Children and adults with physical, learning, emotional and mental health disability benefit from riding horses and ponies, or by being around and communing with them. The movement in the activity stimulates neuro and muscular function and relaxes the individual. Thus the sensory stimulation experienced brings psychological and physical benefit.
When you ride you need to plan what you intend to do, use the skills that you have gained and enjoy the result and so people with learning difficulty find the activity very therapeutic. There is also an emotional connection with the animal which our riders enjoy. Some of our riders need to develop their emotional regulation (anger for example) and their empathic understanding. Relationships with horses and ponies can enhance this journey.
The activity is outdoor which is something that children and adults benefit from immensely and the activity is great fun, something that is often in short supply for people with physical, learning and emotional challenges.
We have 6 rides which meet to help children and adults learn to ride. We have trained volunteers to assist and to coach the riders and we have very special ponies and horses who safely carry them through their learning.
We raise funds to finance the expense of the horses and ponies keep and care. We also need to secure places to do the activity as we are multi-sited and we do not have our own yard. We raise awareness and recruit volunteers and maintain them and their level of skill. We work with the national Riding for the Disabled which is the organisation which supports all of the UK groups of which there are about 450. The national organisation helps us to maintain our knowledge and skills and helps us to resource what we need in this way. We are managed by a regional and county group. We lead a very physically active life as volunteers, as much as we individually wish to, involving ourselves in the delivery of the riding and the care of the equines.
