As SibenikIN writes on the 30th of November, 2018, a project which brings together animals and children in the name of helping kids with varying disabilities, worth a massive million and a half kuna, will seek to help as many as twenty kids with numerous developmental disabilities in Croatia.
This project is not only a praiseworthy but an interesting one because it directly involves working with children with various developmental disabilities, these children tend to do very well once they get involved in athletic activities, and the emphasis this time, is on horses.
”The children will learn how to ride a horse, as well as how to properly groom and care for a horse in preparation for riding. We’re proud because the project will go on for three years and we’re expecting at least twenty children to be included in it,” said Suzana Živković of the Kolan riding association.
It has been proven on numerous occasions that therapeutic riding has quite a few effects on the overall health of children and young people.
”Improvements in both the motor and emotional fields are seen in all children. The children are given freedom, they gain self-confidence, their social communication is strengthened, and being around nature is an incentive to a healthy life,” noted Suzana Živković.
The Kolan riding association was established back in 2012 and currently has 48 members, including both recreational riders and children with various disabilities.
There are currently twelve horses who live permanently on the farm, four of which are ”therapeutic” horses, and the remaining horses are ridden for recreational purposes. The breeds present at the riding club include Icelandic horses and various types of mixed breeds.
This wonderful project aimed at helping kids with developmental disabilities in Croatia is funded by European Union funds, as well as funds from the Ministry of Family and Demography and it will, as previously mentioned, last for three years, the project’s partners are the City of Šibenik and the Šubićevac Education Centre.
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