Barrow Farm provides riding and carriage driving opportunities to 130 disabled children and adults every week. They experience Fun, Fitness, Friendship and Fulfillment via contact with our 12 ponies and horses. We are a specialist Riding for the Disabled Centre with riders coming to us from all over Essex. Riding takes place in our indoor riding school and outside in an arena and in the local woods where we have two woodland paths. From one of our parents:
Riding is really important for my son’s physical well-being as a few years ago he had to be referred to Physiotherapy due to having no core muscles and very low muscle tone. He was then later discharged from Physiotherapy as the riding had strengthened his core enough that he no longer needed the therapy. So only only is riding a fun thing to do for him, it is also an essential therapy that he needs.
Riding is essential for his mental well-being too, it gives him a reason to leave the house and get some fresh air each week. He has never slept well since being born- but after his riding lesson each week he is much happier and content, and also sleeps much better.
Barrow Farm gives he and I a lifeline.. it can be extremely hard raising a disabled child that can’t always adapt or fit in to your neuro-typical activities of life. Barrow Farm are extremely kind, caring and supportive. This is a wonderful service for all the disabled children.
Riding means many things to many people and our riders are no different. Riding here can provide: - physiotherapy and exercise - a chance to learn - the opportunity to make new friends and - build self esteem and confidence All this while having fun!
We also offer carriage driving, which has wheelchair access. We have about 130 riders including carriage drivers. Over the course of a year, they take part in approximately 5,000 hours of activities, comprising of lessons in our indoor riding school, ménage, outside walks along our adapted woodland path.
To help our riders achieve their individual goals and improve their health and wellbeing, we offer: - the opportunity for riders to take part in our proficiency test programme, where they are awarded RDA grades: Endurance sessions, which improves riders' balance, concentration, stamina and co-ordination through the use of obstacles and extended distances within a session; the opportunity to compete in Regional & National RDA events; the opportunity to take part in musical rides; Pony Days during the school summer holidays where riders learn independence skills as well as gain a deeper knowledge of horse care and horse riding. We engage with our local community and local organisations to help achieve our vision of fun, fitness, friendship, and fulfilment for all our riders
