"A horse doesn’t judge you — whether you’re fat, you’re skinny, you’re tall, you’re ugly, you’re poor, you’re rich, or do you have special needs or no special needs."

This, says Melissa Tan, is why working with horses is great for people with special needs, so they can "be who they are".

The equestrian brings together horses and young people, not for pony rides, but as a volunteer in the Equine Assisted Training and Employment (Equate) programme run by the Equestrian Federation of Singapore.

She helps those with special needs find work with horses, teaches them the way around the stables and acts as friend and cheerleader.

The programme gives these youths — many of whom battle with anger, violence, depression or a lack of motivation — work in an environment where they can learn to be independent, take on specific tasks and responsibilities, and gain experience working together with others.

In fact, "the horse can give the child maybe the very first success that the child’s ever had in his young life", says Dr Melanie Chew, the president of the federation.

It’s no walk in the park, however, Melissa confirms: the hours are long and the work often back-breaking.

Still, 24-year-old Hamara, who was scared of horses when she first started on the programme a year ago, now says: "I would like to continue working here for many more years."