RDA Making a Difference

"Riding is my favourite hobby. It allows me to do so much more than I can under my own steam". These are the words of just one of the 25,000 disabled people who enjoy the experience of riding or carriage driving every week. Such enjoyment is made possible by the work of one very special charity, the Riding for the Disabled Association Incorporating Carriage Driving (RDA).

The RDA is a federation of over 600 Groups, located throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Established as a charity in 1969, its aim is to give disabled people the opportunity to ride and/or carriage drive to benefit their health and well-being.

The benefits of riding as a form of therapy are increasingly being recognised by professionals working in health and education. The exercise helps to improve muscular control, teaches balance and coordination, as well as being a tremendous morale booster. Horses and ponies offer a unique freedom to people with physical and mental disabilities, enabling them to discover the pleasures of genuine mobility. Something that most of us take for granted.

As well as promoting the therapeutic side of horse riding and carriage driving, the RDA offers disabled riders of all levels the opportunity to join in various social events. These include riding holidays and national competitions. These activities bring a new dimension to the lives of those restricted by disability.

None of this would be possible without the exceptional work of 14000 volunteers. These people willingly give up their spare time to ensure that RDA groups, around the UK, continue to offer disabled riders and carriage drivers the opportunity to experience such a positive form of therapy. The RDA relies on charitable donations to carry on its exceptional work. There are a number of ways in which the public can offer their support.

To learn more, the RDA can be contacted at their head office:

Riding for the Disabled Association,
Incorporating Carriage Driving
Lavinia Norfolk House
Avenue R
National Agricultural Centre
Stoneleigh Park
Warwickshire
CV8 2LY
Tel: 024 7669 6510

Or visit their very informative web site at www.riding-for-disabled.org.uk