Riding for Disabled caters for people of all ages. Riders may have a physical disability, intellectual disability, learning disability or multiple disabilities.

Examples of some conditions include:

• cerebral palsy
• spina bifida
• down syndrome
• paraplegia
• multiple sclerosis
• muscular dystrophy
• traumatic brain injury or neurological injuries
• stroke
• visual or hearing impairment
• speech impairment
• autism
• ADHD
• CVA

Hippotherapy is defined as “therapy with the help of the horse”.

The multi-dimensional movement of the horse, provides for the rider an experience very similar to the human walk. Riding a horse works the muscle groups that we use to walk, bend, sit up straight, and many others.

Some of the Benefits of Riding for Disabled are listed below:

1. Improved balance
2. Improved coordination
3. Improved posture
4. Improved muscle strength and tone
5. Improved spatial awareness
6. Improved perception and body symmetry
7. Improved concentration
8. Improved self discipline and self esteem
9. Improved language and listening skills
10. Learning of appropriate/acceptable behaviours
11. Human/animal contact and bonding
12. Interacting with peers – individuals and group
13. Encourages independence and decision making
14. Increased confidence
15. Equestrian skills and horse care
16. Mobility to otherwise inaccessible areas

Another way of thinking of the letters RDA is Riding to Develop Abilities.
Which is what Riding for Disabled is all about.