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Activities made Accessible

Duration: 2:31 minutes
Accession No: TWCMS : 2009.326
This story has been viewed 1763 times

Summary
Paul talks about how his diability does not stop him from enjoying horse riding.

By Paul Casson

Other information

This story was inspired by a horseshoe from the collections at Discovery Museum, Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums.


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Video transcript

When I was in the reception class at school, we used to spend every Thursday afternoon at the Strang Horse Riding School for disabled people in Washington.  We would get there by the school minibus.

When we got there, we would go into the stables (which didn't smell very nice) and select the horses we wanted to ride on (for me, this was depending on colour mainly).  Then when the rest of the class had picked the horses they wanted to ride, we were ready for our riding lesson.

Firstly we did a few laps around the stables for us to get used to being on the horses.  Then when we got the hang of that (when I was all steady and balanced), we had a go at galloping with the horses. This was a big thing for me because I had a shocking sense of balance.  Good job I had two people either side of me, just in case, or I don't know what would have happened if I was on my own.  It was quite funny as well (if you were watching me), as my head was like one of those nodding dogs you see in the back of cars.

It was then time to master a few little jumps (an even bigger challenge, a little bit scary too).  But I also some accomplished that and I stayed on the horse too.  Then afterwards we took the horses outside and rode around the field, looking at all of the scenery which was there, and to also have some fresh air too. 

Then it was time to leave the riding school, as it was time to go back to school.  But I wasn't too disappointed, as I knew we were going there next week to do it all again.

This was not the only time I've been horse riding.  As a few years ago I spent five days at the Calvert Trust, an outdoor activity centre for the disabled people in Kielder. 

This goes to prove that even though I have a disability, it doesn't stop me from doing the things I enjoy, and I like taking a challenge.  Taking part in these activities gave me a sense of freedom and the horse riding made me feel as if the horse’s legs became my own. I realised I could move around like everyone else.

A good many valabules you've given me.Posted on 04/10/2011 at 05:12:08

It's much eiaser to understand when you put it that way!Posted on 07/10/2011 at 05:43:38

6RAO03 lswlcmmqrofyPosted on 08/10/2011 at 03:27:39

XBcRw4 wtchaypltixaPosted on 10/10/2011 at 05:16:09

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