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Find out more about the staff
and horses on the RDA yard
| ABOUT RIDING FOR THE DISABLED
ASSOCIATION |
In 1964, the Advisory council
for Riding for the Disabled was formed to assist isolated groups of people who
were already using riding as a form of therapy. The growth of the
organisation was slow but steady and by 1969, when 80 groups had been formed,
the Riding for the Disabled Association was established. In 1974 activities
were extended to include carriage driving.
The Riding for the Disabled Association is a registered
charity whose President is HRH. The Princess Royal K.G., G.C.V.O. Each
year the Princess visits several R.D.A. Groups all over the country. She has
visited our centre on two occasions, once in 1993 when we officially opened and
more recently to see our new extended facilities.
Since 1969 the Association
has grown from 2,400 riders to 24,000 and from 9 Groups in 1965 to
approximately 650 in 1999.
You can visit
the Riding for the Disabled Association
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Riders can be of any age from as young as five. Most
disabilities are greatly helped by the movement of the horse, which is passed
to the rider unknowingly. Back muscles are strengthened, head control can be
improved and a therapeutic effect may be achieved without the rider being aware
of it. For disabled people whose days are often routine and indistinguishable
“riding days” are always special and
exciting.
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Here we see MPEC staff and “Sam” one of our specially
trained horses at the mounting ramp, preparing for a
lesson
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An enrolment form needs to be signed by a person in
the medical profession and carer/guardian.
The rider will be invited to come
to the centre and be assessed. This gives the rider an opportunity to be
introduced to the horse and helps us assess their co-ordination and
balance. Appropriate clothing i.e. trousers, gloves and sturdy footwear
are advised to ensure the comfort and safety of the rider. We can provide the
hats.
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- Qualified Instructors
- Specially trained horses
- Disabled access indoor and outdoors
- Ramps. Trained staff to mount and dismount riders
according to disabilities
- Mechanical Hoist
- Advice from Physiotherapists if needed
- Classroom and social areas
- Hacking in 300 acres of Middleton
Park
- Car and Lorry parking (tarmac)
- Easy accessible as located close to all mayor link roads
and motorways.
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Horses are tacked up and waiting to go to the ramp for the
riders to mount |
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- It is fun
- Opportunity to work with the horse
- Teaches a new skill
- Improves confidence
- Improves balance and co-ordination
- Promotes decision making
- Helps concentration
- Improves self-esteem
- Encourages communication
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Carriage Driving is available for disabled clients who
have difficulty in riding. It offers an alternative means of enjoying the
company of a horse and seeing the countryside. The driver is accompanied by an
able-bodied “whip” in an open vehicle.
The experience offers the
driver a feeling that they are in control as they have a set of reins along
with the A-B Whip, the driver becomes more self - confident and this has an
effect on their day to day lives.
The drivers can either drive in the arena
or enjoy our surrounding woods.
There is opportunity, in both riding and driving, to
compete as we have already seen with Andrew, Caroline and Geoffrey. MPEC will
be taking part in the finals of Concours D’Elegance at Windsor in
September following qualification at The Great Yorkshire Show last
summer.
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