Park Lane Stables RDA, is a charity and Riding for the Disabled Association Centre (RDA), currently based at Manor Road Stables in Petersham.

Set up by founder Natalie O'Rourke and assisted by a team of RDA, Pony Club and Natural Horsemanship coaches, they strive to be a place where horses help people and people help horses, always leaving happier than when they arrived.

They opened in 2007, at their Teddington site and Natalie built it up from scratch.

In 2010 the stables became an RDA yard but at the time they did not have many riding for the disabled clients.

They run a wide programme of activities, including assisted riding, horse care, carriage driving, equine therapy and hippotherapy.

Lexy, who works at the stables said: "At the time we didn't have many riding for the disabled clients but we've built it up by getting the community involved, not just in the riding aspects but we would be on the streets of Teddington with the horses, just popping into Starbucks."

During the COVID pandemic, they would take the horses to people's houses.

"Covid had a big effect on everyone, let alone those who suffer from mental health problems because everyone had to isolate and they were becoming isolated so we had a little pony and we took her to people's houses so they got to socialise and go into gardens.

"During COVID children and adults that had physical or mental disabilities, all of their day care centers shut down so they weren't getting the treatment that they usually would have so having some sort of familiarity in us got them through.

"It had a massive impact on people and people started to recognise us."

In 2021, Park Lane Stables were evicted from their stables in Teddington and had to move to the temporary Petersham location.

Now, they are awaiting refurbishments on the Teddington stables, which received a green light on its planning application in June and are hoping to move back by the turn of the year.

Lexy said: "After the threat to our property the whole community came together and that really showed the impact that not only we have but they have on us."

Following World Mental Health Day, last week (10 October) the stables want to remind people how amazing horses can be for mental health, as well as for those with disabilities.

They provide the opportunity for those struggling with mental health problems to come and spend time with their 25 horses, whether this is by riding, brushing them or even just talking to them.

They also have a therapy room on site where people can speak to a counselor.

The therapy room. (Photo Credit: Heather Nicholls).

Lexy added: "We pride ourselves on how we treat our horses and humans, its kind to be kind and we try to show that we care about the people and the horses and that everyone is as happy as they can be.

"We offer horses as a form of therapy, we offer horse riding but that is not everything that we do we also offer carriage driving for those who can't ride and also horses in the form of therapy such as brushing the horses, spending time with them."

She said: "We've had a lot of people come who don't even like horses but they've done jobs such as hay nets and sweeping where they've been able to put their mind to something."

Prodney, the 42 year old grey gelding who spends his time exploring the stables. (Photo Credit: Heather Nicholls).

Jo, who has been an RDA coach for 15 years said that the impact that horses have on those suffering from mental health problems is huge.

She said: "They have such a way of calming people, its quite similar to dogs. They can sense when someone is upset or angry. The way they can calm people in a heartbeat is amazing. Quite often you'll see someone who is quite upset just see them and the horse resting their heads on each other and its so tranquil and it brings happiness.

She added: "It's the ability to put your mind to something, you're not sat on the computer, you're outside with nature and the horses. The effect it can have on people is so magical and also I think just building a bond with the horse really helps people establish how to build bonds with people.

"Horses, like other animals, aren't going to judge you, and feeling that love makes you feel loved and just that cuddle because some people have never had that so to touch a horse is amazing."

Find out more about the stables by visiting their website here.