Carriage driving

The AVCP provides carriage driving activities for disabled and disadvantaged adults and children. The driving sessions take place in an enclosed arena, or in fields adjacent to the arena, and in general last for about 20-25 minutes. We can provide for groups of up to six but are happy to organise individual sessions if necessary, all ages are welcome.  

Why carriage driving?

For some participants mounting and riding a horse is not an option, carriage driving can offer an interesting and achievable alternative. For other participants driving is their first choice, enjoying the company of the carriage driver sitting beside them and the responsiveness and obedience of the pony pulling the carriage. The driving session is comfortable and easy for those not used to regular physical exercise.

The carriages we use are easy to access, with a large comfortable seat. For those who have poor balance, we can use a backstep behind the driver, allowing a third person to ride on the carriage to help steady the driver’s position and offer extra support.  An experienced driver is in the carriage at all times to maintain control of the horse, and to encourage the driver to learn the skills required  to start taking as much control as is appropriate in order to fully benefit from the carriage driving experience.

Sessions can take the form of a quiet ride in the carriage, this relaxing activity usually has a calming effect, alternatively a more hands on driving session which involves learning to communicate commands to the horse and to negotiate the horse and carriage through achievable manoeuvres.

So, how is it therapeutic?

• Carriage driving promotes balance
• Helps improve muscle tone and core muscle strength
• Helps improve co-ordination
• Increases confidence and self esteem
• Provides a stimulating and meaningful experience
• Good exercise
• Helps promote good communication skills
• Allows measurement of progression

Our sessions regularly benefit participants with cerebral palsy, congenital heart disease, autism, learning difficulties, partial paralysis, complex physical disabilities, acquired brain injuries and amputees.

We are able to offer carriage driving to wheelchair users through the use of a wheelchair accessible carriage, these sessions run during the week for groups of up to four people.

The Alkham Valley Community Project supports the Alkham Valley Young Drivers Club, the club meets twice a week and encourages young people of all abilities to give carriage driving a go.

If you think carriage driving is for you, or someone in your care, please click here to contact us or use the numbers below:

amanda@avcp.co.uk      07723607220

jo@avcp.co.uk              07816664529

WE ARE ALWAYS PLEASED TO HAVE EXTRA VOLUNTEER HELP. VOLUNTEERS ARE TRAINED, SO IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN CARRIAGE DRIVING AND HAVE SOME TIME FREE, COME ALONG AND GIVE IT A GO,WE LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU.