As part of the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA), The Diamond Centre exists to provide disabled people with the opportunity to ride, carriage drive or vault at the level of their ability to benefit their health and well being.

The benefits of horse riding and interaction with the disabled are well documented. The riders with mobility issues experience the sense of a freedom of movement and those with emotional issues or autism find empathy with the horses and can gain a great sense of calm and independence from riding. Families and carers often tell us that the riders improve their social skills and confidence with riding, it’s a great conversation starter and for many who feel socially awkward, talking about their horses can lower the barriers.

Our weekly schedule
There is a full timetable of over 60 riding, vaulting and driving sessions, which start on Tuesday mornings and go through to early Saturday evenings. Thursday evenings are left free for training. The horses are put out to grass from Saturday night until Monday morning, when they are ridden back from our grazing fields and prepared for lessons the following day.

Our riders
Our wide range of activities offers excellent opportunities to riders of all abilities and ages – from 3 to over 75 years old. All riding (including hippotherapy), vaulting and carriage driving takes place under expert instruction.

Our riders have a wide range of disabilities including cerebral palsy, controlled epilepsy, Down syndrome, autism, learning difficulties and behavioural problems. It is widely recognised that interaction with horses and riding benefits disabled children and adults both physically and mentally. We also help victims of brain trauma injuries who can show remarkable improvements through riding. 

For many of our riders it is one of the few activities they can participate in and experience some form of independence and gain a great sense of achievement which adds to and aids their wellbeing.