Horse therapy centre plans being considered
The site already has more basic facilities for riding and stabling
- Published
Plans for a new equestrian facility catering for people with physical and mental disabilities in Nottinghamshire are currently going through the planning process.
The proposed site is located in Longdale Lane, Ravenshead, where a training area and paddocks already exist.
An application for the centre was submitted to Gedling Borough Council by Rowntree Equine Therapy Ltd at the end of July this year.
The facility, which would be a two-storey with stables for four horses, would provide users with access to physical exercise, build confidence and combat loneliness, experts said.
Positive wellbeing
Rowntree Therapy Limited is a not-for-profit organisation with the aim of providing teaching, rehabilitation, and an equestrian experience for people with disabilities.
Plans for the centre also include, external a riding area, hay and tack storage and a horse hydro facility.
The first floor would have an office, meeting room, classroom and external viewing area for spectators.
The Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) said equine therapy assists people with disabilities with getting physical exercise, building confidence levels and relationships, and strengthening core strength, balance and coordination.
The association said it could also combat loneliness and isolation, which some disabled people experienced.
If the plans are approved, Portland College, a specialist college, residential care provider and Centre of Excellence for Autism in Mansfield, will be the main user of the centre’s services, said the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
A classroom would also be available in the centre, allowing for specialist equine short courses, ranging from level one to level five, to be taught.
A letter of support from the college in the planning documents reads: “We were very keen to create a link with the college where our learners could use this facility as part of their animal care qualifications, work experience and to support with wellbeing.”
A date for the plans to be discussed by Gedling Borough Council has not yet been set.
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- Published10 March
