Christine and Nick Barratt-Atkin’s dream was to open a centre providing riding therapy for the disabled. Health Editor Barry Nelson pops in for a ride.

THE Wild West-style whoops coming from the riders showed that they were having the time of their lives. The noises are coming from visitors from Craigmoor House, in Barnard Castle, a home for people with learning disabilities.

The group, which includes people with Down’s Syndrome, is visiting the Riding Centre for Special People, tucked away in the County Durham countryside on the edge of Escomb village.

Kitted out in riding hats and supported by two to three walkers on either side, the riders are taking part in a range of exercises. At one stage, 45-year-old Richard Proud trots forward on his pony and lets out a long, loud “Yeeeeeeeh…haaaaaaaaa!”, much to the delight and amusement of everyone.

Watching is Christine Barratt- Atkin, who opened the riding centre with her husband, Nick, two years ago. From small beginnings it now has more than 130 regular riders of all ages.

The great majority have one of a range of disabilities, from autism and visual impairment to Down’s Syndrome, learning difficulties, mental health problems, cerebral palsy and even people recovering from cancer.

Christine was a special needs school teacher before she decided to quit the classroom and live the dream of working with horses. Nick, who was working as a property developer, agreed that it was time for a change.

“We thought we could combine our love of horses with doing something useful. We knew there was a demand for riding as therapy and started looking for somewhere to buy.”

After months of searching, the East Boldon couple found what appeared to be an ideal location. “It was quite run down when we saw it, but we could see the potential,” says Christine.

That was six years ago and it has now been transformed into a professionally- run riding centre equipped with a large indoor exercise area.

WHILE it is run as a business, Christine admits that they could not survive without a small army of enthusiastic volunteers who help support visiting riders and do the innumerable jobs needed to keep the busy centre ticking over.

“We have 20 volunteers who give up hours of their time, ranging from teenagers to retired school teachers,” says Christine.

In exchange for helping out during visits – as some disabled riders need up to three escorts walking alongside the horse or pony – the volunteers have riding lessons.

If you stand and watch, it doesn’t take long to realise how important the weekly riding sessions are for many of Christine’s regulars. But riding is not something that necessarily comes easily. “At first it can be a bit of a battle, but after a few weeks this calmness appears. You can see from the expression on their faces that they are really enjoying themselves,” she says.

Christine says there is lots of evidence that riding can be very beneficial for people with disabilities. “I would say that anybody with disabilities or who is recovering from illness might benefit from riding therapy. From a physiotherapy point of view, every time the horse moves it rotates the riders hips. Horse riding is much better than an hour’s physiotherapy on the ground.”

Riding also seems to be particularly beneficial for people with cerebral palsy and other motor problems.

“It is also good for self-esteem, selfconfidence and social skills. It even encourages speech. Just saying ‘walk on’ can be a real achievement for some people.”

The horses and ponies used at the Riding Centre for Special People are handpicked for their docile natures.

Christine and Nick look at a lot of prospective mounts before choosing the right animal.

“They have to be very calm and docile. The other day we had a lady who had an epileptic fit on a horse and we got her off without a problem.

That particular horse is worth her weight in gold.”

When the couple took on the riding centre, they knew it would be hard work. They were proved right.

“We work six days a week, but even on the seventh day, the horses still have to be fed and looked after.

It means our lives are totally dedicated to the riding centre,” says Christine.

The Escomb centre also doubles up as the base for the Wear Valley RDA (Riding for the Disabled Association), which means their riders can compete at a regional and national level against other RDA centres.

Currently, the centre has three junior riders who are Northern Region Champions. “We have some real young stars, an 11-year-old, a nineyear- old and a six-year-old,” says Christine proudly.

WHILE the centre is registered as a charity and can qualify for grants from various bodies, the need to increase income is never far from Christine’s mind. “We are always looking for businesses to sponsor ponies. You have to buy a new set of shoes for every horse every six weeks at £53 a time and that is just the shoes. Then there is the worming, the vaccinations, the insurance…oh…and then there’s the food!”

Improving facilities does not come cheap. The impressive, large indoor exercise area cost the couple nearly £100,000. Recently, the centre invested in a substantial-looking hydraulic lift, which allows people who can’t normally get on a horse to take part in riding exercises.

“We have got two people who are only here today because we have got this hoist,” says Christine.

Despite attracting riders from all over the North-East and doing their best to publicise the activities at their riding centre, Christine says she and Nick find it frustrating when they meet people who say “I didn’t know you existed”.

“We have targeted special schools and day care centres and invited staff to come and have a look around, but really, anyone with a disability or who is recovering from illness might benefit from riding therapy.”

■ For more information about the Riding Centre for Special People, ring 01388-604637 or visit ridingcentreforspecialpeople.co.uk