Ride High is a registered charity (n0. 1129692) based in Milton Keynes which aims to help disadvantaged children and those having difficulties in their daily lives, by giving them the opportunity to learn to ride and look after horses and ponies.

There is evidence that for children who are angry, hurt, upset, lonely or underprivileged, contact with horses can have highly beneficial effects. Children who exhibit antisocial behaviour in their daily lives often find that riding provides an absorbing new challenge which can take the place of disruptive activities and for others it builds confidence and self esteem.

The children that Ride High aims to help are likely to fall into one or more of the following categories:

• children in care or foster children;
• children from deprived backgrounds;
• children who are carers for a parent or younger siblings;
• children who are bullied at school or feel disenfranchised;
• children who have been in trouble with the authorities;
• children who have been excluded from school;
• children who have suffered abuse.

Ride High is based at Loughton Manor Equestrian Centre, Loughton, Central Milton Keynes.  It started operations with its first group of children on 23 April 2009 and now provides access for over 40 children per week. 

Our goals

That the children that participate in the Ride High project have positive experiences that help them deal better with things they find difficult in their daily lives

That the children become more attuned to their own possibilities and opportunities and go on to contribute more fully and constructively to the world around them.

What makes Ride High different

1. Our work with horses

2. Our focus on improving self esteem, confidence and social skills through structured clubroom sessions and our emphasis on monitoring improvements in every child.

3. Our long term approach. We operate all the way through the year including during school holidays when many other activities close down.  For those children who attend regularly we commit to provide access until they are 18 years old

Admissions

Ride High will only accept a child/young person as a result of a  referral from a recognised agency such as a social worker, youth worker, school or doctor.

For more information about Ride High please email us at info@ridehigh.org