Horse Riding for the Disabled

Riding for the Disabled (RDA) at Fort Widley Equestrian Centre, Portsmouth.

Riding for the Disabled (RDA) is an internationally recognised Charity that enables riders with disabilities to undertake riding. Fort Widley is an affiliated Riding Centre where we undertake lessons, walkouts and now Carriage Driving for a variety of disabilities. Each lesson or walk out is tailored for the individual, considering their needs and ambitions. We can supply leaders and side walkers to ensure that each and every rider feels as secure as possible.

We can further support riders by offering the use of two mechanical horses. The mechanical horses can be left stationary for those riders that want to build up their confidence gradually and just to experience being on the horse. Once the rider is ready, we can then progress the horses through walk, trot and canter, enabling these riders to experience the thrill of being on a horse when they possibly thought they never would.

Not everyone wants to or is able to experience being on the horse. In this situation, we offer grooming and stroking time with the horses. The rider will be able to spend time progressing to what feels comfortable for them. This may be grooming or it may be just standing close enough to the horse to feel their breath. Each session can be tailored for each individual person.

Riding for the Disabled Carriage Driving at Fort Widley Equestrian Centre, Portsmouth.

We are very excited to be able to offer RDA Carriage Driving sessions on a Monday morning.

We welcome participants of all ages and disabilities to book a carriage driving session. You would sit next to our RDA Qualified Coach either in the seat or in your manual wheelchair clamped into the carriage.

Many of the benefits of riding are also relevant to carriage driving; it helps to improve coordination and balance and gives the disabled driver a wonderful sense of freedom being out in the riding school with a pony.

The ponies used are all assessed for safety and suitability, as are the whole team involved in the session.  Our carriage is especially designed to carry a wheelchair if necessary. Every time a disabled driver is taken out they are accompanied by at least two volunteers.

Each session can be tailored for each individual person therefore we ask for a needs assessment prior to the booking.

For more information about Horse Riding for the Disabled (RDA) at the Peter Ashley Activity Centres call Fort Widley on 023 9232 4553 for details.