Magpie Centre, West Norfolk Group Riding for the Disabled Association - King's Lynn

Julie ..

We went to an Open Day, had a carriage ride, stroked the ponies and enjoyed a lovely piece of cream sponge and a cup of tea.
It was so nice to see youngsters enjoying riding the ponies and learning how to look after them.

Sue H.

Went for Tea with the Ponies with a local Charity group. It was lovely! The sensory garden was really well laid out and we had an opportunity to say Hello to 2 friendly Ponies. Tea and Cake was delicious. What a fantastic charity!

Callisto

One of the finest established I know.
The staff are amazing with the kids and the horses. They do so much with the children. Riding, carriage driving, animal therapies of a wide reliable.
If you have a child with special needs and loves horses and ponies, check out, you'll be amazed.
The only caveat might me that waiting lists might be quite long as they're are simply excellent.

Alexandra M. B.

A place so full of peace and tranquility that any child - or adult for that matter - will not be able to resist the charming setting of this wonderfully managed stable yard, the calm and delightful horses and ponies, giving disabled people a way to experience closeness with horses and ponies on a one-to-one basis.
The staff and hoardes of volunteers (all volunteers are trained to an inch of their life) are incredibly nice and helpful and everyone involved has a burning passion for their visitors and their horses and ponies and a deep understanding of the importance to connect. It is always a huge pleasure to visit the Riding For The Disabled, whatever the weather. In fact, I was so impressed that one of my own horses is now happily - after a very stringent vetting process - was loaned to the Magpie Center and is loving to help other people enjoy this magical experience together with all the other horses and ponies of all shapes and sizes to suit any rider, driver and visitors.
The services offered are aplenty. Carriage driving for wheelchair users, one-to-one sessions for any and all mental and physical capacities, assisted riding, the list is endless.
All horses and staff are extremely capable and as mentioned before, patient, understanding and as mentioned before, vetted within an inch of their lives. Clearly, I don't have to state the obvious, they're all there for the wellbeing of people and the animals who have so much to give.
Apart from that, the service they provide is so vitally important and helps so many children and adults who may not have an opportunity to have a chance to interact with one of the most gracious creatures on our green Earth without having to pay a pricetag most of us could not afford.
If you or your child have any disability which you believe this amazing charity might be able to help you with, look it up, they are always happy to make new friends.

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Kevin C.

I very rarely leave reviews but I feel I need to on this occasion.
My ASD daughter up until today attended WNRDA and thoroughly enjoyed it for nearly three years.
The horses and setting is great, however and this is the biggest let down is the actual people who run the place. From my observations and experience of the place,
half of the volunteers lack a personality and would rather not engage with the riders.
Most of the instructors have their favourites and the other riders are not engaged or encouraged enough to bring their confidence and levels of skill out. After all it is the riders who are their to supposedly learn and be encouraged to enjoy the experience, this doesn't always happen though!
The rules and terms seem to be one sided! Heaven forbid if your late or do not turn up (remember the riders have various disabilities and illnesses) this seems to be forgotten about by the instructors and volunteers! I have heard first hand how people are talked about if they are not present! They take their time bringing in the horses and adjusting girths, stirrups etc which eats into the lessons considerably! A half hour lesson when we first attended was half an hour not 15 minutes because of this.These sort of issues should be dealt with when tacking up, not in lesson time and if adjustments are nessersary they certainly should not take so long!
Then theirs the receptionist in the office who seems to also lack total people skills. The email I received today from her via the yard manager supposedly explaining the grounds on why my daughter cannot attend lessons anymore quite frankly was appalling! It is disgusting to think that a centre like this which is supposed to help people with disabilities could lack so much empathy.
I feel my daughter has been dumped by WNRDA and the whole issue surrounding it could and should of been dealt with in a more caring, proffesional manner. It has left me appalled and with the task of having to tell my daughter she can no longer attend an activity she loved.
The trustees and board members really do need to look at what is going on here as it really was a great place up until the last 24 months or so.

Ruth B.

The volunteers are very attuned to the children. The arena is well maintained and the horses chosen are patient and calming.

Julie V.

Amazing, can't wait to go again

Jenny O.

This is a great place for children and adults with special needs, the horses and staff are very patient and makes them feel at ease.