Assisted learning stables set to close

RIDING SCHOOL:AN AWARD-winning Sligo stables which has become a haven for almost 100 children and adults with a range of physical and emotional problems, is facing closure.

Pegasus, which has been recognised for celebrating "ability, not disability", is set to close its doors this autumn unless it finds a new premises.

Based in an idyllic setting 200 yards from the beach near Grange in Co Sligo, Pegasus has been providing equine assisted learning and therapeutic riding since 2003 but its lease is set to expire within months.

"Ideally what we need is a 15 acre site where we could build an indoor arena as currently we have an outdoor arena only, which makes us very dependent on the weather," said Swiss-born Tina Schmill who founded Pegasus and who last year won one of Social Entrepreneurs Ireland (SEI)'s main awards.

"We would love to get a 21 year lease which as a charity would enable us to qualify for various capital grants," she explained.

A qualified advanced therapeutic riding instructor and former veterinary nurse, she started off in Co Sligo with only one horse and five riders per week but the centre now has five horses, three dogs - who work with those not ready or suited to horse riding - and 95 registered riders aged from three to 55.

"We have found that apart from the obvious physical benefits such as improved muscle tone, the activities boost self confidence and often improve the emotional and social wellbeing of both children and adults," said Ms Schmill.

She said that autistic children derive huge benefits from interaction with the animals, often their first experience of relating with the outside world.

Many of the riders are in wheelchairs and Ms Schmill explained that as a horse's walk almost exactly mimics the human gait, riding gives people, who will never walk on their own, a completely new sense of control.

Because the riders start using different muscle groups to stay upright, other sensory skills can kick into action.

"We have had kids who started talking after they had been riding for a while. It is amazing to see," said Tina.

"We have a lot of volunteers - we need two and often three people to work with each rider," she said.

"It can be very intense but it is very rewarding especially when you see a breakthrough.

" I know it will be devastating for the riders if we are forced to close so we are hoping someone can lease us a new home before next spring".

Pegasus is a registered charity which is supported by the HSE, Sligo Sports Recreation Partnership and the Irish Youth Foundation. It hopes to remain in the same area in order to facilitate its customers, many of whom have no other social outlet. Pegasus serves six special needs schools from Sligo, as well as adult groups from Cregg House, and Cloonamahon centre and private clients.

Ms Schmill said their current landlords had been very generous to them over the years and had given them plenty of notice. "We have been looking for a year but we have not found anything suitable yet", she said.