Light up festivities by adopting a donkey

The children love the contact with the animals and soon gain in confidence as they learn to trust them. The donkeys seem to thrive on the attention they receive and walk calmly round as their young riders do their best to carry out a series of simple exercises.

The children who attend the centre run by the Elisabeth Svendsen Trust for Children and Donkeys at Eccup, Leeds have a wide range of disabilities. Some have learning difficulties or behavioural problems, others may have physical disabilities. Many are autistic and the riding sessions prove very beneficial for them all.

One boy who is autistic and does not speak, surprised everybody after a few months of attending the centre, when he showed he could recognise and match colours during one of the games they play.

On another occasion, a five-year-old boy who is selectively mute, started to speak in the lesson, asking his donkey to walk or trot on.

Such moments are a breakthrough for staff, helpers and most of all for parents.

"Riding the donkeys helps with the children's co-ordination and balance and they learn to use colours and numbers when we do little games," explained centre manager, Cathryn Williams.

"The donkeys are so calm and trusting and they do like the attention."

Being able to ride a donkey is a big thrill for those children who are normally dependant on walking aids, wheelchairs or the support of an adult.

For those who are unable to ride the donkeys, there are specially adapted carts which can accommodate their wheelchairs.

The Leeds centre provides donkey riding therapy for nearly 180 children with special needs every week.

There are five centres around the country and another one is being built in Belfast. All the donkeys come from EST's sister charity, the Donkey Sanctuary, and are specially selected for their calm and gentle natures.

"We aim to bring enjoyment and pleasure into the children's lives," says riding instructor Kirsty Christmas.

"Our work helps with their co-ordination and overall development, as well as giving them the satisfaction that comes with the achievement of learning riding skills."

A small team of donkeys and staff from the centre also travel around the area, visiting adults in nursing homes, hospices and residential homes.

"The donkeys are warmly greeted by residents whose faces light up when they see their four legged friends walking into communal lounges or even, in the case of less mobile residents, into their bedrooms," said Kirsty.

Children from as young as two years-old go to the centre, which also runs some evening sessions and a monthly, drop in, Saturday club.

The cost of running the centre, including caring for its 19 donkeys, is 500,000 a year. They rely mainly on donations and do much of their own fund-raising.

Volunteers are also vital to help with the riding sessions, as three adults are needed for each donkey.

The centre is open to the public from Monday to Friday and visitors are welcome to go along and see the children and donkeys working together.

The main source of fund-raising is through the 'adopt-a-donkey' scheme and staff are hoping this will appeal to people as Christmas approaches. The cost is 16 a year.

Some of the donkeys will be outside Sainsburys in Otley today when there will be information available about the adoption scheme.

On the weekend of December 4 and 5, the centre is organising a Winter Wonderland Christmas fair, when, among other things, there will be sleigh rides to see Santa.

For more information about the centre go to www.elisabethsvendsentrust.org.uk or call 0113 2619249.

Chance to become video stars and reflect your club's success

LIVERY yards, riding clubs and Pony Clubs have another chance to compete for the prize of three training mirrors for their arena in the latest Mirrors for Training winter league, run by the on-line dressage and showing website, Interdressage. Riders submit their entries via video.

Tadcaster-based Karina Hawkridge, the founder of Interdressage, said: "Last year, clubs and livery yards from around the UK braved one of the worst winters on record to amass points towards the prize.

"This year we are also giving our overseas competitors the chance to be included in the league."

The winter league will run from this month until April. For more information go to www.intredressage.com or email [email protected].

START your Christmas shopping in good time this weekend at a Christmas Fair being organised by the Pendle Forest and Craven Hunt.

It is being held at Coniston Hall, the home of Michael and Ethne Bannister, at Coniston Cold.

Entrance is 10 and will include a glass of something festive, canaps and mince pies. Call Carol Dawson on 07710843003 if you would like to go along.

NINETY per cent of riders feel drivers do not take enough care when passing horses on the road, according to a survey by the insurance company, Petplan Equine.

Road Safety Week begins on Monday and Petplan Equine is asking drivers to take extra care when passing horses.

In particular, do not sound your horn, dazzle a horse or rider with your lights or rev your engine or accelerate rapidly after passing a horse, say Petplan.

Riders are asked to show consideration to other road users too and also to remember not to use a mobile phone when riding, except in an emergency.

[email protected]; tel 0113 238 8253.

CW 20/11/10