What we do
An introduction to Rossway RDA
We provide opportunities to ride or simply be with horses and to support children & adults with physical, emotional or psychological challenges. Some riders are referred by their school or GP, while others join us independently. However you hear about us, we are here to help the rider to improve their confidence, their balance, core strength and general muscle tone. We currently have riders with a wide range of disabilities including Anxiety, Arthritis, Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Developmental Delay, Down’s Syndrome, Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, Epilepsy, Learning Difficulties, Multiple Sclerosis, Strength & Balance Issues, Visual and Hearing Impairments
Our qualified Coaches work with riders individually to develop appropriate activities.
What to expect
Wear stretchy trousers or leggings or jodhpurs and boots with a small heel if you can. Gloves can be a good idea, but no flappy scarves or baggy jackets (they can frighten the horses!). We can provide a suitable riding hat.
The horses all have saddles with an extra handhold, and we have sheepskin saddles as well as conventional saddles. We also have reins with handles if needed and everyone starts on the leading rein.
First you need to get onto the horse. Depending on your mobility, this can be very easy or a bit more complicated. We have a large mounting block with an extra step. Netty, one of our riders shown in the video here, needs a little extra help to get on, but is a great rider once she’s aboard.
In good weather, we sometimes go out for a hack. Whether we ride indoors or outside, each rider will have a Coach in charge at all times, and a leader and side walker as needed. Our volunteers are there to help and support the rider and to make the session safe and enjoyable.
Netty riding Diesel in front with Ali riding Pippin behind with our volunteers Ros and Pat leading them.
Diesel, Molly, Bazz and Bella out on a hack
Diesel & Pippin out for a summer hack in the woods
Class lesson in the school
Obstacle course
Diesel, Hector, Bazz and Hetty lined up with their Easter bunny ears on
Diesel walking through the water jump
Diesel and Pippin in the woods
School work
Prize winners at the RDA Regionals
The team at the RDA Regional competition in May 2023
The team with Coco, Molly, Pippin and Hetty at the end of term
Our Horses
Pippin
Diesel
Coco
Darcy
Hetty
Molly
Harvey
Bella
KatyMay
Darcy's arrival
Our newest horse is Darcy, born in 2016 arrived in August 2023. She is a 15hh Irish Cob.
Viv-checking-Darcy-while-in-the-isolation-stable-web
Hazel showing Darcy the indoor school
Introducing Darcy to the mounting block
There is always a lot going on during an RDA session, so Darcy needs to get used to it
We use buckets and plates during gymkhana games
Irene coaching, Nigel leading and Ros riding Darcy as she begins her journey as an RDA horse
Care of our horses
Our horses are very well looked after at Shardeloes, a BHS accredited riding school and received a 5* rating from the Buckinghamshire County Council inspection in October 2023. Our horses are popular with the riding school and when not on RDA duty, they support many non-disabled riders to learn equestrian skills. They also teach the students at Shardeloes how to ride and teach as they work towards their BHS exams.
Our horses live together as small herds in their own fields and come in every day for a check-up and feed. In the winter they are clipped and rugged. With regular farrier, vet and dentist visits, the horses are very comfortable and healthy.
Our qualified Coaches work with riders individually to develop appropriate activities.