What We Do

‘Reaching More Riders – Changing More Lives’

North Shore RDA increases ability through participation in goal-based riding activities. Each year, we provide life-changing opportunities through more than 540 group riding sessions for the children and adults who attend with us each week.

Each rider attends a structured, goal-based RDA riding session each week, supervised by our coach and assisted by expert, well-trained volunteers and our specially trained horses.

Each rider has their own goal-based programme, individualised to meet their specific needs.

We welcome and assist people of all ages. A person may be referred to us in a number of ways, including word-of-mouth or referral from a health, recreational or teaching professional. Over 80 per cent of our riders are children and teenagers. Many have a physical or intellectual disability while just over a quarter are on the autistic spectrum. Many of our riders live with more than one disability.

Riding is of benefit to children and adults with a wide range of special needs, including but not limited to:

Autistic Spectrum Disorders
Cerebral Palsy
Cystic Fibrosis
CVA (stroke)
Down Syndrome
Intellectual Disability
Learning Disability
Hearing and Visual Impairments
Multiple Sclerosis
Muscular Dystrophy
Spina Bifida and Spinal Cord Injury (Para/Quadriplegia).

Horse riding is an enjoyable form of healthy, outdoor exercise and an exciting, challenging and motivating activity. There are also significant therapeutic benefits for the rider. For example, the warmth and three-dimensional movement of the horse is transmitted through the rider’s body, gradually making the rider more relaxed and supple, reducing spasms and improving their balance, posture and co-ordination. Our RDA sessions are designed to enhance and improve physical, psychological and social abilities as well as provide recreational and educational opportunities.

To read about how riding therapy has really helped some individuals, please read some of our Rider Stories.

For safety reasons, please note that no dogs are permitted on the premises.