For the second year running the Leitrim Pony-Riding and Animal Welfare project was launched on Friday 25th May in Mooreland’s Equestrian Centre in Drusmahnbo. Forty-two children will participate in the ten-week programme which includes pony-riding lessons, equine husbandry, animal welfare, donkey handling, responsible dog ownership and a field trip to a Pony Camp, the RACE Academy in Kildare and the Irish National Stud. The programme allows the participants to participate in positive equine-related activities to which they would normally have not have access. The children are encouraged to develop horse-riding and animal welfare skills and knowledge in a safe, secure animal-centric learning environment.
The programme also allows boys and girls from a variety of cultures and backgrounds to socialise, integrate and develop equine skills through participation in positive, engaging and fun activities. The Leitrim Pony-Riding and Animal Welfare project is targeted towards children aged 12-17 from traveller, disadvantaged and non-national backgrounds in Leitrim.
This is the second year this programme has been rolled out in Leitrim and the multi-agency approach and collaboration with the following partners Leitrim County Council ,Leitrim Sports Partnership, Leitrim Development Company, Department of Agriculture and Food, Tusla, Youth Work Ireland North Connacht, Garda Siochana, The Irish Horse Welfare Trust, Dog’s Trust, RACE Academy Kildare, Leitrim Animal Welfare, Hungry Horse Outside and the Donkey Sanctuary has allowed the programme to be delivered in a very timely, cost-effective and efficient manner. The expertise and experience of each agency was effectively harnessed to produce a highly successful programme.