Riding Therapy

Riding horses and ponies is a good and successful way of people gaining physical and mental strength, gaining confidence and self esteem in there acquired skill. The horses movement is accepted and supported by physiotherapists and counsellors to stimulate the mind and physical responses from riders irrespective of their skills and abilities. Riding empowers the rider to demonstrate physical and mental stimulation and the horse responds to the clear body language from the rider. From the physical contact the rider experiences the ranges of a horses movements evoking sensory experiences of motion, stimulation, warmth and sensory sensations.

Evidence from professionals demonstrates the benefits of riding for people of all abilities and disabilities, visually impaired or any sensory disability. Benefits acknowledged by parents, carers and professionals is that riders with physical disabilities can benefit from the physiotherapy from the horses warmth.

Movement and the warmth of the horse massaging stiff joints and assisting in relaxing and stretching tight muscles and joints. Riding offers the opportunity for the rider to gain confidence, and independence, which is very often only able when a carer or parent is available to make the choices. Individual programme plans according to need is very important for the Instructors.

Sensory difficulties require staff and volunteers with a depth of knowledge ie touch for visually impaired, sign language for riders who have difficulties in hearing. In the school we also use pictures to enable the riders who have difficulties in reading to learn direction and improve literacy through picture recognition.

People who exhibit challenging behaviour in situations appear to relax and relate to the horses as they are not judgmental and do not try to change a persons behaviours they accept people for what they are. Horses and ponies are great advocates for learning processes and acceptance of necessary rules like health and safety and risk assessments.

Riders demonstrate good behaviours as they have found a medium they can relate to and cope with their behaviour management so they are able to attend their sessions at the Stables. We now have volunteers who were known more for their aggressive behaviours than their good style of life, we are pleased to say they are a valuable asset to our stables and offer a good role model for other people who have behaviour difficulties.