advice for riding instructors - Dyspraxia Foundation

Dyspraxia/Developmental Coordination Disorder
A Guide for Riding Instructors
Developmental coordination difficulties are though to affect between 5-10% of schoolaged
children. In the UK these difficulties are often referred to as “dyspraxia” although in
other countries the term Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is more commonly
used.
Young people with dyspraxia/DCD often struggle with physical activities and sports. They
can appear awkward and clumsy, and make slow progress compared to other children.
Young people with dyspraxia/DCD have difficulty learning new movements and they
aren’t able to transfer learned skills easily to different situations. Team sports are
particularly challenging as they require the individual to constantly adjust their body in
response to changes in the environment.
If children with movement difficulties are not encouraged to participate
in physical activities this will affect their fitness, physical health and
general well-being over time. It is therefore important to encourage
people with dyspraxia/DCD to find a physical activity that they enjoy and
in which they can succeed.
Horse riding is particularly good for young people with dyspraxia/DCD
as it can help develop posture, balance, strength and body awareness
as well as confidence, self-esteem and social skills. In the words of one parent: “for any
young person with difficulties to get on the back of a huge animal and be in charge can
only boost self esteem immensely”. Young people with dyspraxia/DCD will however need
special encouragement and individual attention to prevent them from becoming
dissatisfied and disillusioned.
Difficulties that may be experienced by children with dyspraxia/DCD when learning
to ride:
• Poor core stability and weakness in the pelvic and shoulder girdles – affecting the
person’s ability to achieve and maintain a good posture
• Poor balance – leaning to one side or falling forward
• Difficulty attending to instructions and a delay in responding, especially if the
environment is noisy.
• Slow to pick up new skills – this can cause problems when others in the group pick
up things more quickly
• Difficulty following directional instructions because of poor spatial awareness
• Difficulty organising the movements needed to get onto the horse, shorten the reins
and so on.
Dyspraxia Foundation Factsheet Riding for Instructors 1 July 2011

How you can help
• Have plenty of patience!
• Encourage participation and fun and reward effort - certificates,
rosettes and badges can really boost self-esteem
• Choose a calm pony with a “smooth” action that is unlikely to
make any unpredictable movements
• Encourage the individual to spend time with the horse before you
even think about getting on to ride. This will really help with
confidence.
• Provide a step for individuals who have difficulty mounting
• Don’t tell the individual to “try harder” – they are already working twice as hard as
their peers
• Find out if the individual has any specific limitations or needs; for example tight
hamstrings can make posting difficulty, causing pain and leading to the individual
becoming disillusioned
• In the early days, find somewhere with minimal distractions so that the individual can
really focus on developing skills and confidence
• Teach skills in smaller, manageable parts – lots of repetition is needed
• Use of mirrors can help the individual to monitor their sitting posture
• Provide side walkers as well as someone leading the reins until balance and
confidence has improved.
• Don’t expect perfection – individuals with dyspraxia may hold their hands and feet in
positions that aren’t quite right. Try to strike a balance that you as the instructor and
the person with dyspraxia are comfortable with
• Put up pictures around the riding area so you can tell the young person to go towards
the “apple” or “Queen” rather than using left and right
• Bear in mind that it might take longer for the young person with dyspraxia to learn to
tack up. Give extra prompts and use picture reminders where necessary. This is good
for developing manual dexterity so encourage the young person to persevere!
• Encourage the young person to help with grooming and general horse care. This will
really help their motor skills as well as boost their confidence.
Useful link:
Riding for the Disabled (RDA)
http://www.riding-for-disabled.org.uk
Further information available from:
Dyspraxia Foundation, 8 West Alley, Hitchin, Herts SG5 1EG
Tel: 01462 454986 (Helpline) / 01462 455016 (Administration)
Fax: 01462 455052 Email: dyspraxia@dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk
Website: www.dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk
© Dyspraxia Foundation
Registered charity no 1058352 A company limited by guarantee. Registered in England No 3256733
Dyspraxia Foundation Factsheet Riding for Instructors 1 July 2011