At Arrow Riding Centre in Dartford, equine therapy offers more than just physical rehabilitation—it’s a pathway to freedom, confidence, and healing for individuals with disabilities.
Since 1982, Arrow Riding Center has been transforming lives through its specialised programs that promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
ARC has also notably had a royal visit from Princess Anne.
Each rider’s journey at Arrow begins with a thorough assessment, usually following a referral from a school or hospital.
This process helps match the rider with a suitable horse and tailors the therapy to their specific needs.
"Matching the right horse to the right rider is crucial," says Val Blake, a volunteer and group organiser who has worked at Arrow for 37 years.
"Each horse has its own personality, and we need to know them as well as we know the riders."
The center is home to 10 horses, each selected for their ability to work with different riders.
Riders start with basic tasks, such as sitting up straight or holding their posture, and progress to more complex exercises like walking and trotting.
For wheelchair users, the goal may be simply to sit up unaided, while others may work on riding techniques or building strength.
Every lesson is designed to challenge the rider, increase mobility, and boost confidence.
“The most rewarding part of this work is seeing the transformation in our riders,” says Val.
“Watching someone who couldn’t sit up straight begin riding—it’s really amazing to see.”
Arrow Riding Centre depends on the generosity of volunteers, donations, and sponsorships to continue its vital work, and the center deeply appreciates the support from fundraisers and sponsors that make their programs possible.
The team of volunteers is dedicated to ensuring each rider’s success, offering support and encouragement throughout the therapy.
"The best part of my job is seeing the riders smile for the first time," Val shares.
"Whether they’re physically disabled or not, the joy of seeing them grow and gain confidence is incredibly rewarding. Its like watching magic really"
She has received numerous prestigious awards such as The Dartfordian Award for Services to the Disabled (twice received!), The Silver Jubilee Award from the RDA and most honourably, The British Empire Medal in 2015
In addition to traditional riding lessons, Arrow also uses a state-of-the-art mechanical horse to help riders practice posture, dressage, and jumping in a safe, controlled environment.
This equipment is especially helpful for riders who may not yet be ready to work with a live horse.
Emma, a physiotherapist at Arrow briefly explains her job and how it works; “One part of the job is assessing the riders with physical disabilities and their suitability to ride and then what sort of horse might suit them.
“We choose to put our riders on horses based on the horses walking pattern as it can really affect the riders rehabilitation.. When they're on the horse, we have to think what kind of exercises do they need, what content needs to be in the lesson and help them improve their physical health goals”
“My job helps me as well in way, I'm happy when can see joy and watch people progress and see them achieve their goals.
Through the transformative power of horses, Arrow continues to help individuals break through barriers and discover a world of possibilities.
