Coaching through Disabilities – BHS CPD workshop

A BHS Continuous Professional Development (CPD) workshop also open to all RDA, Pony Club, and other BEF associated coaches

One in five people have a long-standing, limiting disability or life-changing condition, and the benefits of interaction with horses and riding are well known. This popular BHS CPD workshop is an introduction to this huge topic, helping to signpost coaches to a range of practical resources about different disabilities, and safe, thoughtful practices. It counts as 6 Points towards BHS CPD.

The workshop is facilitated ot draw on the knowledge and experience in the room.  It will include a review of life-changing illnesses and injuries in adults and discussion about the practical issues of coaching them. From horse selection and welfare, adapting tack, working with other therapists, there is plenty to discuss!  The roles of RDA, BD, BEF, and Para Equestrian competition will be mapped out as well as the emerging field of equine assisted  approaches. It will draw on sports psychology principles about the importance of language and recognition of values and beliefs. Finally, it will highlight how BHS coaches can engage with other coaching pathways to build on existing qualifications.

Profits from this workshop go to the Happiness Horsebox CIC, a special accessible service funded by the equestrian community, for the equestrian community.

Workshop Approach

An online workshop is being delivered in Autumn / Winter 2024-25, split into two 3 hour workshops (4pm to 7pm). Each counts as 3 points BHS CPD, and can be taken in either order.

We cover the topics in an engaging way, drawing on the group’s experience as well as presenting useful information.  There will be access to a comprehensive workbook and resources after, and the opportunity to join further forums and presentations.  

Dates for Face to Face workshops in 2024 are being arranged around the country, please ">contact Liz if you would like us to host one in your area. 

Venues and dates 2024

  • Monday 23rd September  – Wellington Riding Centre, Near Basingstoke ,  10 am to 4 pm 
  • Online – Workshop 1  Tuesday, 18th  September 4pm-7pm
  • Online – Workshop 2  Tuesday 1st October 4pm-7pm

Booking and CPD points 

Places are limited to ensure personal attention, so please reserve your place on the Happiness Horsebox website or by emailing if you want to pay for more than one person. 

Book both online sessions for a discount: BHS/APC member £55  RDA Coach £55 – otherwise per Session £30

CPD points are logged via the BHS feedback form. Receipts and attendance certificates are sent upon request. 

 

Para-Equestrian Dressage Insights

Writing for the List One judge at a para-equestrian Championship, we were discussing perceptions of disability dressage.

She commented that it would be a stretch for many higher level dressage horses with able bodied riders to complete a 5-6 minute test just in walk showing the complexity of movements that are required!  The tests need to be ridden without tension or anticipation to show the quality of the paces and accuracy.

Tests range from Grade 5 (walk, trot canter to Medium level) to Grade 1 (walk only) according to the riders grade of disability.

Here is a link to the FEI tests in use

 

 

 

Inspiration for the Happiness Horsebox

The RDA philosophy is to focus on removing the barriers to riding, driving and being with horses, as much as possible, so enabling people with disabilities to achieve their goals.  The story of Brenda and the team at Deeside RDA captures this spirit and has inspired us to focus on enabling adults to hack in special places.

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Brenda has retinitis pigmentosa, an inherited degenerative eye disease that has left her completely blind for the past 20 years. She had never ridden before but she picked up the basics very quickly and before long was able to walk and trot on the lead rein and even ride a basic dressage test using ‘Talking Letters’.  Her goal was to ride along a beach splashing through the waves!

Her riding came on in leaps and bounds and she was soon trotting unaided. One day, a small group set off for the local beach in Aberdeen with two horses, five volunteers and one Lead Coach. The weather was perfect – blue skies and a gentle breeze and the beach was deserted with miles of golden sand. They walked and trotted, riding into the waves, taking photos and making memories.

For the volunteers it was a privilege to share this experience with Brenda. RDA is a team: everyone that had side walked, led, provided weekly transport or had some part in the organisation of the group played a part in Brenda’s achievement. To see the smile on her face made it all very worthwhile.

Our focus is to build on Deeside’s approach with the Happiness Horsebox. We plan to negotiate agreements to ride in private estates and woodlands, safely off the public road, to give riders the pleasure of hacking.  It has a suitable mounting mechanism of the lifting platform, (and an accessible loo, shelter and kitchen area for tea and cake!!)

It is also available to take riders to shows and lessons and to visit care homes and hospices.  We have an HGV operating licence and local authority licences, along with risk assessments, operating procedures and qualified drivers. Contact the Happiness Horsebox to find out how to book it for your group.

Horses helping humans…

Darcy Day had just come to the yard , a neglected racehorse, saved by a  charity run by Helen Yeadon.  Despite how ill Darcy was, the mare was able to make a connection with a silent child who had not spoken in 2 years.  Read this extract of Greatwood’s work with horses and young people from the Daily Mail – and see below to buy their new book. Read more

Becoming mobile..

When you have a crazy dream it’s a bit scary when it begins to come to life!

Our dream in setting up Positive RDA has been about enabling people to enjoy the healing power of horses and the countryside when they are faced with life-changing injuries and illnesses. Riding out in the countryside is a dream for many, but a basic risk assessment indicates that taking a group out on modern roads to get there is a big No No!

So the idea of a mobile RDA began to develop.  A horsebox that could take 2 horses to lovely places or competitions for riders with disabilities to enjoy – because it has a hydraulic lifting platform to mount and dismount with safety and ease.  The platform would also enable access to a simple day-living area for a cup of tea and cake after – and an accessible loo too.  Riders will be coached on carefully selected horses in a suitable safe environment first, and volunteers will walk alongside the riders and support the whole experience.

So, at last people with disabilities will be able to get out to enjoy the amazing views from the Ridgeway and ride on the glorious North Wessex Downs!

Initial design

Conversations with care home managers then made the link of bringing a horse to them for simple talking therapy and an interesting break from the daily routine.  The accessibility and design of this horsebox will create a unique space where the horse becomes central to a special tea party. It will be a special place to connect with a friendly horse safely, and just escape into memories of the good old days of country living… We are looking at insulation, heating and air-conditioning to make it comfortable to use most of the year.

The dream is becoming a reality now that we are pinning down the specification, costs and presenting the plans to major funders.  It is a true innovation and its bold design should attract attention wherever it goes in the region.  We will be training and insuring our volunteers to  drive it to professional standards and setting up a booking system to make it widely available.

">Please contact us with any contributions to the build and set up costs or connections with charities that would like to partner with us. Volunteers to help with all the different aspects of running the group would be very welcome too!