Horse riding for the disabled and animal therapies

Hands - Hooves Pony Club

Hands - Hooves offers our participants a chance to learn all about our horses both in the saddle and on the ground. Each area is separated into modules with badges or certificates awarded at the end of each module. Everyone can obtain our badges.

Some of our badges include

Grooming
Horse Care (level 1 & 2)
Horse Behaviour

Stable Management
Paddock care
Show preparation

All are taught in a fun and interactive way, with a chance to see 'behind on the scenes' on the stables and learn all about looking after our horses.

We also carry out RDA proficiency awards which can include horse care and riding alongside our ASDAN awards.

All our badges and awards can be completed in our Pony Club or private sessions.

Private Sessions

Our private sessions allow goal orientated lessons individually tailored to each participant. These sessions can be in any of our activities or a mixture of all.

Horse Agility

Alongside riding we offer our horse agility sessions where we learn to lead and do ground work with the horses. This helps participants learn how to manage, control and build a rapport with our horses. Its also great for fitness and communication. These sessions can be done individually or as groups.

Stable Management

In these sessions we learn about looking after horses. How we care for them, grooming, learning how to tack them up, just about everything to do with our horses. If you like the agricultural side we can learn about the land and how we care for it, so it in turn, can care for our horses.

Like all our sessions we can work towards goals and badges which can be tailored for children and adults a like. These sessions work well with both riding and agility as the participants learn how to prepare their horses ready to work.

Facilities

social room including a small sensory room
all weather play tunnel
tee pee tent and outdoor play
equine therapy areas.
clinic rooms on site which may be used by visiting therapists
quiet farm walks

James has always been around horses however only fairly recently became interested in riding through the discovery of the RDA.

James started to ride a little to gain confidence then early this year he was asked to read Clare Balding’s latest book - The Racehorse who could Dance. It was evident as we were reading the book James was beginning to think that yes - maybe he could achieve such things and possibly one day he could also reach the nationals at Hartpury just as the characters in the book did.

James is Autistic, has dyspraxia and sensory processing disorder. He needs help with core strength, coordination, planning and processing.

Watching James ride with Alison and having Warrick on-hand is just fantastic. Alison could see straight away the areas where James needs a little extra help and the lessons are planned accordingly. The lessons are fun, engaging, progressive and most importantly James really enjoys them - it’s a pure delight as a parent to watch and be part of.

Since Joshua has been riding with your group he has gone from strength to strength, his riding ability has increased, his self confidence is much greater and he has better social interactions. I cannot describe the amazing difference you have made to him, which is
truly heartwarming to see.

Alana started riding with Parklands RDA in 2016, a little shy and nervous but it is now a more confident and independent individual. Alana has now competed at the RDA National Championships and the SEIB Search for a Star Qualifiers. Alana then became a valued volunteer.

The opportunity for more hands on groundwork with the ponies has been
brilliant. Joey, Danny and Jake have really benefitted from the chance for
high quality interaction and bonding with the ponies on the same level
through tasks like grooming, leading and responding to the ponies' needs
and body language. They've shown increased concentration and focus and
have really enjoyed learning real-life horse care skills.