Youngsters saddle up for riding therapy

Donkey riding isn't just for the beach, as youngsters from Priestley Smith School in Great Barr have discovered.

Children from special schools can now saddle up for a day at the Elisabeth Svendsen Trust Donkey Centre in Sutton Coldfield and can even adopt one of the gentle animals.

The trust has five centres across the country and the one for the West Midlands has been based at Sutton Coldfield Park since 1994.

Surrounded by peaceful woodland, facilities at the centre include a sensory room where children can relax before they receive their riding therapy session.

When they are outside the donkeys have to wear special mesh masks to keep pesky flies away from their eyes.

However, centre co-ordinator Gill Warner, says that as soon as the donkeys are inside they can say goodbye to their masks and enjoy a riding session with their children.

"The donkeys are picked especially for their gentle nature and they always behave themselves with the children," she says.

"At first the children can be wary of the donkeys but when they have been to the centre a few times they can't wait to have a ride."

On July 17 the centre is having a summer fair when, as well as there being a range of stalls and an auction, people will be able to see the donkeys and enjoy a dog display.