Posted: 28th June 2021 | Back to news feed
Batley Hall Riding School based in West Yorkshire has witnessed first-hand the positive impact that horses can have for disabled clients and has become the second equestrian establishment post lockdown to sign up to the Accessibility Mark scheme.
Accessibility Mark aims to provide more opportunities for disabled people to participate in horse riding within their own community and help meet the demand faced by RDA Groups who often have a long waiting list.
The centre has gone from strength to strength over the past nine years and has always welcomed riders of any age and ability. Having been approached by various groups who organise activities for both children and adults with autism, Batley Hall was already seeing how spending time with horses could change people’s lives.
Wanting to further expand their services to disabled riders, Heather Taylor got in touch with Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) to seek advice and was informed about the Accessibility Mark scheme and how to apply.
Said Heather: “Accessibility Mark accreditation seemed the best route to take to help the centre move forward in the direction that we wanted to go to give something back to the community. Our sessions for children with conditions such as ADHD and Autism have become incredibly popular with over 40 children and young adults on our client list.
“The positive effect of the sessions is seen in many different ways. We have seen children who have never engaged with anyone outside their family unit blossom when they have contact with the horses, engaging with the whole group and gaining valuable communication skills. A couple of children even have their own ponies on livery with us because they chose riding as a therapy. For parents this can often be a last resort.
“It is unbelievable to witness the development of these children and how both they and their families have benefited from what we are able to provide.”
All the instructors and a number of the volunteers at the centre took part in the compulsory training which forms part of the accreditation process and was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone. The training focused on practical knowledge such as side walking and mounting and dismounting techniques.
Heather hopes the accreditation will help Batley Hall to enrich the lives of many people through horse therapy.
“Horses and riding are a great therapy and that is what brings us the most job satisfaction. The accreditation, we believe, gives potential clients the peace of mind that we have been awarded it and have met the required standard. The more people we can touch the lives of the better and we feel this is the way forward for us as a riding centre.”
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 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.
For more information contact Batley Hall Riding School on 07990 502007 or email
There are currently 53 Accessibility Mark-approved centres across the country.
To find your nearest RDA Group or Accessibility Mark centre visit www.rda.org.uk
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