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Sheffield Group Riding for the Disabled

We hold riding lessons at two Cowley Riding School (Holmesfield), where we hire ponies and facilities for riding sessions each week for a number of disabled riders. A number of dedicated helpers ensure that the lessons are safe and fun by side walking or leading the ponies.

Our riders have a range of physical and learning disabilities, movement difficulties, behavioural problems, etc. Interaction with horses can help the riders, their families, and their teachers live with their disability as it:

enhances physical development by building up muscle tone; loosening underused joints; and increasing independent movement, mobility, stamina, and stability, encourages riders with speech and language difficulties to interact with the horses and helpers, improves a rider's interpersonal skills as it is a social and relaxed event, calms children who are prone to behavioural problems or seizures.

We are the only group in the region that provides such an opportunity and the carers acknowledge and appreciate the contribution that our sessions make to the rider's and their own lives..