There’s nothing like a success story to spur you on, so read about some of the people our work has benefitted.
The Armed Forces Equine Charity provides appropriately focussed equine assisted support for those individuals in the Armed Forces community facing mental and physical challenges and assists adults and children with special needs through equine learning programmes.
The charity supports equine recovery programmes for those who benefit from interaction with the animals; these include individuals who have been challenged by: anxiety and depression; loss of a loved one; alcohol and drug dependency; domestic abuse; violence and isolation. The demand for this support has significantly increased as a result of COVID 19 and the charity has a vital role to play in the nation’s recovery from these unprecedented times. The charity promotes the benefits of an active lifestyle by making equine sport and recreational activity available, accessible and affordable for all.
Here are some of the many people The Armed Forces Equine Charity has benefitted:
In 2011 Elaine was involved in a motorbike accident that changed her life.
Tedworth Park Polo, played an integral part in her recovery and return to an active life.
Elaine’s physical recovery was aided by the activity of riding and her mental wellbeing greatly improved by being involved in a team sport again. She sums it up perfectly by saying:
“When I play polo, I don’t feel disabled. I just feel normal.”
During the recent online fundraising event, serving soldier Nathan Rahman talked about his incredible return to riding after a fall in a point to point that left him with several bones in his back.
Initially given a recovery time of a minimum of six months, Nathan credits his far speedier return to race riding to both The Armed Forces Equine Charity and the rehabilitation unit.
“Having an hour or so with the horse in the morning puts me in a good place for the rest of the day”
One of our centres, Tedworth Equestrian Centre, has been very busy the past 6 months!
Navigating lockdown restrictions, and working hard to ensure everyone stays safe hasn’t been an easy task, but the Centre has been doing brilliantly. The team is hoping to become a nationally recognised centre for welfare, therapy and performance.
Compared to the same period last year, Tedworth Equestrian Centre has delivered to 574 more riders. The age range of our riders has also changed significantly, with the Centre supporting 200 more adults. In the first 6 months of this year, the team taught 1152 people to ride.
Although shows have been difficult under the current circumstances, Tedworth has managed to host 1298 competitors at 12 shows from January to June this year, and has welcomed 2 Olympians (Tim Price and Lucinda Green) to compete!
As well as the regular riding activities, we have also delivered 300 free equine experiences through our ‘Forces Community Together project’, hosted 48 people over lockdown via virtual courses and supported 10 veterans on our first Equine Intervention course.