We hold three sessions per week on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning. Each session can accommodate a maximum of 4 riders per session, and a session may last up to one and half hours. The age range of the riders is from 6 years to 50+ years. We welcome helpers (volunteers) of all ages and provide training. If you are interested in helping please go to the How You Can Help page of our website.
Tanja, our qualified Physiotherapist and Hippotherapist
Riders require up to three helpers (a horse leader and two side walkers) which may require between 8 and 12 helpers present at any one session. Each session is conducted by a fully qualified riding instructor who has attended specialist riding for the disabled training at Wrexham in Wales. Some sessions have in attendance a fully qualified Physiotherapist and qualified Hippotherapist trained at the Riding for Disabled Diamond Centre in the UK.
Horse riding is particularly beneficial for pupils who have profound and multiple learning difficulties, as it provides a multi-sensory experience which is hard to replicate in any other environment. Apart from the physical benefits, parents, teachers and health professionals have been amazed by the other skills that a riding session can build on, such as numeracy, spelling and listening as well as problem-solving skills.
We undertake pre-assessments on all students to ensure that riding is appropriate, and their parent or guardian must give their consent. We also require a signed authority from their medical doctor stating that they are safe to mount and ride a horse.
Some Photos taken at RDB sessions
Riding for the Disabled Barlavento 