Equine assisted therapy and rehabilitation
The movement of the horse is used as a treatment tool by physical and occupational therapists to address impairment in individual clients. The therapy horse is a warm, flexible and responsive animal which is friendly and undemanding. Its walk action corresponds to the physiology of the human walk. Adjustments by a rider's body to these rhythms while striving to maintain 
balance alternately activates and relaxes the muscles, particularly those of the trunk, spine, hips and pelvis.
The horses' movement is used in specialised techniques such as hippotherapy. Our Riders attend RDA to achieve a specific goal, whether it is therapeutic, educational or sporting.
Riding develops, improves and promotes:
- Balance and co-ordination
- Posture and muscle tone
- Concentration
- Self discipline and self–esteem
- Perception and spatial awareness
- Communication and social skills
- Independence and encourages decision making
- Remedial or supplementary educational opportunities for the stimulation of learning skills
- Behaviour modification
- Recreational and sport riding
- Social contact with peers, disabled and able-bodied people
- Contact with and trust development in horses
What is hippotherapy?
Described as 'treatment with the help of the horse' hippotherapy is a treatment technique in which the horses' movement provides a foundation of improved neuromotor function and sensory processing. This technique can be generalised to a wide variety of activities outside treatment.
The multi dimensional movement of the horse provides an experience similar to that of the human walk.
Horse riding externally manipulates the muscle groups required to walk, bend, and sit up straight amongst others.
It is purely therapeutic so does not teach specific horse riding skills and is carried out by a therapist and horse handler who are trained and accredited as a team.
As a therapy technique we find RDA programs compliment other therapeutic techniques and help individuals towards recovery and independence.
Types of Disabilities
Riding for the disabled caters for people of all ages who are physically and mentally challenged with a range of disabilities such as:
- Cerebral palsy
- Spina bifida
- Paraplegia
- Multiple sclerosis
- Accident and Traumatic brain injury or stroke
- Learning disabilities
- Intellectually and multi-disadvantaged
- Neurological (both congenital and acquired) including spina bifida, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, developmental delay
- Orthopaedic/muscular including muscular dystrophy
- Psychiatric and psycho/social including autism and emotional disorder
- Auditory or visual impairment
- Respiratory including cystic fibrosis and asthma