A charity that provides disabled people with the therapeutic benefits of horse riding has been given a new horse to allow it to continue its good work.
Pakefield Riding School in Carlton Road, Lowestoft established a Riding for the Disabled (RDA) Group in 1968 but over the years some of the horses used by the group have become too old for the purpose and have had to be retired and one has sadly died.
Riding School Proprietor, Tess Hardy MBE, said “the charity didn’t have sufficient funds to buy a replacement horse for the RDA Group – so we approached the Lowestoft Lions and they came to see what we did and then agreed to help us.”
After a short search the Riding School found a suitable horse, a black and white Irish Cob named ‘Bridie’, who stands 13 hands high and is six years old.

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Mrs Hardy said ”for the RDA we have to be so careful and to be sure that the horse will be safe for children. ‘Bridie’ is a strong horse and passed this test with ease. We have continued with more schooling and training and have also taken “Bridie’ to the beach and she has been in the sea”
Mrs Hardy added “Our RDA group is also desperate for volunteers and we are on the lookout for people who like animals as well as children and are also not afraid of some physical work.”Lions Vice President Derek Ward said “The Lions Club members were impressed by the work that Pakefield Riding School RDA group did and could see the benefits to the disabled riders and were happy to provide the £2500 funds to purchase the new horse and its saddle.”