Horse riding gives joy and enhances skills

They say children, many of whom have motor issues such as cerebral palsy, love the interaction with the animals and it also improves their balance and cognitive processes.

A youngster at the Riding for the Disabled Association. Reem Mohammed / The National
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DUBAI // When Faith Grao is lifted on to Cigar, her favourite horse, her smile is clear to see.

To the casual observer, the seven-year-old is like any other little girl, enjoying a weekend riding session in the Dubai sunshine.

But Faith has cerebral palsy, a condition that severely ­affects her mobility, and for her father, Jeffrey Grao, this is the best time of the week, when he gets to watch his daughter’s joy at picking up the reins, taking charge and setting off for a canter.

“This is her second season and she really likes coming here,” said Mr Grao, an Indian.

“With cerebral palsy pretty much the whole body is affected, so this really helps her gain some balance and strengthens her core muscles.”

Faith is one of about 80 children who attend weekly sessions at Riding for the Disabled Dubai (RDAD) – a programme set up to help those with special needs to develop their physical, cognitive and emotional abilities through horse riding.

Seven-year-old Emirati Rayyan Sharafi has a beaming smile after trotting round an obstacle course and participating in games at the green course at the Desert Palm Dubai riding school.

The youngster, who has a genetic disorder, is assisted off a docile horse and runs towards his mother, Nada Sharafi, 38.

“It was good ,” he said, shyly. “I was on my favourite horse. She is brown.”

Ms Sharafi said RDAD was recommended to her by a cousin.

“Her son is autistic and she used to bring him for riding, so she recommended the place to us,” she said.

“Plus, my son has always been a little bit scared of animals. So, initially, I thought it might be good to introduce him to animals as well as improving his balance, his posture and making him more confident.

“He is so happy and loves the other children, the teachers and the volunteers.”

Nina Korhonen, from Finland, takes her son Julius every week.

The 10-year-old has mild cerebral palsy, and Ms Korhonen said that, after three years of sessions at the riding school, his mobility and posture has significantly improved.

“He has become so much more mobile,” said Ms Korhonen.

“He loves it and I could see the improvements very early on.”

Lina Al Hamid, a Jordanian, brings her five-year-old daughter Yasmina to riding sessions every Saturday.

“She has been coming for three years and she loves it,” Ms Al ­Hamid said.

“It has helped to increase her confidence, her communication – a lot of things. It is a very positive initiative.”

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