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SN children

Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

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Original poster

Riding for the disabled

31 replies

hanaka88 · 13/03/2011 12:07

Bloody brilliant! Best £15 I ever spent on DS (ASD) he was so calm sitting on the horse. The women were fantastic with him, highly recommended

OP posts:

bigcar · 13/03/2011 12:14

oooh interesting, there's a centre not far from us, keep meaning to look into it

Original poster

hanaka88 · 13/03/2011 12:26

Do it! DS was so calm and sociable I was shocked! Apparently the animals have a calming effect, that mixed with people who understand him made him so happy

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growlybear · 13/03/2011 13:40

Definately give it a go bigcar my dd (although difficult to get her on)really loved it and did so well.She also built upo a lovely relationship with the horse.The horse would insist on coming over to say goodbye.

signandsmile · 13/03/2011 20:54

Would second that, (did post in the 'doing new things thread') also ours is cheaper than that, so cost may be variable..

But yeah it was brill for ds

Agnesdipesto · 13/03/2011 22:09

we get it free - I think they fundraise, but anyway there is no charge to parent.

zzzzz · 13/03/2011 22:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

anonandlikeit · 13/03/2011 22:40

ds2 does RDA, its free but theya sk for a donation i think most give £5 each week. Brilliant ds2 loves it & loves his horse!

Original poster

hanaka88 · 14/03/2011 04:54

Zzzz my little boy rode today on a leading rein with an able bodied child, it was nice for him to see the other little girl following instructions properly.

DS does RDA too but everyone is charged as fund raising is an issue I think. I don't mind paying full price for that. DS swimming lessons were £10 a lesson and he got no attention and learnt nothing.

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londongirl4 · 14/03/2011 08:39

I did this last summer- very calming and DD's twin (who is not ASD) was allowed to ride too We did it at a stables in South London and it was £7 per child, a special rate for disabled kids.......anyone read the Horse Boy?

BakeliteBelle · 14/03/2011 09:08

I have never been able to find a RDA stable (I live in the South East). Either my DS is too disabled or they only take groups from schools etc., or the numbers on the website are dead or they never get back to you.
Frustrating as DS loves horses and riding

growlybear · 14/03/2011 09:45

Hi bakelitebeele i live in se too my dd did rda at chartham-cobbs meadow there is also one over in thanet and one in deal.But chartham has a lift no hoist though.

MADABOUTTHEBOY2000 · 14/03/2011 11:11

wow i didnt know about this ive just looked up theres a RDA stables near me so ill be filling out the form that ive found on line to apply ty MNrs

Chundle · 14/03/2011 11:43

also if you have a Donkey Sanctuary near you (we have one in Sidmouth Devon) they run a Saturday Club where kids with disabilities can ride for free and so can their siblings, you just let them know you are going along. Heres a link www.elisabethsvendsentrust.org.uk/view/childrensclubs

BakeliteBelle · 14/03/2011 14:54

Thanks growly. think I need one nearer home (Brighton). If anyone knows one that you can access as an individual (not group) and accepts teenagers with SLD, do let me know - many thanks.

Pixel · 14/03/2011 19:51

Bakelite, have you tried contacting the head office? They might be able to put you in touch with someone who could help.

Or what about looking for a freelance instructor? Two severely autistic girls from ds's school have lessons this way, they ride the instructor's own pony.

BakeliteBelle · 14/03/2011 21:27

pixel I've found the main website and emailed a RDA group. Thanks. I will indeed contact head office if I can't get what I'm looking for. I'm trying to avoid paying the sort of high prices that come with freelance instructors or regular stables.

Original poster

hanaka88 · 15/03/2011 05:55

Bought DS some riding gear today :)

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signandsmile · 15/03/2011 17:40

ooo chundle that's really interesting. thanks for donkey info. we always visit when in area but didn'r know about sat club, thanks for that

jussi · 16/03/2011 20:32

where are you all finding such cheap RDA sessions.I live in South London and was quoted 35 pounds for half an hour!!!

Also, did any of your DC have issues wearing a riding hat as my DS loves horses and really wants to go horse riding and the moment he turns 4 (next week) I'm going to take him but he will not put anything on his head and I don't know how I am going to get him to weat a hat!

Original poster

hanaka88 · 17/03/2011 04:15

Jussi I can't get DS to put on a hat either but the magic RDA lady did! Lol

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Pixel · 18/03/2011 19:13

It used to take two of us to get ds's hat on but we never let him ride without it (had to do hat on, then straight on the pony before he could start howling), and as he started to enjoy riding more and more he got better with the hat. Now he is fine and often forgets he has it on and gets in the car still wearing it. It was a struggle for a long time so don't expect an instant improvement, and it all really depends if your ds likes riding enough to put up with the hat.

Bakelite, I may be able to help with your problem. The instructor who teaches the autistic girls is a friend of mine but I didn't want to say too much until I'd spoken to her first, which I did today. She says she would like to help if she can but would like a bit more info. Could you perhaps tell me a bit more about your ds's difficulties (why have other places said he is 'too disabled'?), and also how much he weighs?. She has a trustworthy pony that is quite happy to have the other children shouting and bouncing about on him but he is only 14hh so would be no good for a 'man-sized' teenager (iyswim!). My friend has no special SN training but she is very patient and ponies and children seem to love her.

She is based in Brighton area and charges £12.50 for half an hour. You can contact me if you are interested.

Pixel · 18/03/2011 19:23

Those of you having trouble with hats might want to think about getting one of these. They are light-weight similar to a cycle helmet so don't feel so 'odd'. Some of the more traditional hard-hats can feel very heavy and restricting for small children. Also you adjust the fit with a dial at the back so you can make sure it is as comfortable as possible and you don't have to make a big scene in the tack shop trying on all the different hats to find the right one! (different makes tend to vary in size/shape so it's a bit of a trial and error operation normally).
Can you detect the voice of experience?
I got ds one and he is very happy in it. It's also got vents so I'm thinking of getting myself one for the summer to avoid sweaty hat-hair! (I ride too, I don't just swan about in the hat lol)

signandsmile · 18/03/2011 19:27

thanks pixel will look at that, ps lol at thought of you swanning around in hat! (ps ds does a nice 'hat and nothing else look' or sometimes wellies and nothing else'

signandsmile · 18/03/2011 19:28

sorry that was not , altho now you come to mention it....

Pixel · 18/03/2011 19:31

If I did hat and nothing else, it would definitely frighten the horses .

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