Exercise, Therapy & Fun through Horse-Riding for the Disabled

Sports category:

Equestrian Sports

,

Outdoor Activities

Overview

Horse riding is valuable exercise involving balance; co-ordination; movement and it is a unique therapy but it is also FUN!
It can be enjoyed at many levels depending on a rider's aspirations. It teaches new skills and requires active involvement because the HORSE makes the difference. Sessions are held in an outdoor arena, either individually or in small groups, but also take advantage of the adjacent countryside for short rides out. Our base is near the ancient Royal heart of Sherwood Forest.

Volunteers at the launch of activities at the new base at Eastfield Farm

Volunteers demonstrating on our Family Day at the Farm

Club features

Impairment types:

Hearing impairment

Learning impairment

Mental health

Physical impairment

Social or behavioural

Visual impairment

Staff experience:

We have a lot of experience working with disabled people, and have undergone specialised training

Activity format:

Individual

Location:

Eastfield Farm
King's Clipstone
NG21 9JJ
United Kingdom

Telephone number:

01623627974

Email address:

studley@waitrose.com

Attending the club:

Woodside RDA at Eastfield Farm aims to make horse riding available whatever a persons physical, sensory or learning impairment and whatever their financial circumstances. We operate on a donation only basis but encourage participants to become involved in fundraising as well. We meet the public benefit requirement of our charitable status. We deploy Volunteers to make everything viable.
Each riding client or recruited Volunteer is treated as an individual. Enquiries about riding or Volunteering should be made in the first instance to the Charity Secretary 01623 627974 studley@waitrose.com Opportunities will be discussed and further information sent. The farm is also private property so visitors are by appointment only. A very few disabilities are not suitable for horse riding and this will be explained should the need arise.

When we meet:

Currently we offer riding on Wednesday and Saturday mornings, between 9.30AM and noon but this may well be expanded as newly qualified Coaches start.

Is there a specific meeting point at the address:

Our base of activities is Eastfield Farm which is privately owned. Visitors are by appointment only to respect farm security.
Please contact the Charity Secretary for further information about horse riding or Volunteering. 01623 627974

Equipment:

We can assign a personal riding hat on loan for each session, although riders may bring their own provided up to the required standards. We prefer long-sleeved clothing to be worn, suitable for the season. Footwear should be smooth soled with a small heel and should not have an inside facing zipper which could upset the horse. Wellingtons are not suitable for horse riding. But the RDA Coach will discuss alternatives for any rider with special needs.

Accessibility Information:

The farm has level access although hardcore surfaces designed for heavy farm machinery may prove difficult for wheelchairs. But we overcome that by taking the horse to the rider instead of the rider to the horse if necessary. The existing toilet facilities are partially accessible for narrower wheelchairs. The farm buildings are more than 200 years old so such doorways tend to be narrower. Plans are within our strategy to develop fully accessible facilities.