Riding for the Disabled Association Incorporating Carriage Driving

The Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) was founded in 1969 to provide opportunities for therapy, achievement and fun for people with disabilities - today it is at the forefront of equine-assisted therapy.

Over 25,000 riders and carriage drivers take part in RDA’s core activities of riding, carriage driving and show jumping at the charity’s 482 UK groups, supported by 18,000 volunteers. There are no age restrictions and few restrictions in terms of disability, as long as facilities and the welfare of the horses allow. Referrals are usually made by doctors, physiotherapists or schools, but any disabled person can apply to join a group. One of the biggest challenges faced by the charity though, is meeting demand for its services.

Therapy

The therapeutic benefits of horses for people with physical and learning disabilities are wide-ranging. RDA has recently published a report detailing the therapeutic changes experienced by new riders which revealed that 80% demonstrated physical improvement in just 12 weeks. Similar numbers showed good outcomes in communication skills, confidence, relationship building as well as horsemanship. RDA’s strapline is ‘It’s what you can do that counts’, and it’s this focus on ability that many riders and drivers find even more significant than the physical benefits. The key therapeutic factor is the movement of the horse, which encourages a strengthening of the rider’s core muscles. As a physiotherapist explained in a recent training lecture, “The horse at walk produces 1000 movements in 3 dimensions in 10 minutes. The rider must respond to these movements in order to stay in balance with the horse. This is far more movement than can be produced in the average physiotherapy session!"

Since RDA’s activities are also fun, riding is a great way to deliver therapy that otherwise might be too painful or too repetitive to be carried out effectively at home or in hospital. As one rider put it: “Horse riding is a form of physical exercise which I really enjoy – it doesn’t feel like exercise at all … and who wants to sit on bouncy balls in a physiotherapy room, when you can sit on a horse and achieve the same things without realising it?”

Competition The RDA National Championships is the pinnacle of RDA’s ‘can do’ philosophy and the event is now the biggest of its kind in the world for disabled riders and drivers. It takes significant effort for riders, carriage drivers, supporters, volunteers and horses to get there, as well as weeks of planning, months of fundraising and hours of regular riding lessons – but there’s no doubt how much it means to the competitors.

1. of the Great Britain para-equestrian team at Rio 2016 Paralympics started their careers with the support of RDA. Paralympian triple gold medallist, Sophie Christiansen was born prematurely with cerebral palsy, which affects all her muscles including her speech. Despite limited use of her limbs, she is one of Britain's most successful horsewomen and credits her success to RDA, which helped her begin riding as a part of her physiotherapy at the age of six.

Local groups

RDA is a community of voluntary self-governing charities under the ‘umbrella’ organisation, RDA National. Each group is responsible for its own finances and management, with the national organisation providing guidance, advice, workshops and ensuring continuity of standards. There are three local groups:

1. Valley Riding for the Disabled Ltd, Ugborough - This is the largest group in the South West region and has been in operation for 34 years, run entirely by volunteers. It caters for riders between the ages of 2 and 70 with a range of disabilities, special needs and social or emotional problems. It has a purpose-built venue with a range of specialist equipment and a small group of specially chosen and trained horses. The group offers riding, therapy, horse care, life skills and equine assisted education, improving the health and wellbeing of the riders, whilst creating opportunities for success, confidence and enjoyment. It caters for 80 riders per week, which is approximately 3,500 sessions per year and also offers a social club and work experience for those with special needs. It is reliant on local and community businesses, charities and friends to meet ever growing expenses.

Carriage Driving Group, Tavistock - Carriage driving is particularly beneficial for people who can no longer ride, and just as fun for those who want a new challenge. The purpose-built carriages have wheelchair access, so tuition can be offered to both ambulant and non-ambulant participants. The group is fortunate to have permission to drive through parts of the Tavistock Woodlands Estate and the Tamar AONB, and driv

ers can enjoy an area of the woodland generally inaccessible to disabled people, at the same time as learning the art of carriage driving.

1. College Group, Stoke Climsland - The College group rides on Wednesday afternoons during term time and the majority of riders are adults.

Support

The RDA helps people who want the challenge and fun of regular riding and driving, as well as competitors whose hard work, determination and skill take them to the top of their sport. However, all of this achievement relies on the continued support of thousands of volunteers, and even more manpower is needed to meet the growing demand. All the groups are run entirely by dedicated volunteers who generously give their expertise, time and effort to train the ponies, manage and accompany the rides and drives, as well as raise the considerable funds needed to keep delivering this incredible service to the people who need it most.

Elisabeth Dill

If you are interested in joining or volunteering with any of the local groups please contact:

Erme Valley Group - Peggy Douglas 01752 894348 Duchy College Group - Dea Price 01579 370090

Tavistock Carriage Driving Group – Elisabeth Dill 01822 615336