Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 6th September 2013
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Pilot project helps disabled horse riders
Accessibility Mark aims to increase opportunities

A unique pilot project called Accessibility Mark is to launch this year, aiming to increase opportunities for disabled people wanting to get involved in horse riding.

The project is in response to the high demand for providing horse riding for disabled people in England, with many more people interested in riding than are currently able to do so.

Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) are behind the initiative, having collaborated with the British Equestrian Federation (BEF).

By encouraging mainstream riding centres to achieve the accreditation and become an approved centre for the scheme, riders will have more options for getting involved.

Ed Bracher, chief executive of RDA, said: "We are really excited about the launch of the Accessibility Mark.  It will enable more people to have access to riding and to high quality support and coaching.

"Equestrianism in the UK leads the world in terms of providing access to the sport as both a competitive activity and as a simple form of exercise and therapy; this new product will ensure that this continues and that we are able involve more and more people."

Research conducted in 2013 by RDA has shown clear benefits for people with a range of disabilities. For example, 80 per cent of their riders to be surveyed improved physically, 90 per cent became more confident and 82 per cent showed improved communication skills.

Sophie Wells, paralympic gold and silver medallist, said: "I never think of myself as having a disability; I think this is the same for a lot of people and the feeling of being labelled can be off putting when taking part in new things. 

"Accessibility Mark means that anyone can go into any riding centre and get involved in horse riding without making them feel different."

The British Horse Society (BHS), the Association of British Riding Schools (ABRS) and the Pony Club (TPC) have offered their support to the project and are looking to provide Accessiblity Mark in their own schools and centres.

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Submissions open for BSAVA Clinical Research Abstracts 2026

News Story 1
 The BSAVA has opened submissions for the BSAVA Clinical Research Abstracts 2026.

It is an opportunity for applicants to present new research on any veterinary subject, such as the preliminary results of a study, discussion of a new technique or a description of an interesting case.

They must be based on high-quality clinical research conducted in industry, practice or academia, and summarised in 250 words.

Applications are welcome from vets, vet nurses, practice managers, and students.

Submissions are open until 6 March 2026. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Survey seeks ruminant sector views on antimicrobial stewardship

A new survey is seeking views of people working in the UK ruminant sector on how to tackle the challenge of demonstrating responsible antibiotic stewardship.

Forming part of a wider, collaborative initiative, the results will help identify the types of data available so that challenges with data collection can be better understood and addressed.

Anyone working in the UK farming sector, including vets and farmers,is encouraged to complete the survey, which is available at app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk