Horse Riding with A.K.S.
A group of our junior pupils together with children on 'Outreach' from
mainstream junior schools have the opportunity to go horse riding each week.
It is held at Corse Lawn near Tewkesbury and run by a group of dedicated
experienced members of the Riding For the Disabled Association (RDA).
Everything is provided for the children in a friendly and safe environment.
They learn about all aspects of horse riding, including grooming, which
brushes to use, how to 'tack up', with saddle, bridle, reins, etc. How to
lead a pony correctly, sit correctly, walk and trot and hold the reins
correctly. Each week a trophy is awarded to one or two children that have
been assessed as being the best at listening and following instructions for
that lesson. They are able to take the trophy home and return it the
following week when other children in the group will have the opportunity to
win the trophy. At the end of the year the children are usually experienced
enough to take a small practical test which encapsulates all they have
learned throughout the year.
The children also have the opportunity to go on a 'Riding Camp', usually
held in May of each year. Again this is run by the same dedicated team from
the RDA together with staff from Alderman Knight School and is run over four
or five days. The day usually consists of horse riding in the mornings and
trips out in the afternoon, including softplay, pottery painting, walking,
swimming and picnics. At the end of their stay the children are rewarded for
their efforts with framed photos and prizes to take home.
The children gain a lot from this experience, independence, social
interaction, and caring for animals. But most importantly the children have
a really great time.
weblink www.rda.org.uk