Please contact us to see if someone you know could benefit from being one of our riders or if you would like to join the Group as a helper.  The Group may be contacted on the phone number above.

What we do:

Every Monday morning during school term time the Group, all volunteers, gathers here at Fletchers Farm, to conduct rides for young riders weighing under 9 stone (57 kilos).

Most, but not all, of our riders come from Lexden Springs School in Colchester.   Some, who may, for instance, have been wheel chair bound may at first be unable to sit up in the saddle unaided, but after a few rides things change as the rider achieves more muscular control and more self confidence.

Each rider is provided with a proper crash-hat and suitable foot wear if needed; they are mounted on a  pony trained for the task, saddled, bridled and fitted with special stirrups; three adult helpers attend each rider and pony; one to lead and one either side to provide support.

Given that the riders are vulnerable young people all our helpers, with our assistance, must undergo a Criminal Records Bureau check.

There is a limit to the number of riders we can manage: for the indoor riding school, big though it is, will only accommodate up to four or five teams of pony, rider and three adult helpers at any one time.

Rider weight is limited by the carrying capacity of the pony and pony size must be compatible with that of the helpers walking on either side, together with their ability to provide support to the rider.

Suitable ponies are hard to find: ours are either privately owned or are provided by the Saddle Club after having first been assessed and then trained by our qualified instructor, who also controls and supervises each ride, which last about half an hour.

We are always looking for more helpers and we are self funding, so any donations would be very gratefully received.