The Northern Ireland region of the Riding for the Disabled Association has been providing riding and driving for over 40 years and currently has 28 groups, 1000 volunteers and 1000 riders. By working directly with 18 care centres and 40 schools the Riding for the Disabled (RDA) seeks to help those who will benefit most from the therapy achieved through horse riding. The RDA is also always interested to hear from individual riders who may like to take part.

The advantages of horse riding come in many forms ranging from building muscle tone to encouraging self confidence and improving balance. For children and adults with both physical and learning difficulties the RDA provides access to one of the very few outdoor activities available for the disabled community.

RDA provides disabled people throughout Northern Ireland with the opportunity to learn to ride or carriage drive to benefit their health and well being. We create a sense of achievement and increase self-confidence through contact with horses and ponies. The benefits to disabled riders and carriage drivers are clear to see and participation with the charity is an enriching experience for all involved.

Each group of disabled riders or carriage drivers has a fully trained and accredited instructor in overall charge of the riding or driving activities. The instructor is assisted in the arena by volunteer helpers, usually three for each rider, one to lead the horse or pony and one to walk on each side of the rider. Experience of horses and riding or driving is not essential for all helpers. Riding or driving sessions take place once or twice a week and usually last for about one hour.


The RDA is a federation of member groups which are dedicated to improving the lives of people with disabilities through the provision of opportunities for riding and/or carriage driving. Each group delivers a real and lasting therapy that not only benefits mobility and co-ordination, but encourages confidence and self worth whilst having fun.
· RDA brings together more than 500 volunteer groups throughout the UK
· More than 30,000 adults and children enjoy the benefits of riding or carriage driving
· Each year almost 20,000 dedicated volunteers give a total or more than 3.5 million hours of their time

At the moment we are keen to recruit new volunteers who would be able to give up some time to help with weekly sessions, or horse owners who would be willing to loan their horse/pony for these riding lessons.