A RIDING for the Disabled centre is hoping to raise £20,000 towards a new black horse ­– with a difference.

The Unicorn Centre, in Hemlington, Middlesbrough, is hoping to raise the money for a computer-aided mechanical horse which will help riders hone their skills, particularly in the dressage arena.

The Racewood Dressage Simulator will allow the centre's participants to develop their riding style in a focused, one-to-one environment as an alternative to using a live horse.

It will be also used to assess potential new participants on the Centre’s waiting list and existing riders with particular physical or weight problems could continue their riding lessons on it.

The state-of-the-art horse enables riders to assess their balance and position using the computer programmes, with sensors on the horse and TV screen allowing them to experience real-time riding in different environments.

The horse will be in a purpose-built therapy room which will be named after one of the centre's riders, who died last year after battling illness for 15 years.

Paul Conway found that riding gave him his dignity and self-respect back following a stroke, as well as the huge physical benefits of better balance and co-ordination. He was an advocate of the centre.

The simulator will also allow the centre's 18 ponies to provide riding lessons at the same time, giving more people the opportunity to ride, while non-disabled riders will get opportunities to hire the equipment to improve their skills.

Centre Manager Claire Pitt said, “There’s only one huge drawback: about £60,000 is needed to buy the Simulator and construct the therapy room. We’ve raised £40,000 through grants and donations, and we’re hoping that the rest will be found soon."

Donations can be made by visiting the centre's BTMyDonate page: https://mydonate.bt.com/events/dressagesimulator/480374.

She added:“Every horse has to have a name, whether it’s run on hay or electricity so can you come up with a suitable name for it? The winner will be invited to the official unveiling, and could have a trial ride on the Simulator.

  • Send in your name suggestion with your name and telephone number to enquiries@rdaunicorncentre.co.uk