an elderly equine. One thing she really enjoys is having the freedom of the stable block area - she can wander about inside and in the area immediately outside - which is why we keep the gate to the stable block shut. She has an amazing insulating coat and even when it snows, she doesn’t need a rug - her coat is so effective, snow will settle on Lucy and not melt.

Lulu

Lulu is a Shire x Trotter mare with beautiful skewbald markings. She’s been with us since she was 4, was trained in-house and has grown into her job as an invaluable RDA horse. She’s kind and generous horse.

Mr Tom

Mr Tom is a multi-talented piebald gelding who can carriage drive and be ridden. He absolutely loves the grass; it’s the best thing in the whole world!

Pugs

Pugs is a hunter type gelding. He’s one of those grey horses which have turned white over time, but Pugs himself isn’t keen on that look. And so, he manages to get himself very, very dirty, very, very regularly. He still remembers his younger days, and can carry himself with great presence and then looks truly amazing.

Sally

Sally is an Irish horse who joined the RDA family in 2025 and she’s learning how to be an RDA horse. She is very playful and loves to sniff and then pick up equipment in the arena - especially soft toys. Her best friend is Izzy.

Sunny

Sunny is a stalwart of the RDA and another who has seen it all and done it all. He’s an experienced gelding who looks very smart with a hogged mane and who’s very comfy to ride. He’s one who puts weight on at the mere hint of a blade of grass, so Sunny’s often to be found in the beach paddock.

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