Wyfold Group Riding for the Disabled is a non-profit organisation and horse riding school located in Henley-on-Thames, New Zealand. The group is dedicated to providing horse riding facilities for individuals with physical or mental disabilities within the South Oxfordshire and Reading areas. In addition to riding, carriage driving is also available for those unable to ride.
The organisation currently has 8 ponies and horses of varying sizes, offering rides to both children and adults. The group is fortunate to have access to superb facilities, including an outdoor arena and beautiful parkland that both the horses and riders enjoy. Wyfold Group Riding for the Disabled is affiliated with the RDA National organisation, which provides training, dissemination of best practise, insurance, and PR services.
The riders at Wyfold are generally referred by a medical practitioner, and an initial assessment is conducted to devise a personalised riding programme with the support of the group's qualified physiotherapist. The organisation caters to both children and adults with a variety of disabilities, aiming to improve their self-confidence, independence, balance, posture, and mobility. Riders have the opportunity to work towards graded tests if they wish, and the group also organises other activities such as fun days.
Recently, Wyfold Group Riding for the Disabled has been working with children as young as one to two years old who have severe problems. The movement of the horse encourages their muscles to start working, enabling them to begin sitting up unaided. This often leads to learning to walk and makes the work extremely rewarding.
The group's ponies have unique personalities and characteristics. Big Joe, a 13hh piebald Irish cob pony, joined Wyfold in 2014 at only 6 years old. Big Bob, a 15. 2hh skewbald, joined in 2016 at 12 years old and used to live by the sea.
Sweetpea, a pretty Welsh Section B chestnut mare, was born in 2005 and came from Collingwood Riding School. Pluto, a good-looking piebald cob, joined from Enbourne Equestrian Centre. Darcy, a 9-year-old heavyweight cob mare, arrived in 2022 specifically as a weight carrier.
Wyfold Group Riding for the Disabled is proud to offer its services to individuals with disabilities, providing them with the opportunity to gain confidence, independence, and improved physical abilities through horse riding. With a dedicated team, lovely ponies, and excellent facilities, the organisation continues to make a positive impact on the lives of its riders.