Each week, we provide riding lessons for approximately 130 children and adults with a range of disabilities and special educational needs.
Throughout the years, the benefits of Riding for the Disabled activities have become increasingly recognised by medical and educational establishments as a highly effective therapy. Amongst many proven scientific benefits, horse riding can:
By using horse riding as an an activity, we can proudly integrate disabled and non-disabled people in an equal, safe and positive environment.
At Washington Riding Centre, our dedicated Riding for the Disabled team hope to dispel the prejudices and stigma associated with the term ‘disabled’. We aim provide services that cater for all of our riders, in a personable, safe, equal and inclusive manner. At Washington Riding Centre, we encourage inclusivity in all activities, whether it be through horse riding, learning about stable management, to enlightening our riders to the numerous ‘possibilities’ behind a disability.
We would like to develop our links with mainstream education schools, offering visits and workshops. The ‘Disability Awareness Through Animals’ project takes takes a two-pronged approach, and we wish to implement this in the way our Centre operates.
Here at Washington Riding Centre, we also hold a range of activities and events to support our able-bodied riders. Offering riding lessons from the ages of 3-years and above, we love to see our riders having fun and safely developing their skills both on- and off-the horse.
Our specially trained team of horses and ponies at Washington Riding Centre truly are one of a kind. They love the care and attention they receive daily from our riders. Without our horses and ponies, we wouldn’t be able to offer our enriching and life-changing activities to our riders.