Julie-Anne Griffith--"The Equi-Power Project". Equi-Power is what used to be called the Central Scotland Riding for the Disabled Association. Thursday 15 October 2020 @ 18.45 for Chat meet @ 19.00

EQUI-POWER

At Thursday’s meeting, members were very interested to hear from Julie-Anne Griffith about the work of Equi-Power, a charity established to support learning, health and enjoyment in people of all abilities by means of developing their relationships with horses. The charity currently offers horse riding, equestrian vaulting and equine-facilitated learning from a temporary base between Falkirk and Stirling. However, its longer-term aim is to serve Central Scotland, and it is currently working with Stirling Council to develop a new base that will offer a permanent home for the charity. 

Equi-Power was set up in 2015 in the wake of the loss by Riding for the Disabled (RDA) of its long-term facility. Recognition of the success of RDA over many years, led to a decision to create an organisation that would continue the work of the RDA, but would extend the range and scope of its activities to cover a broader community of need.  In due course, this has emerged with the inclusion of Forth Valley Disability Sport, British Equestrian Vaulting, and Club Sport Stirling.  In the context of its wider range of activity, Julie-Anne instanced the work of a particular project, the Venture Trust on the Hoof.  This project uses the development of a person’s relationship with horses to promote a variety of positive behavioural objectives.  In one instance, she described how the relationship with horses had developed young people’s confidence and had helped to support them in making the transition from care to independent living.  In another case, a young girl lacking verbal communication skills was encouraged to start talking to a horse.  From this beginning she had become, as Julie-Anne described it, “a chatterbox”.  

Overall, those who have enjoyed a relationship with horses in the various contexts offered by Equi-Power have shown greater confidence, improved communication skills, and a greater ability to build new relationships.

Inevitably, the emergence of the coronavirus pandemic has had a detrimental affect on the numbers that can be catered for, and has involved extra requirements to ensure the safety of all concerned.  But, Julie-Anne explained that, looking to the future, Equi-Power is working to achieve its objective of the development of a purpose-built centre. This will provide facilities for children and adults with support needs who can benefit from the experience of engaging with horses. In this context, they are optimistic of progressing the current, detailed discussions with Stirling Council about the acquisition of the site at Kildean. 

Thanking Julie-Anne for her talk, President Elect Russell Wheater offered his and the Club’s best wishes for success in the development of Equi-Power’s new facility.