Broadlands Group Riding For The Disabled

Website: http://www.broadlandsgrouprda.org.uk/

Broadlands Group RDA has been providing riding lessons to riders with physical and learning difficulties since 1955. In addition to adults and children from the local area, pupils from Shepherds Down School, Compton, ride regularly. Broadlands now provides over 1,000 rides every year.

The simple pleasure of working with horses is the cornerstone of all RDA’s activities. From that starting point everything else flows – be that freedom of movement, gaining confidence, building relationships, receiving life-enhancing physiotherapy or achieving individual goals. The warmth and three dimensional movement of the horse is transmitted through the rider’s body, gradually making it more relaxed and supple, strengthening core stability, reducing spasms and improving balance, posture and co-ordination. Riding offers an element of excitement and risk often denied to people with disabilities. It can be a means to relax or compete. Those with learning difficulties also benefit from the momentum and development of core muscles enabling them to work on other areas of life improving; communication, concentration, behaviour, relationships and confidence.

Our wonderful ponies are specially trained to work with disabled riders helping the riders improve their lives whilst having fun. Our riding lessons are structured to improve different areas of each riders life and overall confidence. As well as the ponies we have an enthusiastic team of helpers ensuring the riders are safe whilst have fun during their lesson and make as much progress as possible.

We raise all our own funds through collections, sponsored events and requests to trusts and foundations to ensure we can care for the ponies, maintain the facilities and continue to improve the lives of those with a disability.

If you would like to be involved in the success and happiness the helpers create at Broadlands, please get in touch.