Posted: 3rd March 2022 | Back to news feed
All horses and ponies are special to their owners but occasionally you find one with extra special qualities. The equine team members at Accessibility Mark centres not only teach disabled people to ride, they also provide therapy that can have far-reaching benefits.
Irish Gypsy Cob, Jack, has been a much loved member of the team at Four Winds Equestrian Centre in Spalding, Lincolnshire for five years, regularly taking part in the centre’s Accessibility Mark session.
Kirsty Sweeney is a Level 2 riding instructor who is responsible for delivering sessions at Four Winds for riders with additional needs. Here Kirsty tells us about Jack’s special relationship with participants and his equally cheeky personality.
“Jack’s main job on the yard is as a driving pony but he is wonderful around people and seems to sense what people need. He will stand for hours to be groomed and will happily allow riders to lean on him for support if they are unable to stand unassisted. He will gently put his head on the knee of anyone in a wheelchair so they can touch and feel his face.
“Although he is primarily a driving pony he does participate in some low-level ridden sessions as he is not fazed by side-walkers for those riders that require a higher level of support.”
Jack’s kind but cheeky personality, as well as his epic moustache is a major factor that has made him a firm favourite on the yard and his love of food of any kind has led Kirsty to describe him as an over-grown Labrador.
“Jack has many quirks but most of these are based around food as he is incredibly greedy – we are yet to find something that he won’t eat!
“He is also a very good escape artist which means I am never sure which field I will find him in when I arrive in a morning and his favourite trick is to hide behind the bigger horses and sneak through the gate!
“All our riders love to hear about Jack’s weekly adventures when they come for their session.”
A typical day for Jack involves coming in at 9am to munch haylage for breakfast, followed by a bit of pampering and a snooze in the stable – being a therapy pony requires a lot of energy!
During the afternoon Jack pulls the trap for wheelchair accessible sessions which is enjoyed by everyone even though it is not the speediest of rides!
“Jack loves the attention and his favourite part of the session is the cuddles and treats from participants. At the end of the day he goes back out into the field to play with his friends and although he starts in the boys’ field you never know where he will be in the morning!” said Kirsty.
Accessibility Mark status is awarded to a riding centre that has been approved by the RDA following training and assessment. The close link with the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) means that it can offer continuous support to the establishment to ensure it provides a first-class experience that aims to be hugely beneficial to riders of varying levels of disability.
To find your nearest RDA Group or Accessibility Mark centre visit www.rda.org.uk
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