Riding
Jet - Our Mechanical Horse
Jet, our mechanical horse, is an invaluable piece of equipment on which many of ours riders begin. It allows us to assess the participant's individual needs and aims, in a controlled environment. We can give our rider the opportunity to get the feel of a real horse and develop confidence, core strength and riding skills. The rider can take part in interactive RDA programmes where it's possible to walk, trot or canter through the forest or along the beach etc, or the interactive Dressage programme, where they can practise more advanced dressage movements in an arena. Jet has endless patience and is ideal for the complete beginner, those wanting to improve and practise their skills or someone perhaps returning to riding for rehabilitation after an accident or illness. Jet is predictable and never misbehaves! He can keep a steady, even pace throughout with no unexpected movements and this improves core stability and general fitness as well as helping develop body awareness and muscle memory. All sessions are 1:1 on Jet and led by a qualified coach who will offer support, encouragement and feedback with sessions planned around the individual's requirements.
Riders have the opportunity to move onto a “real” horse as and when they and the coach feel they are ready.
Jet is inspected and serviced annually by Racewood, the company who made and installed it.
In line with ours and their safety protocol and procedures, Jet has a maximum weight limit of 15 stones/95kg.
Group riding sessions run between the following times:
We generally operate Monday - Wednesday and Friday, during school hours and term times only. Other times may become available depending on availabilty of coaches and volunteers.
The time table for our sessions is as follows:
Monday 11.30-13.30 - Adults and children
Tuesday 13:30-14:30 - Group of Primary school children
Wednesday 10:00-13:00 - Individuals/small groups
Friday 11:00-14:00 - Adults
The above times are the actual session times. We politely ask our volunteers to arrive half an hour early to help prepare for the session and half an hour afterwards to help clear up.
Intersted in Riding?
- If you are interested in becoming one of our riders (or would like to investigate other meaningful supervised interactions with our horses and ponies) please start by downloading an "Application Form for Participants" from the RDA National website using the blue button immediately below. This button will take you straight to the relevent page.
- Once you have completed the form please attach it to an e-mail that you can send to us using the e-mail (envelope) button at the very top or bottom of this page (or to [email protected])
- We will be in touch with you soon