LESSONS
During term time riders from two special schools ride on a Wednesday morning. Saturday morning and Monday and Thursday evenings are allocated to riders from the local community. A total of 72 riders have the opportunity to ride every week. A waiting list for riders exists, but such is the demand, this waiting list has been closed meantime.

The Aims of the Lesson & how they are achieved
The main aim of the lessons are for the riders to enjoy themselves, but also to learn new skills, socialise and make new friends. The specific aim for each rider in a lesson is often different, for some building confidence is important, for others, especially the more able-bodied, to learn to ride correctly is more of a priority. For the physically disabled, the lessons can provide excellent physiotherapy, helping to improve balance, co-ordination and muscle strength.

With all lessons the emphasis is on learning new skills in a fun and progressive manner. The Instructor can achieve this in many ways;

Allocating an appropriate horse - a horse can help a rider learn new skills.

Stretching exercises - improve balance, give confidence and can be used as a tool to learn part of the horse and tack.

Schooling exercises (e.g. changing the direction of the horse) - teaches control of the horse and gives a sense of achievement.

Games - an enjoyable and fun way to practice old and new skills. They also promote team building and interaction between riders and helpers.

Riding out with the arena provides an interesting and stimulating environment in which the riders can use the skills they have been taught in the school.

A Typical Lesson (by Joshua Heppple)
I go every Saturday morning to Ravelrig RDA for a riding lesson. I arrive about 5 minutes early so I can collect a riding hat (size 2) from the tack room, and then go and stand by the mounting ramp until the horses are ready.

If the guinea pigs are out in their run I sometimes go and see them first.

Then I get on Gemma by walking up the ramp and putting my leg over her. Then I go round in circles at the bottom of the arena for 5 minutes whilst all the other riders get on. Normally my helper ties the lead rein round Gemma's head but now I have started to ride her on my own with no-one near the horse using ladder reins.

During my lesson I get to canter once or twice. Sometimes we get to go on a ride into a field and sometimes we get to jump over logs and branches.

I have to dismount at the gate because I can't walk on my own. I normally lean forward and then swing my legs over onto the ground.

Sometimes Elizabeth, the instructor, teaches me how to vault on one of the really big horses and I can stand up or lie down on one. I really like coming to horse riding but sometimes it is more fun than others.

Lesson times are:
Monday
07:00pm - 08:00pm
08:00pm - 09:00pm
Wednesday
10:00am - 11:00am
11:00am - 12 noon
Thursday
06:45pm - 07:30pm
07:30pm - 08:15pm
Saturday
09:30am - 10:10am
10:20am - 11:00am
11:15am - 12 noon