Home  Welcome  About Ashfield  What's Available?  Holidays & Courses  Fund Raising &   Volunteers  Contact Us		What's Available? Lessons We offer riding lessons to day centres and schools for children with special needs as well as individuals. We ask riders attending through their day centre or school to give a small donation towards the ride and individuals who ride in able bodied rides to donate half of the normal fee for their riding lesson. Driving Driving is provided as an alternative to riding. It is offered to clients for whom riding is medically contra-indicated, or clients who are unable to ride due to excess weight or profound physical disability. For wheelchair bound clients, it offers a totally different perspective on life. Instead of the slow steady pace of their wheelchair, they can enjoy an exhilirating trot and all the sensory stimulation it provides. Clients with additional handicaps find driving a particularly enriching and rewarding experience. RDA Proficiency Tests All riders are given the opportunity to work towards the RDA Proficiency Tests, which can be achieved in Driving, Riding and Stable Management. These proficiency tests are graded in such a way to show progression. Endeavour awards are also individually tailored to acknowledge unique achievement. Therapy The therapeutic value of horse riding is extensive, and is tailored to meet individual needs. Happiness is evident on the faces of all the riders - from their elevated position on the back of a horse riders have the opportunity to survey their surroundings which is normally denied to any wheelchair bound individual. The fact that they are now in control is not only physically beneficial, but psychologically it is extremely self-satisfying. Ultimately they will gain confidence, balance and improved co-ordination. Work Placement We provide work placements for people with learning difficulties where they are taught how to look after the horses and ponies on a day to day basis. This includes mucking out, grooming and depending on each trainees ability, exercising horses. They will also be expected to carry out general yard duties.