ABOUT US
At Moray RDA we provide weekly riding lessons and pony care classes for more than 50 young people and adults with a wide variety of different individual needs – physical, learning and emotional. We aim to help our participants learn new skills, enjoy a new hobby, be part of our ‘family’ and have fun. Most of our participants are from Moray, but we also support a group of pupils from Banff Academy as they are unable to access an RDA group locally.
We run from March until the end of June and from August until the end of November. Our classes take place at Cranloch Riding Centre outside Elgin. The classes are run by our own specially trained coaches helped by an army of volunteers.
At Moray RDA we really enjoy seeing the benefits that riding and contact with ponies brings to our participants. We see many physical benefits with improved balance, co-ordination, and muscle strength. Parents and carers have also talked about how confidence and communication have improved. In addition, RDA activities improve well-being and mental health and promote a feeling of happiness. The smiles that we see on a Wednesday prove this. We look for every opportunity to celebrate the many different individual successes of our participants allowing them (and their families) to experience a sense of achievement and pride.
Here is what some of our parents
and participants say about coming to RDA:
“*****’s confidence has come on in leaps and bounds. ***** is far chattier.” (Parent)
“***** is noticeably happier since they started riding again.” (Parent.)
“This is a fantastic help to our family. Without this ***** would have nothing.” (Parent)
“It has helped me physically with my walking and balance.” (Rider)
“Freedom.” (Wheelchair user)