Our Activities
RIDES
Horse Riding is not only a fun activity it is also very good for rider's physical and mental well-being. For many disabled people who find it difficult to get out and about, and for children it can often be the start of an independent life learning to become more confident, mixing with new people and often animals for the first time. Every
individual is encouraged to aim for attainable goals, some modest, others far more
ambitious, and above all to have fun. Horse riding can bring about many physical
benefits including:
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ï‚· Improvement to balance and co-ordination.
ï‚· Increased suppleness, joint mobility and muscle tone.
ï‚· Improved overall body awareness and posture which can help to maintain
good general health.
Horse riding can also improve other aspects of our riders lives such as:
ï‚· Improved concentration.
ï‚· Learning how to cope with instructions and discipline.
ï‚· Improvement with numeracy, language and speech.
ï‚· Interacting with each other and making friends.
ï‚· Improved confidence and self esteem.
ï‚· Achieving goals and making their families feel proud.
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Riders Admission Rules
1. Riders must be at least 5 years of age.
2. All riders should weigh less than 12½ stone when dressed for riding. To
safeguard the health of our horses, all riders will be regularly weighed.
3. When a suitable place is available an assessment will be arranged.
4. Places will only be offered to applicants who do not already ride (have a place allocated) with another RDA group.
5. Applicants will be offered a place on a priority basis.
6. To keep their place, riders should attend every session wherever possible. If there is a problem with a riders attendance, the individual circumstances will be taken into account, it is important that you stay in touch with us.
7. Please supply updated medical information as required.
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Please note we have no outside funding for running our centre and we rely on donations. Any donations to support our work are very welcome. Please see our donate page for ways to donate.
Meet, Greet and Groom
We offer meet, greet and groom sessions where participants have the opportunity to spend some quality time with our horses and ponies; grooming and leading the ponies in a fun and creative way in a safe environment. The sessions also include valuable lessons in horse care staying safe around horses, points of the horse, grooming, tack, feeding and general horse welfare. Sessions are developed in line with equine assisted therapy principles which can promote physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.