"It'll never happen to me...."

It'll never happen to me - but it could happen to a friend..... 

And that is why we are here.  Taking horses to care homes and hospices. Taking horses to beautiful countryside for riders with disabilities to enjoy, Popping up as a private place for a supportive chat about mental health at equestrian events.... 

Having spent so long in the horse world I know of many people who have suffered injuries from riding and handling horses.  Outsiders see it as a dangerous sport and pastime. And riders reply that it is about living life to the full! With horses in our lives we can escape the day to day.

Over the years my love of the thrill of competition has been replaced by an awe for the other insights the horse can give us. And how much they help people through the tough times. Getting old is not for sissies, as my aunt used to say.....

It can bring life-changing Illnesses and injuries, as well as 'getting older'. Whether it is Stroke, MS, Cancer, sepsis, head injury, road accidents, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's - the story is the same - horses have a healing power, a chance to see beyond the 'now.'... a chance to connect with others and feel free again. Seeing the escape that horses bring to people is humbling. Here are links to some special examples

Sight / Hearing Loss

• Video of Verity Smith(blind) riding Inter 1 test
• The Sensory Alliance  a new Deaf / Blind sport initiative 
• British Blind Sport offer an e-learning course (demo here)

Spinal cord injuries

• Riding from a wheelchair - Wheelie good tips
• Suzanne Hext - BBC Sport 

Multiple Sclerosis 

• Equine assisted therapy with Thunder
• Emma's journey to para equestrian competition

Head injuries 

Jonty Evans tells his story - BBC Sport

Sport England has produced this guide to supporting inclusive sport