Riding with the RDA is great fun and suitable for participants of all ages and abilities.
Each rider has to undergo and pass a comprehensive assessment. Therefore, in the first instance, please call our lead coach Emma on: 07594 422915 to discuss your situation.
All sessions are led by a qualified RDA coach who is supported by a team of trained volunteers. They will assist you with mounting and dismounting of the horse and provide you with directions throughout your RDA session.
Our sessions take place in a riding school. If you have never ridden before, you will start by being led on the horse with a volunteer in control of the lead rein. There may be volunteers walking either side of you, known as side walkers, to ensure you are safe and comfortable. You will initially ride around the arena and progress onto a set course riding around cones and tackling obstacles. Many sessions incorporate more challenging tasks such as opening gates to develop steering, balance and confidence.
Once you are more experienced and confident you may progress from walking around the arena to trotting and even controlling the horse yourself by walking off the lead rein.
The therapeutic benefits of riding are numerous and as well as the physical benefits of improving posture, becoming stronger and helping riders to become more supple, exercising with a horse is great fun and you meet lots of new people. For those who have mastered the basics or are looking for more of a challenge, there is the opportunity to try dressage, showjumping and endurance and work through rider proficiency tests and awards