Riding for the Disabled: Joy, Inclusion and the Power of Quiet Advocacy with Tanya Twaits

There are moments that stop you mid-breath. A non-verbal child speaks for the first time. A teenager comes home from his first competition and says something you'll never forget. This episode is full of those moments. This conversation is not what you might expect from an episode about horses and disability. Yes, it's about the Riding for the Disabled Association of Victoria — but really, it's about what happens when people are finally told yes, you can, often for the first time in their lives. Tanya Twaits came to this work as a parent. Her son needed support she could no longer safely provide on her own and what began as a practical solution quietly became something much larger. Stepping into the presidency of an organisation with over 1,200 volunteers and 225 horses across Victoria, Tanya has consistently shown up, leaned in, and done the quiet work that most people never see. What strikes you in this conversation is how gently powerful it is. There's no grand reinvention story here, no dramatic pivot. Just a woman who showed up and kept showing up with absolute passion. And in doing so, quietly showed the rest of us what's possible — for parents, participants, volunteers, and for anyone who wonders whether they have something to offer. This one will stay with you.In this episode we explore:How therapeutic horse riding supports people with disabilitiesThe quiet confidence that builds when someone is told yes, you can for the first timeWhat it takes to volunteer with Riding for the Disabled and why you don't need horse experienceWhy the human-horse connection is unlike anything elseHow one mum stepped outside her comfort zone and into advocacy and leadershipWhat riding for the disabled programs offer belonging, joy and communityThe milestone moments that volunteers, participants and families carry with them long after they leave the arenaWhy inclusive sport and disability programs matter more than ever in today's community landscapeTanya Twaits is the President of the Riding for the Disabled Association of Victoria (RDAV), a volunteer-led organisation supporting people with disabilities through therapeutic horse programs across the state. With more than 15 years of experience in senior commercial and go-to-market roles across multiple industries, she brings both strategic depth and genuine heart to her leadership of RDAV's network of 33 centres, 225 horses and over 1,200 volunteers. Her connection to this work is personal, long-standing and, as you'll hear, completely unshakeable. 05:37 — An early encounter with Riding for the Disabled09:09 — The innate and surprising connection with horses11:18 — No one is left out: the different ways people ride, drive, lead and belong22:36 — On joy, inclusion and what other sporting organisations are only beginning to understand24:05 — How you find and keep the right horses for a program like this33:40 — Who volunteers here and why you don't need to know anything about horses to help35:45 — What leading 1,200 volunteers has taught Tanya about passion, people and showing up51:11 — How to get involved: volunteering, becoming a participant, and the waiting list campaign55:39 — What Riding for the Disabled has taught Tanya about human potential Riding for the Disabled Victoria: https://www.rdav.asn.au/Riding for the Disabled Australia: https://www.rda.org.au/