<%@LANGUAGE="VBSCRIPT" CODEPAGE="1252"%> Horse Riding in Pembrokeshire - Outdoor Activity Holidays in Wales, UK

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Horse Riding in Wales

For more information on horse riding holidays in Wales call activity Wales on 01437 766888 or email fran@activitywales.com

Alf Alderson, travel and adventure sports journalist, finds that pretty much everyone can enjoy the sense of freedom to be found on horseback.

"In recent years outdoor sports have become one of the trends steering us all towards a healthier style of living. The media constantly bombard us with images of action men and women jumping off amazing heights and generally putting themselves in life-threatening situations, all in the name of fun.

And the rest of us are left feeling pretty rubbish in comparison. So when someone with a disability decides to give it a go you have to admire them all the more. Whilst it's ridiculous for Joe and Jill Public to compare their athletic abilities with those of people who ride surfboards, skis or mountain bikes for a living, that comparison becomes even more marked when you also have to cope with a disability. Yet it's often the people in the most disadvantaged position who enjoy themselves the most and get the maximum out of taking on something new.

Horse riding is a good example. Personally I'd rather take a mountain bike down a 1:3 rock-strewn gully than try and get a horse to do my bidding (after all, my bike doesn¹t have a mind of its own), but many people with disabilities would put the likes of me to shame when it comes to getting on horseback."

Sue Scourfield of Pembrokeshire Riding Centre is well aware of the truth of this, providing as she does a service for both able and disabled visitors who want to both learn to ride and discover the local countryside on horseback. She says that many of her disabled riders take to horse riding "surprisingly quickly. I think just relating to the horse is very good for many people, and for some who have difficulty communicating verbally there can be a great feeling of empathy with their horse. We've even had some riders who have hardly ever spoken before able to say the name of their horse.

"There's also a great sense of freedom to be found on horseback, whether you're disabled or not," says Sue. Imagine if you're confined to a wheelchair how it must feel to be several feet off the ground on a horse as you pass through the woods and fields of the countryside. As Sue says, ³There really is no better way of discovering your surroundings".

Some of Sue's clients come from the nearby National Trust Stackpole Centre, which provides facilities/accommodation for all including disabled people along with their friends and families. "I think that being able to ride with their friends makes the whole experience more fulfilling for our disabled riders," says Sue.

However, I was still intrigued about the idea of controlling a horse if you suffer from a disability. Like many men I'm of the opinion that I'd have more success in bringing the space shuttle in to land than getting a horse to follow my commands. Sue soon disabused me of this idea. "The horses often change completely when they have a disabled rider on their back - even the most mischievous ones. They somehow seem to know they have a rider who is a little different, and become more placid. And the great thing for the rider is that the exercise of riding acts like physiotherapy - all of their muscles are in use whilst they're in the saddle".

But is there a limit to who can enjoy horse riding? Well, it appears not. Sue is a trained teacher of the disabled, and along with her instructors can take virtually anyone, no matter what their disability. "I'd recommend it to anyone," she says. "We can talk blind people around, sign to deaf people and can usually provide for nine out of ten clients with other disabilities. The best thing is to give us a call and discuss it if you're in any doubt".

There are also indoor riding facilities at the centre in case of bad weather, and riders are also encouraged to enjoy grooming their horse too. This, incidentally, isn't as dull as it sounds. As very much a novice rider myself I found grooming to be a great way of getting to know your horse - and for your horse to get to know you, which is just as important - after all he's the one who's going to be doing all the hard work, so he ought at least to know who's asking him to do it.

The bottom line, then, is it doesn't really matter if you have a disability, because through places like the National Trust Stackpole Centre and Pembrokeshire Riding Centre you can still give it a go - and that's coming from the horse's mouth!

For our selection of exciting holidays and breaks that include this activity call 01437 766888

THE RIDING FOR THE DISABLED ASSOCIATION

"The Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) is a story about people, remarkable people, largely horsewomen who had the vision, enthusiasm and ability to create and develop opportunities for disabled people to enjoy the companionship of the horse," said H R H The Princess Royal, as RDA celebrates the achievements of over 30 years in the business of providing disabled people of all ages and from all walks of life, with the opportunity of riding and driving to benefit their health and well being.

The late much loved Lavinia, Duchess of Norfolk, first created the national body and became President in 1970. In 1971 The Duchess invited The Princess Royal to become Patron and they exchanged roles in 1985. Her Royal Highness has made an enormous contribution and has played a major role ever since, travelling the country to groups as far apart as the Shetlands, Isle of Wight and Jersey and bringing her considerable leadership support to in excess of 14,000 voluntary helpers, 25,000 riders and 702 active groups throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland which all began with some 9 groups in 1969.

The 15,000 volunteers who give their time with tireless energy play a major role in the everyday essential work of RDA. They themselves derive great satisfaction and enjoyment from helping others to benefit from riding and driving and to see the major part which horses play on a regular basis to improve the quality of life for many people who they get to know and who become their friends.

Today RDA is dependent on voluntary contributions and support to enable our valuable work to continue on a daily basis throughout the country. RDA is indebted to the many sponsors and companies who contribute throughout the country both at national and local level. As well as to the many riding schools throughout the land who work closely with the groups to provide horses/ponies and instruction.

The Riding for the Disabled Association is based at the National Agriculture Centre, Avenue R, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 2LY. Tel: (01203) 696510.

Words by Alf Alderson & Sue Scourfield, photographs courtesy of Sue Scourfield - Pembrokeshire Riding Centre