Benefits

Riding Therapy Benefits

Confidence - Initially, when children are helped onto a donkey they are a little apprehensive due to their distance from the ground and feeling the donkey move. After a few lessons they gain trust in the donkey and the instructor, they will then begin to touch and stroke the donkey, give verbal commands and try to take control.
 
Strength - Children with special needs often have low muscle tone. Those with cerebral palsy, spina bifida and neuromuscular conditions have weak, or wasted muscles and sometimes loss of sensation. Just by sitting on a moving donkey, muscle tone in the lumbar region can be improved. Using arms and legs during riding sessions and a game strengthens muscle groups.

Balance - This is improved by carrying out exercises on a still or moving donkey. By twisting, reaching and stretching balance is enhanced in normal, everyday tasks.

Co-ordination - By learning to guide a donkey and perform simple tasks using eyes, voice and body, special needs children gain advances in co-ordination - to master the rising trot is an enormous achievement. 
  
Mobility - This is the greatest benefit of all for every child who depends upon walking aids, wheelchairs or adult support and can never move about unaided. Whilst riding a donkey the children move more freely, faster and independently.

Pleasure - Children love donkeys. Great pleasure is gained from touching, stroking, grooming and watching these gentle animals. Riding sessions are thoroughly enjoyed along with the challenge of trying to do better at each visit to the centres. Even those who are only able to learn the rudimentary skills of riding, positively benefit from the simple pleasure of their visits.