When it comes to horses, most Hongkongers think of racehorses and jumpers. But riding can be more than sport: it can heal. Every year the Riding For the Disabled Association (RDA) serves more than 1,000 disabled people by letting them ride horses.
Seven-year-old Hung Pak-yuen uses a walking frame and has trouble focusing in conversation. His mother says his development is delayed. But Pak-yuen loves riding. Twice a month, he goes to Tuen Mun Public Riding School in Hong Kong's New Territories to learn to ride. 'It is a lot of fun,' he says.
Pak-yuen's mother was a little worried at first, because she thought it might be too hard for him, but it turned out very well. 'He has become a more cheerful and confident boy. He is really quiet but he will talk to his schoolmates about riding a horse. I think he is a happy boy when he is on horseback.'
This year the charity Operation Santa Claus (OSC) will provide money to RDA to buy three horses. Gerald Kuh, general manager of RDA, was thankful for the money. 'The impact of riding horses is huge for the disabled,' he said.
Jointly organised by the South China Morning Post and Radio Television Hong Kong, OSC has for more than 23 years supported more than 100 different charities.
You can donate by cheque, payable to 'SCMP Charities Ltd-Operation Santa Claus' and mail to: Operation Santa Claus, Morning Post Centre, 22 Dai Fat Street, Tai Po Industrial Estate, New Territories, Hong Kong.